Why three hours instead of only the ceremony?
A courthouse wedding can be simple without feeling like something you squeezed in between errands. The ceremony itself may be short, but that is not the whole day.
Three hours gives us time to meet before you go inside, photograph the ceremony and take photos with anyone who came to celebrate with you. After that, we still have time to walk around downtown and focus on the two of you without racing the clock.
Your timeline will depend on where you are getting married and what you want photographed. This is just an example of how the time can work.
We will meet before you go inside
I like to meet outside before the ceremony rather than trying to find each other once everyone is already inside the courthouse. It gives us a minute to settle in and lets us get a few photos before it is time to go through security or check in.
If you are bringing flowers or another detail that matters to you, we can photograph it then. You do not need to arrive with a bag full of wedding details for the photos to feel complete.
Give the courthouse a little extra time
The ceremony may be short, but getting inside and waiting for the room can take longer than expected. I would not schedule the first portrait for the exact minute your appointment should end.
Giving ourselves a little room means a small delay does not make the rest of your photos feel rushed. Some courthouses do not allow flash during the ceremony, but that is not a problem. I will plan for the light we have.
Make a short family photo list
If family or close friends are coming with you, we will make a short list ahead of time so I know exactly who you want photos with. I do not need a list for the entire day. This is only for the combinations you would be upset to miss.
We can start with the largest group and let people go as we finish with them. That keeps this part moving and leaves more time for photos of the two of you.
Plan to walk a little
One of the best parts about the Tarrant County Courthouse is that we can get several different looks without getting back into the car. We can use the courthouse and then walk into downtown for the rest of your portraits.
Bring a pair of shoes you can walk in if your wedding shoes are not comfortable. You can change back into them when we stop for photos. We can also keep the route shorter if either of you needs less walking.
An example of a three-hour courthouse timeline
I normally plan to meet about thirty minutes before the ceremony. That gives us time to say hello, get a few photos and go inside without already feeling behind.
After the ceremony, we can do family photos while everyone is together. Once those are done, we will use the rest of your coverage for the two of you. If the courthouse is running behind, we adjust. The timeline is there to help the day feel easier, not make it feel like we are racing a stopwatch.
Before you choose a date
Before you make plans around something you read on a blog or social media, check the Tarrant County marriage license page for the current process. Things can change and the county should always be your final source.
Once you know where you are getting married and have a general idea of the time, send it to me. I can help you figure out how the photography should fit around it.
You can also look through a real Fort Worth courthouse wedding or read about my three-hour courthouse coverage before you reach out.
