Surrounded by the impeccable stonework of Minneapolis City Hall, Giselle and Amin tied the knot in front of the second-story banister and stained-glass windows. As they did not have any family in the nearby areas, the couple—who had called Minnesota home for the past ten years—chose an intimate ceremony for their special day. For a classically bridal look, Giselle wore a bright white, cocktail-length dress with folded, off-the-shoulder short sleeves and a skirt structured to add a dash of drama to the ensemble. To complete her outfit, the bride accessorized with matching shoes and earrings from her home country and included evil eye charms—symbolic for blessings and good luck—in her bouquet of lilies. Amin put a spin on traditional groom attire with his patterned tie and dark blue suit that gave off an elegant teal color in the sunlight. Following their vows, the newlyweds ventured around the historic building for their portraits—a gorgeous photoshoot that they could not wait to share with their families.
Giselle and Amin are amongst a growing number of couples who have decided to forego the hassle and intensive planning that comes with hosting a larger ceremony and celebration. Especially for those whose loved ones can not attend, a private courthouse or city hall wedding can be the perfect choice! These sort of public spaces, particularly ones with rich histories, offer a seemingly endless supply of photo-worthy spots to capture the love between bride and groom. Moving beyond traditional wedding outfits, intimate ceremonies allow couples more versatility in what they chose to wear, allowing both parties to be truly comfortable with what they have on. With their ceremony details mostly handled by courthouse staff, couples are free to celebrate their union as they please, whether that’s with a small gathering at home or a wild after-party with all of their family and friends. While there may be less opportunity to personalize your courthouse wedding, they can be incredibly cost-effective and allow you to direct your energy and funds elsewhere—like a lavish honeymoon!
