There’s something really special about a courthouse wedding. The 1910 Harris County Courthouse has beautiful historic architecture, a gorgeous rotunda, and plenty of downtown Houston charm. It’s a wonderful option for couples who want something intimate and meaningful without planning a huge wedding.
We’ve photographed many weddings and elopements here, and what we love most is that no two courthouse weddings feel the same. Some couples bring their closest family and friends, while others keep it just the two of them. Either way, the focus stays where it belongs: on getting married and enjoying the moment together.
If you’re thinking about saying “I do” at the 1910 Harris County Courthouse, here’s what you need to know.
Step 1: Get Your Marriage License
Start by applying for a Texas marriage license at the Harris County Clerk’s Office. Bring valid photo IDs and the $82 fee. Keep in mind there’s a 72-hour waiting period before you can have your ceremony, and your license is valid for 90 days, giving you flexibility as you plan. More details HERE
Step 2: Choose Your Officiant
The courthouse doesn’t schedule weddings directly, so you’ll need a licensed officiant. A popular choice is retired Judge Jay Karahan, who performs ceremonies inside the courthouse rotunda on select weekdays coordinated with the courthouse availability. You can also choose another licensed officiant if you have someone special in mind. Whether you want a simple ceremony or something more personal with your own vows, there are plenty of ways to make it feel like you.
Step 3: Pick Your Ceremony Location
Rotunda Elegance:
Imagine exchanging vows beneath the courthouse’s soaring ceilings, with natural light filling the space. The rotunda is intimate and breathtaking, though availability is limited to certain weekdays and hours.
The guest list is also naturally small, with no more than 12 guests plus your photographer. Honestly, we think that’s part of the charm. It keeps the focus on you two and the people closest to you.
Outdoor Charm:
For a touch of fresh air on a colder Houston days, you can also have your ceremony outside on the courthouse grounds. The historic architecture makes a beautiful setting, and you can easily continue with portraits around the courthouse and nearby downtown streets afterward.
Houston weather can be unpredictable, of course, so keep that in mind when planning an outdoor ceremony.
Step 4: Know the Logistics
Courthouse Address: 301 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77002
Parking: Nearby public garages and street parking make arrival simple.
Timing: Indoor ceremonies are usually available Monday through Friday when court is not in session; outdoor times vary by season.
Arrive Early: This one is important! Outdoor ceremonies on the courthouse steps can get busy, and everyone entering the courthouse will need to go through security. The security process is similar to airport security, so we always recommend arriving early. That extra time can also give you a chance to slow down, take a breath, hold hands, and actually enjoy those few minutes before you say “I do.”
Step 5: Celebrate Your Day
Just because your ceremony is short doesn’t mean your wedding day has to be.
After the ceremony, we love taking our couples around downtown Houston for portraits. There are so many options within walking distance, from the courthouse itself to historic streets, architecture, parking garage rooftops, and other little city spots we’ve discovered over the years.
You can also turn the day into a mini adventure. Have lunch or dinner at one of Houston’s great restaurants, grab a cocktail, meet up with your closest friends, or simply spend the afternoon exploring the city together.
Our Favorite Part
After photographing so many courthouse weddings at the 1910 Harris County Courthouse, we’ve learned that the shortest weddings can sometimes hold the biggest emotions.
There’s the nervous excitement before the ceremony, the moment you see each other, the vows, the first kiss, the happy tears from family, and then that amazing feeling when you walk outside as newlyweds.
Those are the moments we love photographing.
That’s why we created our Daisy Package, specifically for Houston elopements and courthouse weddings. With 1.5 hours of photography coverage, it’s a great fit for couples who want to capture the ceremony, family photos, portraits around the courthouse, and a little downtown adventure afterward.
You can also see our selection of 1910 Historic Courthouse weddings and elopements.
If you’re planning your own courthouse wedding or Houston elopement, we’d love to be part of it. We’ll guide you through the best timing, nearby photo locations, and everything in between, so you can focus on being present with each other.