Courthouse Wedding in Minneapolis

HOW DO YOU GET MARRIED AT A COURTHOUSE IN MINNESOTA?

Well, there are a couple things you need to know for your courthouse wedding in Minneapolis, specifically. This is from a recent wedding we did in the city, so make sure to reach out to the courthouse in the specific city you are looking for in Minnesota for their pricing and availability. Overall, the experience will be similar across the entire state of MN, so keep reading if you want more information about how to elope like Lyndsae and Brock did! You will need to know a couple things beforehand: the judge’s fee, their personal availability, any rules & regulations of the courthouse specifically, and surrounding scenery you’d like photos at (our favorite part!)

COST TO GET MARRIED AT A COURTHOUSE IN MINNEAPOLIS

It is $115 for a marriage license in Minnesota. You can make an appointment online to get one. Click here to start the application process or find out more information. The cost for the judge to do the ceremony was $150 cash, paid they day of the wedding. That price is pretty average and consistent across MN. Click here to start the process or learn more about marriage ceremonies.

WEDDING CEREMONY AND CELEBRATION AT THE MINNEAPOLIS COURTHOUSE

I, as the photographer, got to the courthouse to meet Lyndsae & Brock about an hour before their ceremony was scheduled. Lyndsae changed in the bathrooms (see photos below!) and I was pleasantly surprised at how white and bright they were. Even though yes, it is just a public bathroom, it’s still a real and genuine part of the day that I wanted to document. We got to do their first look right in front of the big wall of windows, which was gorgeous! She gave him a personalized handkerchief with their song lyrics written on it, and then surprised him during the ceremony with a ring he previously had his eye on!

We explored the skyway that had beautiful natural light, then used the underground tunnel to cross over to the building across the metro line; this building has the beautiful white marble staircase featured in the gallery below. Lyndsae had a vision to get a photo of Brock carrying her down the stairs!

The ceremony was in the judge’s chambers, and took about 15-20 minutes total. They signed the license afterwards and we snapped a photo with the judge before heading to Giulia, a beautiful restaurant connected to the Hennepin County Government Center by the skyway. Lyndsae and Brock were staying at The Emery Hotel, which has Spyhouse coffee located on the main floor, right across from Giulia. The atmosphere in this lobby is STUNNING! It is probably the most moody, romantic, and artistic coffee shops/hotels in Minneapolis.

TIPS FOR GETTING MARRIED AT THE COURTHOUSE

You will need to go through security to get to the judge’s ceremony where the ceremony will take place. Security may stop you a photographer. We needed to call the judge’s chambers and have the judge talk directly to security a security guard and give permission for a camera to be allowed in his chambers. Be sure to ask about their camera policies beforehand and double check if this can be arranged/communicated ahead of time.

Pop a bottle of champagne outside to celebrate! There are a couple cute pathways with trees on either side of the Hennepin County Government Center. I highly recommend getting some great natural light photos in this area with the downtown buildings as a gorgeous backdrop!

In conclusion, we highly recommend this intimate route of getting married if it fits your values and desires together as a couple. If this sounds right up your alley, don’t hesitate to reach out to us to document it all!

Click here to learn more about Hinton Studios, a husband and wife team.