Do you sometimes fantasize about ditching all your traditional wedding plans and run away with the love of your life and have a secret wedding at the city hall? Probably considered to be one of the most adventurous things for hopeless romantics, having a pretty courthouse wedding can be the most beautiful feeling ever. Saying "I do" in a city hall can be the fastest way to end your engagement period and get started with your married life. While big weddings have their own charm and appeal, we cannot deny that there is something quintessentially eloquent to declare your love in an intimate courthouse wedding. Also considered to be one of the most budget-savvy wedding decisions, getting married at a courthouse can help you to relocate your wedding funds and spend them on something more meaningful- perhaps on a blowout bash for the honeymoon of your dreams or a down payment of your dream car. The average cost of a traditional wedding in the U.S. is close to $30,000 and compared to that a courthouse wedding is averaged at a budget of $25 to $75 depending on the state you get married in.
Post-pandemic weddings are seeing a rise in courthouse weddings as more and more couples are ditching traditional big fat weddings and opting for intimate and small wedding ideas. On a large scale wedding, you can customize your wedding reception and ceremony with details that will enable you to reflect as a couple, but there are many intimate courthouse wedding details that are making rounds on social media platforms, with many innovative and creative couples bringing their best of artistry to the table of cozy wedding plans. Most of the courthouse weddings are generally situated at the city halls, which are usually located towards downtown. Hence the urban and chic downtown vibes will be unmissable in your wedding photos.
One of the things that remain unchanged and constant in weddings is choosing the trendiest bridal dress for yourself, whether you are planning an elopement, a courthouse wedding, a backyard wedding, or a wedding that will be streamed online. If you are worried about your bridal look for your courthouse wedding, you aren't the only one! Check out our favorite courthouse wedding looks and make a chic fashion statement on your wedding day. While traditional brides might opt for a mod silhouette or a vintage tea-length dress, modern brides will love sleek separates, tailored suits, glamorous pantsuits, and jumpsuits. Just because you are tying the knot without all the extra frills doesn’t mean you shouldn’t celebrate something this special. So we hope you find the trendiest bridal dress as we have rounded up some of our favorite courthouse wedding dresses that are perfect for saying “I do” on a smaller scale.
Watters Lynette Gown via BHLDN
A vintage-inspired midi silhouette wedding dress by Watters, it is perfect for a modern city hall bride as it features a flirty gown style which is a full skirt in Swiss dot tulle with a fitted corset bodice. Recommended to be paired with an ivory bridal veil, the Lynette bridal gown by Watters incorporates intricate pearl-studded work and wide grosgrain straps that add to the charming detail. This wedding gown is perfect for courthouse weddings in all seasons.
Yucca Two-Piece Separates from Reformation
Perfect for summer weddings, this courthouse wedding dress is a two-piece set with a fitted bodice, fitted waist, and a relaxed skirt. The perfect way to cool yourself during summer weddings, this lightweight and comfortable separate from the house of Renovation is the perfect casual wedding dress as it features a smocked back bodice for a little bit of stretch, that is lined in white color. You can pair it with matching white shoes, shoulder-grazing earrings, and dewy makeup for a perfect summer bride look. Effortlessly chic and crafted from easy-breezy linen, you will never want to take off this laid-back style.
Danielle Frankel Lilia
This sophisticated and elegant Lilia wedding dress from Danielle Frankel is a double-breasted cotton-blend corded lace mini dress. The modern and chic mini dress is perfect for a courthouse wedding as well as for a number of events leading up to the big day. Whether you want to make it official with a city hall wedding which means it's a serious business, or you have always wanted to dress up like a boss lady on your wedding day, this sharp suit dress with a structured peplum is all about high fashion polish. The cotton blended corded lace is impeccably tailored to nip in at the waist before curving out at the hips for an hourglass shape. The beautiful structure is added by the padded shoulders and oversized notched lapels, and the full lining ensures coverage and a smooth fit.
Embroidered Flutter Sleeve Wedding Dress via ASOS
Featuring a crew neck, flutter sleeves, and partially lined wedding dress, ASOS presents this stunning piece with an open back and tie details. This lightweight embroidered mesh drapes softly over the body and is designed to make the bride stand out on her biggest day. With luxe attention to detail, this ASOS wedding dress is designed for the most memorable moments of your life. The gorgeous zip back with hook-and-eye closure will have you dancing before the party's even begun. Available in more than 30 sizes, ASOS bridal gowns are all about embracing body positivity and gender neutrality for accelerating acceptance.
H&M Pearl Cuff Dress
A perfect fit for a fashion-forward bride, this wedding dress from H&M, features a round neckline, concealed zipper at back, shoulder pads, and long sleeves with decorative appliqués at cuffs. With the short hemline and the statement sleeves that are studded with pearls, you can accessorize this wedding dress with matching hairpins and platform sandals. This wedding dress is a smart pick for a modern bride who wants to keep things subtle and lowkey. It is lined with woven fabric which is made from recycled polyester, which also makes it a perfect option for environment-conscious brides.
Jenny by Jenny Yoo Sutton Gown
The minimalist civil wedding dress from Jenny Yoo gives away a major Egyptian muse vibe as this satin slip gown features intricate details including a soft cowl neckline, empire bust seam, bias-cut skirt, and a back flounce seam that cascades into a flowing train. Design for modern brides, this Jenny Yoo bridal dress is one of the largest wedding dress trends to watch for the 2021 wedding season. The understated glam and muted sophistication of this chic modern bridal gown are accentuated with thin spaghetti straps and the dreamy flowy design.
LEIN Vigneto Mini Dress
For the unconventional bride who also considers herself low-key, Lein wedding dresses feature clean lines and simple silhouettes. Perfect for a Bohemian bride, we cannot get over the floral vine trim which is a cue from the fashion set of the '90s. And if you are not feeling like wearing a full-blown wedding dress for your courthouse wedding, you can always opt for a sleek halter mini dress and matching jacket as an alternative to traditional wedding dresses. It is also considered to be one of the most favorite engagement looks for low-key and minimalist brides.
Ruffle Cape Dress via Eloquii
This ruffle cape wedding dress is a close-fit bodice with an elasticized waist seam that makes the entire dress column fit from hip to sweep. Igniting drama and sensuality, this ruffle cape dress by Eloquii features a center-back invisible zipper closure and hits below the knee. The stretchable double knit scuba fabric is simple and elegant which makes it a perfect fit that can be worn with nude color bridal shoes and minimalist bridal makeup.
Harpy White Silk Dress from Markarian
This supremely elegant wedding dress from the house of Markarian is one of our favorite bridal courthouses looks. This elegant white silk dupioni dress is perfect for brides who want to make a statement with minimalism. Featuring bow detail on shoulders, a zip fastening through the back, and full lining, this midi-length white silk dress from Markarian is from one of the favorite looks of Spring Summer '20 lookbook with the Titania Belt. You can pair it with delicate bridal jewelry, a classic pair of block heels, and dark berry-colored lips.
Little White Dress by Amsale
Perfect for modern brides who are opting for a courthouse wedding, this open-back jumpsuit from Amsale is a must-have for any bridal closet. This Amsale wedding dress features cool mesh panels that edge up this wardrobe staple and it is made out of a dreamy fabric known as silk white stretch-crepe. The combination of jumpsuit silhouette makes it a perfect fit for any wedding party as it is comfortable enough for dancing and drinking, and chic enough for a formal wedding party. There is a sheer illusion detail carries from the cap sleeve to the open back, where it is fastened by three covered buttons at the neck.
LoveShackFancy Edie dress
This Edie dress from LoveShackFancy adds to the glitz and glam of your courthouse wedding with its flirty features adorning the entire wedding dress. Featuring metallic gold fil coupé, this fancy wedding dress is an organza skirt that is made for twirling through the dance floor. Made out of cotton crochet lace, this Edie dress features design details including an empire waist with soft pleating down to a midi-length hem. While dreamy lace details adorn the bodice and sleeves, mother of pearls buttons kisses in front from its high neckline down. You can style this epic wedding dress with a pair of black ankle-strap flats, make this is an everyday work dress.
Sachin & Babi Verdance dress
This minimal wedding dress from the house of Sachin & Babi features a bold bow detail that adds to the extra oomph of the dress. The unexpected oversize bow gives this strapless mini dress a very chic factor which acts as the finishing touch for this mini’s tailored silhouette. This ivory-colored wedding dress comes with a back-zip and is made out of polyester which can be paired with bow detail bridal shoes and minimalist wedding jewelry.
Black Halo Kacie Two-piece Maxi Dress
Featuring an adjustable zipper slit, the Black Halo Kacie is a two-piece maxi dress in porcelain color. This chic wedding dress is crafted in a two-piece design that can be worn together or as separates. You can show as much or as little skin as you want as the adjustable zipper slit lets you adjust accordingly. The boxy bodice is cropped with a subtly uneven hem that dips lower in the back, and the tailored skirt cuts a clean line with a high-waisted profile. This courthouse wedding dress is made out of midweight plain weave and comes with a full lining.
Carolina Herrera Dramatic bow-back silk cocktail dress
A bride who is a lover of drama and sophistication, this Carolina Herrera wedding dress puts the 'party' in a party dress. Featuring a stunning oversized bow back detail with oversized gathered puff sleeves which gives full volume to the tailored piece, this Carolina Herrera tailored one-shoulder silk cocktail dress is made for a stand-out bridal look. The oversized bow back, mini dress silhouette detail, and voluminous sleeves make this epic bridal dress a true celebration of elegance and vintage drama.
Catherine Deane Rose Lace Frida Dress
Can something be more romantic than a wedding dress that is covered in lacy roses? Another perfect fit for timeless and romantic brides, this Catherine Deane rose Frida ornate wedding dress features a classic sheath style along with thin straps and a satin waist detail in a barely-there blush hue. This stunning Catherine Deane wedding dress features floral lace that is designed for a chic bridal look that's both elegant and alluring. This vintage-inspired courthouse wedding dress is effortless and comfortable and also it's flattering for all body types.
DB Studio Lace illusion short dress via David's Bridal
This wedding dress from the house of DB Studio features illusion details with a flouncy hemline which gives it a perfect classy bridal outlook with a flirty upgrade. The geometric lace covers the sleeves and flounced hem of this long-sleeve knee-length dress. This David's Bridal wedding dress features a semi-open back and clean crochet lines along the bodice and at the waist. Considered to be a perfect fit for Bohemian brides, the free-spirited women will love this short lace look for any wedding occasion.
You might want to plan a post-ceremony celebration of some sort, be it a champagne party at a hotel lounge, or wedding reception at the local zoo, or a restaurant, or even in your host your wedding reception in the backyard. A courthouse wedding means having small wedding details where everything will speak for coziness and intimacy. Whether you always wanted to get married in the mountains or there was something deeply intriguing about hosting your wedding in winters surrounded by snow-capped mountains and panoramic nature, planning your intimate wedding is possible anywhere and everywhere. Moreover, you do not have to deal with all the stress of hosting a few hundred of your family and friends at your courthouse wedding which can be one of the best perks of hosting an intimate wedding. With a courthouse wedding, there are no time restrictions as you’re in, you’re out, and then you’re free to do what you want.
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