A Sweet and Simple Courthouse Wedding at Kane County Courthouse
A courthouse wedding is all about blocking out the noise and doing you. And what better way to do that than to sneak out of the hustle and bustle of the city? Forget Chicago City Hall, because Kane County Courthouse is the CUTEST little hidden gem in the suburbs. It’s giving everything that a city hall wedding should: quiet intimacy, stunning architecture, and editorial goodness, while still letting your little weirdo personality shine through.
PJ and Angela eloped here, and I’m truly unwell. Like, haven’t stopped thinking about it since. If you’re anything like me (funky, off-beat, nontraditional), you’re gonna be seriously obsessed with this day that I got to capture as a Chicago elopement photographer.
PJ and Angela’s Courthouse Wedding at Kane County Courthouse
This is one I won’t be getting over. Like, her whole look, the little details, and the LOVE between these two?? I cannot.
Their ceremony was sweet and simple (with just a few of their favorite people in attendance), and then after they said I do, we took some portraits around the courthouse. And Kane County Courthouse… I was unfamiliar with your game. The photo-ops here? To die for. Seriously, we got some hella good photos. The staircases, the balconies, the lighting from the windows… It’s safe to say they all brought their A-game.
As if the day couldn’t get dreamier, we then walked over to an Italian restaurant, La Za’ Za’ Trattoria, to celebrate these two (and eat some crazy good food).
The day was so them, which is what an elopement is all about. No rules and no expectations, and I LOVE it.
Step-by-Step: Planning a Courthouse Wedding at Kane County Courthouse
Sold on eloping at Kane County Courthouse? My kinda person. As a Chicago elopement photographer, I’ve learned all the ins and outs of planning your courthouse wedding here, so I’ve got you covered with the main tips and tricks.
- Get Your Marriage License
The first step for your courthouse wedding will always be getting your marriage license. You’ll first need to apply here, then go down to the Kane County Clerk’s Office (719 S Batavia Ave Bldg. B, Geneva, IL 60134) with a valid form of ID and $32 in cash between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, or between 8:30 am and 7:30 pm on Wednesdays.
Once you get it, it’s effective the next calendar day through 60 days, so plan your courthouse wedding date accordingly!
- Schedule Your Courthouse Wedding Appointment
To schedule your actual ceremony appointment, you’ll have to go back to the clerk’s office with your IDs, sign the application, and pay the fee. After that, they’ll give you the paperwork needed to schedule your civil ceremony. Once you have that, you can schedule your courthouse wedding appointment here! Ceremonies are only available on Fridays between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm, except on the first Friday of the month.
- Say “I do!”
Ceremony time: Show up for your scheduled appointment, declare your love, say your vows, and celebrate!
FAQs About a Kane County Courthouse Wedding
How Many People Can Come to a Kane County Courthouse Wedding?
The limit does not exist, so you can have zero people or fifty. Whatever feels like you.
Can You Take Photos of the Ceremony at a Kane County Courthouse Wedding?
This one is gonna be up to the judge who’s performing the ceremony.
Do You Have to Have Witnesses for a Wedding at Kane County Courthouse?
Nope, so if you want it to be just the two of you (and me, of course), let’s do it, babes.
How Long Does a Wedding Ceremony Take at Kane County Courthouse?
I typically see civil ceremonies last around the fifteen-minute mark here, right at that sweet spot for it to be quick and easy!
What Do I Need to Bring to a Kane County Courthouse Wedding?
Bring your IDs, your marriage license, and the wedding folder they give you.
How Much Does a Kane County Courthouse Wedding Ceremony Cost?
Civil ceremonies are an easy $10, and you pay when you get there!
Can We Bring Decorations?
Unfortunately, decor isn’t allowed, but don’t worry! We’ll still make it feel like you, trust me.
Who a Kane County Courthouse Wedding is Literally Perfect For
If you’re already considering a courthouse wedding, there’s a good chance that you march to the beat of your own drum, hate rules, and want to break norms. You’re probably super cool, fun, emotional, stylish… If I’m right, you are for sure the type of couple who should get married in the Kane County Courthouse.
Maybe you’re someone who will wear a mini dress with hot pink heels, maybe you have a mustache and tattoos, and unbothered confidence. Maybe you want your wedding to be grounded in emotion, not structure, and you’re more focused on fun, artistic elements than you are on traditions that don’t feel authentic.
Sound about right? One, I love you so much already, and two, let’s get you into this courthouse immediately. Because it’s quite literally your perfect match.
How to Make Your Courthouse Wedding Actually Feel Like You
I get it, courthouse weddings are trendy right now. And that’s something that usually scares my clients off. But in reality, there are so many ways to make it feel true to you.
A city hall wedding doesn’t have to mean a sleek, satin, white dress and editorial vibes. It can be funky, groovy, colorful, and fun. There are SO many ways to infuse your quirky little personality into it, trust me!
What to Wear for Your Courthouse Wedding
Fashion will always be one of the best forms of self-expression. If day-to-day you wear a wardrobe that you thrifted full of velvet goodness, 70s-inspired elements, and leather… Don’t feel like you have to fit into the box of wearing a white dress.
Me personally? I’m always here for something different. A pop of color, like a hot pink veil, or even all-over color, like a lime green mini dress, can set your day so far apart and make it so you.
Celebrating Your Courthouse Wedding
No wedding is complete without a celebration, but that doesn’t mean it has to be in the traditional sense. If celebrating to you looks like going to get fried chicken afterwards, just you two, do it!
Here are some of my favorite spots around the Kane County Courthouse to hold your celebration, big or small:
Wren and Rose Photography | Chicago Elopement Photographer
If your day is going to be a little retro and a little kitschy in the best way, Kane County Courthouse might just be the venue for you. And also, I might be the photographer for you (wink wink).
But seriously, my approach to your wedding day, whether it’s a courthouse wedding or a 300-person party, is all about capturing the small moments. The moments that are filled with nostalgia. The moments that are deeply human and rooted in honesty. And the result is a gallery that feels actually true to who you are: deeply intentional, a little silly, and nostalgic AF.
If that’s your dream, I get it. You can inquire about booking me right here.
Dreaming of more inspo just like this? Check out my Pinterest and some other blog posts:
Wedding Inspiration From a Vintage-Inspired, Nostalgic Wedding at Blumen Gardens
Unique Ideas for a Couple’s Photoshoot at a Chicago Dive Bar
Portrait and Wedding Photographer Based in Chicago, IL for the rad souls and the wildly in love.
