When you just can’t wait to tie the knot, you plan a courthouse elopement! That’s what Kate and Joe decided to do when he was between deployments this past winter. The couple, both Midwest natives, met in a chemistry class at IU after Joe’s first tour in Afghanistan. While waiting for the bus after an evening exam, the two hit it off, and Kate invited Joe to join her at a school event that weekend. The rest is history!
Long-distance dating after graduation made the couple realize how ready they were to start their lives together. Joe moved closer to Kate and her family, and the two began discussing marriage. But when Joe received his orders for an upcoming deployment, they decided to fast-track their plans. They grabbed a photographer (yours truly!), booked an appointment at the Indiana Statehouse, and said “yes” to forever on a sunny February afternoon.
Courthouse Elopement at the Indiana Statehouse
With the Indiana Statehouse’s towering columns as their backdrop, Kate and Joe exchanged vows, joined by three of their closest loved ones. Then, after the couple signed their marriage certificate, I whisked them away for portraits in the courthouse! The building features stunning Renaissance Revival-style architecture and is an ideal spot to grab photos after you elope. The couple strolled the border of the atrium and the sweeping marble staircases hand in hand, ducking into alcoves to steal a kiss or two along the way. It was intimate and romantic, the perfect way to start their married life.
Benefits of a Courthouse Elopement
Whether you’re drawn to eloping by your life circumstances, like Kate and Joe were, or prefer the simplicity of an elopement to a traditional wedding day, there are many benefits to saying “I do” at the courthouse! Let’s look at a few:
Save Money
It’s no secret that planning a traditional wedding is expensive. But if you plan a courthouse elopement instead, you only need to pay for your attire, a marriage license, and a photographer. Instead of beginning married life with depleted savings—or worse, in debt—you can use the money you saved to take the honeymoon of your dreams or put a down payment on a house.
Save Time
Planning a traditional wedding isn’t just costly in the financial sense. It also demands a significant amount of your free time, especially if you aren’t investing in a wedding planner. Couples who are both full-time employees often find that the process is much more stressful than they expected, leaving them with little time to enjoy their engagement. Conversely, all it takes to plan an elopement is booking a photographer and making an appointment at the courthouse!
Focus on What Matters
Beneath all of the complicated logistics and over-the-top decor, the true meaning of a wedding day—two people in love committing their lives to each other—can get lost. But an elopement strips away all the unnecessary fanfare, so that the love between you and your partner can take center stage—the way it was always meant to be.
Eloping was the perfect choice for Kate and Joe! I’m so glad I could photograph their special day. If you and your partner are planning a courthouse elopement in Indianapolis or Bloomington, I would love to be your photographer. Without the time constraints of a traditional wedding day, we’ll have the opportunity to capture unique portraits in whatever locations you choose. Let’s connect and discuss your vision!
Vendors:
Photographer: Mika LH
Venue: Indiana Statehouse
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