How to Get Married at the Courthouse in Nashville, TN
Thinking about having a Nashville courthouse wedding?
If you want something simple, intimate, and a little less traditional, getting married at the courthouse and spending the rest of the day exploring Nashville can be such a fun way to do it.
Here are a few things to know before planning your courthouse wedding in Nashville.
First, Get Your Tennessee Marriage License
Before your ceremony, you’ll need a Tennessee marriage license.
In Davidson County, marriage licenses are issued through the Davidson County Clerk.
Davidson County Marriage License Information
Both of you will need to be present, and you can complete the online application before you go.
**One important thing to know: the County Clerk does not actually perform your wedding ceremony.
Where Do You Get Married at the Courthouse in Nashville?
Courthouse weddings can be scheduled through a Davidson County General Sessions Court judge, with ceremonies typically taking place at the Justice A.A. Birch Building in downtown Nashville.
You’ll want to schedule your ceremony ahead of time.
**Expect Your Courthouse Wedding to Run Behind**
This is probably my biggest tip as a Nashville courthouse wedding photographer:
Do not schedule the rest of your wedding day too tightly around your courthouse appointment.
Your appointment may be at 1:00 PM, but that doesn’t necessarily mean your ceremony will happen exactly at 1:00 PM.
The judges are still handling their regular court schedules, and things can run behind.
I recommend being prepared for your courthouse portion of the day to take an extra 1–2+ hours.
Sometimes you'll be in and out quickly. Other times, you'll wait.
Because of that, I would avoid making a dinner reservation or scheduling something important immediately after your ceremony.
Extra time is always better than spending your wedding day stressed and watching the clock.
If you have flexibility with your date, Tuesday and Wednesday can sometimes be a better choice than Thursday or Friday. Later in the week WILL be busier and may come with longer waits, so I usually recommend choosing a Tuesday or Wednesday courthouse wedding when possible.
The Ceremony Itself Is Short
Once it’s actually time to get married, the ceremony is usually pretty quick.
That’s why I love turning a courthouse wedding into more of a Nashville elopement experience instead of treating the ceremony as the entire wedding day.
Afterward, we can head into downtown Nashville for photos, grab drinks, pop champagne, stop at a bar, explore a hotel, or just wander around the city in your wedding clothes.
Make Your Nashville Courthouse Wedding Your Own
A courthouse wedding can still feel incredibly intentional.
You could:
- Wear a full wedding gown and veil
- Go with a short editorial bridal dress
- Bring a few close friends or family members
- Take downtown Nashville wedding photos afterward
- Grab cocktails at your favorite bar
- Have an intimate dinner
- Exchange private vows somewhere quieter
- Bring a mini cake or champagne
- Finish the night with flash photos around downtown Nashville
There really aren't rules.
Sample Nashville Courthouse Wedding Timeline
I recommend keeping your timeline flexible:
**12:30 PM** — Meet downtown + detail photos
**1:00 PM** — Courthouse appointment
**1:00–3:00 PM** — Courthouse buffer + ceremony
**3:00 PM** — Downtown Nashville wedding photos
**4:00 PM** — Drinks / bar photos
**5:00 PM** — Dinner or celebration
If the courthouse is running on time, we simply get extra time for photos.
If they're running behind, your entire wedding day isn't thrown off.
Looking for a Nashville Courthouse Wedding Photographer?
If you're planning a courthouse wedding or elopement in Nashville, Tennessee, I would love to photograph it.
Whether you're imagining simple courthouse photos or an entire editorial Nashville elopement experience afterward, we can create a timeline that gives us plenty of flexibility while still making your day feel intentional.
Wedding Photography: Nashville Wedding Photography
Elopement Photography: Nashville Elopement Photography
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Captured Dandelion Photography
Nashville Wedding + Elopement Photographer
Check out some of my previous Nashville Courthouse Elopements/Weddings: Instagram
