Downtown Raleigh Courthouse Wedding | NC Elopement Photographer
Downtown Raleigh Courthouse Wedding | Intimate Elopement Photography in NC
Are you planning a small wedding or elopement in Raleigh? I’m here to convince you that a courthouse wedding at the Wake County Justice Center might be exactly what you’re looking for.
This past Spring I photographed Annie and Zach’s intimate wedding in downtown Raleigh and it was perfect. From the beginning, even before they were engaged, Annie had a vision for her wedding day. She and Zach knew that they wanted to spend their wedding day surrounded by only their closest friends and family. With that in mind, they chose to get married at the courthouse in Raleigh. This decision gave them the best of both worlds- having an intimate wedding that’s truly unique to their relationship and loved ones while avoiding the stress of a large celebration.
Getting Ready at The Umstead Hotel and a colorful Airbnb
Annie started the day with her girls, getting ready in a colorful Airbnb that perfectly matched her bright and floral wedding aesthetic. My favorite part of the getting ready decor was hands down the florals by That Petal Babe. A’s bridal bouquet was one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen and it matched her personality so well. Her dress, a minimalist, strapless midi gown by Jenny Yoo, couldn’t have been more perfect for a courthouse wedding. It was classy and effortless. Meanwhile, Zach spent the morning at the beautiful Umstead Hotel in Raleigh, where he and Annie had a spa day together the day before. His morning was calm and low key.
The Ceremony at the Wake County Courthouse
A+Z got married on a Friday, so the courthouse was peak busy. Courthouse weddings in Raleigh take place at the Wake County Justice Center, and the ceremony is always quick. For that reason, I always encourage my couples to plan a dinner, lunch, or cocktail hour in the downtown Raleigh area to truly make the most of their wedding celebration. As you’ll see in the photos, A+Z’s intimate ceremony brought their guests to tears. As a Raleigh elopement photographer, I photograph a lot of courthouse weddings, but the ceremony never gets old. Post ceremony, we headed outside for family portraits. Thankfully, the Raleigh courthouse offers a beautiful backdrop for portraits with its black marble, covered walkways, and even lighting. When it comes to bride and groom portraits, I enjoy walking around downtown Raleigh to get a variety of buildings and crosswalks in the background. This is the part of the day when we can get those candid, in-the-moment photos that all of my clients love. A+Z’s love was contagious, so it was easy to get a mix of candid and intimate portraits of them.
Cocktail Hour and Wedding Reception
To continue their wedding day, A+Z hosted a cocktail hour at Whiskey Kitchen just down the street from the courthouse, with a dinner to follow right at the country club in their Holly Springs neighborhood, 12 Oaks. Between A’s classic and elevated look (I’m talking a slick back, side part low bun and stunning makeup both by Wedded Kiss), to the love and joy that their loved ones brought, their intimate wedding couldn’t have been more special. If you’re still on the fence about a small wedding, take a moment to browse the photos below and I think you’ll be convinced. I’d love to hear from you if you’re seeking timeless, true-to-color photos to document one of the most important days of your life.
