Getting married at the courthouse in Maryland is super affordable, only $75 in total. You pay $50 for the marriage license ahead of time and $25 for the ceremony itself. If you're considering the Howard County Circuit Courthouse, it's by appointment only now, which is great for planning. Some nearby courthouses, like the Anne Arundel County Courthouse in Annapolis, only take walk-ins, making timing tricky.
To get started, head to 9250 Judicial Way, Suite 1900, Ellicott City, MD 21043. Their number is 410-313-5850. Just remember, applications for marriage licenses aren't accepted after 4:00 p.m., and the whole process takes about 15 minutes. I suggest scheduling your wedding for a morning or early Friday afternoon to avoid weekend traffic. It makes transitioning to a celebratory dinner, fitting in evening portraits, or spending the day how you'd like much easier.
The new wedding ceremony room at the Howard County Courthouse is lovely, seating about 20 people with a wall of windows providing natural light. The new courthouse’s lobby is beautiful. The ceilings soar about five stories high, with a white and chrome aesthetic and a gorgeous wall sculpture. This space makes it super easy to take portraits in since it's a clean space and anything you wear fit the space beautifully.
Security is tight in all courthouses with bag checks and metal detectors. So the less you bring with you the easier and quicker it is to get through. The indoor space is just as beautiful, perfect for any weather, with ample parking in the new garage next door.
Centennial Park is just a five-minute drive away for even more scenic photo backdrops. It’s gorgeous year-round, with forests, lake views, and open fields. Along with Ellicott City if you are more info that city vibe.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about getting married at a Maryland courthouse or if you want me to photograph your wedding day! I've been hired anywhere from months in advance to a few days before. If you're wondering what amount of hours would work best for your courthouse weddings, I recommend that you book at least 2 hours, that way it easily covers the courthouse ceremony and the ability to drive nearby for some portraits at a secondary location.
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