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How Much Does a Courthouse Wedding Cost in Tennessee?
The primary costs associated with getting married at a courthouse in Tennessee include:
- Marriage License Fee: $97.50 – $99.50 (varies by county)
- Marriage Ceremony Fee: $0 – $500 (varies by county, ceremonies not offered in some locations)
- Photographer Cost (optional): $500 – $3,000+
The marriage license is the only legally required expense. The cost of the license is fairly consistent across counties in Tennessee, ranging from $97.50 to $99.50. Some counties like Knox County will perform a civil ceremony for free when you get your license, while others like Davidson and Shelby Counties do not currently offer ceremonies at their courthouses.
Hiring a professional photographer to capture your courthouse wedding is optional but will add several hundred to a few thousand dollars to the total cost. The average price for a courthouse wedding in Tennessee factoring in the license, ceremony (if applicable) and photography is around $600-$3100.
Marriage License Cost in Tennessee
A marriage license is required to get legally married in Tennessee. The fee for the license ranges from $97.50 to $99.50 depending on the county. This cost is the same whether you have a courthouse ceremony or get married elsewhere after obtaining your license.
Some things to know about marriage license costs in Tennessee:
- The fee is $99.50 in Davidson County (Nashville), $97.50 in Shelby County (Memphis), and $97.50 in Knox County (Knoxville).
- Tennessee does offer a discount on the marriage license fee for couples who complete premarital counseling. The discounted fee is $37.50 – $39.50.
- The license is valid for 30 days and the marriage must take place within that timeframe.
- A marriage license is ultimately the only requirement to be legally wed in Tennessee.
Courthouse Wedding Cost in Nashville (Davidson County)
The Davidson County Clerk’s Office in Nashville issues marriage licenses but does not currently perform civil wedding ceremonies. Here is a breakdown of courthouse wedding costs in Nashville:
- Marriage License Fee: $99.50
- Ceremony Fee: Not available (ceremonies not currently offered)
- Photographer Cost: $500 – $3,000 (optional)
So realistically, a courthouse wedding in Nashville will cost $99.50 for the license plus the cost of a wedding officiant and any desired photography services. This is more affordable than Memphis where a ceremony also isn’t available, but more expensive than Knoxville where a free ceremony is offered for residents.
Courthouse Wedding Cost in Memphis (Shelby County)
The Shelby County Clerk’s Office in Memphis issues marriage licenses but like Nashville, does not perform wedding ceremonies. Here are the costs associated with a courthouse wedding in Memphis:
- Marriage License Fee: $97.50
- Ceremony Fee: Not available
- Photographer Cost: $500 – $3,000 (optional)
A courthouse wedding in Memphis will cost $97.50 for the marriage license, plus the additional cost to hire an officiant to perform the ceremony at another venue. Photography is extra if desired. The lack of a ceremony makes Memphis slightly less expensive than Nashville but pricier than Knoxville overall for a courthouse wedding.
Courthouse Wedding Cost in Knoxville (Knox County)
The Knox County Clerk provides both marriage licenses and free wedding ceremonies for county residents only. Here is the cost breakdown for a courthouse wedding in Knoxville:
- Marriage License Fee: $97.50
- Ceremony Fee: FREE for Knox County residents
- Photographer Cost: $500 – $3,000 (optional)
Knox County residents can have a complete courthouse wedding for just the $97.50 marriage license fee, making it the most affordable option compared to Nashville and Memphis. Non-residents will still need to pay for an officiant even with a Knox County marriage license.
Tennessee Courthouse Wedding Photographer Price
Hiring a professional photographer for your courthouse wedding is a great way to document the occasion. Not all photographers will offer courthouse wedding packages, so you’ll need to check with them specifically about this service.
Courthouse wedding photography pricing typically ranges from $500 for a short session with a limited number of photos, to over $3000 for an all-day package with an experienced photographer.
When looking for a courthouse wedding photographer in Tennessee, be sure to:
- Confirm they offer courthouse wedding photography services
- Get price quotes from at least 3-4 photographers to compare
- Read reviews and look at sample courthouse wedding photos they’ve taken
- Discuss your budget and what you want included in your photo package
Taking the time to find a skilled photographer whose style you like and pricing you’re comfortable with is important for getting courthouse wedding photos you’ll cherish.
Tennessee Courthouse Wedding Packages
Some courthouses in Tennessee offer complete wedding packages that bundle the marriage license, ceremony, and photography into one simple booking. This is the easiest way to take care of all the major details for your courthouse wedding.
However, most courthouses in larger cities like Nashville and Memphis do not currently provide civil ceremonies or wedding packages. It’s more common to find courthouse wedding packages in smaller cities and towns in Tennessee.
Where available, courthouse wedding packages cost more than arranging the license, officiant and photographer separately. But the convenience and simplicity may be worth the added expense for some couples.
Final Thoughts
Getting married at a courthouse in Tennessee is a simple, quick and affordable way to officially tie the knot. While a lavish wedding ceremony and reception can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars, a courthouse wedding can be done for under $200 in some Tennessee counties like Knox County.
The biggest factors impacting the cost of a courthouse wedding are:
- The county’s marriage license fee
- Whether the courthouse performs ceremonies
- The couple’s budget for wedding photography
Depending on these factors, the cost of a courthouse wedding in Tennessee typically ranges from under $100 to around $3500 at the high end with professional photography included. With some smart planning, many couples can have a beautiful, meaningful courthouse wedding for less than $200.
