A courthouse wedding is a beautifully simple way to tie the knot in an intimate setting. For JC and Siri, it was the perfect way to begin their journey as a family. Their day was not just about legal formalities but also about honoring their love story, blending their lives, and creating a meaningful experience with JC’s daughter, Renner. This romantic Western elopement beautifully combined simplicity with deep personal connections, culminating in a sunset horseback ride on their family’s ranch property.
JC & Siri
JC, an Idaho native, comes from a long line of cattle ranchers. He is also an Afghanistan War veteran and an amputee due to a war injury. Life had already tested him in unimaginable ways, including the loss of Renner’s mother, who tragically passed away and leaving him to raise their daughter. JC is actually my cousin who I look up to very much, our grandfathers are brothers who started the Corbridge Brother Cattle Co on the very land we used for their elopement. His late wife was a dear friend of mine so I have a special connection to JC and his daughter Renner.
Siri, originally from Sweden, moved to the United States during her first marriage. Although that relationship didn’t last, she found her home in the U.S. and continued her education. Fate brought JC and Siri together at work, where they both assisted individuals with special needs. Their shared experiences of love, loss, and resilience formed the foundation of their connection. What started as a friendship quickly blossomed into more!
JC & Siri’s Courthouse Ceremony
With a focus on their new family unit, JC and Siri chose a courthouse wedding in Logan, Utah. The simplicity of the setting allowed them to be fully present with each other and Renner. Celebrating their union without distractions. A particularly touching moment was when Renner kissed Siri immediately after the ceremony. My heart just about burst with how sweet it was!
After the ceremony, Renner’s joyful energy filled the courthouse grounds as she ran and skipped around, embodying the pure happiness of the day. It was a reminder that weddings, no matter how simple, can hold some of the most profound and memorable moments.
Courthouse Wedding FAQs
I want to take a quick pause in JC and Siri’s love story to answer a few frequently asked questions about courthouse weddings and elopements. First of all, each courthouse runs things a bit differently so you will need to call the courthouse you plan on using to get their info. But this should give you an idea of how this stuff works.
How Does a Courthouse Wedding Work?
If you are looking for the simplest way to get married, then a courthouse wedding or an elopement is the way to go! First you will find the closest courthouse or county building. Courthouses will usually have a judge or authorized person inside the office that can sign your marriage license. If your preferred town doesn’t have a courthouse they will have a county building where you can purchase your marriage license, then you will find an ordained officiant to perform your ceremony and sign your marriage license. This is the case for Jackson Hole near Grand Teton National Park. You go to the Teton County building for your marriage license and choose a local officiant to do your ceremony at any location of your choosing. For JC & Siri, they went to the Logan courthouse and had their ceremony there. Every state is a little different but most require you to both appear in person with a photo ID to purchase your marriage license. Most will even allow you to make an appointment. When your marriage license is filled out you turn it in and once it’s filed everything is official and you are married!
How Much Does it Cost to Have a Courthouse Wedding?
This depends on the state and county you get married in. In Utah, the average price is $50. Whereas Wyoming is just $30. This is only the cost for your marriage license, so check with your courthouse to see if they have a small processing fee, or an officiant fee. When you book an officiant separately to hold your ceremony somewhere other than the courthouse, those fees range from $250-$1000 or more if your ceremony is remote and requires hiking or a lot of travel. You also can have a friend or family member get ordained online.
What to Wear to a Courthouse wedding?
Wear whatever you want! I personally love how Siri wore a white dress that was more on the casual side of things. It was simple and beautiful.
How Long is a Courthouse Wedding?
Typically courthouse weddings are short and sweet! You can expect a courthouse ceremony to be 1-5minutes. When going with an ordained officiant you can make it as long or short as you would like. You can coordinate with your chosen officaint to go over the actual script and make it a meaningful part of your day. For those types of ceremonies, I usually plan for that to take 10-20 minutes.
Now, back to JC and Siri!
Sunset Vow Exchange
While the courthouse marked the official start of their marriage, JC and Siri wanted the special part of their day to be more private so we planned for them to share personal vows in a significant place that truly represented their love. They chose our family’s ranch land in Idaho, a location where they had spent time together camping and escaping into nature. It was a place full of memories, and on this special day, it became even more significant!
They rode horseback, JC on BIg Jake and Siri and little Renner on Tiger, to a special tree on the property. Their dog, Hank, trotted alongside them. There, beneath the branches of a tree that would forever hold their love story, they exchanged heartfelt vows in a private and emotional ceremony.
A Special Presence
An incredible and special moment during their vows and photo session was the extra lens flare and orbs I was experiencing while photographing them. I often shoot in similar landscapes and lighting and there was definitely an extra amount of glowy light and lens flare happening. I felt my friend and Renner’s Angel mama close and believe she was blessing this marriage and happy for her daughter to have Renner’s Swedish mama marry daddy. It was absolutely an incredible experience I’ll never forget!
JC and Siri’s courthouse wedding was a testament to the beauty of love in its purest form. Their day was filled with heartfelt moments, a deep connection to their roots, and the undeniable magic of new beginnings! If you’re considering a courthouse wedding or a private elopement, reach out! I would be honored to capture a part of your love story!
Vendors
Elopement Planner & Photographer: Jocilyn Bennett
Flowers: Vern Collective
Hair & Makeup: Samantha Brady
Vow Books: Etsy
