A Baton Rouge Courthouse Wedding, Just for Family

Some of my favorite courthouse wedding photos come from couples I met by total chance.

Last winter, on a trip to New Orleans, I posted on social media looking for a couple to model for me in City Park. Joanne and Sebastian answered. We bonded instantly over food and a shared connection to St. Louis, and a few months later Joanne reached out again, this time to ask me to photograph their wedding.

Their day was simple and full of love: a courthouse ceremony in Baton Rouge with only their families as witnesses, then portraits at the Louisiana Old State Capitol.

The Ceremony

Joanne and Sebastian said “I do” in front of a floor-to-ceiling blue mosaic mural that honestly stole the show. With a judge officiating and their families standing close by, it was quiet, emotional and completely them.

A few moments I love:

• Sebastian grinning through every word of the vows
• The ring exchange, hands steady and hearts definitely not
• Joanne’s dad recording the whole thing on his phone, beaming

Joanne wore a strapless gown with a long, sweeping train and a lace-trimmed veil, carrying a bouquet of ivory and peach garden roses. Sebastian matched her in a classic dark suit with a deep red tie and a white boutonniere.

If you’ve ever wondered whether courthouse wedding photos can feel as meaningful as a big ceremony, this is your answer.

Portraits at the Louisiana Old State Capitol

After the ceremony, we headed to the Old State Capitol, and wow. With Gothic arched windows, rich wood floors and harlequin stained glass that throws color across the whole room, it’s one of the most stunning spots in Baton Rouge.

We let the light lead. They sat back to back on the floor, Joanne’s veil pooled around them, laughing like no one else was in the building. Then came a kiss with the stained glass glowing red, green and gold behind them. Some frames went black and white, some stayed in full color, and all of them felt cinematic.

That’s the magic of pairing a courthouse ceremony with a second location: you get the intimacy of a civil wedding and portraits that feel like a film.

Why Choose a Courthouse Wedding?

Courthouse weddings aren’t a “lesser” version of anything. For a lot of couples, they’re the whole point.

• It’s about the marriage. No production, no performance, just your vows.
• Your people, up close. A small guest list means every person there really matters.
• More room for what you love. Put the budget toward travel, a great meal or photos you’ll treasure forever.

Planning a Courthouse Wedding in Baton Rouge

Thinking about your own Baton Rouge courthouse wedding? A few tips:

• Get your marriage license early. Louisiana licenses come from the parish Clerk of Court, and there’s a waiting period before the ceremony, so check the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court for current rules.
• Plan a second location for portraits. Courthouse ceremonies move fast. A spot like the Old State Capitol gives you time and space for the courthouse wedding photos you’ll actually frame.
• Check photo policies. Historic buildings often have rules for photo sessions, so confirm with the Old State Capitol before your day.
• Keep the guest list small. Courthouse rooms fill up fast, and the intimacy is the best part.

Courthouse Wedding Photos, Wherever You Say “I Do”

I’m a St. Louis wedding and elopement photographer who travels to New Orleans, Louisiana and anywhere your story takes you. If you’re planning a courthouse wedding, private vows or something small and meaningful, I’d love to be there.

Planning something intimate closer to home? Read about Tehya + Taylor’s Forest Park wedding.

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