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If you opt in for a elopement at the courthouse this blog post is for you! Plan with these Kansas City courthouse wedding pro-tips in mind.
Make Your Appointment
Be sure to call your local courthouse to make your appointment. My KC people; I went ahead and found the phone numbers for you for both sides of the state line – Jackson County (MO) (816-881-3191) and Johnson County (KS) (913-715-3428).
Get Your Marriage License
Depending on which courthouse you go to you might need to apply for your marriage license ahead of time. Double check all the requirments on the county government websites – Jackson County (MO) and Johnson County (KS)
Decide Who Will Officiate
When getting married at a courthouse you have the option of having a Justice of the Peace or a Judge preform the ceremony, but you also have the option of bringing in your own private officiant.
Pro-Tip: If you bring in your own private officiant choose someone that is special to you and your soon to be spouse. Possibly an official from your church or a close friend that can become an officiant for the day.
Hire Your Photographer
Even if your wedding will be on the more simple side your photos can still be EPIC.
PRO-TIP: You don’t have to only stick around the courthouse for your photos! There might be some hidden gems a couple blocks away or hire your photographer for some additional hours and somewhere with a breathtaking view.
to hire Natalie Nichole Photography please fill out my contact form here or at the bottom of this page.
Week Day ceremonies = $500
-an hour of coverage
-sneak peek photos the same day
-50+ final images delivered 3-5 weeks after your wedding
Weekend ceremonies (Nov-Feb) =$700
-two hours of coverage
-sneak peek photos the same day
-50+ final images delivered 3-5 weeks after your wedding
additional hours can be added on to any package.
Hire Professional Hair and Make Up
Hiring professional hair and makeup is a great way to pamper yourself before your ceremony. You’ll be able to look your best without all the stress of having to do it yourself.
Pro-Tip: Make sure you have a hair and make up trial with your beauty team, you want to make sure the look still feels like you and sometimes the best way to know is to take it for a test run!
Flowers are Always a Good Idea
If you love flowers don’t forget to bring some for your special day! You can get a gorgeous bouquet from a local florist with all your favorites.
Pro-Tip: If you don’t feel like carrying around a bouquet as a florist for some little blooms to add to your hair. All the flowers with less hassle.
Add a Personal Touch to the Day
Add a little something that truly reflects you two as a couple. Some ideas; bring a special getaway car or motorcycle for after the ceremony, grab something to eat afterwards at your favorite restaurant, or have your closest friends and family waiting at the next location ready to celebrate your new marriage with you!
Pro-Tip: Keep your photographer around for the special events- you’ll want to look back on those memories.
Keep these Kansas City courthouse wedding pro-tips in the back of your mind while you plan your special day.
Not wanting to elope at the courthouse but still want to keep it low key? – here’s how to plan a simple wedding
If a big wedding ceremony isn’t your thing, you might consider having a smaller ceremony or an intimate elopement. Here is how to have a simple wedding in Kansas City.
The key to making your marriage legal – Your Marriage License
In the state of Kansas (Johnson County)
You’ll have to go to the County Clerk’s office twice. Remember your IDs
Clerk of the District Court:
100 N Kansas Ave
Olathe, KS 66061
Hours: Monday- Friday 8am-5pm
-Apply for your marriage license
The application portion is a sworn affidavit. You’ll give basic info about both of you; name, age, city you live in. Then you’ll go under oath that you’re not related to each other, neither of you are currently already married, and that you don’t know of any other reason you shouldn’t get married.
-Wait three days
The state of Kansas requires applicants to wait three days for their marriage license to be processed.
-Return to pick up your license
Hot Tip: Technically only one of you needs to go to the Clerk’s office to apply, but going to get your marriage license together is a memorable moment I recommend you share together.
In the state of Missouri (Jackson County)
You can go to the Jackson County Courthouse, Historic Truman Courthouse, or you can apply online. If you go in person be sure to remember your IDs.
Jackson County Courthouse- Recorder of Deeds Department
415 East 12th Street
Room 104
Kansas City, Missouri 64106
Historic Truman Courthouse
112 W Lexington
Suite 30
Independence, Missouri 64050
–apply for your marriage license
You’ll give basic info about both of you; name, age, city you live in.
-Pick up your marriage license
If you apply in person you can get it right then but if you apply online you’ll need to both go to pick it up.
The Fun Part -Your Ceremony
Both Johnson County and Jackson County will happily give you a list of judges that can perform your ceremony, you will need to reach out them and decide on a location. Your officiant can also be a religious official; a minister, a priest, a rabbi, etc. Nowadays you can have a friend or relative become a temporary officiant or become ordained which can add a personal touch to your ceremony.
Location Ideas:
Possibly in the court house (they don’t seem to be offering this very much)
Your backyard
A local park (check with each park about their fees and required permits)
Kansas (Johnson County)
Your ceremony will have to take place within 6 months after you receive your marriage license. All you will need for a ceremony is someone to officiant and two witnesses. Your officiant must turn in the license within 10 days of the ceremony.
Missouri (Jackson County)
Your ceremony will have to take place within 30 days. You’ll need an officiant and two witnesses. Your officiant must turn in the license to the Jackson County Recorder of Deeds Department within 15 days of the ceremony.
Hot Tip: Your wedding ceremony must take place in the State that you got your marriage license.
How much will it cost to have a simple wedding in Kansas City?
-License
Kansas $85.50 (additional $4.95 if you pay with a card)
Missouri $50.00
-officiant most likely between $100-200 (maybe free if your friend or relative is offering!)
-Venue will depend on where you choose! There are plenty of free options
How much will it cost to have a photographer at our simple wedding?
*quotes for Natalie Nichole Photography for a simple ceremony within 20 miles of Kansas City*
Week Day ceremonies = $500
-an hour of coverage
-sneak peek photos the same day
-50+ final images delivered 3-5 weeks after your wedding
Weekend ceremonies (Nov-Feb) =$700
-two hours of coverage
-sneak peek photos the same day
-50+ final images delivered 3-5 weeks after your wedding
Additional hours can be added to packages
Love KC? Have a simple wedding in Kansas City on a rooftop. The skyline makes for the perfect backdrop.
