Nina & Sean's 1950's inspired, quirky courthouse wedding
Real Weddings: Southern US
By
on July 29, 2010
35
The offbeat bride: Nina, Regional Planner
Her offbeat partner: Sean, Soon-to-be Nursing student
Location & date of wedding: Athens-Clarke County courthouse, Georgia — June 18, 2010
What made our wedding offbeat: Sean and I have been together for years, and for a while we had talked about getting married in Michigan, where we're from, at a lake house somewhere. We weren't officially engaged, and nothing had really been planned, but that was the goal. Then, one morning while we were getting ready for work, I asked him to marry me in Georgia instead, at the courthouse - kind of a big deal for me, since I'm not really the spontaneous type! 
We knew we wanted to be as laid-back as possible about the whole thing, and as more of our out-of-town friends and family told us they planned on coming into town to be with us, we decided to have a reception at a local pizza place after the civil ceremony to celebrate.
We both love late-fifties/early-sixties style, so we took the opportunity to add some of those elements to our wedding clothes. My friends and I made paper flowers out of magazines to decorate the tables. My mom kept asking me about boutonnieres and a bouquet-she felt like I would one day regret not having some of these wedding-y things, but I resisted until I came across the button bouquet concept. The night before the wedding, my 'girls' helped me put it together. One of my favorite nights of all time! 
The day of the wedding, I cried through the entire ceremony, surprising no one more than myself!
Our biggest challenge: Money was of course a challenge, and we overcame it by having a courthouse ceremony and renting out a room at a local restaurant instead of dealing with a separate venue, catering, etc. Decorations were kept to a minimum, and most of them were handmade by my friends and I over wine and food - giving us a reason to get together.
Also, at the last moment, my brother was unable to make it. This was really hard for me because we've always been really close and it was hard to imagine him not being with me on that day. I was still getting married, though, and had so many wonderful family members and friends in town. So I had to let go of my disappointment and focus on everything else.
Button votives to match the brides bouquet!
My favorite moment: The civil ceremony was truly the most meaningful. Since we got married at the courthouse and chose not to write our own vows, we didn't have a rehearsal or anything. So, while I had heard those same words before, I didn't realize how moving it would be to say them for myself.
My funniest moment: Someone realized that the bottom side of one of the magazine flowers was cut from an article on diarrhea remedies! 
My advice for offbeat brides: Make sure that your partner is involved in every decision about the wedding. While there were some things I might have done if it were just about me (which doesn't make sense, really!), we had agreed that we were going to make decisions as a team - so compromises were necessary. The most important thing is that you are BOTH happy, comfortable, and calm so that you can fully enjoy your day.
Also, understand the fact that some people won't get your wedding, and they may be judgmental, even if polite. When I told a pedicurist that we were getting married, the first words out of her mouth were, "let me see your ring!" I told her that wasn't really my style (I didn't want an engagement ring), that I proposed to him, and that we were getting married at the courthouse. Her response was, "ohhh, well, whatever works for you, I guess." You've gotta laugh that off. 
That said, don't downplay your wedding because it's not full of pomp and circumstance - I realized after we got engaged that I was doing just that, and promptly stopped myself. Be confident in your decisions, because no matter what, it's a big life moment.
Care to share a few vendor/shopping links?
- Dress: Unique Vintage
- Shoes: Endless.com
- Hair accessory: Thimblekiss on Etsy
- Suit: Express
- Rings: Zoe & Doyle on Etsy
- Photography: Rearview Photography (my college roommate!)
Enough talk — show me the wedding porn!
Read more posts about: 1950s, boutonniere, budget wedding, button bouquet, civil ceremony, courthouse, crafty wedding, georgia, paper flower bouquet, pink dress, simple wedding, up-do« Previous post
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Isabelle said
Great, simple and fun! Congratulation to the newlyweds!
Angharad said
Very cool wedding, love your photos!
Alicia said
What an adorable couple. I am 100% in love with the bride's dress, and the photography is amazing! They really look like 50s/60s photos.
apf said
love love love that dress
Lauren said
I loooove everything about this! The wash on the photos, the bride's dress, the button bouquet…it's all perfection. the picture where Nina is crying made me a little weepy…so beautiful! congrats guys!
Liz said
This wedding is gorgeous, and I have to say I have that dress coming in the mail TODAY! I hope for it someday to be my wedding dress too.
Erika said
"The civil ceremony was truly the most meaningful. Since we got married at the courthouse and chose not to write our own vows, we didn't have a rehearsal or anything. So, while I had heard those same words before, I didn't realize how moving it would be to say them for myself."
There are certain vows that you take in a courthouse? Are they the "Do you take this person? Do you take this person?" type or…?
I was never sure how much ritual was involved in a courthouse ceremony, and if you'd be willing to share any further details, I'd be grateful.
Nina said
They were pretty simple, of the "do you take this man/woman…" type. It was really the exact vows you're probably thinking of, but no religious stuff (though our wedding certificate does say we were joined in the Holy Bonds of Matrimony, hahaha…)
Erika said
I wondered how much religion they could interject into a legal ceremony. Thanks!
Courtney said
We got married at the courthouse in a nearby county and our ceremony was very religious. We had to pray with the judge and our certificate also said Holy Bonds of Matrimony.
Jennifer said
Eeeek! I love her hairstyle! It's gorgeous, especially with the flower!
Liset said
Beautiful wedding! I love the old style of the photographs! It's so fun!!!
And great advice! "don't downplay your wedding because it's not full of pomp and circumstance " This last weekend my fiance and I decided to have a court house wedding so we can get married sooner (yay!) and I've been finding myself downplaying it all, which is a shame because I'm so darn excited!
Karen Robert said
Aaah, I love this wedding. The clothes and the photos are just as nice as some of the over-the-top weddings I've seen. I also love 1950s and 60's style things, I design vintage looking cards, so your wedding dress and hairstyle makes me weak at the knees. Your photos also look like they are in an album from yesteryear. Have a happy life together.
Katie said
Nina, you were such a gracious bride! I'm so happy that Thimble Kiss could be a part in such a small way. Your whole look and feel was so special and unique. Brides like you are the reason I LOVE my Etsy store!!! Congratulations again and thanks for the shout out!
Emily MB said
I love vintage looking photos, and how simple and relaxed everything looks. Pizza reception/dinner thing? Sounds fabulous!
christy said
love love love everything about your wedding!! you were so beautiful!!
if i can ask, would you mind telling us which dress you chose off the unique-vintage website?
Nina said
It was this one http://www.unique-vintage.com/…-2371.html
(I ended up having the halter straps attached at the back by a local tailor so that it laid better on my not-so-generous chest area!)
christy said
awesome! thanks for the info and for sharing your day with all of us. best wishes to you both.
irishbride said
i love the 50's/60's for the elegance of it – the elegance that just oozes out of this bride. so in love with your dress and those photos. *dreamy sigh*
Nicola said
I love this wedding – the photography totally captures the essence of the 50s – it looks like the genuine era! And I am so in love with the button bouquet – makes me wish I hadn't already paid for my real flower one!
Tara said
Thank you so much for this post, I love the photos! My fiancee and I are planning a small courthouse ceremony and then eating out at a restaurant and I'm happy to read about your celebration and that you laughed off people's judgements about what a wedding "should be" it gives me confidence
Carol said
Nina –
Would you care to share the name of the restaurant? I'm planning a small get together in Athens and that place looks perfect!
Shauna said
Nina– this looks lovely! As a former Atlantan…I would looooove to know who did your hair! It's so beautiful!
gem 8 said
i love your bouquet, so original.
congrats.
Courtney said
Congratulations! We got married eight days before you at the Jackson County courthouse! We are having a ceremony and reception for family and friends in November.
Nikki (Midwest Diva) said
This is such a beautiful wedding of Nina & Sean. I'm loving the details, I love everything about this wedding!
The bride/groom look so gorgeous together. I do, infact love alot of retro inspired weddings. This happpens to be one of them. At + to you Nina & Sean – Your newest wedding fan of your wedding.
Heather said
So cool Nina and so you! you look absolutely radiant and so happy!!
Stacey F said
Oh this is the sweetest! Thanks for sharing. I am so glad I found this site and particularly read your story. It inspires me to make the wedding for my partner and I just as special.
R. Smith said
"…we didn't have a rehearsal or anything. So, while I had heard those same words before, I didn't realize how moving it would be to say them for myself."
I cried after reading this because this is how I will be! My fiance is very emotional and I'm the type of person that cries when I see tears. Just like when he cried when we saw our baby's heartbeat for the very first time then I went off too!
I am so glad to see another bride who does not care for an engagement ring, a huge white wedding nor all the other distractions from the sanctity of actually being married.
Jeanna said
So fabulous! The 1950s/60s feel definitely came off, but it felt so quirky and authentic (love some of those pictures!).
I'm actually looking at that same dress (in ivory) on unique-vintage – it's my top choice, so it was very cool to see it featured here on OBB (looks comfortable!).
Congratulations on your marriage!