Raleigh, NC Courthouse Photographer

The Real Stuff. Beautifully Documented.

Oh My Gosh, You're Getting Married at the Courthouse!

I'm genuinely so excited for you – this is going to be absolutely beautiful.

Hey there! I'm Callie, and I have the biggest soft spot for courthouse weddings in Raleigh. If you're here, you've probably decided to skip all the wedding industry noise and focus on what actually matters; you two saying "I do" in the most honest way possible.

I think you're making the most beautiful choice.

There's something so pure about Wake County Courthouse weddings. No stress about whether the flowers match the napkins or if Aunt Susan approves of your venue choice. Just you, your person, and the promise you're making to each other. It's intimate, it's real, and it's completely yours.

I've photographed dozens of courthouse ceremonies at 316 Fayetteville Street, and every single time, I'm reminded why I love what I do! These weddings aren't about impressing anyone; they're about love in its most genuine form. The nervous giggles, the happy tears, that moment when you realize you're actually married and start laughing because you can't believe it's real.

That's the stuff that matters. That's what I'm here to capture!

Schedule a Chat About Your Raleigh Courthouse Wedding

Silhouette of a bride and groom kissing in front of a window with sunlight streaming through.
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Your Wake County Courthouse Wedding Photographer - Callie Johnson Photography

Hey there! I'm Callie, a documentary-style wedding photographer based right here in Raleigh, North Carolina. And let me tell you - I have the biggest soft spot for courthouse weddings.

If you're saying "I do" at the Wake County Courthouse, you've probably already realized that the wedding industry noise just isn't for you. You want to skip the fuss and focus on what matters most - your love, your person, and the promise you're making to each other. And I couldn't be more excited to be a part of that.

You see, I believe a courthouse wedding day is so much more than just another event to photograph. It's a real, unfolding love story - the nervous giggles, the happy tears, the quiet glances exchanged as you become husband and wife. Those are the moments that matter most to me.

My approach is to be a quiet observer, a fly on the wall, documenting the natural energy and intimacy of your ceremony without any interference. I'll be right there alongside you, laughing and capturing the kind of emotion and movement you can truly feel. And when the music starts and you hit the "dance floor" (aka the courthouse steps!), you'll find me camera in hand, preserving every second.

I shoot on a mix of film and digital, weaving together the soft, nostalgic textures of film with the raw immediacy of digital. The result is a wedding gallery that feels both timelessly elegant and vibrantly alive - just like your love story.

Being trusted to document an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime day like a courthouse ceremony is something I'll never take lightly. These aren't just photographs, they're heirlooms - tangible proof of how your love felt in that moment. That's why my goal is to capture your memories exactly as they unfold, with zero interference and 100% heart.

When you look back on your Raleigh courthouse wedding photos years from now, I want you to see more than just what happened. I want you to remember.

Every courthouse wedding is unique.

That's why I believe in custom-building each collection to perfectly fit your timeline, location, and personal preferences - starting with my standard 2-hour package at $750.

This base courthouse wedding coverage includes:

  • 2 hours of continuous courthouse wedding day documentation

  • A gallery of 300+ beautifully edited, high-resolution digital images

  • Printing and sharing rights so you can make as many prints as you'd like

  • A personalized online gallery to view, download, and share your images

“Looking back at our courthouse wedding photos now, we're in awe of how perfectly they reflect the emotion and joy of our day. Callie has an incredible talent for seeing the beauty in the smallest, most authentic moments. Her images truly feel like a tangible reminder of how our love felt in that instant.

We couldn't recommend Callie enough to any couple planning an intimate courthouse celebration in Raleigh. She poured her heart into preserving our memories, and we'll cherish these photos for the rest of our lives.”

Explore a Real Wake County Courthouse Wedding Gallery

Erinn’s wedding was at the Wake County Courthouse in Raleigh, NC. She wanted a documentary-style wedding day with a few portraits mixed in, which allowed everything to feel natural, relaxed, and true to the moment while still capturing plenty of meaningful images throughout the day.

Click Here to View Her Wedding Gallery

Common Wake County Courthouse Wedding Photography FAQs

  • To get married in Wake County, you’ll need to get a North Carolina marriage license first, then have your ceremony performed by a magistrate or another authorized officiant. In Raleigh, courthouse-style ceremonies are commonly held at the Wake County Justice Center at 300 S. Salisbury Street. Wake County’s Register of Deeds lists the marriage license fee as $60, and certified marriage certificates are $10 each.

  • Yes, and I love it!

    Film adds nostalgia, softness, and an emotional texture that digital simply can’t replicate.

    You can add film to any collection or build your entire wedding around it.

  • Wake County magistrate weddings are generally first come, first served rather than appointment-based, but it’s always smart to check the current schedule before you go. The Wake County Courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding closures and holidays.

  • Start by reaching out through my inquiry form.

    From there, we’ll talk through your vision, your day, and what matters most to you.

    If we’re the right fit, I’ll create a custom proposal built specifically for your civil wedding!

  • My approach is documentary-first with an editorial eye.

    I focus on honest, emotional moments as they naturally unfold—while still creating timeless, elevated portraits when needed.

    The goal is never stiff posing.

    It’s preserving how your wedding actually felt.

  • The marriage license is $60 through the Wake County Register of Deeds. The magistrate ceremony fee is commonly listed as $50 cash, so couples should plan for both costs and bring the right form of payment.

  • Turnaround time is typically 2 months, however sneak peaks are delivered a week within your date and can be delivered sooner as well.

  • Most Raleigh courthouse weddings take place at the Wake County Justice Center in downtown Raleigh, not the older courthouse building. The Register of Deeds is also located at the Wake County Justice Center at 300 S. Salisbury St.

  • The ceremony itself is usually very short — often just a few minutes. That said, the full experience can take longer depending on parking, security, paying the ceremony fee, waiting your turn, gathering witnesses, and taking photos afterward.

  • Yes, but I always approach courthouse weddings with respect for the space, the staff, and the other couples getting married that day. My style is very documentary-focused, so I’m able to photograph the ceremony and in-between moments quietly without making the day feel staged or interrupted.

  • There are so many great photo spots nearby in downtown Raleigh. I love using the area around the Wake County Justice Center, Fayetteville Street, Nash Square, the Capitol grounds, and other walkable downtown spots depending on the light, the weather, and the feel you want for your photos.

  • Yes, absolutely. Courthouse weddings may be smaller, but they are still full of emotion, anticipation, and meaningful moments. The quiet moments before the ceremony, the vows, the hugs afterward, and the portraits downtown all deserve to be documented.

A bride and groom smiling at each other during their wedding, with a colorful bouquet of flowers in the bride's hands and a floral backdrop in the background.
Three young girls in cream-colored dresses with lace details, standing inside a room near a window with orange and yellow stained glass. Two girls are standing, one is sitting, and a woman is partially visible to the right. The room has a wooden cabi
A woman in a wedding dress and veil adjusting her hair inside a bar or restaurant.
A smiling woman in a wedding dress holding a colorful bouquet looks at a man in a suit, during a wedding ceremony.
A bride with dark hair in an updo and wearing a white strapless wedding dress is leaning down and smiling happily, touching the face of an elderly woman in a wheelchair. The elderly woman has light blonde hair, is wearing a blue shirt, and is reachin
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A bride in an ornate wedding dress with lace and pearl details, looking down while standing in a warmly lit room, as a woman in a red dress helps her over her shoulder in preparation for a wedding.
A bride in a wedding dress with a long veil standing near a seated groom in a suit. The scene is in a bar or restaurant with bottles and glasses in the background.
A white wedding dress hanging on a door near a window with a view of houses and trees outside.
Black and white photo of a bride and groom touching foreheads at their wedding ceremony, standing in front of a curtain.
A woman in a white wedding dress laughing and holding up her dress while celebrating at a wedding reception.
A bride and groom kissing outdoors surrounded by greenery, with the groom holding the bride's face and the bride wearing a veil and lace wedding dress.
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A partially eaten cake with strawberries on a clear plate, a silver spoon, a wedding crossword puzzle on a floral paper, a small nostalgic photograph of a couple, and several flowers on a wooden surface.
A bride and groom sharing a kiss on their wedding day in a green outdoor setting. The bride is smiling with her eyes closed, wearing a white lace wedding dress and a veil. The groom is kissing her on the forehead, dressed in a black suit with a white
Two people embracing and smiling at a party, with other guests mingling and dancing in the background.
A bride in a white off-shoulder wedding dress holding a colorful bouquet of flowers, standing close to a groom in a pink suit with a floral tie, on a wooden deck outdoors with green foliage in the background.
A wedding reception with women dancing and singing, celebrating, with one woman in a white wedding dress holding glow sticks.
A newlywed couple sharing a kiss at sunset near a body of water, with trees and a pier in the background.
A couple sharing a kiss on a vintage sofa against a brick wall, the woman wearing a strapless dress with roses and the man in a black shirt.
A woman wearing a blue dress, gloves, and lace headband, appears to be upset while a man with glasses, dreadlocks, and beard leans in to her, placing a hand on her shoulder, in an indoor setting with warm lighting.
A white cake with the words 'just married' written on top, surrounded by cupcakes and floral arrangements on a table.
A young girl with long, wavy red hair and freckles, wearing a blue and white floral dress, sitting outdoors at an event with people, possibly a wedding, on white chairs decorated with greenery and white fabric.
Two young boys dressed in suits sitting in a church pew, with one of them holding a paper airplane and the other smiling.
Pink and orange flowers growing in a white rectangular planter, with a green palm leaf on the left side and a plastic covering in the background.
A woman with curly dark hair and a tattoo on her back, appears to be getting ready in front of a mirror, wearing a wedding dress that is pulled down to her waist, in a room with a white brick wall and large window.
Four people are outdoors, laughing and hugging. Two women on the left are holding a bouquet of flowers and appear joyful. The two men on the right are also smiling and embracing. The scene is cheerful and lively.
A woman in a white dress and blue earrings is at a bar counter, excitedly looking at a bartender who is smiling and gesturing with her hands, with cans of soda, a glass jar with money, and a water dispenser on the counter.
A couple dancing at a wedding reception, shot from behind. The woman has short hair and is wearing a floral dress, while the man is in a suit. In the background, guests are watching, with some seated and one holding a phone.
A young girl with curly hair and a lace dress is laughing and leaning forward towards a person with long hair. The scene is set at a formal event with other guests seated at tables in the background.
Young girl wearing cream dress, white bow headband, and colorful beads, holding a paper and wearing ninja turtle glasses with the word "Bride" on them, standing in front of gold curtain with leaf pattern.
A bride in a white wedding dress and veil holding a colorful bouquet, walking on a wooden path in a lush, green outdoor setting.
Person in a suit appears to be putting on black dress shoes on a bed, surrounded by various bags and clothing items.
A couple in wedding attire, holding hands, standing on a grassy area near water during sunset, with string lights overhead and empty chairs nearby.
Black and white photo of a couple dancing closely at a wedding reception, with the bride wearing a veil and the groom dressed in a suit.
A woman and a man are standing close together, both smiling and laughing with their eyes closed. The woman has shoulder-length reddish-brown hair and is wearing a white sleeveless dress and jewelry. The man has short dark hair, a beard, and is wearin
A woman and man in wedding attire kissing in a forest, woman holding a colorful bouquet.
A man in a suit and tie bending forward with his hands in his pockets, looking down, in front of a window with a blurred outdoor background.
A couple, dressed in wedding attire, sharing a kiss on a staircase outdoors with a wooded background.
A woman with red hair and blue eyes looks at a man with dark hair as they sit outdoors on the ground near a tree, with blurred greenery in the background.
A wedding party standing outdoors under a wooden cross with a floral arrangement, with the bride and groom in the center, surrounded by bridesmaids and groomsmen, all smiling.
A bride in a white wedding dress holding a bouquet of pink, yellow, and white flowers, standing next to her groom in a beige suit with a light blue tie, outdoors with green trees and grass in the background.
A woman in a white dress holding a colorful bouquet looking out a window with a cityscape view.
A couple holding hands during a wedding ceremony, with a officiant also holding their hands and wearing wedding rings.
A table set for a meal with a crossword puzzle titled 'Sip & Solve' on a paper with pink and purple flowers in the background. The table has a fork, knife, and spoon, a vase with green stems, a plate with a wrap, strawberries, blueberries, and partia
A young man dressed in a suit with a tie, standing indoors near a window, looking to his left.
A bride in a white wedding gown holding the train with white lace pointed-toe shoes, standing next to a man in a black suit with a purple shirt and tie.
Three women laughing and smiling outdoors in a row, one holding a white fan, with white chairs and a wooden building in the background.
A woman and a bride hugging each other in a room with few tables and chairs, with an envelope and flowers on the table in the foreground.
A bride holding a colorful bouquet of flowers stands next to a groom in a pink suit, in a wooded outdoor setting.
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A couple in wedding attire embracing and kissing outdoors, with large colorful flower decorations on a brick wall behind them.
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