So you’re planning to get married, but you aren’t sure whether to host a full blown ceremony or simply go down to the courthouse to take care of business.  If you’re facing this conflict, there are many things you need to consider.  Each situation has its advantages and disadvantages, but it really comes down to a matter of personal choice.  The following are a few things to think about when making your decision.

Consider Your Family and Friends

If your mom and dad have always wanted to watch you walk down the aisle, they may be very disappointed with a courthouse ceremony.  If they’re willing to help pay for part of the ceremony, you may need to consider their feelings.  You also need to consider that a courthouse ceremony will only allow you to invite 10-20 people.  If you each have several brothers and sisters that want to attend, there may not be enough room.  Most civil ceremonies are held in the judge’s chambers or a smaller court room, so seating will be limited.

Think About Cost

Having a courthouse ceremony is much cheaper than having a church wedding.  In most cases, you only have to pay for the license, the judge’s fee, and for a nice outfit to wear.  Some people even get married in their everyday clothing to save more money.  If you’d rather save your money for a fabulous honeymoon or for the down payment on a home, a courthouse ceremony may be a great option.  On the other hand, if you’re very frugal but determined to have a traditional wedding, you could have a simple church ceremony for just a little more money.

Do You Want Music, Flowers, and the Dress?

If you’ve always dreamt of walking down the aisle to the wedding march in your beautiful dress, carrying a fabulous bouquet, a courthouse ceremony isn’t the way to go.  There’s generally no aisle to walk down at the courthouse, and music is pretty much out of the question.  Of course, you can wear a frilly dress, but you might feel out of place walking through the courthouse – and you’ll probably get a few stares.  If this is truly what you want, it’s probably better to go for a traditional church wedding.

Consider Your Religious Beliefs

Many religions believe a ceremony isn’t official unless it’s performed by a member of the clergy in a church building.  If this is your belief – or that of your family – you probably won’t want to choose a courthouse ceremony.  Some churches won’t even allow you to become members unless you were married by a member of the cloth, while a select few won’t consider your children legitimate unless you’re married in the “proper” way.  By law, you’ll be officially married either way, but if your religious beliefs are important to you, you’ll probably want to go the church wedding route.

Even with these things in mind, the final decision comes down to what you feel is best.  After all, the most important part of a wedding is declaring your love for one another, whether it’s in the eyes of your family, your church, or your state.  You need to decide which one you’re more concerned with.