Not everybody wants the 200-guest reception, the seating chart drama, or the five-figure budget. Some couples just want to say "I do," mean it, and go get tacos.


If that sounds like you, a courthouse wedding or elopement in DeRidder, Beauregard Parish, or anywhere in Southwest Louisiana might be exactly right. Small doesn't mean less meaningful. It often means more. Here's how to plan one, and why you'll still want a photographer there.


Why Couples Choose a Courthouse Wedding or Elopement

Couples go small for all kinds of reasons:


  • Budget. Putting money toward a home, a honeymoon, or life instead of one big day.
  • Timing. A deployment, a PCS move, or just not wanting to wait.
  • Privacy. Some couples simply don't want an audience.
  • Freedom. No traditions you don't believe in, no one telling you how it should look.

All walks of love are celebrated here: traditional couples, LGBTQ+ couples, second marriages, and non-traditional ceremonies.


Step 1: Get Your Marriage License

Every couple needs a marriage license before the ceremony, and it's issued by the clerk of court in the parish. If you're getting married in DeRidder, that's the Beauregard Parish Clerk of Court. In Lake Charles, Sulphur, or Moss Bluff, it's the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court. In Leesville, it's Vernon Parish.


A few basics to plan around in Beauregard Parish:


  • Louisiana has a 24-hour waiting period between when your license is issued and when the ceremony can happen. Don't plan to pick up your license and get married the same afternoon.
  • In Beauregard Parish, the license must be used within 30 days of being issued.
  • Licenses are issued in person at the clerk's office in DeRidder on weekdays during business hours. Both applicants need a valid state ID and an original birth certificate.

Requirements, fees, and hours can change, and every parish handles things a little differently. Always check directly with the clerk of court in the parish where you're getting married before you set your date. That's especially true if either of you has been married before or you're coming from out of state.


Step 2: Pick Your Ceremony Style

The Classic Courthouse "I Do"

Quick, simple, and very romantic. Talk with the clerk's office or your officiant about how ceremonies are scheduled and whether guests or photographers can come in.


The Courthouse-Plus

Make it official at the courthouse, then head somewhere meaningful for portraits: downtown, a family property, a field at golden hour, or your favorite spot in town.


The Elopement



Skip the courthouse ceremony entirely and have your officiant meet you somewhere that means something to you. I offer elopement travel packages, so you can take me with you.


Step 3: Think About Your Guest List (Or Lack of One)

Just the two of you? A couple of witnesses? Your parents and kids? There's no wrong answer. Keeping it small means you can actually be present, with no working the room.


Step 4: Plan the Little Things

Small weddings are all about details that are easy to forget:


  • Rings, and who's holding them
  • Flowers, even just a small bouquet or boutonniere
  • Outfits that feel like you, whether that's a gown, a suit, a sundress, boots, or a leather jacket
  • A post-ceremony plan: dinner, drinks, a picnic, or straight home in sweats
  • Weather backup. This is Southwest Louisiana, after all.

Step 5: Book a Photographer (Yes, Even for the Courthouse)

The ceremony might be short, but you'll want to remember it for a long time. A courthouse wedding is over in a blink, and "we'll just use phone pics" is a common regret.


My wedding style is documentary, authentic, and unposed. I care more about real emotion and candid moments than stiff poses or rigid shot lists. Your cousin can absolutely come, but they deserve to enjoy your day too.


Courthouse coverage is $150/hour, so you only pay for the time you need. Want more? Wedding packages include The Vow ($800), The Beloved ($1,500), The Sacred ($2,000), and The Eternity ($5,000). Payment plans are available on wedding packages, and there's 25% off for military, single mothers, sex workers, and special needs couples. See everything on the Weddings page and the Services page.


Where I Photograph Courthouse Weddings & Elopements

I'm based in DeRidder and regularly photograph weddings and elopements across Southwest Louisiana, including Beauregard Parish, Lake Charles, Sulphur, Moss Bluff, Leesville, Fort Johnson (Fort Polk), Alexandria, Pineville, and Lafayette. I also travel to East Texas for weddings.


Let's Plan Your Day

Every booking starts with a free consultation. Tell me your date (or your "sometime soon"), where you're thinking, and who's coming, and we'll figure out the rest together.


Book your free wedding consultation here. Or call 337-396-5580.


FAQ

How much does a courthouse wedding photographer cost in DeRidder or Lake Charles?

Courthouse coverage with The Matriarch Effect is $150 per hour. Full wedding packages start at $800 for The Vow. Payment plans are available, and there's a 25% discount for military, single mothers, sex workers, and special needs couples.


Is there a waiting period to get married in Louisiana?

Yes. Louisiana requires 24 hours between when the license is issued and the ceremony. Other requirements vary, so check with the clerk of court in your parish before setting your date.


Do you photograph LGBTQ+ courthouse weddings and elopements?

Absolutely. All walks of love are celebrated here: LGBTQ+ weddings, elopements, micro-weddings, and non-traditional ceremonies.