Did anyone get married at a courthouse/magistrate/city hall?

arvay44

Hello. I posted this over on The Knot Pittsburgh board, but it doesn't seem to be very active, so I thought I would try here as well to see if anyone has any suggestions.

This will be my second marriage, so we just want something very simple, just the two of us. I pictured getting married downtown at the courthouse, but I don't even know if that's a possibility.

I have contacted three courthouses (Allegheny, Butler, Beaver) and the only one I have heard back from  is Butler. They stated that the decision to perform a wedding is left to the discretion of each of their judges, and many of the judges do not conduct wedding services at all and some choose to conduct ceremonies on a very limited basis for only people they know personally. I'm assuming the other courthouses most likely have the same policy, so I don't know where that leaves me. We don't know any judges personally.

They did tell me that local magistrates are able to perform ceremonies, as well as mayors of cities. Does anyone know of any nice city halls or local district courts?

This probably sounds ridiculous, but I really just want to choose somewhere that will look nice in pictures, and I don't think you can really go in and tour a magistrate's office to see if you like the looks of it, haha. A nice city hall building would also work. Even though it will be just the two of us, but I still want nice pictures of the day. 

I know we can go somewhere else for pictures afterwards, but of course I want some of the (brief) ceremony as well. Thank you!

bride2003

Between the 3 you posted I think Allegheny has the nicest court rooms.  Washington & Westmoreland county do as well.  Beaver & Butler are more modern buildings and not what you usually associate with court rooms.  Local magistrates do not have nice courtrooms either as far as I am aware.  Here's an article that I found on google - courtroom isn't great but seems like he is a nice guy http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/5354450-74/judge-weddings-district#axzz3a1cwpiRb

kris356

My sister's wedding photographer just did a wedding at the Washington Co. courthouse. You may want to try there.

Here are links to the pics on her instagram:

Inside

Inside 2

Outside

My cousin got married last year at the magistrate and it was just inside. The pictures look like you could be fighting a speeding ticket while getting hitched at the same time.

arvay44

Thank you both! The pictures from Washington County are exactly what I had in mind. I will contact them next.

lishie

I clerked for a judge in Washington County, and he absolutely loved doing weddings.

He's no longer on the bench. President judge Emery is lovely, and I think any of the judges there would be great if they performed your wedding.

smynings_bride

Most of the courthouses other than Allegheny have a modern side and a historic side since the old courthouses were too small and they built annexes.  The old part of the Butler Courthouse is beautiful as is Washington and Westmoreland but the modern side not so much so you may want to check where in the courthouse the wedding would be held.  

waltsgirl102503

I was a witness for a wedding performed in a magistrate's office a few years ago.  It was in Squirrel Hill on Murray Ave.  (I can't remember his name though).  I don't remember it being especially beautiful inside, but I will say for it being a short ceremony, it was one of the nicest ones I've ever attended.   It was short and sweet and the sentiment was beautiful.   Congratulations!

lishie

waltsgirl102503 said:

I was a witness for a wedding performed in a magistrate's office a few years ago.  It was in Squirrel Hill on Murray Ave.  (I can't remember his name though).  I don't remember it being especially beautiful inside, but I will say for it being a short ceremony, it was one of the nicest ones I've ever attended.   It was short and sweet and the sentiment was beautiful.   Congratulations!

I'll be it was Hugh McGough. He's great for wedding ceremonies and has done a ton since becoming a district justice. He's currently running for common pleas court.

As an aside, primary judicial elections are Tuesday

bride2003

lishie said:

waltsgirl102503 said:

I was a witness for a wedding performed in a magistrate's office a few years ago.  It was in Squirrel Hill on Murray Ave.  (I can't remember his name though).  I don't remember it being especially beautiful inside, but I will say for it being a short ceremony, it was one of the nicest ones I've ever attended.   It was short and sweet and the sentiment was beautiful.   Congratulations!

I'll be it was Hugh McGough. He's great for wedding ceremonies and has done a ton since becoming a district justice. He's currently running for common pleas court.

As an aside, primary judicial elections are Tuesday

Love Hugh!  He would be great to offciate a wedding!

Did you clerk for Pozonsky?

lishie

No. If I'd clerked for Pozonsky, I'd probably have much crazier stories to tell. I'm friends with his old court reporter though, and she had some interesting things to say.

I clerked for Moschetta when he had an interim appointment to the bench. I absolutely loved working for him. He was amazing.