Planning a Hackensack courthouse wedding starts with one important step: getting your marriage license from the Bergen County Clerk’s Office at One Bergen County Plaza. As a Hackensack courthouse wedding photographer with over 30 years of experience in Bergen County, I recently photographed Natalie and Princep’s ceremony at the Bergen County Courthouse — and this guide covers exactly what you need to know.

No fluff. No confusing steps. Just real information that helps you get married smoothly at the courthouse and get incredible photos along the way.

Why Choose a Hackensack Courthouse Wedding?

Not everyone needs a 200-guest wedding or a reception that costs more than a car. Many couples prefer something simple, intimate, and focused on the commitment they’re making. That’s exactly what Natalie and Princep wanted – and their Bergen County courthouse wedding was beautiful, emotional, and stress-free.

A Hackensack courthouse wedding gives you:

• A legal marriage certificate issued by the Bergen County Clerk
• A quick and easy timeline
• An intimate ceremony focused entirely on your relationship
• Built-in photography locations at Bergen County Plaza
• Central access in the heart of Bergen County

About the Bergen County Courthouse Venue

If you’re getting married here, you’ll be spending time in two key areas of One Bergen County Plaza:

1️⃣ The Bergen County Clerk’s Office

This is where you apply for your marriage license.
You’ll need identification, a witness, and to follow the Clerk’s marriage-license requirements. After applying, New Jersey requires a standard 72-hour waiting period.

2️⃣ The Bergen County Courthouse

This is where the civil ceremony happens.

The courthouse includes:

• The iconic “Bergen County Today” wall with every municipality
• The classic white gazebo outside the plaza
• A traditional ceremony room with the American and New Jersey flags, Bergen County seal, and law books
• A bright lobby filled with natural light

The Hackensack Courthouse Wedding Process

1. Before the Ceremony: Visit the Bergen County Clerk

Here’s what you need:

• Apply for your marriage license at the Bergen County Clerk’s Office (same building as the courthouse)
• Bring proper documentation + valid ID
• Bring a witness for your license application
• Arrive early for parking and building navigation

2. The Ceremony (10–15 Minutes)

Your ceremony includes:

• Officiant (judge or clerk)
• Exchange of vows
• Optional ring exchange
• Signing of the marriage certificate

3. Your Guests

• Ceremony room fits 15–20 guests
• Perfect for immediate family
• Small enough that everyone sees and hears clearly

Best Photography Locations at the Hackensack Courthouse

As someone who has photographed hundreds of courthouse weddings, here’s where the BEST photos happen:

1️⃣ The White Gazebo at Bergen County Plaza

Soft light, shade, classic framing- a dream for portraits.

2️⃣ Bergen County Clerk Building Entrance

The walkway connecting the Clerk’s Office and Courthouse gives you clean architectural lines and light pockets perfect for posing.

3️⃣ The “Bergen County Today” Wall

This wall makes every photo feel “Bergen County official.”

4️⃣ The Courthouse Lobby + Hallways

Surprisingly beautiful natural window light.

Family Photos happen naturally at courthouse weddings. Without reception pressure, families relax. When Natalie’s grandmother saw her in the hallway, she started tearing up. That’s the unscripted moment you get at intimate ceremonies where people aren’t stressed about timelines.

Want to see more? View courthouse wedding galleries or contact me to discuss your photography needs.

Why Courthouse Weddings Have Real Emotion

Here’s what couples don’t realize: courthouse weddings are often more emotional than big hotel weddings.

I’ve seen hands shake during ring exchanges.
Parents cry openly.
Grandparents grip hands and smile the whole time.
No timelines. No stress. Just REAL emotion.

Natalie and Princep’s first kiss wasn’t performative- it was real. I watched Princep’s hands shake slightly when he put the ring on Natalie’s finger. You see that at courthouse weddings. At big productions, couples are often so focused on “getting it right” that they miss their own moment.

What to Wear to Your Courthouse Wedding

Natalie wore a short white lace dress- elegant but practical. Princep wore a classic black suit. Perfect formality level for a Bergen County courthouse wedding.

Natalie’s white and blue bouquet added elegance without being expensive. Simple details make a difference in photos.

After Your Bergen County Courthouse Wedding

Your ceremony ends by early afternoon. You control what happens next—dinner, celebration, or just time together. No venue timeline, no catering schedule.

Hiring Your Hackensack Courthouse Wedding Photographer

Invest in professional photography even for a simple courthouse wedding. These are your wedding photos. You want to remember how you felt, how your partner looked at you, how happy your families were.

An experienced photographer knows where the good light is (tricky in government buildings), how to work fast in small spaces, and which locations photograph best.

For Natalie and Princep’s wedding, we did gazebo portraits before the ceremony, documented the full ceremony, then did family and couple photos after. Total timeline: 90 minutes. Comprehensive coverage, efficiently planned.

Practical Tips for Your Hackensack Courthouse Wedding

Timing & Logistics:

• Arrive 15-20 minutes early
• Scout locations with your photographer beforehand
• Bring witnesses for legal paperwork

Weather Planning:

• Gazebo is outdoors; covered walkways work for rain
• Check forecast; have indoor backup
• Covered areas still provide natural light

Guest Management:

• Keep list to 10-20 people
• Small groups photograph better
• Everyone participates in intimate setting

Post-Ceremony:

• Plan something afterward (even just coffee)
• You’ll be done by early afternoon
• Build in celebration time

Is a Hackensack Courthouse Wedding Right for You?

A Hackensack courthouse wedding makes sense if you want to focus on marriage instead of production, prefer intimate over large, need to get married quickly, or value authenticity over tradition.

It’s not right if you’ve been dreaming of a traditional big wedding. That’s fine. But don’t let anyone tell you a courthouse wedding is “less than” traditional. It’s different, and for some couples, it’s better.

Natalie and Princep didn’t need centerpieces or choreographed dances. They needed their families, someone to officiate, and photographs to remember it all.

The images from their day show real joy, genuine connection, and the start of their marriage. That’s what wedding photography should capture- actual moments, not just pretty details.

Contact Alex Kaplan Photography

If you’re planning a Hackensack courthouse wedding, let’s talk. I’ve been shooting weddings in Northern New Jersey for over 30 years. I know how to capture genuine emotion in intimate ceremonies.

Whether you’re getting married at the Bergen County Courthouse or planning something else in Northern New Jersey, NYC, or the Hudson Valley, my approach focuses on real moments and authentic connection. No staged poses, no generic clichés- just you, your partner, and the people who matter.

Contact Alex Kaplan Photography to discuss your Bergen County Clerk courthouse wedding photography.

Related: Northern New Jersey Wedding Photographer | Bergen County Wedding Venues | Wedding Photography Pricing | Courthouse Wedding Gallery

Alex Kaplan Photography | Hackensack Courthouse Wedding Photographer | Serving Northern New Jersey, NYC, and the Hudson Valley | 30+ Years Experience | Real Emotion, Genuine Connection, Moments That Matter