This session was shot by GMP associate photographer Angelina

Chris & Laura were married at the Orange County Courthouse, not in the usuall marriage office, but in an actual courtroom with a judge.

There is an undeniable gravity to the Orange County Courthouse. While my team and I have shot hundreds of weddings within its marble walls, every now and then a couple chooses a path that feels especially grand. For Chris and Laura, this meant bypassing the standard ceremony room for a courtroom marriage. My associate photographer, Angelina, was there to capture every beat of the day with the same sophistication and class she would bring to a traditional wedding.

If you’re wondering how to arrange your marriage in a court room rather than the marriage office, you can learn about how one of my couples did that here.

The Administrative “I Do”

The day began in a place most couples unfamiliar with courthouse weddings might not think to document: the marriage license office. Angelina accompanied Chris and Laura as they navigated the paperwork, capturing the quiet, expectant energy of the moments leading up to the official ceremony. There is something so genuine about these “middle” moments—the signatures and the waiting—that anchors the romance in reality. Angelina’s ability to find beauty in these spaces is what makes her such a nurturing and authentic force on our team.

History in the Room

The ceremony itself took place in one of the courthouse’s most spacious and famous rooms—the very courtroom that hosted the high-profile Casey Anthony trial. While the room carries a certain historical weight, it also offers a rare luxury for courthouse elopements: space.

The expansive layout allowed Angelina to photograph the ceremony from multiple perspectives, capturing the grand scale of the bench and the intimate connection between the couple. They were married by Judge Mark Blechman, who brought a palpable kindness and genuine happiness to the proceedings, making the large room feel warm and personal for Chris, Laura, and their loved ones.

Brief Moments, Timeless Portraits

Because the day was centered on the courtroom schedule, time for outdoor portraits was limited. However, Angelina really excels at finding the best light and working efficiently to get quick and classy results in a short window. From the sleek lines of the courthouse exterior to the festive holiday wreaths, she captured a gallery of portraits that feel modern, sophisticated, and entirely intentional. Thank you so much for having us, Chris and Laura—it was most definitely our pleasure.