This session was shot by GMP team photographer Gabriela
Russell and Grace had an intimate wedding at the Sumter County Clerk’s office in The Villages, followed by dinner with family.
Grace and Russell were married at the Sumter County Clerk’s office location in The Villages with a small family group, then headed to Wolfgang Puck Kitchen + Bar at the Brownwood Hotel & Spa for a private reception dinner. This courthouse wedding was covered by our associate photographer Gabriela, who is joyful, focused on connection, and has a natural instinct for directing couples in a way that keeps things feeling relaxed and real.
Getting Married at the Sumter County Clerk’s Office in The Villages
The Sumter County Clerk of Courts handles marriage licenses and ceremonies for residents and visitors in the area, and the office in The Villages is a convenient option for couples who live in or are visiting the community. It’s worth knowing upfront that this is a different location from the main Sumter County Courthouse in Bushnell (seen in Alexandra and Tyler’s photos here)—that building is a striking piece of historic architecture with real exterior photography potential. The clerk’s office in The Villages is more functional by comparison, but with a simple ceremony room and the Spanish-style streetscape of The Villages right outside, there’s still plenty to work with on the photography side.
Celebrating Love in The Villages, Florida
The Villages is a unique community where people come to enjoy the next chapter, and it offers more options for an intimate celebration than most people realize. Just like Grace and Russell, some couples have found love right there in the community—just look at Gary and Katia, who met in The Villages and asked me to both photograph and officiate their wedding. Some couples, like Emily and Sam, were drawn to the area’s beautiful gathering spaces and Spanish-style surroundings for an outdoor micro wedding. The architecture photographs well, the streets are walkable, and there are indoor and outdoor spaces throughout that lend themselves to small, personal events. Russell and Grace are another example of what’s possible here: a clerk’s office ceremony followed by a private dinner at one of the area’s nicest restaurants, all within a few minutes of each other.
The Styling: Lavender, Ivory, and Lace
This micro wedding was simply styled with lavender and ivory running throughout every element. Grace’s bouquet featured blush and mauve roses, purple tulips, white snapdragons, and small white berries. Russell was in a cream three-piece suit with a lavender tie, and his boutonnière complemented the other floral elements perfectly. The whole palette was soft and consistent from ceremony to dinner.
The Portraits and the Reception
After the ceremony, portraits were taken around The Villages’ walkable streetscape—Mediterranean-style architecture, ornamental bridges and ponds, palm trees—before the family gathered for a private dinner at Wolfgang Puck Kitchen + Bar. Located inside the Brownwood Hotel & Spa on Brownwood Boulevard, this upscale restaurant is one of the more polished dining options in The Villages, with two private event spaces available for groups. It was a beautiful way to end this intimate day.
FAQ: Getting Married at the Sumter County Courthouse
The clerk’s office in The Villages handles marriage licenses and civil ceremonies and is a more everyday office environment. The Sumter County Courthouse in Bushnell is the county’s historic courthouse building—architecturally striking, with real potential for portrait photography on the grounds. If beautiful exterior photos are a priority, Bushnell is worth considering even if it’s a bit further to travel.
The Florida marriage license fee is $86, reduced to $61 if you’ve completed an online premarital course. The ceremony fee is $30, making the total under $120 for the license and ceremony combined. You can learn more on the Sumter County Clerk’s website.
If you’re a Florida resident who has completed a premarital course, yes. If you haven’t taken the course, there’s a three-day waiting period. Non-Florida residents have no waiting period at all and can get their license and marry on the same day.
Yes. Florida courthouses and clerk’s offices generally allow photographers, though some locations ask that you not photograph the clerks directly. I’ve photographed hundreds of courthouse weddings all throughout Central Florida.
Looking for a Courthouse Wedding Photographer in Central Florida?
This session was photographed by Gabriela, one of my associate photographers. When I’m not available, my associates are—and you’re in good hands with any of them. If you’re planning a wedding in Sumter County or anywhere in Central Florida, fill out my inquiry form and we’ll find the right fit for your day.
