Beyond the Courthouse

“So… do we really want to just get married at the courthouse?”

It’s a question more and more couples are asking themselves these days, especially those planning intimate celebrations, skipping the stress of large events, or simply wanting to focus on the love itself without the production. But what happens when the sterile environment of a courthouse doesn’t quite match the sacredness of your love story?

At The Alter, we’ve spent a lot of time planning ceremonies with couples in mind-who crave something more—something intentional, personal, and still totally legal. That’s where the beauty of the Table Signing comes in, or as we call it, the Macro-Wedding.

The Courthouse Conundrum

Let’s start with what a courthouse wedding actually offers. It’s convenient, fast, and often very affordable. For some couples, that efficiency is exactly what they need. But for many, the experience is lacking in meaning. You may find yourself in a government office under fluorescent lighting, standing in front of a judge who doesn't know your name, surrounded by strangers who are renewing passports or dealing with legal issues.

While the legality of the ceremony is handled, the emotional and spiritual weight of the commitment can feel minimized or even overlooked. There's no space to personalize your vows, no place to invite the people who’ve walked alongside your love story, and no time for rituals that feel sacred to you.

Enter the Table Signing

A Table Signing takes the essentials of a wedding—legal documentation, a licensed officiant, and a declaration of commitment—and strips away everything that doesn’t serve the moment. Instead of a government-issued backdrop, you get to choose your own scene. A backyard, a cozy café, a mountaintop, a kitchen filled with laughter and candles—it’s entirely up to you.

You meet with your officiant (that’s us at The Alter), bring your marriage license and IDs, and create a space to sign and seal your union in a way that reflects your values and your vision. And no, it’s not just a “mini” wedding or a budget option. It’s a Macro-Wedding—because although it may be small in scale, it’s huge in meaning.

Legal, Sacred, and Yours

What sets the Table Signing apart is that it’s fully legal but also fully customizable. It doesn’t require a judge or a government building. As long as your license is valid in your state and you're meeting with a licensed officiant, you're golden.

But legality is only one layer. The true beauty of a Table Signing is how flexible and intentional it can be. Some couples use it as their one and only ceremony. Others use it to make things official before a bigger celebration later down the road. And some choose it as a spiritual act of union, followed by a private dinner or weekend getaway.

You can write your own vows, include a smudging ritual, incorporate music, read poetry, or simply sit hand-in-hand while your witnesses (if needed) look on. Some couples come dressed to the nines. Others are barefoot in jeans. It all counts, because it all comes from the heart.

So Why Not the Courthouse?

Courthouses serve a purpose. They provide a fast, often affordable way to get married. But for many couples—especially LGBTQIA+ couples, polyamorous families, or those with cultural or spiritual needs-courthouses aren’t always the most welcoming or affirming spaces.

Government systems weren’t designed with diverse love stories in mind. And that’s okay, because you don’t need them to be. You just need someone to help you create a space where your love feels honored, witnessed, and celebrated in a way that matters to you.

What We Do at The Alter

At The Alter, we specialize in ceremony. And not just the kind that happens in a big ballroom with 200 guests (though we love those too). We hold sacred space for couples who want their union to feel intentional and inclusive—whether that means eloping with your best friend and your dog, or signing your license under the stars with just the moon as your witness.

We believe your marriage deserves more than a government office. It deserves reflection. Energy. A bit of ritual. A moment of breath before the pen hits the paper. That’s what our Macro-Weddings are all about.

We work with couples of all kinds—straight, queer, trans, nonbinary, polyamorous, disabled, interfaith, and everything in between. We don’t just show up and sign the license. We show up and hold space, create energy, and help you craft a meaningful beginning to your next chapter.

What Does a Macro-Wedding Look Like?

Every one is different, and that’s the point. An intimate table signing can be performed in public parks with flower crowns and champagne toasts, the backyard of your childhood/family home, or at the restaurant where the two of you made it official. The Alter is happy to meet couples at sunrise by the lake, walk you through a grounding meditation with our signature "Moment of Pause" Ritual, and witness your vows beneath a soft purple and pink sky. Your license can be signed in living rooms, on porches, at libraries, and at family reunions. The beauty is in the simplicity.

You bring your love, and we help you make it sacred.

The Final Word

If you’re not feeling the courthouse wedding, you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. You deserve a ceremony that feels as real and radiant as your relationship. You deserve a beginning that speaks to your heart and your story. And you don’t have to spend thousands to have that. You just need the right moment, the right people, and the right intention.

At The Alter, we’re here to help you create that moment. Whether it’s a table signing, a macro-wedding, or something all your own, we’ll make it official with heart, soul, and a little bit of ceremony magic.

Ready to make it yours?
Let’s sign it, seal it, and celebrate it—together.

Book your consultation today.