Washington County Historic Courthouse

Historic and beautiful spot at the top of the hill in Stillwater-it's a great spot to enjoy! The Courthouse is currently decorated for the Christmas holiday season. The guided tour was interesting and informative!

We were married here May 2011. I am a wedding photographer and had shot a wedding there several years earlier. As far as the cities go, this place is not too expensive. You get to choose your own caterer, bring in your own alcohol. (They limit you to beer, wine and champagne. I don't drink beer but you can offer hard cider and Smirnoff ice or Mike's Hard.) Also, not providing liquor cuts down on costs. The front porch is just gorgeous for a ceremony location.

We were married here on a Sunday in June 2010. The pictures were astounding! The ceremony (in front of the big windows upstairs in the courtroom) was just what we wanted. It was traditional, classy, and secular. We had such a low-stress day! We held the reception at the Lake Elmo Inn Event Center.We were (wisely) cautioned that although a ceremony on the front steps seems like a perfect idea, it might not be the best option because,1. Guests can't hear... anything... including the vows2. Motorcycles go by regularly in the summer3. Wind, rain, heat, etcWHAT WAS GREATThe price (only $1200). (Even The Husband thought so!)Low stress, helpful staffThe courthouse was ours for the whole day, so we leisurley got ready and took pictures.The cute little dressing room for the bride and maids to get ready.The sweeping double staircase with oh-so-many photo opportunitiesAn elevator for our less mobile guestsA beautiful entrance and grounds for picturesThe courthouse was so beautiful I didn't even decorate and it looked gorgeous.The mirror and window in the back room for pictures.The mirror and stairs in the "jury room" helped us make this awesome photo where the gals are hanging out in front of the mirror and the boys are seen on the stairs in the mirror behind the girls while the bride (me!) fixes her hair in the mirror. VERY COOL.Adequate parking for guestsThe sound system was simple enough that a bunch of 20-somethings figured out how to play music off an iPod with little trouble.LESS GREATBe prepared to increase your insurance briefly to cover the event. The courthouse's policy does not cover your event. It wasn't terribly expensive, but still good to know.You can't get onto the balcony from the courtroom. :( That would have been cute.