Intimate Waco Texas Courthouse Elopement + Hotel 1928

A Documentary-Style Waco Courthouse Elopement

Eloping in Waco, Texas is becoming one of my favorite ways couples choose to get married — and this day is a perfect example of why. It was simple. Meaningful. Intentional. And very them.

They’ve spent a lot of time in Waco over the years. It’s a place they kept coming back to — not for anything flashy, but for how it feels. Familiar. Slower. Comfortable. Waco has that small-town feel, but with the perks of a bigger town: good food, local shops, things to do without feeling overwhelming. When it came time to get married, they knew they didn’t want anything big or overproduced. They wanted a day that felt honest and easy, in a place that already meant something to them.

So they planned a courthouse elopement in Waco, followed by portraits around the city and a quiet overnight stay at Hotel 1928. Their larger wedding celebration will happen later on — but this day was about the marriage itself.

Getting Married at the Waco Courthouse

They were married at the McLennan County Precinct 5 Justice-of-the-Peace Court, which is where civil ceremonies currently take place in Waco. Courthouse weddings are straightforward — perfect if your priority is getting married and then having the rest of the day to yourselves.

The ceremony itself was short and intimate. Just them, a few signatures, and then it was done. Very little pressure. No long timeline. No rush to perform. And honestly, that’s part of what makes courthouse elopements so appealing.

The active courthouse isn’t the most visually ornate place — and that’s okay. Its job is to make your marriage official. Everything else can come after.

Portraits at the Historic Waco Courthouse

After the ceremony, we headed to the historic Waco courthouse — the beautiful one you’ll usually see in photos. While they no longer perform marriage ceremonies there, photos are allowed outside, which is why it’s one of my favorite spots for Waco elopement photography.

Between the architecture, the textures, and the green grass, it has so much character without feeling chaotic or restrictive. It’s also a good reminder that you don’t have to get married inside the most photogenic location to still have meaningful photos there.

We took our time. Walked. Paused. Let them soak in that just-married feeling. Nothing rushed.

Ending the Day at Hotel 1928

From there, we walked a couple blocks to Hotel 1928, stopping for photos along the way. It ended up being the perfect final stop — and where they stayed the night.

Hotel 1928 is one of the most unique boutique hotels in Waco, and they allow you to rent their library for photo sessions, which made it such a great fit for this day. While they do host weddings, this couple chose not to use it as a full venue. Instead, it became part of their wedding experience — a place to slow down and just be together.

We photographed throughout the hotel, including time in their room with cake, champagne, and quiet, in-between moments. The library brought in warm, moody light and vintage textures, and everything about this part of the day felt softer. The pace. The energy. The moments.

Ending the day at the hotel meant no rushing off, no long drives, no expectations waiting on the other side. Just time together — which, in my opinion, is one of the best decisions you can make when eloping.

Why Waco Works So Well for Elopements

Waco is often overlooked as an elopement destination, but that’s honestly part of the appeal. It’s calm. Accessible. Unpretentious. You can get legally married, take beautiful portraits, walk between locations, and end the day somewhere intentional — all without overcomplicating things.

For couples who care more about meaning than spectacle, Waco offers a lot of flexibility.

A Few Things This Day Did Really Well

One of the reasons this elopement flowed so naturally is because they kept things simple. They separated the legal ceremony from the portrait locations. They chose just a few meaningful places instead of packing the day full. And they stayed overnight, giving the day space to breathe.

Elopements work best when nothing feels rushed or staged — when the focus stays on the experience, not the timeline.

Documentary Elopement Photography in Waco, Texas

This day was such a good reminder that weddings don’t have to be loud to be meaningful — even when a larger celebration is still ahead.

No big guest list. No elaborate plans. Just two people, a place they love, and a day that felt honest from start to finish.

If you’re planning a Waco courthouse elopement, or considering an intimate wedding anywhere in Texas, I’d love to document it in a way that feels calm, natural, and true to you.

📍 Waco Elopement Photographer | Texas Intimate Weddings

And that was their day — simple, intentional, and completely them. Waco has a way of letting elopements breathe, giving couples space to just be together.

If you’re planning your own Waco courthouse elopement (or just an intimate wedding anywhere in Texas), I’d love to help document it in a way that feels calm, natural, and true to your story!

*Second shot for Ember Claire