Custom made to measure

Courthouse and city hall wedding dresses

A courthouse or city hall wedding dress is usually simpler and easier to move in than a ballroom gown: think tea-length lace, a satin midi, a clean crepe column or bridal separates. Our city hall and elopement brides have worn all of these, and the Nova from our Sonoma Collection is equally at home for an elopement on the black sand beaches in Iceland as it is at a San Francisco rooftop reception.

The Nova from The Sonoma Collection

Real Lace & Liberty city hall and elopement brides

Every photo here is a real Lace & Liberty bride or design. Tap a photo to see the full story.

Meet more of our brides

Shop the look

Start from a collection design and customize it, or use it as inspiration for a fully custom city hall wedding dress.

Browse all collections

Make it yours

Every Lace & Liberty dress is made for you after you order, in your own measurements and proportions.

1. Play in the design studio

Mix necklines, sleeves and skirts online for free in our dress builder or AI design studio.

2. Talk to a designer

Book a free 20-minute virtual design consultation, or visit our San Francisco showroom to try on samples.

3. Get your sketch and estimate

Check our price estimate, then your designer sketches your gown and shares progress photos from our workshop.

From our brides

“I feel like so much of picking “the dress” comes down to feeling comfortable and trusting the people at these shops, and the team at Lace & Liberty really gave me that experience.”

— Kat A.

Price & timeline

Custom gowns are priced by design, fabric and detail. We recommend starting 10 months to a year before your wedding and planning to receive your dress 12–16 weeks before the date, to leave time for alterations with your local seamstress.

Get a price estimate

$1,500–$5,500Custom gown price range
$2,000–$3,500What most brides spend
~6 monthsStandard turnaround from order
18, 12 or 8 weeksRush options ($250–$600), subject to availability

Courthouse & City Hall Wedding Dresses: frequently asked questions

What should I wear to a courthouse wedding?

Anything that feels like you. Our city hall and elopement brides have chosen tea-length lace with long sleeves, a purple satin midi, a pink floral tea-length dress, a sleek crepe gown and even a lace jumpsuit as a second look.

Do you have dresses for elopements?

Yes. The Nova is equally at home for an elopement on the black sand beaches in Iceland as it is at a San Francisco rooftop reception. Its skirt can be made in our classic Soft White chiffon, or swapped for a different silhouette.

Can I wear separates or a jumpsuit at city hall?

Yes. The Milan crop top and Milan skirt are made in stretch Italian satin, and after the wedding you can wear the top again. We also make bridal jumpsuits such as the crepe Powell. See our reception dresses and jumpsuits.

Where can I take photos after a San Francisco City Hall wedding?

See our guide to San Francisco City Hall weddings and where to take photos.

Can I customize a city hall wedding dress from your collection?

Yes. Every dress is made in your own measurements and proportions. Based on any existing design we can change the neckline shape, choose a different lining color, add removable sleeves and straps, add support, specify the train length and more.

How much does a custom city hall wedding dress cost?

Lace & Liberty custom gowns range from $1,500 to $5,500, and most brides spend $2,000–$3,500. Customizations to an existing collection design start at $250. Get a personalized number with our price estimate.

How long does it take to make a custom city hall wedding dress?

Our standard turnaround is about 6 months from the date you order, including consultations, design finalization, production edits and shipping. Rush options of 18, 12 or 8 weeks ($250, $450 or $600) may be available depending on our production schedule and fabric availability. See timing & rush orders.

Can I try on courthouse and city hall wedding dresses before I order?

Yes. Book a free one-hour appointment at our San Francisco showroom at 1301 Castro St to try on 200+ samples in sizes 0–20, or a free 20-minute virtual design consultation from anywhere. We ship worldwide from San Francisco.

Lace & Liberty couple holding hands at their wedding
Lace & Liberty bride in pink dress kissing her husband in the street
Lace & Liberty bride with tattoos in a black wedding dress
Newly married Lace & Liberty couple in a grass field

Design a custom wedding dress that’s as unique as your love

Over 2500 brides have designed their dream dress with us. Now it's your turn.