Weddings

Judge Karahan is a retired Texas trial judge who is authorized by Texas law to officiate weddings. He has officiated over 3,000 civil weddings of all varieties and in many settings. Judge Karahan also works with wedding planners, consultants and venue hosts. He does not engage, reserve, schedule or manage any wedding venue. He is a member of the International Association of Professional Wedding Officiants.

When Judge Karahan is formally engaged as your wedding officiant he will confirm, by email, the details and start time of your ceremony. He will arrive at your selected venue 10-15 minutes beforehand with the expectation that your wedding will begin at or near the agreed-upon appointment time. Judge Karahan often schedules several weddings on the same day so a wedding must begin on time, or be rescheduled.

Judge Karahan can officiate weddings in other languages including Spanish, Italian, German, and Turkish. He is authorized to officiate weddings anywhere in Texas with your valid marriage license issued by any Texas County Clerk’s office at least 72 hours before the ceremony, as required by law. Witnesses are not required by law; only Judge Karahan will sign your license.

All fees listed below relate only to Judge Karahan’s wedding officiation fees. Please do not submit a payment until Judge Karahan has confirmed by email his availability for your requested wedding date, time and venue. Please remit full payment or deposit promptly after email confirmation or the date will not be held due to other potential wedding requests for the same date/time. A minimum deposit must be received no less than 24 hours before the confirmed appointment. Please note that Judge Karahan receives many wedding requests, so confirmed appointments are first-come, first-served when a payment is received. Please check Google reviews to read what other wedding couples are saying about Judge Karahan’s officiating, and to see a 1910 Courthouse rotunda ceremony example.

Historic 1910 Harris County Courthouse Weddings —  The 1910 Courthouse is a public-access, working government building that makes a lovely wedding venue in the lobby rotunda on the second floor and on the grounds outside during selected hours. Courthouse officials have sole authority over the public’s use of the building at all times, including weddings. Weddings inside an actual courtroom or the third floor balcony, elevator and stairs are no longer available to the general public but there are other options for the ceremony both inside and outside the Courthouse. Judge Karahan officiates weddings inside the Courthouse on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday only, while weddings outside the Courthouse can be performed on most days. Inside or outside Courthouse weddings can accommodate NO MORE than 12 wedding participants (wedding couple and guests) plus 1 photographer (total of 13 people). No exceptions.

• The Courthouse is located at 301 Fannin St, and there is nearby covered public parking available at 1019 Congress St, and many surface lots within 3 blocks of the Courthouse, as well as paid street parking where available. Inside the courthouse weddings are scheduled beginning at 12:30 with the last appointment starting at 2:30.
• Weddings inside a courtroom and the 3rd floor balcony and stairs are no longer available to the general public.
• Weddings inside the Courthouse (rotunda) are performed:
  • Wednesday at 12:30pmCT only, Thursday and Friday between 12:30-2:30pmCT (last appointment time begins at 2:30pm)—$550.
• Weekday outside (Monday-Friday) weddings completed before 5:00pmCT–$550, and completed after 5:00pmCT–$575.
• All weekend weddings are outside only
  • Weekend outside (Saturday-Sunday) weddings completed before 5:00pmCT–$650.
  • Weekend outside (Saturday-Sunday) weddings completed after 5:00pmCT–$675.
• Holiday weddings–$750.
• A non-refundable deposit of half of the wedding fee is due upon Judge Karahan’s confirmation of the requested date. Payment of the deposit or full fee confirms the appointment and acknowledges acceptance of the wedding officiant policies.
• Balance of fee is due prior to the ceremony by confirmed and received online payment (see payment button below), or by cash only at the time of the ceremony.

The Julia Ideson HIstoric Library was completed in 1924. It is a City of Houston Protected Landmark, Recorded Texas Historical Landmark, Texas State Archaeological Landmark, on the National Register of Historic Places, and makes a splendid wedding venue. Pricing for the Julia Ideson Library varies, depending on the desired room or area of the building and the number of people attanding. Contact the special events department for more information 832-393-1646.

• The library is located at 550 Mckinney St in Houston. Street parking is available as well as nearby covered parking lots.
• Weddings inside the library are performed during libary hours:
  • Thursday and Friday beginning at 10:00 and completed before 5:00pmCT–$550, and completed after 5:00pmCT–$575.
• Weekday outside (Monday-Friday) weddings completed before 5:00pmCT–$550, and completed after 5:00pmCT–$575.
• Weekend inside or outside (Saturday-Sunday) weddings completed before 5:00pmCT–$650.
• Weekend inside or outside (Saturday-Sunday) weddings completed after 5:00pmCT–$675.
• Holiday weddings–$750.
• A non-refundable deposit of half of the wedding fee is due upon Judge Karahan’s confirmation of the requested date. Payment of the deposit or full fee confirms the appointment and acknowledges acceptance of the wedding officiant policies.
• Balance of fee is due prior to the ceremony by confirmed and received online payment (see payment button below), or by cash only at the time of the ceremony.

Weddings at Judge Karahan’s Offices

• Judge Karahan’s office is located in the Historic Houston Heights at 1221 Studewood St. There is convenient free parking located at the office.
• The office can accommodate a maximum of 7 persons including the photographer.
• Monday-Friday only from 11:00amCT-3:00pmCT–$250.
• Active duty military, law enforcement, fire fighters, and paramedics (with current credintials)–$100 (only at Judge Karahan’s Office.
• A non-refundable deposit or full payment of half of the wedding fee is due upon Judge Karahan’s confirmation of the requested date. Payment of the deposit or full fee confirms the appointment with Judge Karahan and acknowledges acceptance of the wedding officiant policies.
• Balance of fee is due prior to the ceremony by confirmed and received online payment (see payment button below), or by cash only at the time of the ceremony.

Weddings at other venues

• Weekday (Monday-Friday) weddings completed before 5:00pmCT–$550.
• Weekday (Monday-Friday) weddings completed after 5:00pmCT–$575.
• Weekend (Saturday-Sunday) weddings completed before 5:00pmCT–$650.
• Weekend (Saturday-Sunday) weddings completed after 5:00pmCT–$675.
• Holiday weddings–$750.
• Attendance at a wedding rehearsal or any date other than the wedding date-$250.
• Note: wedding ‘completion times’ as noted in the above rates are inclusive of the wedding officiant’s drive time back to his office after the ceremony has been completed.
• All travel for weddings and/or rehearsals greater than a 20 mile round trip from Judge Karahan’s office is reimbursed at the current IRS mileage rate allowance.
• One in-person or Zoom advance consultation with Judge Karahan to review the ceremony and wedding plans, email and/or phone communication to finalize the ceremony is included.
• A non-refundable deposit of half of the wedding fee is due upon Judge Karahan’s confirmation of the requested date. Payment of the deposit or full fee confirms the appointment with Judge Karahan and acknowledges acceptance of the wedding officiant policies.
• Balance of fee is due prior to the ceremony by confirmed and received online payment (see payment button below), or by cash only at the time of the ceremony.
• Wedding couples are responsible for locating and confirming any wedding venues, other than Judge Karahan’s office. Other public outdoor wedding venues in the Houston area include the Houston Arboretum, Hermann Park Japanese Gardens, Gerald D Hines Waterwall Park, Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, McGovern Centennial Gardens, Menil Park, and a beautiful gazebo in the Heights area. Some of these venues may require a permit.

Once the ceremony is complete and paid for, Judge Karahan will sign your marriage license which must then be returned to any of the County Clerk’s Offices in the county where it was originally issued within 30 days of the wedding date. If in Harris County, it may be returned to any location of the Harris County Clerk’s Office for necessary filing.

Note: All marriage licenses must be obtained from any State of Texas County Clerk’s office at least 72 hours before the wedding in order for Judge Karahan to officiate. If in Harris County you may visit any location of the Harris County Clerk’s Office. This license is valid for 90 days after issuance.