Weddings

Judge Karahan is an experienced officiant, having conducted over 2,500 weddings of all varieties in numerous settings. Judge Karahan performs both civil and religious ceremonies customized to the wishes of the couple. He will confirm the start time of the ceremony in writing with the couple and be at the venue 10 minutes beforehand, with the expectation that the wedding will begin at or near the agreed upon start time. Judge Karahan often schedules multiple weddings on the same day so a fee will be assessed if your wedding starts more than 15 minutes late. Judge Karahan can perform weddings in English, Spanish, Italian, German, and Turkish, and is authorized to perform weddings in any county in Texas with a valid license issued from any County Clerk’s office in Texas. Witnesses are not required by law. Do not submit a payment until your wedding date has been confirmed by email by Judge Karahan. but please pay within 24 hours of that confirmation or the date will not be held due to other wedding requests. Please check Google reviews to see what other wedding couples are saying about Judge Karahan’s officiating, and see a rotunda ceremony example.

Historic 1910 Courthouse Weddings — The 1910 Courthouse makes a lovely wedding venue at various spots both inside and outside. Weddings inside an actual courtroom are no longer available to the general public but there are numerous other options for the ceremony both inside and outside the Courthouse. Judge Karahan performs weddings inside the Courthouse on Thursday and Friday only, while weddings outside the Courthouse can be performed any day.

• 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. 
• Weddings inside a courtroom are no longer available to the general public.
• Weddings inside the Courthouse (rotunda and balcony) are performed on Thursday and Friday between 12:30-3:00pmCT–$375.
• Weekday outside (Monday-Friday) weddings completed before 4:00pmCT–$375, and completed after 4:00pmCT–$400.
• Weekend outside (Saturday-Sunday) weddings completed before 6:00pmCT–$500.
• Weekend outside (Saturday-Sunday) weddings completed after 6:00pmCT–$600.
• Holiday weddings–$650.
• A non-refundable deposit of half of the wedding fee is due upon confirmation of the requested date by Judge Karahan. Payment of the deposit confirms the appointment and acknowledges acceptance of the wedding officiant policies.
• Balance of fee is due prior to the ceremony by online payment below, or cash only at the time of the ceremony.

Weddings at Judge Karahan’s Law 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.
• Monday-Friday only from 11:00amCT-3:00pmCT–$250.
• Active duty military, law enforcement, fire fighters, and paramedics (with ID)–$100 (only at Judge Karahan’s Law Office Monday through Friday from 11:00amCT-3:00pmCT).
• A non-refundable deposit of half of the wedding fee is due upon confirmation of the requested date by Judge Karahan. Payment of the deposit confirms the appointment with Judge Karahan and acknowledges acceptance of the wedding officiant policies.
• Balance of fee is due prior to the ceremony by online payment below, or by cash only at the time of the ceremony.

Weddings at other venues

• Weekday (Monday-Thursday) weddings completed before 5:00pmCT–$375.
• Weekday (Friday) weddings completed before 4:00pmCT–$375.
• Weekday (Monday-Thursday) weddings completed after 5:00pmCT–$400.
• Weekday (Friday) weddings completed after 4:00pmCT–$500.
• Weekend (Saturday-Sunday) weddings completed before 6:00pmCT–$500.
• Weekend (Saturday-Sunday) weddings completed after 6:00pmCT–$600.
• Holiday weddings–$650.
• 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 law 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 confirmation of the requested date by Judge Karahan. Payment of the deposit confirms the appointment with Judge Karahan and acknowledges acceptance of the wedding officiant policies.
• Balance of fee is due prior to the ceremony by online payment below, or cash only at the time of the ceremony.
• Wedding couples are responsible for locating and confirming any wedding venues, other than Judge Karahan’s law 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 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.