Weddings

NOTE—Judge Karahan is UNAVAILABLE TO OFFICIATE WEDDINGS FROM DECEMBER 9-27. For weddings that must occur during this time, please contact:

Hon. Eric Andell—713.818.3929, EricAndell@SBCGlobal.net, OR Paul Shanklin—Paul@ShanklinLaw.com

Judge Karahan is an experienced wedding officiant who has presided over more than 3,000 weddings of all varieties in numerous settings. Judge Karahan officiates both civil and faith-based ceremonies often personalized for each couple. Judge Karahan works with wedding planners, consultants and venue hosts; he does not engage, reserve, schedule or manage any wedding venue.

When Judge Karahan is formally engaged as your wedding officiant he will confirm the details and start time of your ceremony by email. 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 start time. Judge Karahan often schedules several weddings on the same day so a fee may be assessed if your wedding starts more than 15 minutes late, or he may reschedule your appointment.

Judge Karahan can officiate weddings in English, 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 ceremonies. Witnesses are not required by law; only Judge Karahan will sign your license.

Please do not submit a payment until Judge Karahan has confirmed by email his availability for your requested wedding date and venue, but please remit payment 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 wedding date. Please note that Judge Karahan receives many wedding requests, so confirmed wedding dates 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 Courthouse Weddings — The 1910 Courthouse makes a lovely wedding venue in the lobby rotunda on the second floor and on the grounds outside. 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 performs weddings inside the Courthouse on Thursday and Friday only, while weddings outside the Courthouse can be performed any day. Inside 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. 
• 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 on Thursday and Friday between 12:30-3:00pmCT–$475.
• Weekday outside (Monday-Friday) weddings completed before 4:00pmCT–$475, and completed after 4:00pmCT–$500.
• 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-Friday) weddings completed before 4:00pmCT–$475.
• Weekday (Monday-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.