Why more couples are choosing simple courthouse weddings in Far North Queensland

Courthouse weddings have increased by 20 per cent in the past two years in the Far North. Find out why registry weddings are gaining popularity.

An increasing number of couples are skipping the expense of a traditional wedding ceremony, instead having a small gathering at the Queensland law courts. Young couple Mariae Tabarina and Roel Alquizar were married by celebrant Lynden Jeffries at the public registry at the Cairns Courthouse, with a small number of friends and family in attendance. Picture: Brendan Radke

Courthouse weddings are increasing in popularity in Far North Queensland, with more people choosing simplicity and savings over big-spending for their nuptials.

Registry weddings in Cairns have increased by a fifth in the past two years, with numbers steady or rising at the Innisfail and Mareeba courthouse too.

Cairns Courthouse based celebrant Lynden Jeffries said there were many reasons people chose to get married at the courthouse, but he said budget was an increasing concern.

“A lot of people tell me they are choosing registry weddings for budgetary reasons – you can pay $400 (for a courthouse registry wedding) or $40,000,” Mr Jeffries said.

“Other people have had weddings overseas and they need to legalise it in Australia. Some people are saving for a house deposit, or they are just broke and they are happy with something simple.”

In the 2024-25 financial year, 75 couples got married at the Cairns Court House, where staff decorate a conference room with flowers and tablecloth for the ceremony.

Last financial year, there were 75 couples were married at the Cairns Courthouse, and eight and 11 married at Mareeba and Innisfail court houses respectively.

Cairns chefs, Mariae Tabarina and Roel Alquizar, who were married in Cairns by Mr Jeffries in November, said they were looking for a fuss-free wedding.

The couple met while working together in a hotel.

“We wanted it to be simple and also, we’re expecting a baby in December,” Ms Tabarina said.

Mr Alquizar said he proposed after asking permission from the bride’s mother “of course”.

Mr Jeffries said he loved presiding over ceremonies and had married approximately 100 couples in the two years he has been performing the role.

Newlyweds, Mariae Tabarina and Roel Alquizar, were married by celebrant Lynden Jeffries at the Cairns Courthouse, and are expecting their first child this year. Picture: Brendan Radke

The weddings are held in a conference room inside the courthouse, and staff decorate the boardroom table with a lace tablecloth, setting out flowers for photographs, and little mirrors to hold the couple’s rings.

“It is a nice little break ... Being the courthouse, we deal with a lot of serious legal things so, once a week, this is a nice thing to do – to get the opportunity to marry a couple – it’s good for the heart,” Mr Jeffries said.

Mr Jeffries said he encouraged new staff members to get their celebrant qualifications, which he said applied only in the courthouse.

He has performed weddings for all ages and orientations, including “octogenarians who’d been together for 50 years and wanted to make it official”; The first marriage he officiated was of a same-sex couple, he said.

“Being the courthouse, we deal with a lot of serious legal things so, once a week, this is a nice thing to do – to get the opportunity to marry a couple – it’s good for the heart,” Cairns Court house celebrant Lynden Jeffries said.

“When people ask why they should do it, I tell them it’s very community minded, like our justice of the peace service down here at the court ... there is such a diversity down here in the court house - that is what we are all about - diversity.”

A spokesman for the Department of Justice said the current fees for a registry ceremony were $397.20, and couples needed to do an interview at least a month before the their wedding date.

Originally published as Why more couples are choosing simple courthouse weddings in Far North Queensland