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Usually, he explained, it might be just the 2 of us (the couple) or up to 50 guests and an optional reception—maybe cake and punch or hors douvres. Sometimes, there’s not even a wedding. The couple may already be married; they just want wedding pictures.

Howard, who’s been a professional photographer for more than 20 years, said he was often hired to come to the courthouse to photograph a marriage. “A judge’s chambers is not really a good place for wedding pictures. In the background are the judge’s diplomas, pictures, awards—it’s not very romantic,” he said. “I thought it would be nice to have a setting where traditional wedding pictures could be taken even without a full-blown wedding.”

A wedding with flowers, a cake, a reception and other traditional touches can cost approximately $27,000, according to theknot.com. “In the current economy, not many people can afford that, so they get married in the courthouse instead,” Howard said.

He said the money saved is not the only advantage to the wedding chapel approach. “Planning a wedding can be very stressful. Sometimes women end up getting upset with their fiancés because they’re not helping enough. There are problems with musicians, problems with the flowers, problems with the cake. You don’t have to worry about any of that here. It’s all here; you just show up and get married.”

Howard also pointed out that instead of months of planning, everything can happen very quickly. “You can call me on Monday morning and get married Monday afternoon,” he said. “You can even get a wedding album the same day.”

He said even couples opting for a low-budget wedding want it to have special touches, noting that some couples come to the courthouse in tuxedos and full-length bridal gowns. “You’d be surprised,” he said. “But when they’re dressed that nicely, they should have the pictures to go with it. Sometimes after the fact, they regret not having a pictures to put on Facebook, and other..”

Howard said his plan when he first conceived the idea two years ago was to find a place close to the DeKalb County courthouse. He settled on a space a few miles north at 2156 West Park Court, Suite B, Stone Mountain, GA 30087, very close to the popular Stone Mountain Park Resort. This little town has plenty to offer for artists and vintage shoppers.   

There is a Luxury Bridal Suite dressing room with a "say yes to the dress" gold mirror

with comfortable seating.

Howard gave the place a nickname "JOLLYWOOD Atl" and describes the place as similar to a Hollywood set. Actually, it’s like several small sets. There are such props as an arch of artificial flowers, electric candles, controlled lighting under which a couple can have their first dance, even a fake wedding cake. “But in a photo it all looks very real,” he said.

A Red Velvet Event Hall was added to accommodate wedding receptions, private parties, celebrations, baby showers and other events for up to 60 guests.

“Even when you spend thousands of dollars on an wedding the real work begins the day after the wedding ceremony is over!. If you can’t afford to do all things you want , just do the important part, for now". That's what we do here at A Perfect Wedding Chapel, he said.