Plan your Charleston, West Virginia wedding with the current application process, a separately confirmed ceremony and time for photographs. The details below help you decide what to arrange before choosing your coverage.
Details reviewed October 30, 2026. Confirm current arrangements directly with the linked office or venue for your date.
Contact the local County Clerk
Start with Kanawha County Clerk, 409 Virginia Street East, Charleston; 304-357-0130. Ask for the current new license application instructions, identification requirements, fees and accepted payment before visiting. An online order for a copy of an existing marriage record is not an application for a new marriage license.
Set the ceremony within the license window
West Virginia law makes a license void if the marriage is not performed within 60 days of issuance. Confirm the dates on your issued document and arrange an authorized officiant for your ceremony.
Confirm the appointment and paperwork return
Do not assume the license office performs a wedding. Reserve your ceremony separately and check the room, guests and camera rules. The person performing the ceremony must endorse and return the license under the state instructions.
Official planning information
How I would plan the photographs
For a small ceremony in Charleston, I would confirm where you will actually exchange vows before arranging coverage. Leave time to gather your guests afterward and choose one nearby portrait location with an alternative for rain.
Confirm photography permission at your ceremony location before booking coverage inside. Share your date, guest count, ceremony address and any portrait stop so we can account for travel and walking in your quote.
Wedding photography and next steps
Tell us your date, venue or ceremony location, guest count and the parts of the day you want photographed. We’re based in Wilmington, North Carolina; we’ll confirm destination availability and travel with your quote.
The photographs in this guide are examples from our work. We’ll plan your locations and access for your own wedding.
Let’s talk about your wedding.
Share your plans. We’ll reply with availability and a coverage option for your day.
Ask about our wedding ↗