The DeKalb History Center is a historic courthouse wedding venue located in Decatur, GA. At only a 20-minute drive from downtown Atlanta, the venue is close to all the city’s amenities, including accommodation and major transportation hubs. The museum is one of Decatur’s most popular tourist attractions and can be rented for ceremonies, receptions, engagement parties, and other celebrations.
The first DeKalb County Courthouse was built on the site in 1823. A modest structure made of timber, it was replaced only six years later. When the new wooden building caught fire, the county erected the first brick courthouse. Influenced by Greek Revival architecture, the red-brick courthouse lasted from 1847 to 1898. The building that stands today dates back to the same year, although a fire in 1916 destroyed the interior of the courthouse. Once again rebuilt, both the interior and exterior of the building reflect turn-of-the-century architectural trends. The county used the courthouse until 1967, at which point it was turned over to the DeKalb Historical Society. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
Step back in time with a wedding held at the DeKalb History Center. Its beautiful arches and marble walls provide a gorgeous backdrop for a ceremony or photoshoot. The rounded, arched windows add another touch of antiquated elegance. The Courtroom is the venue’s largest event space, where every detail down to the crown molding has been intricately crafted. A baby grand piano sits in an alcove where guests are welcome to play it.
The Courtroom measures 2,600 square feet and can accommodate 150 guests for a seated reception. Other rooms for wedding festivities include the Harrison Room, which lets in ample natural light, and the Lobby. Weekend wedding rentals include the use of all three spaces, as well as two get-ready rooms. The venue has round, rectangular, and highboy tables, as well as chairs onsite for convenience. In order to foster an enjoyable atmosphere for all, the historical society requires that a police officer monitor the event whenever alcohol is served. They do provide a list of preferred vendors they have experience with in order to aid in the seamless execution of every wedding held here.
Amenities & Details
Dressing Room, Handicap Accessible, Indoor Event Space, Reception Area
Guest Capacity
Up to 150
Ceremony TypesVenue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks, Food & Catering, Planning
Settings
Ballroom, Historic Venue, Museum
Business Attributes
Woman-owned Business
Pricing for Historic DeKalb Courthouse
Option
Value
Starting Cost
Affordable
Cost Starting
Price Range
$2,400 - $3,150+
Couples Usually Spend
$2,750
Peak Season Months
Peak Season Cost
$2,400 - $3,150+
Peak Season Reception Cost
$1,350
Peak Season Ceremony Cost
$650
Peak Season Bar Service Cost
OffSeason Months
OffSeason Cost
$2,400 - $3,150+
OffSeason Reception Cost
$1,350
OffSeason Ceremony Cost
$650
OffSeason BarService Cost
Browse Historic DeKalb Courthouse pricing PDF below for sample services and estimates.
The first decision we made for our wedding was to have it at this venue, and it paved the way for an absolutely perfect process! The venue is gorgeous, and the location can't be beat. It's a STEAL compared to other venues in the market. We chose vendors off the venue's preferred list, and each one knocked it outta the park. Mallory at the venue was lovely to work with as well. Our guests were really wowed by the beautiful marble, windows, floors, lighting, lobby, steps - just all of it. I'd never hesitate to have an event here, attend one, or recommend it to friends/family. (Oh, one perk we liked - you get to bring in your own alcohol for the bar. It saved us money, and our home bar is now fully stocked, thanks to leftovers!) Reviewed on 14-11-2023
Tiauna Clark(other)4 out of 5 Rating
Such a great venue for a great budget, we did our wedding on a Sunday so that brought the price down immensely. Mallory, the coordinator of the space was very efficient and answered all of your questions in a timely manner. Customer Service centric. Pro: *Can do just about anything in the space from cold sparks, to fog, to even drone footage inside. *You can have the space for a long time and they will allow you to keep the space past midnight. *Bring your own bottles and catering (if they have insurance)Con:*Because the space is a blank canvas, you are responsible for everything! Even the trash cans if your catering team doesn’t have them. It was a new rule added that was sort’ve annoying. 
*Ugly walk up and I closed the back entrance off because its open to the public. Reviewed on 24-11-2023
Ashley Black(other)5 out of 5 Rating
This venue is a stunning and competitively priced venue in Atlanta! I would highly recommend to any couples who are looking for a convenient and efficient wedding weekend - and the venue is stunning as well! All of our communication with Mallory was excellent and we were so pleased with how everything turned out for our day! Some highlights of this venue include: a central location with nearby hotels for guests and several rehearsal dinner location options, absolutely beautiful white marble interior, and the ability to bring in your own alcohol - you will save some serious money and have a stunning venue to hosts your guests in! Highly recommend! Reviewed on 27-10-2023
Alex Gilliam(other)5 out of 5 Rating
We knew as soon as we toured the DeKalb History Center that it had to be our venue! It's beautiful and unlike anything else in the city. Mallory also did a great job prepping us for the big day and answering any questions we had leading up. I'd highly recommend it! Reviewed on 09-08-2023
Grace Goings(other)5 out of 5 Rating
The Dekalb History Center is such a hidden gem for an Atlanta wedding venue. The architecture is stunning and unlike any other venue in Georgia. Mallory, the venue manager was extremely helpful and hospitable. We had a wonderful initial tour, and she answered all my many questions during the months and days leading up to our big day! The dates book up fast, so make sure to book as soon as you can. We did a Sunday wedding, which was perfect since the city was so calm. Reviewed on 19-07-2023
Lisanne Walker(other)5 out of 5 Rating
The Historic DeKalb Courthouse is where my husband and I immediately knew we needed to get married. It is an absolutely breathtaking and gorgeous space in a perfect location, and the staff is incredible to work with. We couldn't recommend this wedding venue more! Reviewed on 13-07-2023
Angela Turk(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 18-02-2023 The Historic DeKalb Courthouse was the top choice for our wedding ceremony and reception. The beautiful stone columns and steps outside, and the marble walls and warm, neutral color palette inside were perfect for our wedding vision. The main ceremony room has wonderful natural lighting, and the first-floor level is the perfect space for a cocktail hour. The bridal suite was clean and spacious, and there is designated space for vendor load-in/out, which is helpful. Mallory, the Rental and Preservation Coordinator, is a joy to work with! She was patient and accommodating for walk-throughs, and very prompt with communication. We cannot say enough about how amazing and welcoming she was to us and our vendors. Location-wise, this venue is a gem! Located on the downtown Decatur square, it is perfectly distanced from hotels, retails shops and restaurants. We continue to receive positive comments from guests about our choice of wedding venue. We highly recommend the Historic DeKalb Courthouse to anyone looking for a beautiful, classic space for their wedding or special event! Reviewed on 23-04-2023
Nija Taylor(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-09-2022 The Dekalb History Center Museum is a beautiful wedding venue. Mallory and her team were top notch! They went above and beyond to make sure my special day was stress free. I can't thank you guys enough! Reviewed on 15-11-2022
Dan Raby(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 07-10-2022 When we were looking at wedding venues we only went to see one: The Historic DeKalb County Courthouse. One tour was all we needed to see that it would be the perfect place for us, and it definitely was!From the start of planning to the day-of info, Mallory and the team there made everything so easy. They kept in communication at key dates and were flexible (and patient) with all our little changes.If you love white marble, this would be the perfect place to have your wedding. Colors pop like crazy. We had so many guests just plain gasp when they walked into the main ceremony hall to see the extremely high ceilings and amazing architectural details. We couldn't have asked for better. Reviewed on 03-11-2022
Liz Sisk(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 18-09-2022 The Historic DeKalb Courthouse was a gorgeous venue for our wedding that was classy, naturally beautiful, and budget-friendly. Mallory was communicative and professional, and helped everything go smoothly from tours, reservations, vendor selection, and weekend execution. We used the baby grand piano for ceremony music, which needed tuning due to its age, and recommend using Rick's Pianos. The venue itself was clean, had lots of natural lighting, and the altar and windowsills needed minimal decor to be stunning. Our guests and family loved the location and we recommend the courthouse to anyone looking to get married in a classic location for a great price! Reviewed on 27-10-2022
Ally Duncan(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-08-2022 The Historic DeKalb Courthouse was everything we could have dreamed. First of all, Mallory was so wonderful to work with. She was very communicative, attentive, responsive, and accommodating to our wants/needs for our big day! The venue is just gorgeous. Compliments continue to roll in from our guests! It was the best day of our life, and the venue & staff made it all the better! Reviewed on 06-09-2022
Stephanie Toliver(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-07-2022 I loved this venue so much. It was an elegant space that didn’t need much decoration, and it was big enough for a decent number of people (we had about 120). My family and friends raved about the space, and they all thought the staff was extremely helpful as we prepared on the day and as we brought decorations and such to the venue the day before the wedding. I can’t recommend this place enough! Reviewed on 26-07-2022
Madeline Nagel(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-06-2022 From booking to the walk through to the wedding itself, working with the staff was so easy. And the setting speaks for itself! Spacious, elegant, user friendly for all our vendors, the Courthouse blew our guests away. Reviewed on 22-06-2022
Katie Gardner(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 06-11-2021 I am so happy with our decision to go with the courthouse for our big day. They were easy to work with, and everything went off without a hitch. The venue is beautiful and I couldn't be happier! Reviewed on 30-01-2022
Kelsea Price(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 21-11-2021 If you're looking for a classic, beautiful venue, this is it! Not only was the venue itself gorgeous, the price was also surprisingly reasonable. Communicating and scheduling visits was smooth and there were no unexpected fees popping up last minute. We did both our ceremony and reception in the courthouse and both looked absolutely breathtaking. Reviewed on 28-11-2021
Jessica Miller(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 05-06-2021 Mallory, at DHC was so easy to work with. We had no trouble picking a catering team with their recommendations - so many good vendors on their trusted list! The space is so beautiful and it was easily accessible for all of our in and out of town guests Reviewed on 21-08-2021
Kristina Hanson(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-04-2021 This venue is AMAZING. The interior of the event space doesn't need much decorating because its already stunning and so bright. Working with Mallory was seamless even with navigating through covid times. The value for this venue for reception and ceremony is better than any Atlanta venue we looked at, and they allow you to bring your own alcohol and will work with you to drop if off the day before your wedding. Overall, its stunning, cost efficient, seamless, and has all the amenities you would need. Reviewed on 08-05-2021
Chelsea Morris(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 27-06-2020 We LOVED our wedding at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse! Mallory was always incredibly helpful and efficient in her communications. The venue is gorgeous - it's every bit as beautiful in real life as it is in the pictures. And because of the beauty of the venue itself, we were able to worry less about florals and decorations since the atmosphere was so classy on its own. Another fantastic point about this venue is fact that you can hold both ceremony and reception in the same space. We had family from north Georgia drive in and it was so nice to have everything in once place to avoid people getting lost trying to get to multiple locations. The staff and house-recommended vendors worked seamless together leaving little to nothing for myself and my family to do on our special day. If you're considering booking this venue DO IT. You won't be disappointed! Reviewed on 23-07-2020
Mikayla Taylor(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-03-2020 Beautiful space with many great vendors that are familiar with the area. The only issue is that the elevator does not work, which is an inconvenience. However, it’s still an amazing venue for a great price! Reviewed on 24-05-2020
Carnell Roberts(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 08-02-2020 So thankful that I chose HDC as the venue for our wedding. It is a beautiful venue with very attentive staff. Mallory is prompt in her responses and had all the answers to my many questions. It was a smooth process from start to finish. Thankful to have been married in such a beautiful piece of history. Reviewed on 02-03-2020
Rebecca Porter(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-01-2020 I loved the simple yet classy look to this venue! The staff was great to work with and our vendors knew exactly how to navigate the space. We ended up purchasing an additional hour to make sure that we had plenty of time on the wedding day. I continue to receive positive comments from our guests regarding the venue. This is where you want to have your wedding! Reviewed on 24-02-2020
Saba Knight(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 27-10-2019 I had the best experience ever at the Historic Dekalb Courthouse! My guests were blown away and have been raving about it ever since! Our point of contact was Mallory, she was thorough, professional and very accommodating! I can’t wait to get back the professional pictures it literally was a dream come true experience! I was attracted to the fact that you could bring your own liquor and that our caterer was on the preferred caterer list, however, I was blessed with so many additional perks that I know I made the perfect venue choice! Reviewed on 31-10-2019
Kimberly Nobles(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 10-05-2019 This Venue was beyond amazing. Such a classy place that didn't require a ton of floral arrangements and lighting. The big windows provided natural light for the ceremony and at night it gave our reception a romantic feel. We were able to use the main entrance for cocktail hour while the main room was flipped from ceremony and reception. The wedding coordinator for the venue was easy to keep in touch with and provided staff for our wedding day to ensure that everything went smoothly. Cant express how perfect this place is; elegant, romantic, and chic. Reviewed on 23-05-2019
Jennifer Lamourt(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 16-03-2019 The Historic Dekalb Courthouse was the wedding venue of my dreams! I fell in love with the venue when my (now) Husband and I would go on dates in Decatur Square. When we got engaged, I knew I wanted to get married there- so I was so pleased when the booking process was such a breeze! The event team were amazing- Mallory was so nice and answered all of my (MANY!) questions. Every step of the process was so easy with this venue. They really helped me create the wedding of my dreams and it was so stress free. If you’re looking to get married in a gorgeous, stunning venue in a great part of Atlanta then this is the best place! Reviewed on 22-03-2019
Shermika Dunner(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 22-02-2019 Such a gorgeous venue and reasonably priced. Mallory was a doll to work with. Very personable and top notch customer service. I would highly recommend them as a wedding venue. Beautiful! Reviewed on 08-03-2019
Adam Galatioto-Ruff(groom)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 21-12-2018 The venue is gorgeous (a great blank slate for any kind of aesthetic you want - we did tropical) and very affordable. Four stars because the sound is horrible. All of that beautiful marble and those high ceilings mean your music will be just be one big reverberant mess. Unamplified speech is prefectly fine for your officiant and they'll be intelligible but once you start to turn up, forget about it. Reviewed on 05-01-2019
Kayla Yerden(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 22-12-2018 If you're looking for a classy venue that is experienced with bringing in outside vendors and lets you bring in your own alcohol, the Historic Dekalb Courthouse in downtown Decatur, GA is perfect! The venue is well-suited to hold a ceremony, reception, cocktail hour, caterers, photography, or anything else you might need. They're prepared and easy to work with. Not to mention the location - the courthouse is surrounded by hotels, transportation, and restaurants, which makes the visit easy for your guests. I have NO regrets about choosing the courthouse, and would do it again in a heartbeat. Reviewed on 26-12-2018
Laura Whitt(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 08-12-2018 We hosted our ceremony and reception here, and it was perfect. This venue is so pretty on its own, and looks even better with the soft lighting at night. We ended up with 110 guests and it was very comfortable, but we would have easily had enough space for 150. Mallory was great throughout our 15-month planning process. She was always quick to respond to questions via email and accommodated many random requests. We knew we wanted a venue where we could bring in our own alcohol, and we ended up saving money by bringing in our own cake and florals as well. The venue is very flexible in this regard. We used one of the preferred caterers, GHI Catering. The food was great and their day-of-coordinator, Courtney, and DJ, Travis, had both worked countless weddings at the Courthouse. This was the best decision we could have made - they were both fantastic and it made the vendor communication process that much easier, as I really only had to work through Courtney to coordinate every detail. I highly, highly recommend you check them out if you decide on the Courthouse.It was cold and rainy, so we had to do most of our photos indoors, but thankfully the main room was the perfect backdrop. Here is my wedding video to give you an idea of how the venue looks during the late fall/ winter: https://vimeo.com/307122390 Reviewed on 19-12-2018
Allison Young(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-11-2018 Historic Dekalb Courthouse was everything I could have imagined for my wedding day! Everyone was so complimentary of the venue and Mallory made the process seamless from beginning to end! She is amazing! Definitely recommend booking this venue for your event/wedding. Reviewed on 26-11-2018
Kelsey Fervier(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-06-2018 An absolutely perfect venue for our wedding of about 120 people. Mallory was a joy to work with and all of our vendors made the space look absolutely magical. The marble walls were perfect for both the ceremony and reception and created a romantic and elegant feel. My husband and I couldn't have been happier and would choose the Historic DeKalb Courthouse again in a second! Reviewed on 19-06-2018
LaDawn Thomas(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-05-2018 We knew that the Historic DeKalb Courthouse was our venue as soon as we got engaged - before we knew what type of wedding we'd have (big/small/intimate/loud/fun). The courthouse is so beautiful with its Marble and it's huge windows. The space was perfect for us and for our photos.The staff (we worked mostly with Mallory) was prompt with answering our questions and allowed us to ask as many questions as we needed. The only downside was that the bridal suite was very warm - we tried turning the air WAY down, but it didn't do much. That however, did not stop our awesome experience there. I would recommend it to any couple! Reviewed on 08-06-2018
Brittany Simmons(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 17-07-2017 I could not have chosen a more beautiful venue to have our wedding! Mallory is excellent to work with - prompt responses, extremely professional, and so sweet! I would definitely consider the Historic DeKalb Courthouse as your wedding venue - you will not regret it! Reviewed on 03-03-2018
Anonymous (bride)4 out of 5 Rating
This venue is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!! The time allotted to you for your event is very strict but other than that I had NO complaints! Reviewed on 21-02-2018
Evelyn Sedlack(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-12-2017 We had such a wonderful wedding at the Courthouse! It was just beautiful! The staff really helped us throughout the whole process! LOVED IT! Reviewed on 21-12-2017
Levan Clark(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 17-11-2017 Everything about this venue was amazing. I will definitely recommend it to anyone! Reviewed on 12-12-2017
Rachel Clarke(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 12-11-2017 Historic Dekalb Courthouse is a naturally beautiful venue. All you need to get it wedding day ready is some floor lights and a florist. The rooms are clean, and there are storage closets to keep your wedding supplies in. Mallory was awesome to work with, and very responsive. Reviewed on 26-11-2017
Stephanie Lee(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-11-2017 Mallory and the entire staff at the Dekalb History Center were beyond helpful! Thank you all so much! Reviewed on 17-11-2017
Maggie Wolicki(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 20-10-2017 I am very happy with our choice to go with the Historic DeKalb Courthouse for our wedding. The space is perfect, very simple and beautiful with tons of natural lighting. Mallory was so helpful throughout the whole process. Very responsive and always super nice. Highly recommend. Reviewed on 07-11-2017
Amelia Parr(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 21-10-2017 We loved having our wedding here! It was the one place my now husband suggested and I can't imagine a more fun spot. It is just around the corner from were we had our first date. We did both the ceremony and reception here and flipped the room during downstairs cocktail hour. Most of our out of town guests stayed close by and loved being able ditch the car and walk to all the great nearby restaurants and bars throughout the weekend. Mallory was extremely professional and easy to work with. The city of Decatur had moved Beer Fest to the day of our event months after we booked (the Courthouse usually blocks the day to prevent this from happening). She was very accommodating and savvy coming up with workarounds for the extra traffic and road closures during set-up. And by wedding time, downtown had cleared out and we had the Square mostly to ourselves for pictures. We used their tables and chairs and were very happy them. There is onsite storage for beer and wine you can access the day before your event which was convenient. Being able to bring in our own alcohol was a major savings (Tower Spirits on Piedmont accepts returns for unused wine/ unopened 12 packs). I'd do everything exactly the same if I were planning again! Reviewed on 06-11-2017
Alana Orzechowski(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 22-09-2017 I cannot say enough how magical my wedding was at the Historic Dekalb Courthouse. Mallory was absolutely the best while planning. She was very responsive, answered all my ten thousand questions and was so helpful with vendors / knowledge of the court house. The venue is absolutely stunning. The marble walls and wood detail created the exact romantic vibe I dreamed of for my wedding. The windows and walls are so beautiful on their own that I did not have to do a lot of decorating, which was very budget friendly. Reviewed on 11-10-2017
Addie Brown(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 26-03-2017 The Dekalb History Center is a beautiful venue! When we went for our initial tour Mallory walked us through all the details of the venue and then was able to suggest caterers and a wedding planner. Mallory was very helpful when it came to reserving the venue, dropping off our materials the day before, and notifying us of when our final payment was due. When it came to the day of our wedding we had security provided by the venue to make sure that nobody walked in off the street and tampered with our stuff. Overall our experience was phenomenal and with the venue being so beautiful before it was decorated our wedding ended up turning out beautifully. Reviewed on 06-04-2017
Megan Mitchell(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 29-12-2016 The courthouse was amazing! We live in Los Angeles and planned a wedding in Georgia in 3 months. I called 65 venues in 1 week and this was at the top of our list and available, Thursday evening between Christmas and NYE, AND in our price range. Seriously consider them for a weekday event. My dad even renovated the exterior of the building in the 90's so that makes it a little extra special in my book. Mallory communicated great. I'd send her one email with 8 questions and get the answers no problem. We didn't see the venue until 2 days before our wedding but its just as beautiful as pictured. We had the ceremony and reception (80 guest) in the main room upstairs. The chairs for the ceremony and tables for the reception were all set up before the ceremony began and it meant that we didn't have to flip the room during a cocktail hour which was great! One draw back was we had garland and a banner to hang but the ladder was no where to be found even though when I asked they did say there was one. The groomsmen got creative and stood on a high top to hang the garland but we had to scrap the banner because we just couldn't reach the column. We set the buffet up in the room across from the main room upstairs and it worked great! The bar fits well in a window nook. We had plenty of room and everyone kept remarking how beautiful the building was. You don't need many decorations with a place like this! We are so happy we got married in a courthouse that had some history and style. Reviewed on 10-02-2017
a member (bride)5 out of 5 Rating
It was a wonderful backdrop for our wedding. The white and marble, with old wood trim details was simple beautiful. We've received many compliments from our guests regarding the venue. Also, the personnel there at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse were absolutely great and so willing to answer all of our questions and make sure that we had a great wedding. Reviewed on 25-11-2016
Brittany Rabreau(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-09-2016 Historic Dekalb Courthouse was a wonderful venue for our wedding! The building itself is beautiful, and the location is exactly what we wanted. We were able to join our guests in the square for an unofficial after party at Mac Magee Irish Pub. The only thing to keep in mind is that you will not have access to the bridal suite until your rental time begins, so you may want to plan to get ready at one of the nearby hotels like we did. Overall, we are very satisfied with the way this venue accommodated our wedding. Reviewed on 26-10-2016
Karen Vernon(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 16-11-2017 We had an overall great experience. Thankful for the preferred vendors listed because it was extremely simple to work with them know that they knew the guidelines set by the Historic Dekalb Courthouse. My guests couldn't stop talking about the beauty of the venue. Mallory was absolutely helpful as well! I had my wedding there on a Thursday and was able to prepay for guest parking at the nearest parking lot which was amazing. Glad I chose to have our wedding at this venue. Photos were stunning!!!!! Reviewed on 22-10-2016
Jessica Kitchens(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 23-09-2016 The Historic DeKalb Courthouse was beyond perfect for our wedding reception. We had so many compliments on how beautiful the venue was as well as just an overall a great experience. Mallory was so helpful and easy to work with! On top of the amazing venue and service, the price was great! I received our security damage deposit in the mail before I even got back from our honeymoon. So many good things to say about this venue! Reviewed on 03-10-2016
Andrea Thomas(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-08-2016 The courthouse was beautiful and the perfect size for our reception! The lighting was great throughout the night and it made for beautiful pictures. Mallory was great to work with, and the AC worked perfectly (very important for an August wedding in Atlanta). Reviewed on 31-08-2016
Jennifer Szarka(bride)3 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 04-06-2016 This location is beautiful and our wedding was absolutely perfect, but I cannot recommend it for a couple of reasons:1. Parking availability changed a month before the wedding and I was not notified. I ended up stumbling upon the information while doing something else. When I brought this to the attention of my contact at the venue, I was met with hostility and she told me to figure it out for myself and pass on any information I may find. Complete unprofessional.2. They were doing external painting at the venue on my wedding day that I was NOT informed of. Because of this, one exit was completely blocked off, one window was covered in green tape (which I pray didn't make it into any photos), and the parking spaces allocated for my parents at the venue were taken up by work vans.This venue is gorgeous and well maintained, but performing maintenance concurrently with an event and not keeping the renters informed of changes to amenities is unacceptable. Reviewed on 20-06-2016
Theresa Sanders(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 21-05-2016 Our wedding reception was held here and it was absolutely beautiful. The marble reception area was to die for and perfectly fit our 1920s themed wedding.Pros: It's historical and beautiful, it's priced very competitively, you can bring in caterers that are not on the preferred catering list (for an extra deposit), you can bring your own liquor (seriously that in itself is sooooo rare and saves sooooo much money), there's a lot of different tables in the inventory. There's just a lot of personalization that can be done here for the bride that has a very specific vision and likes planning all the details instead of using a venue that's got a package deal that doesn't permit a lot of changes.Cons: Mallory Donaldson (event coordinator), although very responsive, she can be kind of strange to work with. She can be very stoic at times and not very accommodating. I am not saying that she is rude or unprofessional because she is neither of those things, and I don't think she does this on purpose, but I'm not sure her personality fits the happy occasion of a wedding (not upbeat or energetic at all). If you want chivari chairs or do not want to use the folding white chairs provided, you will need to rent outside chairs which can be pricey. Reviewed on 07-06-2016
Anonymous (bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 06-08-2017 I was extremely pleased with my entire experience. Mallory Donaldson remained very professional through the whole process, answered all of my questions & made it convenient for me & my family to view the facility as needed. Our ceremony was in the old superior courtroom which was even more beautiful than I had imagined & our photographers had a field day. We couldn't have picked a more perfect place for our wedding! Reviewed on 06-06-2016
Toya Spraggins(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 22-07-2017 We were extremely impressed with every aspect of this venue! Mallory (the events rental representative), was awesome ! The overall aesthetics of the place were second to none! Our guests were WOWED as well! If we could do our ceremony all over again, we wouldn't change a thing about this awesome venue!Darrell & Toya Spraggins Reviewed on 22-05-2016
Kelley Kirkpatrick(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 20-02-2016 This venue was gorgeous. We only needed flowers as decoration. The lighting from the windows and marble walls provided the rest. Mallory was great to work with. She let us come view the venue whenever we needed to. The ability to use \"preferred\" vendors helped make the transition from ceremony to reception very easy. We went with Fox Brothers for catering. They had worked at the venue many times and set up the ceremony seating and did the room flip with amazing efficiency. Highly recommend this wonderful venue and their preferred vendors! Reviewed on 20-04-2016
Nicole Schwan(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 20-03-2016 I am very happy with Historic Dekalb Courthouse. My wedding was perfect and everyone loved the venue, the location is ideal for out of town visitors since everything is within walking distance. Mallory was responsive and helpful. My only complaint would be the limitation on the number of hours we were allowed to use the space. Considering no one else would be needing it (since we were married on a Sunday), it seems like they would have been more flexible with the strict 8 hour limit. Also, it would have been awesome if the \"bridal suite\" area was a little cleaner/nicer. Though I suppose that would mean they would charge more. It certainly didn't hinder our day by any means.\r\rOtherwise, I highly recommend this venue. The price was reasonable and the fact that you bring in your own alcohol saved us a lot of money. Reviewed on 23-03-2016
Anonymous (bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-03-2016 What can I say about Mallory and the team at the courthouse?! They were simply amazing. My guests were wowed by the marble walls and beautiful floors. The venue is large enough to host a 150 guest wedding, but gives just the right amount of intimacy to make your wedding feel special and unique. I would highly recommend this venue to any bride looking for just the right balance of elegance and modern flair. Reviewed on 23-03-2016
Mahja Zeon(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-09-2017 This venue was top on my list. My mother, sister and I took a tour on 1/4/16. Mallory, was very informative and nice. She was able to answer all our questions and even provided more information then we asked. I decided not to go with this location because of the size. If you have a guest list over 100, be prepared to have a very small dance floor. The price of the location is great. Reviewed on 12-01-2016
Meredith Link(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 19-11-2015 There’s a reason this gorgeous Courthouse books up quickly! From the moment we first saw pictures of the Historic DeKalb Courthouse online, we knew we had our wedding venue.\rWe really enjoyed working with Mallory. She made sure to show us every inch of the courthouse when we toured it. If we had any questions, she was always quick to answer. Each time payments were received, she promptly emailed us a receipt. When we showed up for our rehearsal, Mallory was very polite in letting us know how much time we had, giving us sufficient time warnings. \rWe used the nice white chairs provided by the Courthouse. None of our guests complained about being uncomfortable. Also, none of our guests complained about being too hot or too cold – the temperature inside was perfect. For our elderly guests, the elevator in the building worked wonderfully. \rFinally, Mallory got our deposit back to us just two weeks after the wedding, much quicker than we had anticipated. Overall, we couldn’t have imagined a more perfect venue for our wedding! Reviewed on 07-01-2016
Jennifer Trippe(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 23-10-2015 So pleased. Mallory is the most wonderful person to coordinate with in the planning stages. The venue is beautiful and just perfect. The whole experience with them was perfect. Not a single complaint. We couldn't have asked for anything more. Reviewed on 30-10-2015
nicole riekki(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 18-09-2015 A friend shared their wedding photos from this venue and we immediately knew this was the location we wanted for our wedding and reception. The space is beautiful and the lightening is perfect for indoor photography. Although we were married on a Friday evening and could not enter the building until 4pm which was not enough time for our set-up, so final details were left unfinished. Reviewed on 15-10-2015
Ryan Cedermark(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-10-2015 I could not imagine a better wedding venue! We had the absolute best time and it was perfect because it rained all weekend! Our guests had a great time exploring Decatur too! Reviewed on 13-10-2015
Kristin Hardeman(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-08-2015 We were so happy with our choice to use the Old Courthouse on the Square. The facilities were just beautiful. We didn't need much decoration as the room itself had so much character. The cost was really reasonable as we used it for both the ceremony and the reception. Everyone was so helpful and we couldn't have been happier. The pictures are just spectacular. The location was also great for out of town guests, as they could easily stay at the marriott and walk to great restaurants and bars. Great venue and value! Reviewed on 28-09-2015
Monique Hooper(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-09-2015 My husband and I were 100% happy with our reception at the Old Courthouse! Everything was beautiful and our guests had the best time ever. Working with Mallory made things so much easier and she QUICKLY responded to all of my emails (there were a lot) throughout the planning process. We loved that we were able to bring in our own caterers and decorations. The venue is gorgeous on its own so all we really had to do was add some small touches to make it personal. It's hard to find another venue in this area with this type of architecture at such a reasonable price. We were so happy that we chose this venue and would recommend this to anyone else planning a wedding in the Atlanta area. Reviewed on 27-09-2015
Lauren Herrington(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 12-07-2015 Mallory was very responsive and helpful in answering any questions we had. The facilities professional was also extremely helpful in ensuring he was onsite and the venue was ready for our big day. This venue, with its marble interior and grand floor-to-ceiling windows, required little decoration, which was ideal from a planning and budget perspective. The grounds are also well kept, and we have greatly enjoyed our pictures because of that fact. We had both the reception and the dinner there, as there is a separate room and plenty of space for the meal to be set up.\r\rMany thanks to Mallory and the DeKalb History Center Museum Team for helping our big day happen seamlessly! Reviewed on 09-09-2015
Adrienne Hudson(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 15-08-2015 This was the first venue that we visited when looking for our perfect wedding location. The site offered an intimate setting for our southern themed wedding. The coordinator was very nice and helpful in suggesting setup ideas for the ceremony and reception. Minimal decorations required due to the marble decor!! Big plus is that you can BYOB Reviewed on 23-08-2015
Audrey Lewis(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-06-2015 We loved having the Dekalb History Center for our event. The event room is so lovely that we didnt need to add a lot of embellishments to the space, we let the marble speak for itself which help keep costs reasonable. The staff was very easy to work with and had good tips that helped with planning. If there were a few criticisms with the space it would be the layout of the bridal suite area (a little cramped in the nicer parts, but very spacious if you use the whole hallway) and the lack of wifi (would have helped the DJ). A definite plu was the size of the bathroom in the bridal suite (large dress plus \"help\" would have been very uncomfortable in a cramped stall). \r\rWe had our ceremony in the main room upstairs, a cocktail hour downstairs, and then the reception back in the main room upstairs. We set up the buffet in the smaller room upstairs which left plenty of room for 13 60\" rounds, a DJ booth, a dance floor, the cake display and a bar in the main room. \r\rWe did hear that the downstairs area got a little warm during the cocktail hour, but the staff addressed it quickly and it was better. \r\rCost referenced was for a Sunday 8 hour rental and included the venue sourcing a police officer to be on duty while alcohol was served for 3 hours. Reviewed on 14-07-2015
Samantha Browning(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 27-06-2015 My husband and I only visited one venue and when we walked into the courthouse we knew it was the space. We had 100 guests and it was the perfect amount of space for cocktails, dinner and dancing. Located in the Decatur square walking distance to a great hotel and plenty of restaurant/bars our family was so pleased. Mallory, the event coordinator is so easy to work with and makes using this space so easy. The preferred catering list helped make choosing our caterer so easy. All my guests raved about how elegant and beautiful the space looks with flowers and candles. I cannot say enough about how perfect this space is. Even better we got to bring our own alcohol which allowed us to have all our favorite drinks at half the cost of normal venues. Reviewed on 11-07-2015
Isabel Villaume(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-06-2015 I loved the Historic Courthouse. \rThey were very relaxed and easy to work with and the only decorations I needed in my budget were for flowers on the table because the venue looks amazing all on it's own. Everything looked so elegant while still being really comfortable. Reviewed on 10-07-2015
Kathryn Lasater(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 21-06-2015 Gorgeous venue with beautiful natural lighting. Reviewed on 30-06-2015
Ebony Clark(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-04-2015 Dekalb History Center, aka, Old Courthouse on the Square, in Decatur, Georgia, was the most elegant backdrop for our cozy ceremony. It high ceilings and marble floors went very well with our vintage theme. Mallory was very accommodating and patient with us. Reviewed on 15-05-2015
Jessica Mathis(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-03-2015 I loved the courthouse. My fiance and I went to visit the site during the week. They were easy to correspond with through phone or email. I fell in love with the marble tiles and southern charm. My fiance wasn't 100% sold right away. \r\rThe venue was beautiful. We were able to select our own vendors, which not only helped our budget but also added a personal touch. The guests raved about the buildings beauty. At the end of the night, my fiance couldn't believe he even doubted the place! Reviewed on 04-05-2015
Annie Deets(parent)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-03-2015 Mallory was fantastic to work with! She promptly replied to all of my questions and concerns and accommodated a lot of changes and special requests! It was seamless! Reviewed on 18-03-2015
Nicole Darnell(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-12-2014 DHC played host to my Winter Brunch Wedding, and I couldn't have been more pleased! The gorgeous marble and giant windows made for the perfect stage for our ceremony. I ranked them lower on service as they had a staffing change mid-way through planning, and several things got lost in the transition. But overall the venue is very affordable and easy to work with! Reviewed on 02-01-2015
Allison Caroline Willingham(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-05-2014 Once I stepped foot into this venue, I knew this was the place we needed to get married. It fit into our romantic, vintage&elegant theme perfectly. Stacey was great to work with. The only qualm I have is that this is truly a blank space. This requires the bride to make every single decision on her own and find a team that can make it happen. Reviewed on 21-05-2014
Jill Ganser(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-05-2013 My husband and I are soooo happy that we chose to get married at the Old Courthouse on the Square. We both love history and historic buildings which can be hard to come by in Atlanta. The minute we stepped into the Courthouse we loved it and its historic character! The coordinator, Stacey, was wonderful to deal with. She responded to emails and phone calls promptly and worked with me and my vendors to make sure that everything happened the way it needed to be. She also had helpful suggestions when it came to the preferred cater list. It was easy coordinating the rehearsal time and also we were able to drop things off the day before the wedding to make the day of the wedding even easier. Another huge bonus was that we were able to bring in our own alcohol which saved us a ton of money! The photos around the courthouse turned out beautiful and the venue itself was gorgeous during the daylight ceremony and the nighttime reception. Our only very minor complaints were that the bridal suite wasn't very attractive (not a big deal, we took the getting ready photos at our hotel) and it was a bit hot during the cocktail hour and reception which wasn't terrible surprising as it's a historic venue and the AC was added. We had our wedding on a Friday evening which I recommend because it saved money and every vendor we wanted was available even though we planned our wedding in less than 7 months. We whole heartedly recommend this facility. Reviewed on 28-06-2013
Seunghyun K(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 18-05-2013 We were married at the Old Courthouse. It was the perfect size for our wedding (50 ppl) and with plenty more room to use if needed. Stacey (who is the coordinator for the rentals) is super nice and flexible. It has a gorgeous combination of marble and wood inside and the pictures looked great! We had a wonderful time and would recommend this place to anyone. Reviewed on 11-06-2013
bolu abe-lathan(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-05-2013 The Old courthouse is an amazing place. I feel that is one of atlanta's best kept secrets. The staff is great and helped me stay on budget. Reviewed on 07-06-2013
Roxy Wilmot(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 05-10-2012 My husband and I got married here two weeks ago! It was stunning!!! The courthouse is such a different venue. We had a vintage theme and the marble made everything look stunning! Our guests have been telling us non-stop how beautiful this venue was! The staff was so helpful throughout our entire engagement and very willing to work with us. I highly recommend this venue for any bride who wants something beyond the typical ballroom! \rIt is also VERY affordable! Reviewed on 22-10-2012
Noelle Whitmore(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 04-05-2012 This venue is great - it has history our guests loved it! Plus, the courthouse staff was SO great to work with. One of my favorite vendors from the whole wedding experience! Reviewed on 12-06-2012
Arkeyshaw Felder(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-11-2011 This place is beautiful, so the less decorations the better. I worked with Leslie at the beginning and towards the end Stacey, both are a pleasure to work with and made my planning easy. Reviewed on 09-12-2011
Dee Dee Maillian(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 29-09-2011 we had both our ceremony & our reception here and the experience was beyond our expectation. Aside from being unique and beautiful,the woman we worked with Stacey was so helpful and kind! Super location. If I had it to do over again, I'd still use this venue everytime Reviewed on 25-10-2011
Alicia Monti(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 08-10-2011 Beautiful and unique venue that is perfect for the ceremony and reception! This location allows you to bring in all vendors as you are just renting out the venue. This is great for saving money on alcohol! All of our guests loved the venue and it made a perfect backdrop for pictures throughout the night! Reviewed on 24-10-2011
sindy sinclair(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 29-07-2011 Stephanie and Leslie!!!! Were fantastic they were very helpful and full of ideas!!! My guest raved about the venue and the ambience my bridesmaid raved about the overall coperation of the staff and the beauty of the venue!!! Such a beautiful place and I too can't say enough about the staff :) Reviewed on 15-08-2011
Katie Koshofer(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 29-01-2011 The space is absolutely amazing. And the surrounding square area makes for dramatic pictures, no matter time of day or season. My guests raved about how beautiful it was, and the beauty of the venue cuts down on necessary decorations. Using this venue for both ceremony and reception (which is what we did) is a little complicated, but certainly do-able with their endorsed caterers (I recommend Endive Fine Catering); however, flipping the room does cut into your reception time. Reviewed on 07-03-2011
Ashley Keck(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 16-01-2011 This is a great and beautiful venue. They also allow BYOB, which saves a ton of money. Reviewed on 21-02-2011
Kelley Babcock(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 22-01-2011 Classic and beautiful building. In a great location (heart of downtown Decatur - walking distance to hotel, MARTA, and restaurants which was great for out of town guests). They even let me come in Wed before the wedding to take bridal portraits! Reviewed on 08-02-2011
Lindsey Howlett(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-12-2010 We loved having our wedding here! The main room is really beautiful and Leslie is really nice and easy to work with. You can bring in all of your own vendors and alcohol so it is a great bargain! Reviewed on 22-01-2011