Elopement & Small Wedding FAQs

💍 Can We Elope With Just the Two of Us?

You don't need a huge guest list, an elaborate reception, or months of planning to have a beautiful Wedding Ceremony.

Some of our favorite weddings are intimate elopements with just the happy couple and their Great Officiant.

Imagine exchanging vows on a beautiful beach, in a romantic garden, at your favorite scenic overlook, or in our charming Wedding Chapel.

We can help you create a meaningful, romantic ceremony that focuses entirely on your love and commitment.

And yes, you can legally get married without bringing any guests!

California Confidential Marriage Licenses do not require witnesses. If you're using a Public Marriage License, you'll need at least one witness.

❤️ What Is Considered a Small or Intimate Wedding?

There is no official number that defines an intimate wedding.

Some couples invite just their parents and siblings. Others invite 10, 20, 30 or a few more of their favorite people.

The beauty of a small wedding is that you can focus on the people and moments that matter most.

A smaller celebration often means:

• More time with your loved ones
• Less complicated planning
• More intimate and personal moments
• Greater flexibility with locations
• Potentially lower overall wedding costs
• A relaxed and meaningful experience

Your small wedding can still include beautiful flowers, professional photography, special traditions, personalized vows and everything else that makes a wedding memorable.

⚡ Can We Book a Last-Minute Elopement or Wedding Ceremony?

Decided you want to get married sooner rather than later?

WE LOVE IT!

Great Officiants specializes in helping couples create beautiful Wedding Ceremonies, even when there isn't much planning time available.

Depending on availability, we may be able to arrange an elopement or small wedding with very little advance notice.

We'll help you explore available Officiants, locations, ceremony options and Marriage License arrangements.

For weddings booked within 30 days, full payment is generally required at the time of booking.

Please remember that you must have a valid California Marriage License before your legal Wedding Ceremony.

📜 Do We Need Witnesses for an Elopement in California?

California offers two types of Marriage Licenses, and the witness requirements are different.

PUBLIC MARRIAGE LICENSE:

A Public Marriage License requires at least one witness to sign the Marriage License. There is space for a second witness, but a second witness is optional.

CONFIDENTIAL MARRIAGE LICENSE:

A Confidential Marriage License does NOT require any witnesses!

This makes it a wonderful option for eligible couples who want to elope with just the two of them.

To qualify for a California Confidential Marriage License, both partners must be at least 18 and must already be living together as spouses.

You attest to this requirement on the Marriage License application.

Great Officiants has authorized Marriage License issuers who can help eligible couples obtain a Confidential Marriage License.

🏨 Can We Get Married at Our Hotel, Airbnb or Vacation Rental?

Visiting Southern California and staying at a beautiful hotel, vacation rental or private property?

Your Wedding Ceremony might be just steps away from where you're staying!

Our Great Officiants can perform Wedding Ceremonies at many private locations, including:

• Hotel suites and terraces
• Private residences
• Backyards and gardens
• Vacation homes
• Private estates
• Other approved private locations

Imagine exchanging vows on a balcony overlooking the ocean, beside a beautiful garden, or in the comfort of your own backyard.

Just make sure your hotel, property owner or rental host allows the ceremony and approves your plans.

Some properties have restrictions on events, guests, decorations or outside vendors.

🌳 Can We Have a Small Wedding Ceremony in a Park?

Southern California has some absolutely gorgeous parks that are perfect for small Wedding Ceremonies.

Imagine getting married beneath beautiful trees, beside a peaceful garden, overlooking the ocean, or surrounded by flowers.

We've performed weddings in parks and gardens throughout Southern California.

Depending on the location, you may need a permit or reservation, especially if you're bringing chairs, decorations, an arch or other equipment.

Some parks allow simple ceremonies without elaborate setups, while others have specific rules and restrictions.

We'll help you understand the ceremony options and what arrangements may be necessary.

🏖️ Can We Elope on the Beach in Southern California?

There is something incredibly romantic about exchanging vows with the ocean behind you and the sand beneath your feet.

Through our sister company, SoCal Beach Weddings, we help couples create beautiful beach Wedding Ceremonies throughout Southern California.

You can choose a simple walk-on beach elopement or explore a more elaborate beach wedding setup.

Depending on your location and package, options may include:

• A professional Great Officiant
• Beautiful ceremony arches
• Chairs for your guests
• Decorations and floral accents
• Ceremony sound equipment
• Wedding setup and breakdown
• Coordination of applicable permits

Beach rules vary by city and location. Some beaches allow simple ceremonies, while decorated setups may require permits or may not be permitted at all.

We'll help you explore the options for the beach you have in mind.

💒 Can We Get Married at Your Cute Little Wedding Chapel?

Looking for an intimate wedding without the stress of finding and decorating a venue?

Welcome to our Cute Little Wedding Chapel!

Located in Long Beach, California, our charming Wedding Chapel offers a beautiful setting for elopements and small weddings.

We have an indoor chapel and an outdoor terrace, giving couples lovely options for their Wedding Ceremony.

Our chapel can accommodate up to approximately 30 guests, depending on the ceremony space and arrangements.

It's perfect for:

• Just-the-two-of-you elopements
• Small family weddings
• Intimate ceremonies with friends
• Simple and affordable weddings
• Couples visiting Southern California
• Couples who want a beautiful ceremony without a large production

Ceremony packages and pricing vary, with affordable options available for couples who want something simple and special.

Our chapel is designed to make getting married easy, beautiful and FUN!

💵 Are Elopements and Small Weddings More Affordable?

One of the biggest advantages of an elopement or small wedding is the opportunity to keep things simple and focus your budget on what matters most.

You may not need a large reception venue, hundreds of meals, an elaborate seating arrangement, or all the expenses that come with a traditional large wedding.

At Great Officiants, we offer different ceremony options to fit different needs and budgets.

From simple elopement ceremonies to our Cute Little Wedding Chapel and beautiful beach wedding setups, we can help you explore what works best for you.

Your total cost will depend on your location, Officiant, ceremony package, Marriage License needs and any optional services.

📸 Can We Include Photography, Flowers and Special Touches in Our Elopement?

Just because you're having a small wedding doesn't mean you have to skip the beautiful details!

Many couples choose to include special touches that make their elopement even more memorable.

You might want:

• A professional wedding photographer
• A beautiful bridal bouquet or flowers
• Personalized wedding vows
• A romantic ceremony location
• Special music
• A meaningful unity tradition
• Family members participating in the ceremony
• A decorated ceremony arch or seating

AND WE CAN HELP YOU FIND AMAZING VENDORS!

If your wedding is taking place outside of our Cute Little Wedding Chapel, we can recommend wonderful professional wedding vendors who have been personally vetted by our team and have proven themselves to do an AMAZING job!

These are trusted professionals we have experience working with, and we're delighted to share their information with you.

Our recommended vendor list is included in your booking confirmation email, making it easy to connect with talented photographers, florists and other wedding professionals who can help bring your vision to life.

You're also welcome to bring your own vendors!

📜 Can Great Officiants Provide Our Marriage License for an Elopement?

One of the most convenient services we offer is the ability to issue California Confidential Marriage Licenses to eligible couples.

Our authorized Marriage License issuers can help qualified couples obtain their license without having to visit the County Clerk's office.

A Confidential Marriage License is especially convenient for couples who want a private elopement because no witnesses are required.

Marriage License issuance is a separate service from your Wedding Ceremony unless specifically included in your selected package.

If you prefer a Public Marriage License, you can obtain one through a California County Clerk.

Please contact us in advance so we can explain the requirements, paperwork and available arrangements.

🌟 Why Choose Great Officiants for Our Elopement or Small Wedding?

At Great Officiants, we believe every Wedding Ceremony deserves to be extraordinary.

Whether you're getting married in front of 200 guests or with just the two of you, your commitment deserves the same love, care and professional attention.

We've been helping couples celebrate their love since 2003, and our experienced team knows how to create beautiful, meaningful ceremonies of all sizes.

We offer:

• Professional and experienced Wedding Officiants
• Romantic, fun and personalized ceremony options
• Elopements throughout Southern California
• Beautiful beach wedding experiences
• Our charming Cute Little Wedding Chapel
• Marriage License assistance
• Last-minute wedding options when available
• Religious, non-denominational and bilingual ceremony options

And best of all, we genuinely LOVE being part of these beautiful moments.