Booking and Payment FAQ
Booking your wedding should be simple. Pick your date, tell us what you want, make the retainer, and get ready to say “I do.”
Whether you are planning months ahead or calling us because you would like to get married today, our team will walk you through every step. We specialize in easy elopements and intimate Wedding Ceremonies for two to 30 guests at our Long Beach chapel.
How Do We Book Our Wedding?
Check Availability
Tell us your names, preferred date and time, number of guests, and whether you already have a California marriage license or want us to issue it to you.
Choose Your Package
Select the ceremony-only or marriage-license-and-ceremony package that fits your guest count and wedding plans.
Make the Retainer
Once we confirm availability, make the required retainer payment to reserve your date and time. The retainer is $200 for a marriage license and ceremony package, or $175 for marriage license service only when you are getting married somewhere else.
Please do not assume a date is reserved simply because you submitted a form or spoke with someone. Your appointment is confirmed only after our team approves the date and time and receives the required retainer.
How Much Is the Retainer?
The required retainer is $200 for a marriage license and ceremony package.
If you only need us to issue the marriage license and you are getting married somewhere else, the retainer is $175.
The retainer is applied toward your total package or service. It is not an extra charge added on top of the total price.
The retainer is non-refundable because we remove the date and time from availability and begin preparing for your appointment.
When Is the Remaining Balance Due?
All remaining fees must be paid before the Wedding Ceremony begins.
We recommend paying the balance ahead of time so your wedding day can focus on love, laughter, and getting married instead of searching through your phone for a payment app.
A Wedding Officiant is not required to begin the ceremony until all required fees have been paid in full.
What Payment Methods Do You Accept?
We make paying easy. You may pay online, over the phone, or in person at our office.
Credit or Debit Card
Most major credit and debit cards are accepted online, over the phone, or in person.
PayPal
PayPal is available through our online payment page.
Venmo
Venmo payments are accepted. Include both names, the appointment date, the service being booked, your phone number, and your email in the payment memo.
Zelle
Zelle payments are accepted. Include both names, the appointment date, the service being booked, your phone number, and your email in the memo.
Do You Offer Payment Plans?
No. We do not offer payment plans.
All required payments must be completed before the Wedding Ceremony starts.
Can We Book a Same-Day or Last-Minute Wedding?
Absolutely. Same-day and last-minute weddings are one of our specialties.
We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by appointment. Call or text us at (562) 435-4000, or submit the availability form, and we will check whether the chapel, a Wedding Officiant, and marriage license service are available.
The faster you complete the forms and payment, the faster we can get everything ready. We love spontaneous weddings. We just need enough time to turn spontaneous into organized.
Can We Change Our Date, Time, or Location?
We understand that plans can change. All requests to change the ceremony date, time, or location must be made in writing by email.
Changes are subject to availability and may result in additional charges. To confirm a rescheduled appointment, the remaining balance must be paid in full.
Date Changes
The non-refundable retainer may be transferred to another available date when written notice is provided at least seven days before the original ceremony date.
The new ceremony date must be available and must take place within one year from the date the original retainer was paid.
When less than seven days' notice is provided, you may be responsible for the full original booking fee and additional fees for the new date.
What Is the Cancellation Policy?
All cancellations must be submitted and confirmed in writing by email. A verbal cancellation is not considered official.
Chapel Ceremony Cancellations
The retainer is non-refundable.
When written cancellation is received at least seven days before the scheduled chapel ceremony, payments made above the non-refundable retainer may be returned.
When cancellation notice is received less than seven days before the ceremony, the full amount remains due and payments are not returned.
Beach weddings and other specialized services may have different cancellation deadlines. Always review the terms connected with your specific booking.
What Happens If We Are Late?
Don't be late.
Your ceremony is scheduled for a specific time, and we may have another couple getting married after you. Please arrive early enough to park, check in, use the restroom, review the marriage license, and breathe for a minute before the ceremony begins.
The current terms allow a late fee of $25 for every 15 minutes the Wedding Officiant must wait past the scheduled ceremony time.
The Wedding Officiant is not required to remain more than 30 minutes past the scheduled start time. Whether the Officiant can stay longer depends on the day's schedule.
In other words, fashionable lateness may work for dinner. It does not work as well when another wedding is waiting.
Can We Add Guests or Upgrade Our Package?
Usually, yes, as long as the chapel capacity, appointment time, and package availability allow it.
Our ceremony packages are based partly on guest count, so adding guests may move the booking into a different package. Tell us as soon as possible if your guest list grows or if you would like to add photography, livestreaming, custom decorations, music, or another upgrade.
The chapel accommodates up to 30 guests. Please do not invite additional guests without confirming the updated count with our team.
Do Weekend Weddings Cost More?
Some chapel packages include an additional Saturday or Sunday fee. The current package page will show which services include a weekend adjustment.
Holiday, late-night, specialty, travel, custom decoration, photography, and other optional service fees may also apply depending on your wedding plans.
Frequently Asked Booking and Payment Questions
Does submitting the availability form reserve our date?
No. The form starts the process. Your date is reserved only after availability is confirmed and the required retainer is received.
Can we pay the full amount when we book?
Yes. You may pay the full balance when booking or make additional payments before the wedding.
Can we pay in person?
Yes. Payments may be made online, over the phone, or in person at our Long Beach office.
Can someone else pay for our wedding?
Yes. A family member or friend may make the payment. They should include the couple's names, appointment date, phone number, email, and service being booked so we credit the correct wedding.
Is the retainer refundable?
No. The retainer is non-refundable because it reserves your appointment and removes that date and time from availability.
Can we transfer the retainer to another date?
It may be transferred to another available date when the request is made in writing at least seven days before the original ceremony date. The new date must take place within one year of the original retainer payment.
What should we put in a Venmo or Zelle payment memo?
Include both names, the appointment date, the service being booked, your phone number, and your email address.
Can we book before we have our marriage license?
Yes. You may reserve your ceremony first. If you need us to issue your marriage license, complete the marriage license application after we confirm your appointment.
Can we bring a marriage license we obtained ourselves?
Yes. Bring the original, valid California marriage license to the ceremony. If you would like to make the process easier, we may be able to issue your marriage license by appointment.
Are you really available 24/7?
Yes, by appointment. We are not an unscheduled walk-in chapel, so please contact us first and allow us to confirm availability.
Ready to Reserve Your Wedding?
Tell us when you want to get married, how many guests you would like to invite, and whether you need a marriage license. We will help you choose the right package and make the booking process easy.
Call or text: (562) 435-4000
Email: getmarried@cutelittleweddingchapel.com
Cute Little Wedding Chapel
3740 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 201
Long Beach, California 90807
Prices, availability, processing fees, package inclusions, and policies may change. Your signed agreement and booking confirmation control the terms of your specific reservation.