There are a few options for couples looking to get married as quickly as possible. It's no longer necessary to have a typical traditional wedding.For example, due to restrictions imposed by COVID 19, couples have had to get creative and opt for virtual ceremonies where their loved ones could attend online. Other types of weddings include a civil ceremony, and elopement. If you are in a hurry and would like to get married within 24 hours, you might be shocked to think there are many options for you. Getting married in less than 24 hours is possible, but it requires a few steps to be taken.

Tips for Getting Married Fast

First, research your location's marriage laws. Marriage regulations differ between states and countries, so research the rules and requirements for where you plan to get married. Some places require a waiting period after obtaining a marriage license, while others, such as Las Vegas, have no waiting periods.

Next, obtain a marriage license. Visit the local county clerk's office or marriage license bureau in the jurisdiction where you want to get married. Bring identification such as a driver's license or passport and, if necessary, proof of previous marriages or divorces. Some locations require a witness or two, so be sure to have one available.

You will need an officiant, such as a judge, a justice of the peace, a minister, or a religious leader to perform the wedding ceremony. Depending on the jurisdiction, it may be possible to find one who is available within 24 hours.

Choose a location that can accommodate your wedding ceremony, whether it's a courthouse, chapel, park, or private venue or even the comfort of your own homes if you choose a virtual wedding. It may seem impossible to arrange your ceremony in a day, but options like online marriage services from sites like Courtly, may be the right option for you as they offer rush processing and filling out the paperwork for you. 

Swift weddings can create an intimate atmosphere with a smaller guest list, which allows the couple to share their special day with only their closest family and friends. This can help create a more meaningful and memorable experience. Instead of being tied to a specific wedding venue and date, quick weddings may allow the couple to choose a unique or sentimental location, which may even have sentimental value. 

How to Have a Fast Civil Wedding

A nonreligious wedding ceremony that is approved by the state is also known as a civil ceremony. Usually held in a courthouse, city hall, or other official structure, it is a straightforward ceremony. Couples who don't want a religious ceremony or who might not have a strong religious affiliation frequently choose civil weddings. 

Here is what you need to know about civil weddings:

  1. Legal requirements: Couples must obtain a marriage license from their local government office in order to conduct a civil wedding. The requirements for acquiring a marriage license vary depending on the state or county, but typically involve presenting identity and being of a specific age. When organizing a civil wedding, it's crucial to learn about the local regulations and specific requirements beforehand. 
  2. Location: Courthouses, municipal halls, and other public buildings are just a few venues where civil weddings may be held. Moreover, civil marriages may be performed outside in parks, gardens, or other public spaces. Couples can pick a place based on their tastes and budgets.
  3. Officiant: A judge, justice of the peace, or other government person with the authority to perform weddings is frequently the officiant for a civil wedding. In some places, a friend or relative who has the required legal authorization can also be the officiant for the ceremony. 
  4. Ceremony: A civil wedding typically has a brief and straightforward ceremony. It usually involves exchanging vows and rings, the officiant making a proclamation of marriage, and the couple signing the marriage license. To make the ceremony more special to them, couples can add readings, music, or other individualized touches.
  5. Attire: Depending on their choices and the venue, couples may decide to wear formal or informal dress for their civil wedding. While other couples decide to wear traditional wedding clothing, some couples adopt a more laid-back look.
  6. Guests: A civil wedding might be a private ceremony attended only by the couple and the officiant, or it can have a few close family members and friends. There might be limits on the number of guests who can attend a ceremony in some government buildings, so check beforehand before you invite a lot of guests.
  7. Legal recognition: State law recognizes civil marriages, and following the ceremony, the couple will be given a marriage certificate. This certificate can be used for legal purposes, such as last name changes and adding a spouse to insurance plans.

Planning for an Elopement

Courthouses, popular vacation spots, and low-key outdoor ceremonies are all acceptable venues for elopements. Elopements are becoming more and more common among couples who want a smaller, faster and more private wedding. Without the hassle and expense of a traditional wedding, they give couples the opportunity to plan a wedding on their own terms. Simplyeloped is a good place to go for ceremony inspiration. By eloping in places like Las Vegas or Atlantic city, couples can arrange their ceremony and get hitched in less than 24 hours.

Here are some things to consider when planning an elopement:

  1. Location: Elopements can occur anywhere, from a neighborhood courtroom or city hall to a vacation spot like a beach or a mountainside. The location should be meaningful and memorable for the couple.
  2. Ceremony: An elopement ceremony can be as simple or ornate as the couple prefers. A judge, officiant, or religious leader may officiate the ceremony, which may include typical wedding vows, readings, and other symbolic gestures. 
  3. Attire: According to the couple's wishes, the clothes for an elopement might be either casual or formal. The bride and groom can choose to wear a formal wedding dress or something more relaxed and comfortable.
  4. Photography: Hiring a photographer to document the unique moments of the wedding ceremony and reception is common practice for elopements. The photographer might also be able to offer suggestions for venues and suppliers.
  5. Logistics: Planning and coordination are often less involved in elopements than in regular nuptials, but there are always some issues to take into account, such as getting a marriage license, finding a celebrant, and making travel arrangements, if necessary.
  6. Celebration: Celebrating options include a small reception, a romantic honeymoon, or a private dinner following the elopement ceremony. Depending on the couple's preferences, the celebration might be simple or extravagant.

The Quickest Option: Online Marriage

An online wedding ceremony known as a virtual wedding enables family members and friends to attend from a distance. During the COVID-19 epidemic, virtual marriages have grown in popularity as social segregation policies have made conventional in-person weddings challenging or impossible. They offer a special and imaginative way for couples to get married both during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Whilst they offer flexibility and the ease of allowing guests to engage remotely, they necessitate careful preparation and coordination. Virtual weddings may be a special and unforgettable way to commemorate a couple's love and commitment when done with the correct technology and planning. Websites like Courtly or MarryFromHome are just some examples of what you can use to have a virtual wedding. 

Virtual weddings are more speedy than most other options.  Services from sites like Courtly, even offer rush processing that can get you married in as little as 24 hours.  All the paperwork will be done for you and you don't even need to write your own vows or choose not to exchange rings.  A typical Courtly ceremony lasts only 10 minutes and you will have a digital copy of your marriage certificate in as little as 24-48 hours after the ceremony. 

Here are some things to take into account when having a virtual wedding:

  1. Technology: The technology utilized to stream the wedding will determine how well the virtual wedding goes. A dependable internet connection, a webcam or smartphone camera, and a platform for hosting the ceremony, such as Zoom, Google Meet, or Skype, are requirements for the couple. To make sure everything is in working order before the wedding, a test run is essential.
  2. Guest List: No matter where they are from, a lot of guests can attend a virtual wedding. With Courtly, for example, you are given your own personalized Zoom link and can invite as many as 100 guests to attend. The couple should still carefully examine who they want to invite and make sure that everyone has access to the right technology and feels comfortable participating online.
  3. Ceremony: A virtual wedding ceremony can be as basic or ornate as the couple chooses. The ceremony can include customary vows, readings, and other symbolic actions, which the officiant can help facilitate. The ceremony is recorded so you will always have a taping of your wedding day. 
  4. Attire: Even if they are participating remotely, the couple and their guests should dress appropriately for the event. The bride and groom can wear formal wedding clothing or something more informal and casual. 
  5. Decorations: To make their wedding more festive and special, the couple may decide to decorate the venue. Also, they might suggest for their guests to decorate their homes with flowers or balloons during the ceremony to make it more festive to watch. 
  6. Reception: The couple may decide to hold a virtual reception following the ceremony so that guests can mingle and celebrate online. The couple may supply entertainment at the reception in the form of music, games, or other activities.

Final Thoughts

With these options, couples are able to create a memorable experience for their wedding no matter how they choose to celebrate each other.  Couples can select a more unconventional route by eloping or having a virtual nuptial. For couples who are looking to save some money, a civil ceremony or a virtual wedding might be more ideal for them. With these options, the couple can have the unforgettable wedding of their lives that they are looking for. 

Additionally, the process can be faster, making it possible to get married within a shorter time frame. They also often allow the bride and groom to focus more on each other and their relationship, rather than getting bogged down with the logistics and expectations that come with a larger wedding. This can strengthen the couple's bond and start their married life on a positive note. 

Let us handle the paperwork.

Getting married is complicated. Courtly simplifies the process and provides everything necessary to get married online, including providing a licensed officiant who can perform a remote ceremony.

get married