What Is a Quickie Wedding?
In today’s fast-paced world, couples are increasingly asking: What is a quickie wedding? And more importantly — is it legal, meaningful, and right for us? Whether you’re navigating a sudden military deployment, facing an immigration deadline, or simply ready to say “I do” without delay, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about quickie weddings — how they work, why people choose them, and how Get Married Today makes it easy and legal.
Table of Contents
- Understanding the Meaning of a Quickie Wedding
- Is a Quickie Wedding Legal in California?
- Quickie Wedding vs. Traditional Wedding
- Who Typically Chooses a Quickie Wedding?
- Can You Get Married the Same Day?
- Why Couples Choose Quickie Weddings
- Benefits of a Quickie Wedding
- Are Quickie Weddings Recognized Worldwide?
- Common Misconceptions About Quickie Weddings
- Religious vs. Civil Quickie Weddings
- Do You Need a Marriage License for a Quickie Wedding?
- How Get Married Today Makes Quickie Weddings Possible
- Can You Elope and Call It a Quickie Wedding?
- Is There a Waiting Period?
- Locations Ideal for a Quickie Wedding in California
- What Documents Do You Need?
- Can You Have Guests at a Quickie Wedding?
- Can a Quickie Wedding Be Romantic or Customized?
- How Fast Can You Get Your Marriage Certificate?
- Can You Get an Apostille for a Quickie Marriage?
- Can Military Members Get a Quickie Wedding?
- Immigration and Quickie Weddings: What You Must Know
- Confidential Quickie Weddings for Privacy
- LGBTQ+ Quickie Weddings in California
- Are Quickie Weddings Just for Emergencies?
- How Much Does a Quickie Wedding Cost?
- Can You Renew Vows with a Quickie-Style Ceremony?
- Real Stories From Couples Who Got Married Quickly
- Booking a Quickie Wedding with Get Married Today
- Final Thoughts: Is a Quickie Wedding Right for You?
1. Understanding the Meaning of a Quickie Wedding
A quickie wedding is a legally binding marriage ceremony that’s arranged and performed very quickly — often on the same day. The term has historically been associated with fast, informal unions in places like Las Vegas, but today, couples can legally marry quickly in many U.S. states — especially California — without flying to Nevada or waiting in long courthouse lines.
2. Is a Quickie Wedding Legal in California?
Yes. California does not require a waiting period after obtaining a marriage license, which means couples can get married legally and quickly on the same day they apply for the license. As long as the ceremony is officiated by a legally authorized individual and the license is properly signed and filed, the marriage is 100% valid.
3. Quickie Wedding vs. Traditional Wedding
| Feature | Quickie Wedding | Traditional Wedding |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | Same-day or next-day | Months to years of planning |
| Cost | Low | High |
| Guest List | Optional or small | Often large |
| Documentation | Fast-tracked | Standard timelines |
| Setting | Any location | Often formal venues |
| Ceremony | Custom or minimal | Traditional script or religious |
Quickie weddings are efficient, flexible, and legally valid, making them a great alternative for couples who don’t want the stress or cost of a traditional wedding.
4. Who Typically Chooses a Quickie Wedding?
Couples from all walks of life choose quickie weddings, including:
- Military members needing fast marriage for BAH or spousal support
- Immigrant couples seeking lawful status
- Eloping couples
- Partners planning private or secret weddings
- Long-time partners who suddenly decide it’s time
5. Can You Get Married the Same Day?
Yes — especially with Get Married Today. We offer same-day marriage license issuance and legal wedding ceremonies throughout Southern California. Whether it’s 10 AM on a weekday or 10 PM on a holiday, our licensed officiants and mobile notaries are available to legally marry you on the spot.
6. Why Couples Choose Quickie Weddings
There are countless reasons people choose to get married quickly:
- Avoid courthouse bureaucracy
- Legal deadlines for visa or immigration paperwork
- Military deployment or PCS orders
- Financial benefits like tax filing or health insurance
- Emotional readiness
- Wanting privacy or intimacy
7. Benefits of a Quickie Wedding
- Legally valid
- No waiting period
- Low cost
- Private or public – your choice
- Eligible for apostille certification
- Avoids courthouse delays
- Can be done anywhere – beach, home, hotel, etc.
8. Are Quickie Weddings Recognized Worldwide?
Yes — as long as your marriage is:
- Performed by a legal officiant
- Documented with a valid California marriage license
- Properly filed with the County Clerk
You can also request an apostille through Get Married Today to ensure it’s recognized internationally.
9. Common Misconceptions About Quickie Weddings
MYTH 1: They’re not legal — FALSE
MYTH 2: They’re only for Las Vegas — FALSE
MYTH 3: You need to wait after getting a license — FALSE in California
MYTH 4: You can’t have a real ceremony — FALSE
10. Religious vs. Civil Quickie Weddings
At Get Married Today, we offer:
- Civil ceremonies (non-religious, legal-only)
- Spiritual or religious ceremonies (customizable with vows or prayers)
Couples can choose what fits their style — even on short notice.
11. Do You Need a Marriage License for a Quickie Wedding?
Yes. A marriage license is always required for any legal marriage in California. We issue both regular and confidential licenses, making the process fast and private. Once issued, the ceremony can be performed immediately.
12. How Get Married Today Makes Quickie Weddings Possible
We are a licensed, legal marriage service provider offering:
- On-the-spot marriage license issuance
- Legal officiation by ordained ministers
- Optional witnesses
- Filing with the county
- Proof of marriage and apostille upon request
All in one appointment.
13. Can You Elope and Call It a Quickie Wedding?
Yes! Elopement is the romantic version of a quickie wedding. You can:
- Choose your location
- Invite no guests or a few
- Have a beautiful, private moment All while legally securing your marriage the same day.
14. Is There a Waiting Period?
Not in California. You can get a license and be legally married within hours — unlike other states with mandatory waiting periods.
15. Locations Ideal for a Quickie Wedding in California
- Orange County beaches
- Hotel suites
- Rooftops or gardens
- Your living room
- Courthouse alternative locations
- Get Married Today offices
We come to you — wherever you are.
16. What Documents Do You Need?
Just:
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Payment for license and service
- If previously married: proof of dissolution
That’s it — no birth certificate, no Social Security card required.
17. Can You Have Guests at a Quickie Wedding?
Yes — guests are always optional. Want just you and your partner? No problem. Want to invite 5–10 close friends or family? Go for it. We can accommodate.
18. Can a Quickie Wedding Be Romantic or Customized?
Absolutely. You can:
- Write your own vows
- Choose your location
- Dress up or down
- Include music, florals, rings, or photographers
Quick doesn’t mean boring. We can make it beautiful and meaningful.
19. How Fast Can You Get Your Marriage Certificate?
The County will mail your official Certificate of Marriage within 5–8 weeks, depending on the filing location. We provide Proof of Marriage immediately.
Need faster? Ask us about expedited and apostille options.
20. Can You Get an Apostille for a Quickie Marriage?
Yes. We offer apostille certification for couples who need their marriage recognized in other countries. This is ideal for:
- Immigration
- International relocation
- Dual citizenship
- Adoption processes
21. Can Military Members Get a Quickie Wedding?
Yes — and they should. Same-day marriages are perfect for:
- Housing allowance (BAH)
- Spousal benefits
- Deployment situations
- Base transfers
We offer military discounts and priority scheduling.
22. Immigration and Quickie Weddings: What You Must Know
Marriage-based immigration requires:
- Valid marriage certificate
- Proper licensing and officiation
- No legal errors
Quickie weddings are legal and valid — perfect for green card applications when time is tight.
23. Confidential Quickie Weddings for Privacy
We issue confidential marriage licenses — meaning:
- No public record
- No witnesses needed
- Only the couple can request copies
Ideal for celebrities, private couples, or safety concerns.
24. LGBTQ+ Quickie Weddings in California
California proudly supports and legally recognizes LGBTQ+ marriages. We serve:
- All gender identities
- All sexual orientations
- Couples from all backgrounds
Love is love — and we’re here to help you celebrate it.
25. Are Quickie Weddings Just for Emergencies?
Not at all. Many couples simply prefer the speed, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness. A quickie wedding is ideal whether you:
- Want to skip wedding stress
- Are on a budget
- Value privacy
- Need legal status quickly
26. How Much Does a Quickie Wedding Cost?
Prices vary, but most same-day weddings are:
- Much cheaper than traditional weddings
- Inclusive of license, officiant, and ceremony
- Transparent — no hidden fees
Contact us for a quote at GetMarried.Today
27. Can You Renew Vows with a Quickie-Style Ceremony?
Yes! Vow renewals can be performed quickly, with or without guests. They’re perfect for:
- Anniversaries
- Recommitments
- Post-elopement celebrations
And they can be arranged on short notice.
28. Real Stories From Couples Who Got Married Quickly
We’ve helped:
- Military couples marry the day before deployment
- International couples marry before visa deadlines
- Elopers plan their dream beach wedding in 2 hours
- LGBTQ+ couples celebrate love privately and legally
29. Booking a Quickie Wedding with Get Married Today
Step 1: Visit https://getmarried.today/
Step 2: Choose your date and location
Step 3: Submit your info and ID
Step 4: Show up — we’ll do the rest!
Appointments available 7 days a week, even holidays.
30. Final Thoughts: Is a Quickie Wedding Right for You?
If you’re looking for a fast, simple, legal, and meaningful way to marry — a quickie wedding might be your perfect solution.
And with Get Married Today, you can:
- Get your license
- Get legally married
- Get peace of mind
All in one day.
Don’t wait. Let’s get you married — today.