UncategorizedJune 16, 2025June 16, 2025Camden Alchanati

What Is a Quickie Wedding?

Fast, Legal, and Stress-Free Marriages for Today’s Couples

In today’s fast-paced world, not every couple wants or needs a long, drawn-out engagement and a large traditional wedding. Some just want to get married—quickly, legally, and without hassle. Enter the quickie wedding. But what exactly does that mean? Is it legal? Is it romantic? And is it right for you?

At Get Married Today, we specialize in making quickie weddings possible for couples in California and beyond. Whether you’re facing an urgent deadline, planning an elopement, handling immigration paperwork, or just tired of waiting—this blog post will break it all down for you.

What Is a Quickie Wedding?

A “quickie wedding” refers to a marriage that is completed quickly and efficiently, often in a single day. It typically involves minimal planning, fewer formalities, and a streamlined legal process.

This kind of wedding is popular among:

Couples who want to skip the courthouse lines
Military members facing deployment
People needing a marriage for immigration or legal documentation
Busy professionals or travelers who don’t have time for a traditional ceremony
Spontaneous couples who are simply ready to say “I do”

A quickie wedding doesn’t mean it’s not real. It’s 100% legally binding, and in California, it can be performed the same day with a valid marriage license and an authorized officiant—like the ones we provide at Get Married Today.

Why Do People Choose Quickie Weddings?

There are several valid reasons why someone might want to marry quickly:

1. Legal and Immigration Needs

Some couples need to get married fast to submit forms to USCIS, such as the I-130 Petition for Alien Relative or to apply for spousal visas. Without a legal marriage certificate, these processes stall. A quickie wedding provides the official documentation needed, often within 24 hours.

USCIS Marriage Visa Information

2. Military Deployment

Active-duty military members—especially those based in Southern California—often face sudden deployments. A quickie wedding allows them to secure military spousal benefits, such as housing allowance and medical coverage, before leaving.

3. Avoiding Waiting Periods

Some states require waiting periods between applying for and receiving a marriage license. California, however, has no waiting period, which means couples can legally marry the same day they receive their license.

California Marriage License Information

4. Convenience and Privacy

Not everyone wants to plan a large wedding. Some prefer an intimate, low-key, and efficient ceremony that still holds legal weight. Quickie weddings are especially appealing for private elopements or last-minute plans.

Is a Quickie Wedding Legal?

Absolutely. A quickie wedding is just as legally binding as any other wedding. The key legal requirements include:

A valid marriage license issued by the County Clerk
Both parties must be present (unless doing a legal proxy marriage)
A ceremony must be conducted by a licensed officiant
The marriage license must be signed, filed, and recorded

At Get Married Today, we take care of everything: issuing your confidential California marriage license, performing the ceremony, and filing your paperwork with the county for legal recording.

What Services Does Get Married Today Offer for Quickie Weddings?

We offer full-service marriage packages, including:

Same-day marriage license issuance
Legally binding wedding ceremonies
Officiants available 24/7, 365 days a year
On-site weddings at your home, hotel, hospital, beach, or park
Optional Apostille certification for use of your marriage certificate in other countries
Certified copies mailed to you after the marriage is filed

We eliminate the need to visit a courthouse or wait weeks for an appointment. Everything is done on your schedule, at the location of your choice.

Where Can You Have a Quickie Wedding?

One of the best things about quickie weddings is the flexibility in location. Some popular spots include:

Your home or backyard
A scenic beach
A local park
A private chapel
A hotel suite
Even a hospital room (for medical or compassionate reasons)

At Get Married Today, we bring the marriage license and officiant to you—anywhere in Southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino.

Is a Quickie Wedding Right for You?

It might be—especially if you:

Want to get married immediately
Prefer a private or non-traditional setting
Need a marriage certificate for immigration or legal purposes
Are planning to host a larger celebration later
Want to avoid the stress of wedding planning

Many couples choose a quickie wedding first to meet legal or timing needs and then plan a symbolic ceremony later. It’s a practical approach that lets love (and paperwork) move forward on your terms.

How Fast Can You Get Married?

If you book with Get Married Today, you can literally get married within hours. Here’s how fast the process is:

Contact us or book online through our website
Choose your location for the ceremony
We meet you, issue your license, and perform the wedding
You’re legally married—with documents filed the same day

In California, there’s no residency requirement, no waiting period, and no need to visit the courthouse.

What Documents Do You Need?

You’ll only need:

A valid government-issued photo ID (like a passport or driver’s license)
If divorced, details about your last marriage (exact date it ended)

No birth certificate, no blood test, and no witnesses are required for a confidential California marriage license.

More info: California Department of Public Health – Marriage License FAQs

Can a Quickie Wedding Be Romantic?

Absolutely. A quick wedding can still be meaningful, memorable, and beautiful.

Some couples opt for beachside vows at sunset, others exchange rings in their living room with soft music in the background. You can dress casually or wear wedding attire. You can include personal vows or keep it simple and legal.

The key is: you control the experience. There’s no need to sacrifice emotion just because the process is quick.

Can You Get an Apostille for International Use?

Yes. If your marriage needs to be recognized in another country, we can help. Once your license is recorded, we can obtain certified copies and provide Apostille certification under the Hague Apostille Convention.

This is essential for couples dealing with:

Immigration petitions
Dual citizenship
Name changes abroad
Legal processes overseas

Learn more: U.S. Department of State – Apostille Information

Why Choose Get Married Today?

We’re the top-rated team for same-day, quickie weddings in Southern California for a reason:

✅ We issue the license
✅ We perform the ceremony
✅ We file the paperwork
✅ We do it all in one visit, at your location

We work with military members, international couples, immigration attorneys, elopement planners, and locals looking for an easy, beautiful way to get legally married.

Ready to get started? Book now or call us for same-day service.

Real Quickie Wedding Testimonials

Jennifer & Alex – Los Angeles, CA
“We needed to get married quickly for my immigration paperwork. Get Married Today helped us do everything in just one visit. No courthouse needed, no stress!”

Marco & Luis – San Diego, CA
“We eloped on the beach with a private ceremony. It was spontaneous but still so romantic. We got our marriage certificate a week later, just as promised.”

Emily & Jason – Camp Pendleton, CA
“I was getting deployed in 3 days. They issued the license, married us at my fiancée’s home, and filed everything. I now get housing and military spousal benefits. Amazing service!”

Final Thoughts: A Quickie Wedding Is Just the Beginning

Marriage doesn’t have to be complicated. A quickie wedding can be efficient, intimate, and powerful—giving you the legal foundation to move forward in life together, whether for personal, legal, or romantic reasons.

At Get Married Today, we simplify the process so you can focus on what matters: your commitment to each other.

We’re here 24/7, ready to meet you wherever you are in Southern California—home, hotel, hospital, or hilltop.

Helpful Links for Quickie Weddings

Here are resources and agencies relevant to couples pursuing a fast, legal wedding:

Get Married Today – Book Now
California Marriage License Info – CDPH
USCIS – Spousal Visa (I-130)
U.S. Department of State – Apostilles
Military Marriage Benefits – Military OneSource
Social Security Administration – Name Change After Marriage

Ready to Get Married Today?

Don’t wait for the courthouse. Don’t stress about logistics. Whether it’s today, tomorrow, or this weekend—Get Married Today will help you make it official, fast.

Same-day license. Same-day ceremony. Same-day legal filing.

📍 Serving all of Southern California
📅 Available 24/7
📞 Call or Book Online

Because love doesn’t have to wait.

California Department of Public Health – Marriage Licenses

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk – Marriage Services

Orange County Clerk-Recorder – Marriage Services

San Diego County – Marriage Licenses

Riverside County Clerk – Marriage License Info

Sacramento County Clerk – Marriage License Appointments

San Bernardino County Recorder – Marriage Services

City of Beverly Hills – Marriage Services

City of Newport Beach – Marriage License Information