Elopement & Micro-Wedding Ceremony — Greater Philadelphia & South Jersey

Planning something small, meaningful, and low-stress? I craft intimate elopement and micro-wedding ceremonies that still feel personal, warm, and fully “you”—whether it’s just the two of you or a handful of your favorite people.

Custom-written mini ceremony script based on your story, preferences, and comfort level.

Faith-friendly, interfaith, or secular wording—simple, heartfelt, and not cheesy.

Guidance on license timing and flow so the day feels relaxed, not rushed.

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Ideal for elopements and micro-weddings with about 2–30 guests around Greater Philadelphia & South Jersey.

Ever After Vows officiant with newlywed couple holding their marriage license after an intimate indoor ceremony

What’s included in your intimate ceremony

Wedding party lined up as Ever After Vows officiant leads a custom indoor ceremony

Personal consult & short questionnaire to learn your story, priorities, and who you’d like included in the ceremony.

Streamlined, customized ceremony script with a welcome, a brief version of your story, vows, ring exchange (if you’d like), and a warm send-off.

Help with vows & wording whether you want repeat-after-me vows, your own written vows, or something short and sweet in between.

Room for one or two small rituals or family moments like including kids, a blessing, or a short reading from a friend or family member.

Clear cues and calm delivery so you know when to walk, stand, speak, and kiss—no awkward guessing on the day.

License signing and required legal wording included so your marriage is fully legal in Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

A simple, meaningful ceremony for just the two of you or a small group of guests—personal, relaxed, and still “real wedding” special.

From the walk-in to the kiss and the signatures, I’ll handle the words and the flow so you can stay present with each other and your guests.

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How Your Intimate Ceremony Flows—Step by Step

Calm, personal, and relaxed—from the moment you arrive to the “we did it!” photo.

Welcome & Opening

Settle in, breathe, and bring everyone into the moment.

I’ll meet you, double-check names and details, and get you into place. We’ll welcome your guests (or just your small crew), set the tone—warm, relaxed, and a little “wow”—and then move into the opening words of your ceremony.

Your Vows, Rings & Story

The personal heart of your elopement or micro-wedding.

I’ll tell a short version of your story that feels like you—how you met, what you love about each other, and the everyday moments that make your relationship yours. Then we move into vows and rings: you can repeat after me, read your own, or keep it super simple with “I do.” We can also add a small unity moment or include family if you’d like.

Pronouncement & Send-Off

Seal it with the legal words and a big cheer.

After vows and rings, I’ll use the required Pennsylvania or New Jersey wording to make everything legal, then give you a clear, joyful pronouncement and invite your kiss. We’ll wrap with a smooth recessional and then move right into quick license signing and a few “just married” photos.

Most intimate ceremonies run about 10–15 minutes. You’ll see a full draft in advance, with time to tweak the wording so it feels just right.

What to bring for your elopement / micro-wedding

Your marriage license (issued and valid for your ceremony date)

Photo IDs for both of you

Rings (and ring box), if you’re planning a ring exchange

Any vows or readings printed out if you’re writing your own or having a guest read

Names and roles of anyone involved (reader, photographer, witness, etc.)

Payment method we agreed on for any remaining balance (cash, credit card, Apple Pay, Venmo, or CashApp)

Pennsylvania — quick notes

• Regular license: no witnesses required when an officiant presides.
• Self-uniting license: two witnesses required; no officiant.
• Effective on the 3rd day after application; valid 60 days.
• Officiant returns the license within 10 days.
• Bring the entire license packet from your issuing county.

New Jersey — quick notes

• 72-hour waiting period after application (check registrar hours).
• Two adult witnesses (18+) must attend and sign at the signing.
• License generally valid 30 days from issuance.
• Officiant files with the local registrar (typically within 5 days).
• Bring IDs for both of you (and for witnesses, if requested).

A little prep goes a long way. Here’s what to have ready so your intimate ceremony feels smooth and stress-free.

Pro tip

Bring the exact license pages your county or town provided (no photocopies), and double-check that your names match your IDs. If anything looks off, we can pause and fix it before we sign.

PA: I can file for you

NJ: you file locally

License timing at a glance

Quick reference for when to apply, how long your license is valid, witnesses, and filing—whether we’re meeting for a full ceremony or a simple signing.

Philadelphia & Pennsylvania

Philadelphia & Pennsylvania (regular license)

Effective: Valid starting on the 3rd day after you apply (no true same-day licenses).

Valid for: 60 days from the issue date.

Witnesses: Not required when an officiant presides. Self-uniting licenses are different and require two witnesses.

Where to apply: Your county courthouse or city office.

Filing: I’ll help you complete the license and either file it for you when allowed or make sure you know exactly where it goes back to.

Good rule of thumb: Apply at least a week before your elopement date so you’re not cutting it close with weekends or holidays.

New Jersey

New Jersey (municipal registrar)

Waiting period: 72 hours after you apply (check your registrar’s hours).

Valid for: Generally 30 days from issuance.

Witnesses: You’ll need two adult witnesses (18+) present to sign at the ceremony.

Where to apply: The municipal registrar in the town where you’re getting married (or where one of you lives, depending on local rules).

Filing: After we complete the license, it’s returned to the local registrar—typically within about 5 days.

Good rule of thumb: Apply at least a week before your elopement or micro-wedding, especially if you’re working around travel or work schedules.

Where you can elope or host a micro-wedding

Small guest list, big meaning. If the location allows outside officiants and it’s in my travel area, we can probably make it your “I do” spot.

Backyard & at-home elopements

Personal and relaxed—deck, patio, living room, or front yard. We’ll create a simple, meaningful moment right where you feel most at home.

Parks, gardens & outdoor spots

Local parks, gardens, overlooks, and quiet corners of nature. Ideal if you love being outside and want a simple, scenic backdrop.

Small venues & private rooms

Restaurants, wineries, breweries, and small event spaces that offer private rooms—perfect for 10–30 guests and an intimate feel.

City & town “just us” moments

Side streets, courtyards, and tucked-away corners near city or town centers—great for a quick “just us” ceremony and a short photo walk.

Airbnbs & rental homes

Cozy cabins, rental homes, and weekend getaways where you’re staying with your closest people for a low-key celebration.

A place that matters to you

The place you had your first date, a favorite trail, or somewhere that simply feels like “your spot.” If it’s in Greater Philadelphia, the nearby suburbs, or South Jersey, we can talk about making it your ceremony location.

Serving couples across Greater Philadelphia, the nearby Pennsylvania suburbs, and South Jersey

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Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as an elopement or micro-wedding?

An elopement is usually “just us” or a very small group—often just the two of you, your officiant, and maybe a couple of guests. A micro-wedding keeps things intimate too, typically up to around 30 guests. Either way, the focus is on a simple, personal ceremony without a big all-day production.

How long does the ceremony usually last?

Most elopement and micro-wedding ceremonies run about 10–15 minutes. That’s enough time for a welcome, a short version of your story, vows, rings, and a joyful pronouncement without dragging on—especially if you’re outside or working with a tight schedule.

Where can we have our elopement or micro-wedding?

Backyards, rental homes, parks, gardens, small venues, private rooms at restaurants, and tucked-away city spots all work beautifully. As long as the location allows outside officiants and it’s within my Greater Philadelphia / South Jersey travel area, we can usually make it your ceremony spot.

How far in advance should we book? Can you do last-minute elopements?

If you already have your marriage license (or a confirmed appointment to get it), I can often accommodate elopements and micro-weddings on shorter notice—availability permitting. For weekend dates and popular seasons, it’s still best to reach out as early as you can so we can lock in your time.

Is this different from a courthouse wedding?

Yes. With me, you’re not limited to a government office or standard script. You choose the location, we personalize the wording, and you still get the legal, by-the-book side handled. It’s a middle ground between a full traditional wedding and a quick courthouse appointment.

Do we need witnesses?

In Pennsylvania, a regular officiant-signed license does not require witnesses when an officiant presides. Self-uniting licenses are different and do require two witnesses. In New Jersey, you’ll need two adult witnesses (18+) present to sign at the ceremony. I’ll confirm what applies to your situation when we talk.

Can we write our own vows or keep things really simple?

Absolutely. You can repeat after me, write your own vows, or keep it very short and sweet with a simple “I do.” I can share prompts and sample wording, or help you trim what you’ve written so it feels comfortable to say out loud.

What happens if the weather is bad for our outdoor elopement?

We’ll talk through a backup option when we plan—such as a covered spot, a nearby indoor area, or a slight time shift. Weather happens, especially in this area. Having a simple Plan B ahead of time keeps the day much less stressful.

How do we book and pay for an elopement or micro-wedding ceremony?

Once we’ve talked and you’re ready to move forward, I’ll send over a short agreement for signatures and we’ll confirm everything in writing. A deposit reserves your date, with the remaining balance due by the ceremony day. You can pay your deposit and final balance by cash, credit card, Apple Pay, Venmo, or CashApp.