Terms & Conditions

1. Marriage License Requirements in Texas

• All couples must present a valid Texas Marriage License at the time of the ceremony. The Chapel cannot perform a ceremony without one.
• A marriage license may be obtained from any County Clerk's office in Texas at least 72 hours before the wedding. You do not need to reside in the county where the license is obtained; however, if both parties hold out-of-state identification, the license fee may be higher.
• Marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from the date of issuance — we recommend obtaining yours well in advance.
• Active-duty military personnel are exempt from the 72-hour waiting period and may marry the same day the license is issued. Valid military ID is required.
• The Courthouse Wedding Chapel will file your signed marriage license with the appropriate Texas county on your behalf following the ceremony.
• If you wish to change your name quickly with the Texas Department of Public Safety (TDPS) and Social Security Administration without waiting up to 30 days for the return of your marriage license, please purchase the Expedited Certified Copy service (available for Harris County licenses only). Note: the original marriage license cannot be used for name-change purposes — a certified copy is required.

2. Ceremony Services

Spanish-Language Ceremonies

• A bilingual vow exchange (Spanish & English) is included at no additional charge — please add this to your reservation and confirm with the officiant before the ceremony begins.
• A full ceremony conducted in Spanish is available for an additional fee of $60.00. This must be selected at the time of booking.

Unity Ceremonies

• The officiant can provide a Unity Candle, Unity Cross, or Unity Heart for use during your ceremony; however, Chapel-provided items remain the property of the Chapel and may not be taken home.
• You may purchase your own unity item from our Wedding Add-Ons. Custom-engraved items (Unity Heart, Unity Cross) require at least 3 weeks lead time for engraving. If there isn't enough time, you may use ours during the ceremony and pick up your engraved item at a later date.
• For a Unity Rose Ceremony, please bring your own roses. Artificial roses may be provided upon request.
• Sand from a Unity Sand Ceremony is yours to keep.

Bouquet & Boutonniere

A bridal bouquet and boutonniere are available for use with any package at no extra cost — simply ask upon arrival.

Guest Count

Please adhere to the number of guests selected at booking. Additional guests may be added in increments of ten (10) only. All attendees — including children under 1 year old — count toward the guest total (children held by an adult are the exception).

Package Selection

If you are unsure which ceremony style to choose, we recommend selecting the Short Ceremony — you can always upgrade later.

Delivery of Services

Our services are considered fully delivered and concluded when the signed marriage license has been submitted to the appropriate Texas county for recording. The Chapel reserves the right to modify these terms, conditions, and ceremony processes at any time based on availability, time constraints, and the package chosen.

3. Punctuality & Late Fee Policy

4. Rescheduling Policy

• We will not accept more than 3 reschedules before cancelling the appointment.
• You may reschedule to the next available slot of your choosing without an additional deposit — provided notice is given before the day of the ceremony.
• Same-day rescheduling is not permitted. Waiting until the day of your wedding to reschedule will result in forfeiture of all payments made.
• Payments are non-refundable but may be transferred to another individual or rescheduled to a different date, provided the change is made in a timely fashion.

5. Refund Policy

6. Extreme Weather & Disasters

In the event of a disaster-level weather scenario, we will reschedule your ceremony as soon as that information is made available. Please take the time to review your choices and schedules so that cancellation can be minimized. This is an important day for everyone involved.

7. After-Hours Weddings

"After Hours" refers to ceremonies conducted after 3:00 PM Monday through Friday, and Saturday & Sunday between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. After-hours pricing applies to both chapel time and officiant time.

8. Unpaid Balances

• The Courthouse Wedding Chapel already offers discounted fees for a full wedding ceremony. Deposits are accepted as a courtesy and are not a payment plan.
• All remaining balances must be paid in full no later than 10 days before the wedding date.
• If your ceremony is within 72 hours of booking and full payment or package selection has not been completed, your time slot and all monies paid may be forfeited.
• No financial transactions are conducted at the Chapel. All payments must be completed online using the link provided in your confirmation email. All payments are final.

9. Guest Rules

We love to see your family and friends with you on your special day — that's what we're all about. If your guests arrive early, they may wait in the Atrium sunken area near the Koi Pond.

After-Hours Building Access

Building doors automatically lock at 6:00 PM on weekdays and 2:00 PM on Saturdays. On Sundays, the building doors remain closed. We recommend designating someone to greet arriving guests at the main entrance. Guests can be seen from the Atrium. If this is not possible, please notify us in advance and we will try to accommodate you.

Babies & Small Children

• A designated guardian must supervise all minors at all times. The Chapel is not child-proofed; young children must remain seated or with a guardian.
• If a child becomes disruptive during the ceremony, we ask the guardian to step outside briefly. Guardians should position themselves near exits for easy access. The officiant will pause to allow time to settle the child.
• This is so you can focus on this special moment. Please advise your guests.

10. Photography & Videography

• The Chapel can retain a photographer for you, or you may bring your own — professional or a skilled friend.
• Photography is limited to one or two designated individuals. The Chapel is not large enough to accommodate additional people moving around during the ceremony.
• Guests are asked to refrain from taking photos or video during the ceremony. Time will be provided at the conclusion for photos.

11. Chapel Use, License & Liability

• The Courthouse Wedding Chapel is an alternative to getting married in the courtroom — it is not available for rent as a general event space. Your use of the Chapel constitutes a license, not a lease, with all legal ramifications of that distinction.
• User shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless The Courthouse Wedding Chapel from all losses, costs, and claims of any kind arising from or incidental to User's use of The Courthouse Wedding Chapel and reception area.
• By completing a booking, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to these terms and conditions in their entirety.