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San Diego's Top Wedding Officiants
Christine and Steve answer
•FAQ'S•
AND POLICIES
San Diego Weddings • San Diego Beach Weddings •
Coronado Easy Elope • Elope to San Diego • San Diego Officiants




Your Frequently Asked Questions
and Elope San Diego policies

We're so excited you are considering us for your big day !
Thank you for taking the time to review our policies.
Everything that we cover is to make sure that you
have a perfect day with us.

As you reserve us for your small wedding or elopement
you will be agreeing that you have read & accept the policies
outlined on this page.

By way of this information page,
we have made every effort to be as open and transparent
as possible regarding Elope San Diego's policies !




Please feel free to contact
us if you have any questions before you book us.
Thank you again for choosing Steve and Christine at
Elope San Diego for
an affordable, low stress, fun celebration.
•
- what services can you provide for us?
- my friend wants to take photographs too.... is that okay?
what about having my dog /dogs at the wedding?
- how do I reserve my wedding?
- can you just hold a date for us ?
- how do we pay for your services ?
-what about including our children?
-Oops! we have too many people, how do you handle that?
- when is sunset on my wedding day, and what is a marine layer? click here
- what happens if we're late for our wedding?
- are you part of the Hotel Del Coronado?
- what elopement packages do you offer?
-what are the guidelines for the elopement packages?
-what's up with the chairs and the beach?
-what if I forget my marriage license, or didn't have time to purchase one?
-how far in advance should I reserve you for my wedding?
- what about rehearsals?
-how long is the ceremony?
- I would like for my friend to read a poem, is that okay?
- how long will it be before I receive my photographs after the wedding
- do you have a rush service for the photographs?
- what is your cancellation/refund policy ?
-can I reschedule my wedding?
- what if the weather is bad, what is your inclement weather policy?
- what is the weather usually like in San Diego?
- where should we stay and what should we do while on Coronado?
-how long have you been in business ?
- what's a MARINE LAYER? and why should I care? click here
~ can you give us a referral if you are booked
or if you feel we might not be the best "fit'" for your plans?
-do you perform vow renewals & reaffirmations?
only for previous clients we originally married, otherwise...not at this time
we can give you a referral

•
I would like to see more photographs of
the elopements you've done -before we book with you...
please check out our You Tube link here
for nearly 100 wedding pictures set to music !


•
What services can you provide for us?
Steve is a wedding officiant, this means he actually
performs and officiates the wedding ceremony.
Christine is a professional photographer, she photographs weddings,
small weddings and elopements. We work on the free, public beaches.
We offer elopement services for groups of 25 or fewer.

We've been joining happy couples for over 20 years!

By small- we mean 25 or fewer
(family , friends, children, bride and groom)
Please confirm your guest list BEFORE you reserve with us.
Know that we have a very steep penalty if you go over the 25 --
and we will require that you obtain the necessary permits issued
by the City of Coronado.
Our Elopement Packages/ceremony increases are described
near the bottom of the page.
If you do not have the required permits, it will be treated as a cancellation.
We do not offer refunds for cancellations.

Know that we don't want the drama of too many people in your group.
We just want to help you have an easy, fun, low stress elope
on the beach with 25 or fewer people .

We ask that you please, please don't make a reservation with us
if you intend to have more than 25 people at your elopement ceremony.
Several times a year couples get upset with us because they
say they didn't know about our policy, or someone else invited extra people etc.
Our services aren't for big groups, we specialize in small elopements,
and we want to be super clear about what we offer
and ask that couples take responsibility
for their part of the contract we're making together.




•
My friend , brother, dad would like to take the photographs too - and would love to "shadow "
Christine as she photographs at my elopement ceremony...



Everyone is excited on the big day, and everyone has a camera.
Christine has a very important job ahead of her when she arrives to meet you
and record the special moments of your celebration.
There is a zen to the whole thing, a flow and after 25 years, she ready to bring her own special blend of magic to recording your day!
When you commission Christine to take your wedding photographs,
you are agreeing that she is your "official " professional photographer.
She needs your cooperation to do her best job for you !
That means you and your guests need to do your very best to be on time and
not create a situation in which Christine
will have to compete with others who are taking photographs.

We've placed a couple of photographs below to show you
what can and has happened. It's hard to be creative when faced with this.

Christine's style and personality are very relaxed and fun
and it's rarely an issue..however she would like for you to know
she has a very limited amount of time and opportunity
to create gorgeous wedding photographs for you.



( competing with 2 other photographers at their tiny elopement ceremony )

When you make your reservation, you both agree that
others taking photographs will be at Christine's discretion,
especially during the group shots, when she asks for the full attention
of the group...and during couple shots after the elopement ceremony.
She will ask that when she does the short "couple session" after the ceremony,
that no other people tag along.

Everyone is free to do all the photography they wish when we are done.
Know that Christine is NOT available for elopements
if you have hired another photographer
or have asked a friend/guest to duplicate her efforts.
If the situation should arise and this becomes a problem
Christine and Steve will come to you and ask you to correct the situation.
This may sound harsh, but we have your best photography results at heart!
If you need to have lots of photographers at your ceremony,
you should have them! However, we won't be the best choice for you.

How long does it take to get the photos after the wedding?
for the smaller packages with just photos and CD... about 3 to 4 weeks
a photo album takes about 4-6 weeks
RUSH FEE AVAILBLE 50.00

•

Couples always ask: "What is a guest" ?



A guest is a family member, friend or child attending your ceremony.
A guest is a guest even when you have ask them to stand up with you.
Anyone at the ceremony is a guest, except for a baby in someone's arms.

It's best to finalize your guest list before reserving our services.
Remember, Low Stress - Easy Elope



What about including my dog/dogs in the wedding?

Know that we're the first around San Diego to offer pet
friendly wedding and elopements! We love animals
and will be happy to help you arrange to include them.
Ceremonies will need to be held either at Dog Beach
in Ocean Beach San Diego or Coronado Dog Beach about
a mile or so north of the Hotel Del. They are both
off leash areas. Loews Hotel on Coronado is pet friendly too!
here is the link to the pet page click here!

•
HERE IS A LINK TO "CORONADO VISITOR'S CENTER"
great guide for hotels, restraurants & things to do on Coronado
click here
•

•

We're ready to get married !
What are the steps I need to
take to reserve and BOOK you as my
wedding officiant and wedding photographer ?

1. Email here to see if your date is available. Let us know about your plans.
Please CALL if your wedding is in the next couple
of weeks. Our cell phone number is on the contact page.

2. If we decide together that it's a good fit for your plans,
you can book us on-line immediately to officiate and/
or photograph your wedding with a debit or credit card on our website
with paypal. Until you do this, your date is NOT reserved.
PLEASE READ OUR FAQ PAGE before reserving.

3. Once you make your reservation
please send us: both of your names, cell # for day of wedding
# of guests and your address and regular phone number
then we'll send you a ceremony planning guide via email
and a tiny list of questions to complete your reservations thru email.
It's that simple.
Rest assured that we'll be there for you on your wedding day
and help you with the details by phone and email as you need.

* you are NOT officially booked
with us until we receive your payment.
Prices/packages are subject to change until you are actually booked with us.
•
We'd like to include our children
in the ceremony, is that okay and how do we do that ?

Children are always a welcome addition to any ceremony !!
We can incorporate some special words in the
ceremony, joining you together as a new family, sometimes
couples choose to give gifts to the children...
and sometimes the children actually have "jobs"
as flowergirls or ring bearers, helping with sand ceremony
... it is up to you!
Children are counted as guests at your ceremony.






•

"Elopement" packages & Ceremonies on Coronado Beach




Our " elopement packages" and "ceremony only" option are fantastic,
they are on the most gorgeous beach ever -
behind the Hotel Del Coronado, on the public beach...
a very affordable alternative ....we gather together with family and friends
and walk down to the public beach together behind the hotel.
This is a very, very casual and relaxed type of ceremony.
Your very closest friends and family gather around you,
with rose petals in the sand and you marry the love of your life :)

T H I N K elopement !
" elopement" --- running away secretly to be married !

. . . having said that, we do have a few basic things we like you to know about the ceremonies and packages.......it's our fine print if you will -

Our "elopement packages" are priced to be very affordable.
Because they are on the public beach,
you don't need a permit when you have 25 or fewer people,
We don't Include the items you might normally find
in the church / hotel setting: aisles, aisle runners, chairs,
beach decor other than flower petals, a "grand entrance",
hiding from the groom, alcohol, food, rehearsal, music, or processionals.

We are not affiliated with the Hotel Del Coronado in any way.
Ceremonies are held on the pubic beach behind the hotel by the water.
We ask that you are respectful of the hotel's property and policies
as you visit the hotel and grounds with your family and friends.

When you reserve us, you agree that you have read
our limitations regarding the Coronado Elopement
packages and understand what we offer for your elopement ceremony.
Please, please don't ask for a refund after you book us
because you invited too many guests, moved the location or
you decide to have a more traditional wedding requiring a city permit.
(hiding from the groom, aisle runner, beach decor, chairs, arches)
AFTER you booked with us.
-We have reserved your date & time and turned away other couples who
would have had a simple , low stress elopement ceremony as agreed on.
Unfortunately, we don't offer refunds because you changed your plans.

Our services are truly fabulous, but not for everyone !!
We offer beautiful, simple wedding alternative, an
affordable, low stress elopement ceremony on a gorgeous public beach
in the sand, near the water. You and your guests must be
able to walk on the sand out to the public beach (about a block)

We ask that you PLEASE honor our agreement
we've made together regarding the Coronado Elopement packages...
in terms of number of guests,
how the ceremony unfolds, and our start time.
Our services are designed as a fun, happy, simple,
very low stress, low drama wedding alternative . . .
truly an "Easy Elope" ...

On the wedding day, should you decide at the last minute
to not see the groom and are hiding somewhere in the hotel,
or you decide to organize a processional ,
or arrive to the ceremony more than 30 minutes late
at OUR option, you agree to pay an additional 500.00 fee.
This may sound really harsh, and it rarely, rarely comes up....
Know that we don't EVER want an extra fee....
- we want to count on your commitments to us
just as you count on us to honor our commitment to you...
You choose your start time, and we schedule our day around that.



It's that bond of trust that helps us to choose the couples we work with.
Know, that on our end, we do everything in our power
to make sure you are happy and have a wonderful, and perfect day !
We are on time, fully prepared and super caring and professional--
but we do like for you to know that we feel it's a two way street
when we agree to work together.

Here's the deal about having too many guests:
You will be required to bump up to the
next package.. for example from the 995 pkg to 1495 pkg or 1495 to 2495 pkg.
and...if you have more than 25 in your group,
you will be ask to pay the package with 25 people
PLUS $500 to us before your photos are delivered.
If you haven't secured the proper permits from the city, you also risk
being asked to leave the beach in the middle of your wedding
by the City of Coronado Police Department !

(Because couples have actually ask/ and done this, we want to mention it:
It's NOT okay to have your extra guests standing, waiting on the boardwalk,
or lurking around the ceremony pretending they aren't there for the wedding.)

You agreed that the photographs will not be delivered
until all addition fees have been paid.

Please know that we don't EVER, EVER, EVER want to have charge
an additional fee for our services...Really!
But we ask you to keep your word regarding
the number of guests you invite. We've heard the stories about how
"we couldn't leave so and so out"... or my mother invited this person...
Or the groom put it on Facebook....
Remember, this is YOUR simple elopement package,
extra guests mean extra drama, time waiting around for them arrive,
taking more time for the photo session and generally more chaos, and that's
why you selected our services in the first place -- to have a simple happy day.

Our fees are very affordable because we work with small, small groups,
there is no permit process from the city, our photo/ceremony package sessions
are just under an hour, and we can continue to keep our fees low and the
elopements happy, fun and simple!
There.... we've said it. We don't mean to sound harsh,
but we want you to understand our guidelines ahead of time
since wedding planning can sometimes spiral out of control really fast.

We appreciate that you are taking the time read this before this before reserving.
Thank you for your understanding
•
What's up with the chairs?
We don't have chairs with our elopement ceremonies.
The city (Coronado parks dept or San Diego parks department for
San Diego beaches) require permits if you use chairs.

When you have chairs, you will often have the situation in the photo below.
Coronado Beach is public beach. Once your chairs are placed, you are
committed to that spot, regardless of the crowds that gather around you.
That is the main reason we advise against having chairs delivered
We recommend just gathering your group together and standing
for a short ceremony. You can always bring a couple of chairs
for the older guests to sit. When you have it that way,
the whole beach is open as an option...
you can select a less busy part of the beach at that particular moment.
We love the rock area... it's a bit more private !

•

Can you just "pencil me in " or "hold the date" ?

I see Christine's photographs all over the website and blog
Will she use my photos too?

Christine places her new photographs from weddings on the website and blog
just about every every week.
If you have commissioned Christine to photograph your wedding,
you are giving your permission to have
the photos she has taken of your event on the website or blog.
Please know, that she will never identify you other than by first names
unless she contacts you and asks your permission first!
If this is a problem or concern, please let us know before the wedding.

Do you provide the wedding/marriage license
or the permit for the beach ?

You will need to purchase a San Diego marriage license from
any county office in California before the wedding .
Information for San Diego marriage licenses
(hours, locations, fees, phone numbers, requirements)
located on our San Diego Marriage License section
of our web site Marriage License
Maps to county offices: Maps here

We also work with a special notary from the county who issues
licenses by appointment. Once you have made your reservations with
us, we can help to put you in contact with her.
The county also has a list of special notaries.

Starting Jan 1, 2010
You MUST make an appointment to purchase
your Marriage License in San Diego
Their number is: 619 237 0502

If you choose to
purchase your license AFTER the ceremony
we can NOT back date it !
We will have to get together, say a few words to
"re-marry" you on the date we actually sign the license.
It will be dated the day we sign the license.
We charge 75.00 if we have to meet you
after the wedding to sign paperwork. This is also the fee
we charge if you forget your license and we have to meet later.


IN ORDER TO RECEIVE AN OFFICIAL/CERTIFIED COPY
OF YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE, YOU MUST SEND $1 4 TO THE
COUNTY AND REQUEST A COPY BE SENT TO YOU.
See Marriage License page for details and form to send to the county.

You won't be be receiving anything from us or from the county

California beaches and parks are public and free,
however if you have a group over 25 you are required
to obtain a permit from the city for your event.
For Coronado beach, contact City of Coronado parks department,
for San Diego events contact City of San Diego parks department.
This is not something that we are able to take care of for you, as the
weddings and elopements we do have fewer than 25 guests.
•


•

How long have you been
performing wedding ceremonies?

Each of us have been performing wedding ceremonies-
officiating and photographing weddings since 1987.
Between the two of us, that's about 3000 weddings!
You can count on us to do a great job.
•
LINKS for other services
We've provide a Wedding Link's& Location page that
may be helpful to you as you plan your wedding.
We are excited to have partnered with Aspen Products,
you can shop below on the link provided.

•
How long is the wedding ceremony?

Thats up to you! We perform wedding ceremonies
of all types and lengths.
Short and sweet-- our "San Diego easy elope"
or more elaborate with readings from friends ,
vocalists, sand ceremonies, ceremonies to include
your children.... really. . . the sky is the limit.
Most of our "beach wedding" ceremonies
and wedding vows are 10-15 minutes in length.
Check out our wedding ceremony sample here
•




Do we have to say any certain
things or special words during the ceremony?

Nope ! We don't have any rules or hang-ups
about what you say to each other
during the ceremony.
We provide you with samples of
wedding ceremonies that we have performed
in the past to use as a guide. You are free to add,
or take away or change them in any way you like.
We can include a sand ceremony if you like.
If you are shy and just want to say " I do"
and no more. . . that's fine too!
We can do all the talking and you can nod YESSSS!!
We feel VERY STRONGLY that this is YOUR
wedding ceremony, not ours!
We want you to be happy and comfortable
with the content of the ceremony.
•

We ask that you PLEASE, PLEASE,PLEASE do everything
that you can to begin your wedding on time.

Since you are choosing the start time, please choose a time
you know that will work for you and your family. Let your family and
friends know to be 15 minutes early. Know that parking is
very tricky on Coronado... no, actually it's kind of hideous at times.
So plan accordingly. We'll be on time !
We ask that you please honor the start time by being ready
at the time we've both agreed upon.

If you suspect there is going to be a problem, or challenge. . .
please let us know as soon as possible.
Our plan is to spend about 40-60 minutes with you
for your ceremony and photographs or 3o minutes for a simple ceremony

When you are late, please remember,
it is YOUR wedding & photo time that you will compromise.
We will STILL have to leave on the time
to be on time for our next couples wedding,
as we must be on time for each of our weddings.

***THE LATE POLICY***

It's harsh, so best to avoid it all together...
this is simple elopement, so keep that in mind for your preparations.
IF YOU ARE 30 MINUTES OR MORE LATE, at our option
your ceremony can be treated as a cancellation and there is no refund.
If we should miss you all together on the wedding day,
because you were sooooo late and we had to leave for another wedding-
we could arrange to meet you on another day during
the week to sign your license. Please note:
there is an additional fee of $ 75 for this service as it is the
second time for us to have to meet or have waited to meet with you
(75.00 to be paid at the signing in cash)

It's just best to be on time to avoid
this situation all together

If you have booked our photography services, and are late...
you will have lost that time we would have used to take photographs,
greatly impacting the number,
the style and quality of your session. You may even miss
the lighting opportunity we had counted on
(sunset for example).
It's obvious, but worth stating,
we can't take photographs of you--
if you are not there.... and if we are forced to rush, the quality will suffer.
If you are more than 15 minutes late
for your photography/ceremony session,
you agree to accept the quality and quanity
of photos that are given to you
as your complete package.
•

How can I book you for a wedding ceremony on-line?

Simply click here to BOOK on-line section.
But FIRST check with us to make sure that
we are available for your San Diego
beach wedding or
last minute elopement in San Diego.
This is the best and most immediate way
to save your date
•



We didn't have time to purchase a marriage license
before the wedding.... OR
we forgot the license the day of the wedding !

No problem, we can meet you the next business day
or when you do have the license.
There is a $75 fee to meet again
after the ceremony day
and sign the license with a witness
who was at the wedding. We also work with a special notary that
can save you a trip to the courthouse to obtain your marriage license,
there is an additional fee, once you make your reservation we can
help you set that up.
•
What if your are already booked on our special day ?

If you aren't flexible about your time or date, we understand!
we can offer you a referral who may be available to help you
with your ceremony and photography !

•

We don't have a church that we go to right now
and don't know how to pull a wedding ceremony
together, can you help us?

YESSSSSS.
We pride ourselves on creative and quick
thinking to help you pull together a fun,
low stress San Diego Beach wedding or
last minute San Diego elopement.
•

We have a poem that we would
like you to read at our wedding ceremony,
can you do that for us?

Of course! We can read anything you like,
you could also read something to
each other or even have a friend
or family member read something --that's fine with us,
we like to personalize your ceremony in any way you like.
•
My fiance is being deployed overseas and we won't have
time to pick up a license and get married all in one day
because it's a holiday weekend, can you help you
get married in San Diego in a hurry?



Yes, we will do our best to try and help you,
we have a special notary we work with that is able to issue
a confidential marriage licenses often at the last minute.
Just give us as much notice as you can,
even if it's the same day.
We also offer a Military Discount of $25
off your wedding ceremony fee .
•

Is it true ... you don't work with money on the
day of the wedding ?
And. . . how do we know you'll actually be at our wedding
if we pay you ahead ?

Yes, it's true, we don't work with money on
the day of the wedding if at all possible.
It can be a bit awkward to say the least and
you have better things to think about than money on your wedding day.
We feel that paying the wedding minister should be the last thing
on your mind...or worse yet, totally forgetting to pay the wedding officiant
and having to pass the hat ( and yes, it's a true uncomfortable story!)
Also, it helps us to keep our paperwork correct when it comes to paying our
taxes at the end of the year. We pride ourselves on being
very honest and know that we will be there for
your wedding when you book us.
This is what we do for a living about 250 to 300 times a year....
and we take our responsibility to you, our
brides and grooms very seriously ! After 20 years of performing
wedding ceremonies, we've earned the trust of our fellow colleagues
in the business as well as the trust of literally thousands of couples...
we know first hand just how valuable a great reputation is.
Please check out our RAVE REVIEWS page for references.

•
I would like to be married at sunset, what time is that?

Click here for a great link for
San Diego sunset and sunrise ceremonies!
This will help you plan your San Diego Beach weddings.

If you are having photography with your ceremony,
we would ask that the wedding start at least an
hour prior so that we have enough light
to create beautiful photos for you.
Once the sun nears the horizon,
it can get cold and dark REALLY fast.



•

What is your cancellation/ reschedule policy?

Should you need to reschedule your wedding--
we first ask that you extend us the courtesy
of giving us as much notice as possible...

WHEN you give us at least 48 notice,
we will be happy to work with you
to arrange a new date for you. If you give less than 48 HOUR notice
it will be treated as cancellation with no refund.

Beginning on September 1, 2008
there will be a hundred dollar "change fee"
subtracted from the reservation/ deposit you placed with us..
As well, you will be asked to pay our current fees for
whatever new date you choose.
If you should change your wedding date
a second time or third time,
there is another change fee of the same amount
( one hundred dollars) for each time the date is moved.

If we are unable to be available for
your new date because a prior wedding has been
scheduled at that time, we will try to help you find
a replacement, but it will be treated as a cancellation.
Know that we will do everything in
our power to help you rearrange
your new date and be available for you if you are flexible.

If you simply change your mind or cancel
your wedding all together, we are unable to refund
any of the fees you have paid towards your wedding.
Your reservation fees/deposits are non-transferable.

By the very nature of the constraints of scheduling
wedding ceremonies, and photography sessions
for a specific day and time---
we are required to, and will have reserved
a specific wedding date and time just for you.
In most all cases we have had to turn away
other couples who were interested in having us
perform their wedding to be available for yours.
We do a limited number of weddings each week,
and once we book those, we stop taking reservations.
We also take time before the wedding
to help you arrange your ceremony,
answer your questions, send sample ceremonies,
arrange for your flowers,
provide info about marriage license etc..
because of these factors, we aren't able offer refunds .



WHEN YOU BOOK US ON LINE, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO CONFIRM
THAT YOU HAVE READ OUR FAQ PAGE AND ACCEPT.
THIS IS AS AN ELECTRONIC AGREEMENT
WE MAKE TOGETHER.

By way of this agreement, you acknowlege that you have commissioned
Christine to photograph your wedding, and Steve to perform your ceremony.
As we enter in to this agreement to provide you with our services,
you agree that: we are the only photographer and officiant
you have or will hire for your wedding. At our option
if you have either hired or commissioned someone else
to duplicate our services, whether or not you have paid them a fee)
we will reserve the right to bow out,
there is no refund, as per our cancellation policy.

Lastly, we reserve the right to refund deposits at our option at any time
-and to provide a referral for similiar services if needed.
Obviously, this is last resort
and not at all our first choice to resolve challenges that may arise from
planning or the changing of agreements you've
made regarding your elopement ceremony and the services we provide.
Our total and complete limit of liability to you in any and all situations
is the amount of payment made to us , returned in full.
By reserving our services you have agreed
to our policies.


BY MAKING YOUR RESERVATION WITH YOUR PAYMENT
THRU PAYPAL OR BY CHECK
YOU ACCEPT THE TERMS ABOVE.

thank you
for any questions - you can
EMAIL US HERE
info@elopesandiego.com

info@elopesandiego.com