tell me more …
Q: why choose a sweet & simple wedding?
The perfect wedding is out there for every couple, and couples marry at our Little Wedding Chapel for many reasons, both practical and emotional. For example, couples planning a destination wedding or grand celebration later come to us for reliable, discreet legal service and a sweet memory. We’re a perfect solution for military couples, extended and blended families and so much more.
We take the stress and expense out of your wedding plans by offering everything you need in one place. You can have touches of a luxury event with everything scaled to size for our intimate setting, for a fraction of the cost of an “average” wedding. Our all-inclusive elopement and intimate wedding bundles offer:
Planning. We work with you directly once you book. Details for your elopement or wedding can be captured with advance visits, e-mail, messaging and/or phone calls as needed.
Wedding Officiant. All our wedding packages include a licensed officiant who will work with you to conduct your ceremony as you wish and file your marriage license for certification from anywhere in Virginia. A Spanish-speaking interpreter is available.
Professional Photography. We offer award-winning photography with unlimited sharing and a flash drive with your finished images. Coverage includes your ceremony, formal photos with family and friends and a romantic couples’ session in beautiful historic Old Town Warrenton.
Deejay. We use a legal music streaming service and help with music selections for your ceremony and first dance as part of every wedding package. Trouble choosing your processional, recessional and/or first dance song? Our Playlist has nearly 1,000 suggestions!
Flowers and Decor. Your wedding includes use of our Sola Wood and silk bouquets and boutonnieres, props and signs for your ceremony and photos.
Champagne Toast. Soft drinks and bottled water are included with all wedding packages, and we offer beer, wine, champagne and a mimosa bar at reasonable rates.
Wedding Cake. We offer cakes that serve 15-25 from $75-140, and our Hors D'oeuvres selections start at $18 per guest.
Our Little Wedding Chapel has neutral décor that’s easy to personalize with use of arbors, chairs, tables and linens included.
q: how many guests can we invite?
Our Little Wedding Chapel & Venue can accommodate the couple and up to 30 guests. Guest limits are determined by local safety and health regulations and must be strictly enforced. Our wedding packages are designed and priced for specific blocks of time and group size, so additional fees may apply if more guests arrive than expected.
For offsite officiant services at your home, park, or other venue you can invite as many guests as the location permits.
do our children count as guests?
Yes, everyone in attendance counts except the couple and kids under 2. This little sweetheart got to join Mom & Dad’s wedding free of charge.
our photographer?
Yes, everyone you invite or hire is a guest.
our wedding party? our kids?
Yes, everyone.
q: How Much Does It Cost?
Our exclusive online booking system shows exactly what your wedding will cost as you decide which ceremony package and additional services you would like us to provide. Click or tap Save Your Date to start and use the guideline below as you make your selections. When you’re ready to book, you can pay online or select “Invoice Me Later” for anything except a non-refundable retainer to secure your date and time. We invoice any remaining charges the week of your wedding date, with everything to be paid in full before you arrive.
Do You Offer Special Discounts?
Our packages and services offer exceptional value for everyone, making them unnecessary.
Why do Value-Added Services show 5 minutes?
Our booking provider doesn’t allow service selections with zero time to be visible online. Other than a sit-down meal or extra time, all of our value-added services are managed within the time slot for your chosen wedding package.
q: how do we get our marriage license?
Ciao Bella Celebrations can accept your valid marriage license from any county or city Circuit Court in Virginia.
You don’t have to be a Virginia resident to be legally married in Virginia if you get your license and have your wedding in the commonwealth within 60 days. Licenses are issued by a Clerk of the Circuit Court, the process varies by jurisdiction and many have changed their rules since the pandemic.
Q: what happens if we’re late?
Our wedding packages are designed to provide sufficient room for all activities (getting dressed, ceremony, photos, cake cutting, first dance, etc.) within your allotted time, with a short buffer for late arrivals, etc. and to complete everything without feeling rushed. Activities can be rearranged as needed within reasonable limits, and the couple can purchase extra time, however we often perform multiple weddings in a day and cannot violate agreements we make with other couples. Because of this, our departure times must be strictly enforced.
can we livestream?
Yes, our Little Wedding Chapel has free Wi-Fi and tripod stands you can use with your phone or video gear. Our weddings are viewed by family and friends from all over!
Q: ARE YOU LGBTQ+ FRIENDLY?
Yes, we believe in Marriage Equality for All and welcome couples from all walks of life with love, warmth and our dedication to service as they celebrate one of life’s greatest moments.❤️
Q: do you conduct religious ceremonies?
Our officiants were sworn in at the Fauquier County circuit court to operate in Virginia as Civil Celebrants. We’re not clergy, but we welcome and respect all people of faith and you’re welcome to use someone you prefer or include prayers and traditions in your ceremony as you wish. We serve as legal witness and check “civil” ceremony on all licenses we file for certification.
Q: can you conduct BILINGUAL ceremonies?
Yes, we’re happy to work with bilingual family members and we can arrange a Spanish speaking interpreter to assist with your ceremony for a $150 fee that goes solely to the interpreter.
q. can we get ready at your venue?
Yes, but we recommend that couples arrive 30-45 minutes before the ceremony with hair and makeup done. This allows plenty of time to get dressed and for guest arrivals and final touches. Extra time beyond your purchased package is available for $150/hr. subject to availability.
q. can we bring …
our own flowers ?
Yes! There are lots of options for flowers including our local partner Village Flowers. Our Chapel is designed with neutral colors to make it easy to personalize in a matter of minutes.
our own photographer / VIDEOGRAPHy ?
Yes! We offer reliable quality photography and video streaming, or you can invite your favorite. Please note that any hired assistants count as guests.
Every wedding photo on this website is from real weddings, taken by us.
our own food ?
Yes! To bring your own food we ask a $75 service fee which includes assistance with setup and cleanup, use of chafing dishes and service-ware, disposable plates & napkins.
We also offer appetizers for your guests at $20 per person, made fresh at our venue and available when you book.
our own CAKE ?
Yes! If you bring your own cake we ask a $25 service fee which includes use of a cake stand and cutlery, disposable plates & napkins and a picture of your special moment. We also offer Sweet and Simple cakes when you book.
our own alcohol ?
Sorry but No, our insurance and ABC licensing do not allow it. We offer select wines, beer and champagne at reasonable rates and a champagne toast or mini-mimosa bar can be purchased in advance. You and your over-21 guests are welcome to purchase (or not) a drink at your leisure.
q. can we bring our dog ?
Only licensed service animals are permitted in our venue because of insurance and health code standards, but you’re welcome to bring your dog for photos after your ceremony. A wedding in a park or backyard (which we’re happy to officiate) is usually best for animal-friendly weddings.
q. how doeS my wedding unfold?
Your Sweet & Simple Wedding begins and ends according to your booked arrival time and the package you’ve selected.
Time slots for our Sweet & Simple weddings have been carefully designed to allow time to celebrate without feeling rushed. Most ceremonies start 30-45 minutes after you arrive and rarely last more than 15 minutes, even with personal vows or special readings. Photos with family & guests usually start right after the ceremony and last 15-30 minutes, beginning with a group photo of everyone in attendance and moving to smaller groupings of family and friends. The two of you can have romantic photos taken at this time or whenever it works best, for example if your guests leave ahead of you for a dinner reservation or reception at home. A toast and cake-cutting normally takes 10-15 minutes. This means the major events of your wedding take place within 60-90 minutes, less for elopements, and the rest of your time is available for arrivals, getting ready, etc.
The key to make sure everything goes smoothly is to prepare, relax, and leave a small buffer for things such as late guest arrivals. For example, especially if you have guests from out of town, have them arrive 30 minutes before your ceremony so they make it in time if they get caught in traffic. Have your hair and makeup done before arriving (grooms should arrive ready) and allow time for last-minute touches, to have a mimosa, allow guests to meet and mingle, and to simply breathe deep and enjoy the moment. Allow a few minutes at the end to change clothes if you wish, make sure you have everything and allow enough time to get to your next destination.
The final thing to take with you, regardless of the wedding you choose, is to remember why you’re getting married in the first place and accept the love you’ve found with joy in your heart. Do this and everything else will fall into place.