FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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How is a wedding chapel different from a wedding venue or church?
A wedding venue is any place a wedding can be held. A wedding chapel is a "one-stop shop," so to speak, where weddings and elopements are exclusively performed by on-site officiants. Wedding chapels differ from churches in that they offer a secular (non-religious) setting. Are your ceremonies legal? Yes. Our wedding ceremonies are 100% legal and binding per Maine state law. Do you perform LGBTQ weddings? Love is love! Firefly Wedding Chapel is an inclusive space that performs wedding ceremonies for everyone. What's required to get married in Maine? You don't need to be a resident of Maine to get married here, but you will need a marriage license from the state of Maine and two witnesses present at your ceremony. |
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How do we acquire a marriage license prior to our wedding?
There is no waiting period in Maine. Couples can walk right into town hall and get a marriage license on the spot. If you're traveling here from out-of-state please visit Kittery Town Hall (just a mile and a half down the road from us). They require photo ID, and a divorce decree or death certificate (if either of you have been married before). For further info on obtaining your marriage license please visit Maine.gov.
What if we show up without a marriage license?
Ceremonies performed without a marriage license are not legally binding so don't forget to bring it with you! Vow renewals (where couples are already married), and commitment ceremonies (where couples want a ceremony without being legally wed) are different from civil ceremonies/weddings and don't require a marriage license.
What if our guest list exceeds your package limits?
Being a wedding chapel means we cater exclusively to elopements and small weddings. We designed it this way to keep our packages affordable. Our 30-minute packages allow two guests, and our 60-minute packages allow up to 30 guests. If you decide after booking a 30-minute package that you need to change to a 60-minute package, please call or email us and we will do our very best to accommodate you.
What is your booking availability?
Our online booking system can schedule appointments as far in advance as one year, and as soon as one week. Appointments are available 7 days a week, between 10:00AM and 6:00PM. (Once a time slot is booked it will no longer show as available.) If you have your heart set on a ceremony outside of those hours, or sooner than one week, please call or email us.
What can we expect on the day of our wedding?
You and your guests may park in our free parking lot right out front. We recommend arriving before your guests, with hair and makeup already done. Your officiant will take your marriage license, then escort you to your private dressing rooms to get changed in. Once your guests have arrived and you are ready, we will begin the ceremony. After vows have been exchanged and the ceremony is finished, your marriage license will be signed by the officiant and your witnesses. You and your guests are then welcome to mingle and take photos for the remainder of your scheduled time.
We have a special song we'd like to walk down the aisle to. Is that ok?
Definitely! If you email us an MP3 of the song beforehand we can play any song your heart desires. If you don’t have a specific song request we will play our house ceremony song that is unique to our wedding chapel.
Can we bring our own wedding officiant to marry us?
Absolutely! While an in-house officiant is included with every package, if you have someone special whom you'd like to officiate, please let us know and bring them along! Just be sure beforehand that they meet Maine's legal requirements to perform the ceremony.
Can we bring our own photographer?
Yes indeed! We have packages that offer digital images taken after your ceremony on our Fuji X-T3 camera, but should you want your own photographer to be present for a larger photography session you are more than welcome to bring them.
Can we post photos and video on social media?
You sure can! And if you grant us permission, we'd love to share your photos on ours too. You can find and tag us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
What happens if our wedding plans change?
All payments are non-refundable. Like your commitment to each other, we are committing our services to you on your big day. We do understand that life can sometimes throw curveballs, so we offer rescheduling with advance notice, or you may gift your payment to another couple.
We want to get married RIGHT NOW. Can you help us?
As long as you have your marriage license and we have an opening at our chapel, the answer is YES! Call us ASAP and we’ll make it happen.
Is it customary to tip?
Tipping is not expected or necessary. Instead, please consider leaving us a review on Google. It would be much appreciated!
What is your COVID-19 protocol?
Our team has been fully vaccinated and our venue is equipped with an HVAC system. State recommendations and community levels can be found via the Office of the Governor. If you are immunocompromised and have special needs or requests (masking or otherwise) please let us know. Your safety is our priority.
What if I have a question not found here?
Reach out to us anytime! Our email and phone number can be found on our contact page.
There is no waiting period in Maine. Couples can walk right into town hall and get a marriage license on the spot. If you're traveling here from out-of-state please visit Kittery Town Hall (just a mile and a half down the road from us). They require photo ID, and a divorce decree or death certificate (if either of you have been married before). For further info on obtaining your marriage license please visit Maine.gov.
What if we show up without a marriage license?
Ceremonies performed without a marriage license are not legally binding so don't forget to bring it with you! Vow renewals (where couples are already married), and commitment ceremonies (where couples want a ceremony without being legally wed) are different from civil ceremonies/weddings and don't require a marriage license.
What if our guest list exceeds your package limits?
Being a wedding chapel means we cater exclusively to elopements and small weddings. We designed it this way to keep our packages affordable. Our 30-minute packages allow two guests, and our 60-minute packages allow up to 30 guests. If you decide after booking a 30-minute package that you need to change to a 60-minute package, please call or email us and we will do our very best to accommodate you.
What is your booking availability?
Our online booking system can schedule appointments as far in advance as one year, and as soon as one week. Appointments are available 7 days a week, between 10:00AM and 6:00PM. (Once a time slot is booked it will no longer show as available.) If you have your heart set on a ceremony outside of those hours, or sooner than one week, please call or email us.
What can we expect on the day of our wedding?
You and your guests may park in our free parking lot right out front. We recommend arriving before your guests, with hair and makeup already done. Your officiant will take your marriage license, then escort you to your private dressing rooms to get changed in. Once your guests have arrived and you are ready, we will begin the ceremony. After vows have been exchanged and the ceremony is finished, your marriage license will be signed by the officiant and your witnesses. You and your guests are then welcome to mingle and take photos for the remainder of your scheduled time.
We have a special song we'd like to walk down the aisle to. Is that ok?
Definitely! If you email us an MP3 of the song beforehand we can play any song your heart desires. If you don’t have a specific song request we will play our house ceremony song that is unique to our wedding chapel.
Can we bring our own wedding officiant to marry us?
Absolutely! While an in-house officiant is included with every package, if you have someone special whom you'd like to officiate, please let us know and bring them along! Just be sure beforehand that they meet Maine's legal requirements to perform the ceremony.
Can we bring our own photographer?
Yes indeed! We have packages that offer digital images taken after your ceremony on our Fuji X-T3 camera, but should you want your own photographer to be present for a larger photography session you are more than welcome to bring them.
Can we post photos and video on social media?
You sure can! And if you grant us permission, we'd love to share your photos on ours too. You can find and tag us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
What happens if our wedding plans change?
All payments are non-refundable. Like your commitment to each other, we are committing our services to you on your big day. We do understand that life can sometimes throw curveballs, so we offer rescheduling with advance notice, or you may gift your payment to another couple.
We want to get married RIGHT NOW. Can you help us?
As long as you have your marriage license and we have an opening at our chapel, the answer is YES! Call us ASAP and we’ll make it happen.
Is it customary to tip?
Tipping is not expected or necessary. Instead, please consider leaving us a review on Google. It would be much appreciated!
What is your COVID-19 protocol?
Our team has been fully vaccinated and our venue is equipped with an HVAC system. State recommendations and community levels can be found via the Office of the Governor. If you are immunocompromised and have special needs or requests (masking or otherwise) please let us know. Your safety is our priority.
What if I have a question not found here?
Reach out to us anytime! Our email and phone number can be found on our contact page.