I’m so disappointed and don’t know what to do.

I’m not in Houston but I work in a courthouse in Maryland. Because of Covid, civil ceremonies are cancelled until further notice to limit the interaction that we have to have with people. You may want to call or email them and ask if they have a tentative date of when they will resume them.

I’m sorry you’re not able to do what you were planning. Did the officiant just decide to go on vacation? It’s crazy to me that they would decide to go on vacation over the day they were supposed to officiate your marriage- unless they didn’t know the date?
I’m not in Houston either and I really don’t know the area to give any recommendations, but I hope you can find a new plan. Try to focus on the good- that you found the person you want to spend your life with. Covid has caused a lot of disappointment and stress, give yourself the time you need to feel sad and disappointed, and give yourself some kindness. Things will get better, no telling when, but your relationship will be stronger for the obstacles you have overcome together.

Oh wow. That's unfortunate. I would definitely reach out and see if they have any solid answers for you. I hope they have a new date available for you. And what's up with your officiant?? That's messed up that he decided to go on vacation during the time you were supposed to (still might) wed.

I'm sorry lady - I hope you find something that works for you both, and it's great you're still so flexible. I do understand that tired feeling though.

What about the Galveston? The Ashbel Smith building is gorgeous.
I get the Harris courthouse though, ugh. Its so scenic for pictures. Maybe you could find something around downtown? Get a license and an officiant and do the thing at an old building. Or the Aquarium!

View Quoted Comment No, I just inquired and that was the answer I received. We have gone through so many ideas for our ceremony and reception to try to accommodate COVID being around. Finally, we said if we are happy with the courthouse and just parents, why wait? Then we got this news from a courthouse that we were genuinely excited to marry at.

View Quoted Comment That is beautiful. Do you know any details about ceremonies there?

Chapel Dulcinea in Austin, Tx is my recommendation.


It is literally free and voted one of the most beautiful wedding venues in the USA. It's 2 hours from houston. It's has a 10 person limit due to covid. They have a virtual tour options.
They have an amazing local vendor list that I can't recommend enough.
If you have to start from scratch, elope there and it is gorgeous. Here are some photos from my wedding this February. The cakes were sweet treets. They are both cakes... very realistic cakes... 

Lots of ideas here:
https://www.wedding-spot.com/wedding-venues/Outdoor-Weddings/Texas/Houston/?utm_source=bing&mode=landing&utm_campaign=Search-VenueLocation-DSA&utm_keyword=Texas&utm_device=m&utm_placement=&utm_network=s&utm_medium=cpc&msclkid=73ab0698689b1ff7ed5259d4280c2cd6&utm_term=Texas&utm_content=Texas


They may go cheaper if you don't have that many guests. Also check out Peerspace.com and Eventective.com

View Quoted Comment Did you have enough time for ceremony and cake/toast?

View Quoted Comment We had 2 hours (30 mins to get ready on site with my hair was pre done). We did a 15 min ceremony. We had our first dance on the Terrance outside the chapel. And we did a toast and cake.


We organized it ceremony, dance, cake, toast, pictures, and went to a local restaurant for a dinner. This was a micro wedding pre covid-19 but this is viable for you. Most my vendors are available and good.


You can also do a pre /post wedding photo shoot for photos. You can book on a Wednesday for the wedding and book the second slot for photos for more time (not on a weekend though). You won't get the photos slot money back.


Sweet treets bakery for both cakes hywatt and starry night in tiramisu.


Katrina Bachett of spoken heart ceremony


Parkcrest floral was actually extremely affordable and good


We did terra vista strings for live music


David's bridal for flower girl and brides dress (the bm were diy little black dress)


The tables and chairs and table cloths were rented from chapel Dulcinea

View Quoted Comment That sounds great! So the second block of time is used just for pictures? Did you have pictures taken at dinner as well?

View Quoted Comment You can do that for just pictures on a Monday -Thursday. You would get 2 hours and private use. It's $200 to reserve the slot and it's not refunded like the wedding slot. We got married on a Friday and did pictures though in that 2 hours. But if you can, yes it is an option. Like I said, this is viable but you would be restricted to a 10 person count due to covid and this was all pre covid-19.



We had dinner at a semi private room in a restaurant called Walton's fancy and staples on 6th street. We paid the minimum for the room and did steak and chicken with Green beans and mashed potatoes. This vendor is a wedding catering and I don't know if they are still available. The food was delicious. I have no complaints of Meagan. She was a big help and the day of coordinator for the room.
Looking back, we would of been happy of we just did the cake and punch and kept it at chapel Dulcinea but this is what my husband wanted at the time. His parents also really wanted this and payed for it.








We also had photos taken at the hotel we stayed at for the first night. This is the historic hotel driskill on 6th street




I hope this is helpful. I really wish you all the best.

What about courthouse wedding chapel. They are located in Houston,Tx and really affordable.