Your Love Story is Your Ceremony
A UNIQUE ELOPEMENT
DESTINATION in the STRATFORD, CT
BEACH WEDDING, CONNECTICUT STYLE
If you're picturing a beach wedding in Connecticut — sand underfoot, the sound of the tide, and none of the noise of a big production — you're in the right place!
I live just a few blocks from the Seawall Overlook here in Stratford's Lordship neighborhood, where Long Island Sound meets a quiet stretch of public coastline — and I would love to officiate your private beach ceremony just for two or a small handful of guests.
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No tents, no timelines, no crowd — just your vows, the water, a marriage license and it's Official!
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Because our ceremonies take place on public shoreline, they stay small and simple on purpose — which is exactly what makes them feel personal. But this isn't a sign-and-go moment. After your ceremony, tour this lovely area for all the best pictures spots, celebrate with a cocktail overlooking the water at our sea side restaurants or visit our local shops. Make your private beach wedding in Connecticut a unique and memorable experience!
KATHY VASS
Justice of the Peace & Ordained Minister
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Officiating weddings in Connecticut since 2018
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Specializes in custom written love story ceremonies and simple private elopements.
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Fellow beach lover!
Choose Your Beach Ceremony
SEAWALL CEREMONYโ $275
SIMPLE CEREMONY + SELF TOUR
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A simple ceremony on the sand along the Lordship seawall.
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Basic ceremony script.
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Includes ring exchange and personal vows per request.
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2 hour public parking nearby.
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Up to 6 guests welcome to join us.
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Bring your photographer or I'll snap some pics for you!
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I return your signed marriage license to Stratford Town Hall after the ceremony.
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โ30-minute experience
- $275 for weekdays Mon - Thu
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$400 for weekends (Fri - Sun)
LORDSHIP LOOP $375
PERSONAL CEREMONY + GUIDED TOUR
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A little more personalized than the Seawall Ceremony using your answers from a questionnaire.
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A private post-ceremony driving tour of the neighborhood's best photo spots — the Bluffs, the Lighthouse, and Long Beach
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COMING SOON: Tour Via Golf Cart!
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Ideal for bringing a photographer with you for plenty of post ceremony portraits.
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I return your signed marriage license to Stratford Town Hall after the ceremony.
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90-minute experience
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$375 for weekdays Mon - Thu
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$500 for weekends (Fri - Sun)
BAYVIEW HOUSE
PRIVATE HOME + GUIDED TOUR
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Private waterfront home rental in the Lordship neighborhood.
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Ceremony can be as simple or as fully custom as you'd like.
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Accommodates up to 30 guests
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A private post-ceremony driving tour of the neighborhood's best photo spots — the Bluffs, the Lighthouse, or Long Beach.
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Photographers welcome!
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COMING SOON: Tour Via Golf Cart!
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I return your signed marriage license to Stratford Town Hall after the ceremony.
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Ceremony fee and home rental priced separately.
It's a Wedding Wednesday or a Weekend Getaway!
One of the best parts of a Connecticut beach wedding in Lordship is it's within a real neighborhood with lots of local spots for a
unique elopement destination.
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After you say "I do!" you and your guests can choose one our waterfront restaurants to celebrate!
WATER FRONT DINING
STAY A NIGHT, OR TWO!
Surfside Motel: Right above Little Pub with balcony views of Long Island Sound.
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A SANDWICH OR A SLICE
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SHOPS & TREATS
VISIT OUR LIGHTHOUSE
Stratford Point Lighthouse is open to tour every Sunday between April 1 - October 31 between 11:30AM - 3:30PM. When closed, you can still get a great view from the gate so don't pass it up.
One more thing before the big day: Your Stratford Marriage License!
Connecticut requires your marriage license to be obtained from the town where the ceremony takes place. Please contact Stratford Town Clerk to book an appointment, often scheduled about two weeks out.
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Please note that as October 2026, the Connecticut marriage law is changing. Currently there is no waiting period between applying for a marriage license and receiving it. That will change to a 48 hour wait so please plan accordingly and ask the town clerk to clarify if you have any questions.โ
A list of neighborhood spots for post ceremony photos, shops and restaurants for celebrations are provided with every package!
Aside from officiating, I also make custom vows with hand written calligraphy. Order yours for your personal words of love and promise through my Etsy store!
Real Connecticut Beach Weddings
Laura and Alex got engaged at Nubble Light House in Maine during a Nor'Easter so when they called me in December to ask for a simple beach elopement, they assured me that no amount of cold weather would deter them. Short Beach was the site of their New Year's Eve morning ceremony!
"Kathy made our wedding day feel so special. I dreamed of a beach wedding since I was a little girl and I got just that. The beach was private and offered beautiful views. I could not have imagined anything more perfect”
– Jenna and Anthony
"We didn’t choose a beach because it was pretty. We chose it because beaches have always been part of our story. When we decided to elope at Short Beach on a beautiful New Year’s Eve, Kathy embraced our vision without hesitation and created a ceremony that was even more meaningful than we imagined. She had us smiling before it started, laughing throughout, and wiping away a few happy tears by the end. It felt personal, heartfelt, and completely us. The experience meant so much to us that when it came time for our wedding with family and friends, we knew we wanted Kathy there too. There simply wasn’t anyone else we could imagine telling our story. If you’re looking for someone who will make your ceremony feel authentic, joyful, and unforgettable, Kathy is that person." — Laura and Alex