‘Very cute, very quirky’ new wedding chapel Lucky In Love opens downtown

Lucky In Love co-owners from left: Kasie Murphy, Tia Ballard and Savannah Manzie. (Photos courtesy Tia Ballard)

For any Richmonders looking to tie the knot in 30 minutes flat, 402 E. Grace St. is the place to be.

That’s where Lucky In Love Chapel, a Vegas-esque wedding chapel spanning 1,000 square feet of pink-and-red 1950s Americana flair, is now open for weddings, elopements and vow renewals. 

Tia Ballard, Kasie Murphy and Savannah Manzie are the team behind Lucky In Love. Ballard, a wedding officiant in Richmond for about four years, has done over 500 weddings, everywhere from the woods to the Branch Museum to a courthouse fountain. 

In Richmond, while you can obtain a marriage license from the Circuit Court clerk, the courthouse does not offer wedding ceremonies. Ballard said she and the Lucky In Love team wanted to create a place for those who aren’t sure where to have their small ceremony at a price point lower than that of a typical wedding venue. 

“There’s not a lot of places to have small or intimate celebrations,” Ballard said. “Now, we have this cute little chapel for you to come in, if you just need to make it official.” 

After Ballard met Murphy, who has worked in event planning for about eight years, the two began coordinating elopements around the city about a year ago. 

The two then brought in Manzie, who has worked with Murphy on events in the past. After becoming a team of three, they scoured the city for a spot to open a chapel, eventually signing on to the East Grace Street space in April. 

The “altar” for Lucky In Love’s couples.

Ballard said that with a plethora of local businesses along East Grace Street, from Blue Sage Bridal at the block’s corner to drag bar Godfrey’s down the street, the Lucky In Love team felt the location made for a good place for couples who want to get married and then take their guests somewhere fun afterward. 

“It’s so walkable, and they love each other. The community was so welcoming,” Ballard said. “It’s such a community here that it felt like the place.” 

Murphy and Manzie also got certified as wedding officiants in recent months, and one of the three co-owners performs each wedding at the chapel.  

Murphy said the chapel’s theme fell into place easily for the team. a group of vintage lovers. Items like heart-shaped lollipops for all guests, vintage records that can serve as a guestbook for the married couple and a spinning disco ball under which newlyweds can have their first dance are just some of the touches the group believes make the chapel special.  

The décor also includes pale pink walls, red velvet curtains, mid-century modern ceramic cakes, vintage records and a large white-heart art installation.

And for a bride who needs a quick touch-up, the pink, black and white “lovebirds” powder room, complete with a pink portrait of two interlocked swans, is in the back of the venue. 

“It’s very cute, very quirky. That’s the vibe here,” Ballard added. “We’re a fun group.” 

Lucky In Love does only the ceremony portion of any wedding. All couples must arrive fully dressed and ready for the ceremony. 

Lucky In Love’s “lovebirds” bathroom features black-and-white motifs.

The chapel currently has three packages for couples looking to tie the knot.

The least expensive package, Virginia is for Elopers, offers a 30-minute ceremony and a framed Polaroid keepsake, with options to add additional photo time in the chapel and to add bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres. The package starts at $550.

The middle tier, The Picture-Perfect Couple, includes a 60-minute ceremony and framed Polaroid keepsake, along with a professional photographer snapping photos. Customers can add bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres and a customized cake. The package starts at $1,700.

The chapel’s top tier, The Jackpot, includes a 60-minute ceremony with a professional photographer, a framed Polaroid keepsake and floral arrangements from Yarrow Floral Co. and Weddings By Vogue. A customized cake from Pearl’s Bake Shoppe is also included. The package starts at $2,300. 

The chapel can fit up to 20 guests of the couple per ceremony. 

While customers need a marriage license from the courthouse in advance, Ballard said the Lucky In Love team handles further paperwork for each wedding. 

Ballard said the chapel’s team is working on creating partnerships with other local businesses, including things like a potential wedding dress rental system and a vendor list for reception places nearby. 

Lucky In Love is also working with local shop Na Nin to create custom candles for couples. 

Set to open its doors today (Friday), the chapel already has six or seven ceremonies on the books. Half of them have been from people walking by and just happening to see the space, Ballard said. 

And customers should not be wary of long wait times to get in at the chapel, Ballard said. Though the chapel is by appointment only, same-day appointments are possible. 

Guests can have their weddings the same day they request them for the Virginia is for Elopers package. For more expensive packages, Ballard said it will take around three days for the chapel to get the photographer and custom cake. 

“If you wanted to get married today and you called us this morning, come on in here and get hitched,” Ballard said. “Virginia is for lovers; all lovers. If you need a home for that, we got you.”

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