Dreaming of a stunning California courthouse wedding surrounded by beautiful gardens and rich architecture? Look no further than Santa Barbara! This gem on the Central Coast is the ultimate destination for your Santa Barbara Elopement. Say “I do” at the iconic Santa Barbara County Courthouse with our Santa Barbara Courthouse Elopement package, soak in golden beach sunsets, explore vibrant State Street for dining and shopping, and enjoy the charm of historic Stearns Wharf. Add wine tasting, waterfront bike rides, and endless adventures to the mix, and you’ve got a stress-free, unforgettable Santa Barbara Wedding experience. Elope in Santa Barbara, where beauty, romance, and fun come together effortlessly!
Location: Santa Barbara, California, United States
Elopement length: 6h
Meeting point: At your hotel or Airbnb in Santa Barbara.
Participants: 6 guests can join apart from the couple.
No children allowed
No dogs allowed
Activity level: Moderate – Few hours hike or walk.
Climate: Mediterranean climate – Winter with moderate temperatures and changeable, rainy weather. Summers are hot and dry.
Available: All Year Round
Meet your Santa Barbara Elopement Photographer
Hello, I am Allie.
As a Santa Barbara Wedding expert and planning cheerleader, I specialize in elopement weddings at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. I am your local resource for ensuring your Santa Barbara Courthouse Elopement is a success.
I am always honored to document your Santa Barbara Elopement Day. My husband & I eloped ourselves, so we know what an amazing experience and decision it can be to elope! I’m here to help with your planning questions. Need recommendations for other local vendors or places to stay? I’ve got you!
Your Santa Barbara Courthouse Elopement - Itinerary
The timeline will be adjusted according to the specific sunset time on your chosen date, which may vary based on the time of year:
1:00 pm – The photographer will meet you at your hotel or Airbnb in Santa Barbara for the getting ready and detailed photos.
1:30 pm – First look
2:00 pm – Depart for the ceremony location
2:20 pm – Arrive at Santa Barbara County Courthouse grounds for ceremony
2:30 pm – Ceremony
3:00 pm – Portraits and marriage license signing
3:30 pm – Depart for Funk Zone
4:00 pm – One-hour bike rental for a ride along the waterfront park.
5:00 pm – Return the surrey/bike rental. Options in Funk Zone include – wine or beer tasting at a local winery or brewery, walking to Stearns Wharf, or taking a mural tour of local art.
6:30 pm – Head to the beach to watch the sunset
6:45 pm – Sunset first dance
7:00 pm – End time
Your Santa Barbara Elopement - Comments
There is a possibility to reschedule your Santa Barbara Wedding by +-2 days in case of Severe weather.
We can suggest restaurants in Santa Barbara for dinner after the itinerary concludes. Additional time can be added to include photography during dinner if desired.
LGBTQ+ friendly: As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I am both privileged and honored to frequently document LGBTQ+ weddings. I will tailor the ceremony and planning to meet your specific requests, pronouns, and preferences. I am a proud member of EquallyWed Pro and serve as an educator on how to support LGBTQ+ clients within the wedding industry.
There is a possibility to get legally married: I am ordained and can officiate and sign a marriage license if needed. The marriage license must be obtained in advance from Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder’s Office. Here are the details of what you should know about legal marriage.
First, complete the Marriage License Application online through the Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder’s Office. Online requests remain active for 7 days. After submitting the application, both of you must appear in person at the office during business hours to purchase the license. Be sure to bring government-issued photo identification with you. The license fee is 100 USD. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen or a California resident to apply for a marriage license. Both of you must present a valid, government-issued photo ID. Examples of acceptable identification include:
Driver’s License
Passport
Consular ID Card (Matricula)
Military ID
Permanent Resident Card
Payment Plan & Terms:
A 15% deposit is payable directly through the platform to secure your date. Adventure Wedding Platform’s 21-day money-back guarantee applies.
35% after the first video call directly to the vendor.
The final amount is due two weeks before your Santa Barbara Elopement through a bank account or PayPal.
Your Santa Barbara Elopement package includes
Timeline planning
Surrey/bike rental for 1 hour
Officiating and signing of a marriage license
Complete photographic documentation of the whole trip with 3 exclusive photo sessions (wedding ceremony, wedding portraits, sunset portraits) – min. 300 edited high-res photos delivered within 4 weeks after your Santa Barbara Elopement
Sneak peek of 50-75 high-res photos delivered within 24 hours
Content creation on iPhone with short clips taken throughout the day, perfect for sharing on socials or just for reminiscing – delivered within 24 hours
Your Santa Barbara Elopement package does not include
Transportation – You will need to have your own car for transportation to the courthouse if your lodging is not within walking distance.
Marriage license – You must obtain this in advance.
Meals
Your Santa Barbara Courthouse Elopement - Packlist
Rings & ring box
Vows if you’d like to write your own
Favorite song for your sunset first dance
Close-toed shoes for bike/surrey ride
Your Santa Barbara Elopement - Tips & Info
Nearest airport – Santa Barbara Airport
Depending on the location of your hotel or Airbnb, a rental car may be necessary.
For a walkable experience, I recommend staying near the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, where a variety of hotels and vacation rentals are available.
Your Santa Barbara Elopement - Add-ons
Guests (up to 6 people) can join your Santa Barbara Elopement at no extra cost. They can be part of group pictures afterward. However, they are not included in bike or surrey rentals, and they will need to arrange their own transportation and meal expenses.
Accommodation Scouting Service – Recommendations of local hotels/AirBnbs based on your requests and travel dates – 50 USD
Bridal Flower Bouquet – From a local florist – 240 USD/piece
Boutonniere – From local florist – 40 USD/piece
Additional Photography –Â Available for extended coverage after the itinerary (i.e. small group dinner reception) – 400 USD/hour
