My husband and I are both California natives. He is originally from Escondido in Southern California and I was born and raised in Half Moon Bay which is just outside of San Francisco. After years of living together all over the state of California we decided to elope and get married inside San Francisco’s beautiful City Hall. Although there are so many amazing elopement places to choose from in California, we ultimately settled on San Francisco because it was the city where we met and fell in love.

Elopements have become increasingly more popular in modern times as couples are sometimes less willing to pay large sums of money to get married. A traditional wedding can easily cost up to $10,000. In contrast my husband and I spent less than $500 on our San Francisco elopement. We are the type of couple who’d prefer to spend our savings on buying a house and travel.

California is a popular state for elopements because of both the beautiful scenery and pleasant weather. Unlike other areas of the country, there’s always a region in both Northern and Southern California with mild and somewhat predictable temperatures. Outdoor weddings and elopements are always an option which means that you don’t have to plan and budget for an indoor venue.

In this blog post I will outline my top recommendations for California elopement cities and locations. The locale themes will vary from urban metro spots to nature and wilderness areas. They will all have excellent backdrops for wedding photography and your elopement will be so sweet and memorable.

How Elopements Work in California

During the planning process of your elopement you’ll need to visit the county clerk's office to obtain your California marriage license, figure out a venue and find an ordained officiant for the ceremony. Keep reading to get all the planning details.

All About Civil Wedding Officiants

If your elopement is taking place outside a city hall you’ll need to hire an officiant. The fees for experienced wedding officiants range usually between $400 - $900. Be aware that you may have to pay extra for additional services such as custom vows and a rehearsal.

To make your ceremony more personal you can have a friend or family member get ordained from the non-denominational Universal Life Church. This not only gives you more options to customize your vows but it can also save you a bundle of money.

If you get married at a California city hall then you will be married by a judge or a government official. This is another way to save money on officiant fees. I have listed the most beautiful and scenic courthouses in California for elopements at the bottom of this blog post.

Getting Your California Marriage License

Each state in the US has their own rules and regulations about getting married. California makes filing for a marriage license fairly simple and straightforward.

You need to meet the following criteria to obtain a marriage license in California:

Both parties must be legal adults (at least 18 years old).
Same Sex Gay Marriages are legal - yay!
You do not need to be a resident to get married in California.
Both parties must be present to apply and sign your marriage license application.
There is no waiting period to get married in California.
Your marriage license it’s valid for 90 days.
You are required to have a legal adult (at least 18 years old) witness your ceremony in-person.
For any additional questions you can find answers on the official California Department of Public Health Marriage License Page.

Documents and information you need to gather for your California Marriage License:

An exact cash payment is often required to pay the license fee. Amount varies by county, it’s usually around $100.
Personal information for both parties such as full legal name, address and place of birth.
You will also need to know personal information about your parents such as their legal name (including mother’s maiden name) and birth places.
Valid, government issued photo IDs such as a valid driver’s license, passport, military ID, or state issued ID.
Depending on the county, you may need to provide birth certificates.
If you’ve been previously married, you need to know the exact date of the marriage dissolution. Newly divorced spouses (finalized less than six months prior) must show a copy of your recent divorce decree.

Do you need a permit to get married in State and National parks in California?

Yes, you will need a permit to get married in a state or national park in California.

If you’re planning on pulling a fast one and trying to get away with getting married in a park without a permit, imagine this scenario: You’re in the middle of your romantic ceremony and then all of a sudden a park ranger interrupts the proceedings to ask for your permit. He then writes you a ticket with a huge fine for breaking the law. This is not the way you want to start your lifelong union with your partner. I have personally seen park rangers write several tickets while visit California parks so I wouldn’t risk it.

Get more information on the California Department of Parks and Recreation Wedding Website here. If you are specifically planning a wedding in Yosemite you can see the National Park Service Yosemite Wedding Website here.

One important thing to remember is all National Park fees stay within the National Park system. So you aren’t just paying a check to get government, you’re helping conserve our parks.

Top Northern California Elopement Spots

San Francisco

I may be a little biased because my hometown is in the Bay Area but I’ve always felt there’s something so romantic about San Francisco. From the Golden Gate Bridge to the Victorian architecture, the photo opportunities for an elopement photo shoot are endless.

While you pretty never need to worry about extreme heat, be aware that San Francisco can be cold and foggy at a moment’s notice. Both the bride and groom should plan on wearing layers for an outdoor ceremony. Also, San Francisco is a very expensive city so you should plan on extra budgeting for hotels and Uber rides (parking can be difficult to find and parking garages are very expensive).

See my guide to Best Photography Locations in San Francisco.

Yosemite National Park

Hands down Yosemite National Park is one of the most stunning places in the United States. And you can totally have a wedding inside the park. I’ve seen some really stunning wedding photos taken with mountain and valley views in the backdrop. Each season is different with lush green fields and flowers in the spring, colorful auburn foliage in the fall, winter wonderland snow scene in the winter and warm nights in the summer.

When you’re looking for hotel accommodations during your stay in Yosemite, check out the cabins and bridal suites at Tenaya Lodge. They’ve got modern meets rustic design in their Explorer Cabins and Contemporary Suites. Plus they are dog-friendly if Fido is attending your elopement!

To get your wedding permit for Yosemite head over to the National Park Service Yosemite Wedding Website here.

Check out the stunning photos from our Winter Trip to Yosemite.

Lake Tahoe & South Lake Tahoe

The entire Lake Tahoe area draws outdoor enthusiasts like moth to a flame because of the breathtaking nature views. This is another place were you can enjoy all glories of each season and you can pick a season theme for your elopement.

The Lake Tahoe water is so turquoise blue in the summer and it makes for super colorful photos. In the Sierra Nevada Mountains you will experience plenty of winter snow and I’ve seen some really sweet white Christmas wonderland weddings in Tahoe.

Our favorite place to stay in South Lake Tahoe is Basecamp. It’s very whimsical and camper themed.

Redwood National and State Parks

The Redwood National and State Parks are a collection of government preserved forests the along the Northern California coast. The Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park has old-growth redwood forests with enormous trees in the Grove of Titans. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is located in Humboldt County and it has the famous Fern Canyon where movie Jurassic Park was filmed. Redwood National Park’s Lady Bird Johnson Grove has giant old-growth redwood forests along coastal Northern California.

Central California Elopement Spots

Sequoia National Park

Along the southern Sierra Nevada mountains you’ll find another place in California with giant redwoods in Sequoia National Park. Noteworthy spots to visit inside the park are Moro Rock granite dome with panoramic park views and the Giant Forest with enormous sequoia tree General Sherman. Sadly the famous Tunnel Tree fell during a storm and is no longer standing.

Death Valley National Park

Death Valley has such a dramatic desert landscape and makes for some really exotic wedding photos. A permit is required to get married inside the park which can take up to 60 days to process. Death Valley has some extreme temperatures so you need to plan your elopement either in the spring between the months of March through May or the fall between October and December. Keep in mind that these are also the busy seasons and it may be tougher to make reservations.

San Luis Obispo

While San Luis Obispo is known as a college and Mission town, there’s many beautiful areas that would serve as an excellent backdrop for an elopement wedding.

If you’re into having a wedding with fun and over-the-top glamour then you can book the famous Madonna Inn (or just stay here for your wedding night).

For a more modern vibe the Granada Hotel is a great option. The exposed brick and vintage inspired decor make it an ideal place for wedding photos. The hotel is centrally located downtown and walking distance to many gourmet restaurants.

Carmel & Monterey

Located right on the coast in Central California are the popular destinations Carmel and Monterey. The beaches are covered in pristine white sand and the weather is mild and welcoming. Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small village with fairytale cottages and Michelin star restaurants. This is definitely a place where you could both get married and enjoy your honeymoon in the same place.

Top Southern California Elopement Spots

Joshua Tree National Park

For those seeking a hippie nature vibe with a touch of spirituality, Joshua Tree has been the go-to for many decades. The giant rock formations and spectacular sunsets make for memorable wedding photos. The park is open year round and a permit is required.

Glamis Sand Dunes

The Glamis Sand Dunes is another very exotic place to take your wedding photos. These enormous sand dunes truly look like you’re in the middle of the Sahara Desert, but you’re actually just in Southern California. Because the sand is difficult to stand in, it’s not recommended to actually have your ceremony at this location. You’ll want to avoid the Glamis Sand Dunes during Thanksgiving because it gets taken over by UTV vehicles for an annual event.

Malibu

Malibu has many beautiful beaches and coastal scenery which are picture perfect for small weddings. You’ll need to apply for a permit to have a ceremony on a public beach on the LA County Beaches website. There’s also many small venues in the Malibu hills that will host an elopement wedding.

San Diego

San Diego is the quintessential California surfer cool city and there’s hundreds of great elopement spots in the area. The weather is almost always warm and sunny too.

My favorite beaches and neighborhoods in the San Diego area for an elopement are:

Best City Halls for a Courthouse Wedding in California

Choosing to get married inside a California city hall can save you a lot of cost and hassle with both obtaining permits and hiring an officiant. Luckily California has many beautiful city halls to chose from and they can make for lovely wedding photo backdrops. I’ve listed below the most popular California city halls for elopements.

San Francisco City Hall

All the photos in this blog post were taken inside and outside the San Francisco City Hall. Our ceremony was performed by a judge at the top of the stairs under the rotunda. Only 6 people are allowed to stand with you for the ceremony. The rest of our party had to wait at the bottom of the stairs. The ceremony was very quick but we had plenty of time to take photos around the building.

Santa Barbara Courthouse

The Santa Barbara Courthouse is a stunning place to get married. The building has a clock tower and Spanish style architecture. There’s balconies with views and lush gardens for photos. Get more information on Santa Barbara Courthouse weddings here.

Riverside Historic Courthouse

The Riverside Historic Courthouse has very grand architecture with large columns, arches and stained glass. It truly is a beautiful place for wedding photos. Get more information on Riverside County weddings here.

Beverly Hills Courtyard Wedding

The Beverly Hills Courthouse is a very popular wedding spot for brides and grooms looking to capture that LA magic. There’s palm trees and gothic carved architecture. And of course you’ve got all that Southern California sunshine. Get more information on Los Angeles courthouse weddings here.

San Diego City Hall Courthouse

The San Diego Courthouse has some good photo opportunities for elopements with a blue mosaic tile arch at the front entrance, water fountains and a bright exterior. Get San Diego City Hall wedding info here.

Is it Worth Hiring a California Elopement Photographer?

For myself the answer is a resounding yes! Your wedding only lasts for a short period of time but you’ll have your photos to cherish forever. You may have some sticker shock at the prices of experienced photographers, but I would still recommend hiring a professional instead of a friend or an inexperienced photographer. I have friends who tried to save on photographer costs by having an amateur take their photos and it hasn’t always resulted in great photos.

What should the bride and groom wear for an elopement?

The answer to this question is super easy - wear whatever you want! You can opt to go full bridal with a fancy wedding gown and tuxedo or you can choose more casual outfits. It really depends on the style of the couple and the vibe of the setting where you’re having the elopement.

I encourage couples to feel free to make their wedding their own and not feel constrained by old traditions. If you’re planning an outdoor national park elopement then you might want more rustic styled clothes such a cotton bohemian style wedding dress and for the groom a button shirt with brown or blue slacks. For urban city elopements you can easily go more glam with tule, sparkle and satin fabrics.

Before you make any clothing purchases, do some browsing on Pinterest and make a wedding inspiration board. Then review all the photos with your fiancé and decide on your elopement outfits together.

Guide to Selecting a California Elopement Package

If the prospect of planning your elopement feels daunting and you’d rather outsource it to a professional then you may want to purchase a California elopement package. You can expect to pay a minimum of $500 but more likely over $1,000 for an elopement package in California.

Your wedding coordinator will handle the logistics for elopements items such as obtaining your marriage license (you will still have to go to courthouse yourself), flowers, officiants, on-site helpers, photographer and hair and makeup.

Details you should ask when purchasing an elopement package:

Can they help with obtaining a permit for an elopement in a state or national park?
Can you select other vendors outside their list for flowers, photographers, officiants, etc.
Do they have different packages tiers where you can customize the services?
Make sure they have a refund policy in case your plans change.