The Santa Barbara Courthouse is an Affordable Wedding Venue Renowned for it’s Charm and Architecture

As a Santa Barbara wedding photographer that loves shooting at the Courthouse, I get so excited when I hear from a couple getting married at this unique and beautiful wedding venue. Wether you are eloping or having a larger wedding the Santa Barbara Courthouse is a hidden gem in our own backyard in terms of affordable wedding venues. It’s gained popularity lately as word has gotten out about how beautiful it is while also being wallet friendly. As a public government building, it’s surprisingly romantic and the atmosphere really feels like another world. People come from all over to elope or have their wedding ceremony there- from tiny micro weddings to larger affairs, the Courthouse has room for all.

Eloping or hosting a larger wedding ceremony at the Santa Barbara Courthouse is a smart and wallet savvy choice that offers a romantic backdrop for couples seeking a beautiful and elegant celebration that still feels expensive. As a Santa Barbara Courthouse photographer, I have had the privilege of capturing countless love stories against the stunning architecture and natural beauty of this iconic location. It’s one of my favorite wedding venues in all of California to take wedding pictures, for reasons I will go into below.

Before we go into details about why you should consider eloping or having your ceremony here, take advantage of my free and easy GUIDE on how to go about this. You can also see some more beautiful photos from a gorgeous summer wedding at the Courthouse that I shot right here.

The best reason to get married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse is that I offer some affordable wedding photography packages for couples having elopements or weddings on the weekdays! Besides this, I am going to break down 6 more reasons to have your wedding at the Santa Barbra Courthouse from a Santa Barbara wedding photographer with years of experience shooting there.

1. It’s an Affordable Santa Barbara Wedding Venue that Looks Expensive

Finding an affordable wedding venue in Santa Barbara is harder than going skinny dipping on Mars these days. With Santa Barbara being a town filled with luxury, it can be challenging for couple’s wanting to get married to find any good options for wedding venues that aren’t frightfully expensive, and many turn to backyards or going out of the area to make their wedding days happen. That said, Santa Barbara is also home to one of the most stunning wedding venues in all of California- and it’s shockingly affordable. Look no further than the Santa Barbara Courthouse- a low cost wedding venue that feels anything but cheap.

The loveliest thing about having a wedding at the courthouse is couples have money left for things like photography, their wedding reception, the flowers, the dress, and the honeymoon. Blowing one’s entire budget on a venue often means losing out on these other important things- especially if wedding photographs are important to you. After all, your photos are all you have to remember your wedding day when it’s all said and done and you really don’t want to skimp out on something so long lasting. I

n 20 years your kids probably won’t care if you got married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse or the Ritz Carlton, but they will be bummed if they don’t have any photos of your wedding day to look through.

The cost to get married at this spanish style historical slice of beauty ranges from $500 for a small elopement on the upper lawns, to $1000 for the cool and serene museum-like Mural Room, to $1500 for the sunken garden lawn. The fee even includes an officiant to help you read your vows and perform your ceremony.

How much you pay depends on how many people you are inviting and where you want your ceremony to be- the Santa Barbara Courthouse allows up to 150 people or so but the price increases as you invite more wedding guests. There are some restrictions on where you can get married depending on your guest count to consider as well- larger weddings have to take place in the Mural Room and the sunken gardens.

Still, even $1500 bucks for a wedding ceremony in Santa Barbara is a great deal considering many wedding venues want upwards of $25,000 just to put your foot in the door.

2. The Santa Barbara Courthouse is An Architectural Marvel

The Santa Barbara Courthouse, with its Spanish-Moorish architecture and lush gardens, provides an enchanting atmosphere that effortlessly translates into fairytale and timeless photographs. The Sunken Gardens, framed by vibrant bougainvillea and palm trees, serve as a breathtaking venue for exchanging vows.

The historic courthouse building itself becomes a captivating backdrop, adding a touch of elegance to every shot. Looking up at their gorgeous facades one feels transported to another time all together- wether in the sunken garden or standing in the serenity of the Mural room, one can’t help but appreciate the elegance of the surroundings, and the wedding photos are too beautiful for words.

Whenever I take wedding photos at the Santa Barbara Courthouse I always get excited- there are so many gorgeous spots I love to go. Your guests will love to explore the grounds and be in awe of how beautiful the area is- for a downtown Santa Barbara sure is a step above most cities. It’s a lovely place to walk around and there are many wonderful sites for your guests to see both at the venue and afterwards.

3. Its a beautiful Place for Courthouse Wedding Photos

It goes without saying that the SB Courthouse is a wedding photographers dream come true. I have been shooting there for 15 years and I feel like each time I go I find another cool or unique spot for wedding pictures. I love the lush gardens and huge arch over the main staircase. It’s an iconic must have photo for any couple who gets married there.

The upper floor has a breathtaking hallway with arched windows that let in the most dreamy afternoon light, perfect for a gorgeous photo of a bride holding her bouquet or standing with her bridesmaids. The stairs are wonderful for wedding party and family photos, super timeless and elegant and you really can’t beat the lawn for timeless wedding portraits.

The Mural Room is a must have with its huge windows, fine paintings and warm jewel tones- it almost feels like being in a church. The Grand staircase is another iconic photo spot you have to have- I love to have my couples practice their first dance while I shoot down on the for a creative and visually stunning wedding picture that will surely end up on a wall in your home.

There is no prettier time at the Santa Barbara Courthouse than sunset when the light gets soft and dreamy and perfect for those couples photos. One of the unique advantages of a Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding is the opportunity to bask in the golden hour glow. The late afternoon sun casts a warm and flattering light, creating a dreamy atmosphere that enhances the romantic feel of the occasion. As a photographer, this magical lighting can elevate the visual storytelling of the day, resulting in enchanting and ethereal images. Finding that warm light through the leaves and using it to create dreamy images in my favorite.

As a photographer, I guide couples through the Santa Barbara Courthouse spaces, capturing both posed and candid shots that showcase the natural beauty of the venue while highlighting the unique connection between the couple.

4. Downtown Santa Barbara Offers Tons of Wedding Reception Options

Santa Barbara is renowned for its local charm, and incorporating this into your courthouse wedding enhances the overall experience. Working with local vendors, from florists to caterers, can infuse a touch of the region’s distinct personality into your celebration. As a Santa Barbara photographer, I find that these local elements contribute to a more personalized and authentic visual narrative. I know many amazing vendors that work with couples having Courthouse ceremonies, including some amazing reception venues right about the corner that are perfect for a wedding reception large or mini.

You basically have your pick of amazing restaurants in downtown Santa Barbra all within walking distance. I have had couples do a wide variety of celebrations after their wedding- from heading to lunch with close family at a hole in the wall to having a full wedding reception at places like El Paseo Mexican restaurant and my favorite venue in Santa Barbara, Villa and Vine.

You can dance under the stars or party the night away in the Cabrillo Ballroom by the sea- you can even take more photos out on the beach after your ceremony if you want to head that way. The sky is the limit for how to celebrate your wedding day after your ceremony makes it official.

5. An Destination Wedding in A Beachside Paradise

I remember growing up in Central California and watching 80’s movies about California beaches, and thinking that it was strange how CA in the movies looked nothing like where I lived. But then I grew up and visited Santa Barbara and realized the movies had it right- and I feel so blessed to be a photographer in such a gorgeous vacation paradise.

Saving money on your venue means more money for either a couple’s honeymoon or a vacation with the whole family for a wedding weekend. There are tons of fun things to do in Santa Barbara both before and after your wedding- just reach out to me if you need some ideas on fun wedding weekend activities. Take full advantage of the beautiful ocean on a boat cruise of the harbor, or to parasailing at the beach, or even just lay by the pool at one of Santa Barbara’s beautiful hotels.

6. It Works for Any Wedding Style and Colors

As a photographer I really feel like the Courthouse is a great setting for any style of wedding and any type of couple, wether you like boho or florals or vintage or classic wedding styles- it can be a perfect fit for any vibe you want to bring. As a light and airy wedding photographer I love all the greens and golds of the venue, but I have seen it work with any type of wedding photography.

It’s fun to get creative and add some personal twists onto your wedding and your wedding photos and plan your wedding day around who you are as a couple. You can have a Bohemian beach vibe with an open backed mermaid dress, a classic wedding gown with long lace sleeves, an ultra modern slip dress, or a full princess gown and veil. You can go as fancy or as causal as you wish- you can even do a mini dress a giant bow look or channel Sex and the City and do a gorgeously tailored white suit dress aka Carrie Bradshaw. Really anything goes- you can just be you.

Getting married is expensive- and some couples don’t have the budget for a wedding venue that is in the thousands just to walk in site. Even if they do, the Courthouse is still a tempting option because of its grand beauty and fairytale feel. I have always thought it is kinda romantic to get married at a Courthouse and it’s a really fun place for candid memories to happen.

Whether it’s the laughter shared during wedding vows or an unexpected glance between you, some fun quirky photos or iconic poses, all these authentic moments on your wedding day become treasured memories. As a photographer, my goal is to seamlessly blend into the background, capturing the raw and unscripted emotions that make each Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding truly unique- and also to guide you in having timeless and classic photographs from your day.

Save Money and Still Get Married in Style

In conclusion, getting married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse for an elopement, small wedding or even larger wedding offers couples a chance to create lasting memories against a backdrop of timeless beauty. It’s a venue that works with nearly any wedding budget freeing up money for things like your photos or your reception, or even that honeymoon to Paris.

It offers inexpensive ceremony locations for elopement’s and larger weddings in really unique and historically rich surroundings your family with love to see. It works with nearly any wedding style and colors you can think of, and looks luxury even though its affordable. It’s in a beautiful town with access to the each and amazing restaurants and things to do at your fingertips.

Affordable Wedding Photography Packages

As a Santa Barbara wedding photographer who specializes in garden wedding venues, light and airy and candid wedding photography, I love the Courthouse and always get excited about photographing a wedding there. I have some really affordable wedding photographer packages for weekday weddings and last minute elopements that will help you save even more money and still get amazing weddings. I do fill up fast however because I only take limited Courthouse Weddings so reach out as soon as you can to book your photography. I am so excited to meet you and help you get the best wedding photos of your Santa Barbara wedding day possible!