How to Get Married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse — Let’s Clear the Confusion
You’re planning a wedding at the Santa Barbara Courthouse—what a beautiful choice. Whether you’re dreaming of an elegant weekday elopement or a small celebration filled with your closest people, this iconic Spanish-revival courthouse offers history, architecture, and just the right amount of grandeur. Here is your guide to getting married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse so you can start planning your amazing wedding day!
But let’s be honest—figuring out the logistics? Not always as magical.
If you’ve found yourself lost in tabs and government jargon, let me simplify things. As a Santa Barbara wedding photographer who’s photographed dozens of courthouse ceremonies, I know this process inside and out—and I’m here to walk you through it step by step, so your day can be about joy, not stress.
First, What Makes the Santa Barbara Courthouse So Special?
This isn’t just any courthouse. With sun-drenched archways, tiled staircases, iron balconies, and the lush Sunken Gardens, this building feels like something out of a European fairytale. It’s one of the most photographed courthouses in the country for a reason. I’ve spent years exploring its corners and know exactly where to take those frame-worthy portraits—ones you’ll treasure for decades. I have written thos guide to getting married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse based on my experience of having photographed so many elopments and weddings here over the years.
Now, let’s dive into the details so you can make your ceremony official.
1. Decide Between a Civil or Private Ceremony
There are two main ways to say “I do” at the Santa Barbara Courthouse: a civil ceremony or a private ceremony. Here’s how to know which is right for you.
❖ Civil Ceremony (Weekdays Only – Up to 15 People)
- Offered Monday–Friday by appointment only.
- Officiated by a Deputy Marriage Commissioner provided by the courthouse.
- You can include up to 15 guests total (including your photographer and witness).
- The ceremony is short and sweet—just 5-10 minutes.
- You can take your photos afterward anywhere on the courthouse grounds.
- If you have more than 15 guests, the other attendees will be made to watch from at least 15 yards away, as the parks and rec has a rule that only so many people can gather at any one time unless the space is reserved for a private ceremony. They are quite strict about this.
Costs & Details:
- $104 for a public marriage license (as of 2024).
- $23 for the ceremony appointment fee.
- You can choose either a 30-minute ceremony slot (if you already have your license) or a 60-minute slot to get your license and marry on the same day. But remember the ceremony itself is very short!
This is the perfect option for couples who want something quick, heartfelt, and budget-friendly—with just a few favorite people in tow.
❖ Private Ceremony (Flexible Guest Count, Choose Your Officiant)
If you want to personalize your ceremony more or host it on a weekend, go the private route.
Two Types of Private Ceremonies:
💐 Small Private Ceremony (Fewer than 15 Guests)
- Choose your own officiant or bring a friend to get ordained.
- Available on weekends or weekdays.
- Six ceremony locations to choose from—Sunken Gardens, Fiesta Stage, Bird of Paradise area, and more.
- Most of these spaces are first-come, first-served, but you can request use when making your reservation.
🎉 Larger Private Ceremony (15+ Guests)
- Book a three-hour window in the Sunken Gardens.
- Available time slots: 11am–2pm or 3pm–6pm.
- Bring your own officiant.
- This option feels more like a full wedding—with a relaxed schedule, meaningful ceremony, and space to celebrate with loved ones.
- You can build an arch, bring in chairs and flowers, and make the space your own. You can also have live music playing on a small amplifier- as long as it’s not super loud.
The Santa Barbara Courthouse Mural Room: A Romantic and Historical Wedding Venue
The Mural Room at the Santa Barbara Courthouse is one of the most breathtaking places to say “I do.” With soaring ceilings, ornate chandeliers, and hand-painted murals that tell the story of California’s past, the room feels like stepping into a European palace. I could not write this guide to getting married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse without including the Mural Room as an option- especially for winter weddings!
It’s an ideal choice for couples who want an indoor ceremony with architectural grandeur, elegance, and rich historic charm. To reserve the Mural Room for your wedding ceremony, you’ll need to book a private ceremony through the County—these reservations are for one-hour time blocks and cost $600 (as of 2025). This includes access for your guests, your officiant, and your photographer. Keep in mind that these time slots fill quickly, especially on weekends, so it’s wise to reserve as early as possible.
2. Get Your Marriage License
You must have your license ready before your ceremony. You can apply through any California County Clerk’s office (not just Santa Barbara). A license is valid for 90 days.
- Santa Barbara County Marriage License: $104 (public) or $105 (confidential)
- Civil ceremony + license combo = easy peasy one-stop appointment
- Private ceremony = license must be obtained in advance
3. Parking, Planning & Pro Tips
- Park in one of the nearby garages—trust me, downtown street parking is a gamble.
- Schedule your ceremony in the afternoon for the best light, and so we can head to the beach afterwards for sunset photos.
- Bring your bouquet, your vows, and your favorite people—and don’t forget your IDs!
- You’ll want someone to witness you marriage license- if you’re coming just you two, I am happy to do it.
- Plan on getting ready in a nearby hotel and schedule hair and makeup for that morning- professional hair and makeup makes a big difference!
- Have me arrive to you hotel as your finishing hair and makeup and get some photos of you as you put on your dress, put on your jewelry, and get your finishing touches.
Make The Day Even More Memorable
Just because you’re eloping or having a small wedding doesn’t mean your day has to feel small. My guide to getting married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse would be remiss without encouraging you to really go all out with your wedding day- whether large or small, it’s still going to be so much fun!
Many couples choose to make a full, joyful experience out of their Santa Barbara Courthouse celebration—starting with getting ready photos in a beautiful hotel suite, sharing a private first look under the palm trees, then walking hand-in-hand into the ceremony surrounded by the people who matter most.
After the vows, we can take time for relaxed family portraits and dreamy couple photos around the courthouse grounds. From there, you might hop into a vintage car for a golden-hour drive along the coast, or head to an intimate dinner with your guests at one of Santa Barbara’s stunning restaurants. I offer photography packages designed to capture it all—from morning moments to sunset escapes—so every part of your wedding day becomes a memory you can hold onto forever.edding.
Make Sure You Can Look Back On Your Memories
This is the part I specialize i this guide to getting married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse is here to make sure your ceremony isn’t just legal, but unforgettable. I offer a select number of weekday elopement and courthouse wedding photography and videography packages designed specifically for Santa Barbara Courthouse ceremonies. These include everything from pre-ceremony portraits to celebratory champagne shots and all the dreamy in-between moments.
But availability is limited—I only take on two weekday courthouse weddings a month to ensure every couple gets my full attention. If you’re dreaming of vibrant, cinematic photos that reflect your love and this iconic location, now’s the time to reach out.
Let’s make this moment count—reach out [here] to check availability and start planning your courthouse wedding with me.
Quick Recap:
| Ceremony Type | Guest Count | Officiant | Days Available | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Ceremony | Up to 15 people | Courthouse-provided | Weekdays only | $23 fee + marriage license |
| Private Ceremony (<15) | Up to 15 people | Your own officiant | Weekdays & weekends | 6 locations to choose from |
| Private Ceremony (15+) | 15+ guests | Your own officiant | Weekends | Must reserve the Sunken Gardens |
Planning a Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding should feel exciting, not overwhelming. If you want someone who’s photographed at the courthouse countless times and knows exactly how to make your day feel magical, and the author of this guide to getting married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse- let’s talk. I’ll guide you every step of the way—with style, ease, and the kind of care that makes you feel seen.
[Let’s Plan Your Courthouse Wedding Together →]
2. Gather Your important documents:
This is information for a civil ceremony, or if you’re applying for your marriage license ahead of your private ceremony. Here’s what you need to bring with you:
A valid state-issued form of ID (driver’s license or passport)
Form of payment to cover the cost of the license and ceremony (and any additional location options you choose). Here is the basic fee info:
– Ceremony appointment reservation: $23 (you’ll pay this in advance when you make the appointment)
– Marriage license: $100
– Confidential license: $111
– Ceremony fee: $104
Witness (this person also needs to bring their ID; no witness needed if you’re doing a confidential license)
Rings (if you plan on exchanging them during the ceremony)
Vows (optional!) The Deputy Marriage Commissioner is not required to let you read your own vows during the ceremony, but it doesn’t hurt to ask (some will allow it)! You can always read them to each other privately afterwards if it’s not permitted during the ceremony itself. In my experience they usually allow this, but you can’t count on it.
3. Decide where you want to have your ceremony.
Here is a map of the outdoor spaces you can get married at the Courthouse:
The higher up lawn areas is where you will have to go if your are doing a free civil ceremony, and it’s basically all the same with a view of the lower gardens. If you are having a private ceremony you can do the Sunken Gardens for an outdoor wedding ceremony which is down in the lower courtyard by the big stairs in front of the cool door. You can set out chairs for people, have a dude playing guitar, have all the regular wedding stuff except you can’t have any amplified sound. You can’t throw rice either so maybe rose petals would be a nice alternative?
if you want to do an inside ceremony, which is a good idea if it might rain that time of year, I love the Mural Room. Its super pretty and feels so rich, almost like being in a church or a museum. The light is gorgeous, it’s very serene, and you don’t have to worry about where people will sit. I think its a gorgeous place to get married or at least go for some photos.
Once you have decided what kind of ceremony you would like, and where you would like to have your ceremony, you will want to make a reservation. You can reserve your wedding date as far as 12 months in advance and as little as 5 days in advance.
Cost for the different areas are as follows:
15 Guests or Less: Free on the top of the lawn
Mural Room: $700 max 100 guests
Courthouse Garden: $1200 The Garden is made up of 5 spaces; the Sunken Garden, Palm Terrace, Fiesta Stage, Bird of Paradise, and Rotunda Lawn. These spaces are all reserved as one. The maximum capacity is 250.
Finally you are ready to get married- now you just need a few more things like a wedding dress or outfit to get married in, flowers if you are anything like me and love them, perhaps an officiant, someone to play music for your ceremony, and plans for what to do afterwards for your wedding reception if you are having one. And of course don’t forget you will need a Photographer and/or videographer to capture your best day ever!
I have wedding photography and/or videography collections for weekday weddings and last minute weekend elopements at the Santa Barbara Courthouse. My light and airy style is the perfect fit for the beautiful gardens and ground of the Courthouse and I am a real sucker for fun and whimsical garden weddings. I also love taking couple’s down to the beach for sunset photos later in the day, and I love meeting up with brides and grooms in the morning for some getting ready photos too.
I love creative free spirited couples and am down to do anything you want to do for your wedding day pictures. Reach out asap because these are quite limited per month and I would love to see if I am available. Hope this guide makes it a little easier for you to plan your SB Courthouse wedding and hope to be a part of it!
Fill out the contact form below, or reach out here and I will be right back to you with information of having me photograph your wedding day.
