How to Get Married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse — A Complete Guide

Planning a Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding is one of the most beautiful choices you can make. Whether you’re dreaming of a weekday elopement filled with charm or a private ceremony with all your favorite people, the Santa Barbara Courthouse is iconic. With its Spanish-revival architecture, tiled staircases, and lush gardens, it’s the perfect backdrop for couples who want style, history, and unforgettable photos.

As a Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding photographer who has photographed dozens of ceremonies here, I’ve created this guide to make your planning simple—and to help you see how magical your day can be when you lean into the beauty of this location.

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SEE MY SANTA BARBARA COURTHOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTIONS

Why Couples Choose the Santa Barbara Courthouse

This isn’t just a courthouse—it’s one of the most photographed wedding venues in California. With sunlit archways, colorful tiles, iron balconies, and the famous Sunken Gardens, the courthouse feels like a European fairytale. Eloping in California? It doesn’t get better than this.

For couples who care about style, fashion, and photography, a Santa Barbara Courthouse elopement is the perfect way to create a day that feels chic, modern, and completely unforgettable. Every corner of the courthouse offers a stunning backdrop, and as your Santa Barbara Courthouse elopement photographer, I know exactly how to capture it.

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Civil Ceremony (Weekday Elopement)

• Monday–Friday by appointment only
• Officiated by a Deputy Marriage Commissioner (short and sweet, 5 minute ceremony)
• Up to 15 guests total (including your photographer + witness)
• Ceremony lasts 5–10 minutes on the upper west lawn
• Photos afterward anywhere on the grounds

Costs

• $104 public marriage license
• $23 ceremony fee
• 30- or 60-minute appointment slots depending on whether you get your license the same day

This is the perfect choice for couples who want a Santa Barbara Courthouse elopement that’s simple but still stylish. Add flowers, dress beautifully, and plan extra time for photos—it’s amazing how much joy and elegance you can create in a short window.
The ceremony must take place on the far west lawn, and during busier times of year, there may be multiple weddings back to back. But that’s ok- after the ceremony, we can go anywhere we wish to take photos.
Keep in mind, they are quite strict about the guest limit. If you do go over the count, some of your guests will have to watch from at least 15 yards away.

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Private Ceremonies (More Flexibility + Style)

Small Private Ceremony (15 guests or less)

• Choose your own officiant
• Available weekdays or weekends
• Six ceremony locations to choose from: Sunken Gardens, Fiesta Stage, Bird of Paradise area, and more
• Perfect option for couples who want to exchange vows during their ceremony, have a longer more personal ceremony, and choose a spot that is more private with better views.

Large Private Ceremony (15+ guests)

• Three-hour reservation in the Sunken Gardens
• Options for arches, florals, chairs, and live music
• Feels more like a full wedding celebration

Private ceremonies are ideal for couples who want to bring in design details, décor, or create a more luxurious atmosphere. Setting up chairs allows you to have a true aisle, and adding those extra touches of florals, having your guests throw rose petals- it all makes for a more memorable experience.

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The Mural Room: Indoor Grandeur

For couples wanting history and elegance, the Mural Room is a breathtaking choice. With soaring ceilings, chandeliers, and hand-painted murals, it feels like a palace.

• $600 one-hour private ceremony (2025 pricing)
• Up to 100 guests
• Perfect for winter weddings or rainy-day elopements

It’s one of my favorite places to photograph as a Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding photographer because the atmosphere feels rich and timeless, and the light is gorgeous.

Quick Recap:

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

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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.

How to Reserve Your Santa Barbara Courthouse Wedding

• Book up to 12 months in advance, or as late as 5 days out
• Pay the ceremony fee when reserving
• Bring valid IDs, payment for your license, and a witness (unless using a confidential license)
• Public license: $104 | Confidential license: $105

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Pro Tips for Your Courthouse Wedding

• Book in the afternoon for the best golden light (perfect for photos!).
• Plan to get ready nearby—a chic hotel or Airbnb creates stunning “getting ready” portraits.
• Bring flowers and personal touches—even for elopements, details make your day feel special.
• Consider a vintage car rental—it looks amazing in photos and adds that “iconic” feel.

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Make It More Than Paperwork

Your Santa Barbara Courthouse elopement can be so much more than a quick ceremony. Many of my couples turn their day into a full celebration:

• Getting ready photos in a boutique hotel suite
• A private first look among the palm trees
• An intimate ceremony with vows and flowers
• Courthouse portraits (inside and out)
• Sunset photos at the beach or in downtown Santa Barbara
• Dinner and champagne at one of the city’s incredible restaurants

This is what makes hiring a Santa Barbara Courthouse elopement photographer so important—your photos are what turn the day into a memory you’ll hold onto forever.

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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.

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Santa Barbara Courthouse Wedding & Elopement Photography

The Santa Barbara Courthouse is one of the most stunning wedding locations in California—and whether you’re planning a simple weekday elopement or a stylish private celebration, having the right photographer makes all the difference.

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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.

If you’re searching for a Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding photographer or a Santa Barbara Courthouse elopement photographer who knows every corner of this historic landmark and can guide you through the process with ease, I’d love to connect with you. Let’s make your courthouse wedding feel like the celebration of a lifetime.

Why Hire a Santa Barbara Courthouse Wedding Photographer

If you care about how your day looks and feels, photography isn’t just documentation—it’s how you’ll relive your wedding. I specialize in Santa Barbara Courthouse weddings and elopements, working with couples who want:

• Stylish portraits that feel like they belong in a magazine
• Guidance on posing so you look confident and amazing
• Cinematic courthouse, downtown, and beach photos
• A relaxed, fun experience without stress

Because I want to give each couple my full attention, I only book two weekday courthouse weddings per month. If you’re dreaming of a day that feels stylish, fun, and iconic, reach out now to see if your date is available.

CLICK TO SEE MY SANTA BARBARA PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTIONS

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CLICK HERE TO SEE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTIONS