Are you looking to have a Pasadena City Hall Wedding or elopement in 2024? I am a Pasadena wedding photographer who has documented several weddings and elopements at Pasadena City Hall and the Pasadena Courthouse.
This guide includes all of the updated information for 2024 that you need to know for a Pasadena City Hall wedding or elopement, including how to have an elopement or wedding at Pasadena City Hall, what time/days are the best to have a more intimate ceremony at Pasadena City Hall, whether music and decor is allowed, and more!
Pasadena City Hall Wedding Photos
Does Pasadena City Hall or The Pasadena Courthouse Perform Civil Wedding Ceremonies?
No. Neither Pasadena City Hall or the Pasadena Courthouse (which is right next to Pasadena City Hall) perform Civil Ceremonies. However, Pasadena city Hall provides a breathtaking and accessible backdrop for your wedding day ceremony and photos.
To formally legalize your ceremony, you will need to bring your own officiant and apply for your marriage license beforehand. This process is very easy and I provide all the steps on how to do this below.
SoCal Courthouses that DO Provide Civil Ceremonies
If you prefer to get married at a city hall that is one & done, in the sense that it performs civil ceremonies on site by providing their own officiant, the following two SoCal Courthouse options are great. Check out my guides on how to elope at those city halls below!
How much is It to Have a Ceremony at Pasadena City Hall?
This depends on whether or not you'll need to reserve the space for your ceremony. If you're having a larger ceremony with several guests vs an elopement type of ceremony, you'll need to reserve the space. The courtyard can be reserved here and it is roughly around $950. This will privatize the space for your ceremony and allow you to bring in items (decor, seating for your guests, music, etc.)
Steps to Have a Pasadena City Hall Wedding Ceremony
1. Determine Whether You’ll Need to Make a Reservation for Your Ceremony
Whether or not you'll need to make a reservation is dependent on 2 factors:
- Your guest count
- Time of day you'd like to have your ceremony.
Pasadena City Hall is a public space making it free for all to use. However, it is also a home to many offices and there is security, so a ceremony can't be held without a reservation if the ceremony is causing a distraction or impeding on other people's right to freely use the space.
With that said, if one wants to have a formal or larger scale ceremony DURING business hours at Pasadena City Hall, a ceremony reservation is required. This can be reserved in advance HERE. This reservation is roughly around $950 and will privatize the space so that you have the entire space to yourselves for the ceremony! This will also allow you to bring in external items, such as decor, seating for your guests, etc.
On the other hand, if you're planning on having a tiny, discreet elopement during NON business hours, you should be able to freely use the space without an issue. Keep in mind, this is not a guarantee. However, based on my experience, discreet ceremonies that have been respectful of the space by following these two guidelines have gone very smoothly!
Please keep in mind that if you are planning on having several guests during business hours and bringing in any sort of decor, a reservation is absolutely required. Ceremonies with too many people that are causing a distraction & don't have a reservation will be stopped by a security guard (from my experience).
2. What is the Best Date/Time to Have a Ceremony at Pasadena City Hall?
If you're planning on having a ceremony without making a reservation, I highly recommend the ceremony take place during non business hours to increase the likelihood that everything will go smoothly.
This can be on a weekend or weekday before 8:30 am or after 5 pm.
What is the Best Time/Day to Have a Ceremony If You Don't Want A lot of People Around?
Definitely early morning before business hours. Pasadena City Hall is most crowded on weekends because all of the weddings taking place in nearby cities use it for their wedding party photos. It is also VERY crowded on weekdays the 2-3 hours before sunset.
Can I have My Ceremony on Any Day?
No. One thing to note is that Pasadena City Hall is often used for private and large scale events very often. I would check out their calendar to ensure that there aren't any events taking place on the day you're looking to have your ceremony. If there is an event, they guard the entire building off making it impossible to access.
When is the Best Time to Have My Ceremony at Pasadena City Hall in Terms of Light?
It's important to note what time the sun is going down on your ceremony date. For example, during winter the sun goes down at around 4:30 pm. In this case, an early morning ceremony BEFORE business hours would be best since it would already be dark AFTER business hours. Lighting plays a huge aspect when it comes to one's Pasadena City Hall wedding photos, so it's super important to consider sunrise/sunset time frames.
Please keep in mind that Pasadena City Hall gets darker earlier! This is because it's surrounded by buildings, which means a lot of the light is blocked. With this in mind, you'll want to start your ceremony about 2.5 hours before sunset. This will also ensure enough time for portraits while the sun is still out.
3. Secure Your Marriage License
You can apply for your Pasadena marriage license HERE. The Los Angeles County provides a marriage license to couples getting married for a small fee of $91.00.
IMPORTANT: Keep in mind you'll have to have your ceremony without 90 days of getting your license. An officiant will be needed for the ceremony and to legalize everything by the signing the license right after the ceremony.
4. Book Your Vendors
Vendors for Pasadena City Hall weddings or elopements typically include the following:
- An officiant (Couples often use a friend or family member for this as one can get ordained online in a day it using someone you know as the officiant will make the ceremony more personal).
- Your photographer (Please don't skip on this. This is what you'll be left with years from now to look back on the day).
- A florist for your bouquet
- Hair and Makeup Artist
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5. Secure Your Pasadena City Hall Photography Permit
This permit costs about $85.00 and can be obtained HERE.
I called Pasadena City Hall and inquired about this and a permit is technically required, even if your photographer DOES have a Pasadena business license. I will say though that a permit is RARELY asked for at this location (probably 1 out of every 25 times I've photographed there), but I would recommend getting it just in case to be on the safe side. Please keep in mind every location has different permit requirements/costs.
6. Provide Your Guests With the Following Details
For a seamless Pasadena City Hall wedding, it helps to tell your guests to arrive at least 20 minutes before the actual ceremony start time. I can't stress this enough. Additionally, inform them about Pasadena City Hall parking. Pasadena City Hall is located at 100 Garfield Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101. There is metered parking surrounding the area!
7. Make Plans for After Your Ceremony!
Below are my personal favorite restaurants for a Pasadena Courthouse Wedding or Elopement!
The Arbour
This is a farm-to-table restaurant with a relaxed, woodsy feel. The food is spectacular. It also allows couples to rent out a separate space for their intimate event.
Cafe Santorini
This would be my personal choice to celebrate at after a Pasadena City Hall wedding. With twinkling lights surrounding the restaurant, the ambiance is so romantic! It has incredibly delicious mediterranean food, too!
The Luggage Room Pizzeria
This place has THE BEST pizza. It has an elegant, yet relaxed atmosphere, making it an excellent choice for a casual elopement dinner. If you’re looking for brick oven pizza for a late night wedding snack, this may also be a great option. They can bring everything to make the pizzas at your Pasadena wedding reception, offering guests a fun dining experience!
La Grande Orange Cafe
This place has a really cool ambiance, making it a great option for a Pasadena elopement, intimate wedding, or rehearsal dinner. The restaurant is an old train station, now turned into a fancy restaurant that takes you back in time. It’s super charming and visually beautiful!
Pasadena City Hall Elopement FAQS
Is Decor Allowed?
Unless you are making a formal reservation to privatize the space for your ceremony, no, decor of any shape or form is NOT allowed. It's key to remain respectful of the space to ensure a smooth ceremony.
Is Music Allowed?
I've seen couples play music, but it's generally very low as to not distract the employees at Pasadena City Hall. If you're planning on playing music, I would definitely recommend having your ceremony during non business hours and playing it at a low volume.
Can We Bring Our Pet?
I don't see why this would be an issue! Feel free to bring your pet and have them be a part of your intimate ceremony! :)
Is Pasadena City Hall WheelChair Accessible?
Yes, thankfully it is!
Can We Have a Reception at Pasadena City Hall?
While Pasadena City Hall is primarily used for ceremonies, it may be possible to host a small reception on the grounds. Contact the Special Events office to discuss options and any additional fees or restrictions that may apply.
Is Parking Available for Guests?
Yes, there is parking available near Pasadena City Hall. However, availability may vary, so it’s a good idea to provide guests with information about nearby parking options and any associated fees.
How Much Does a Pasadena City Hall Wedding Cost?
The price of this will depend on whether you're having a very small elopement or inviting more guests. If you're planning on having a larger ceremony during business hours, Pasadena City Hall requires a ceremony reservation permit which costs about $950. This can be reserved in advance HERE.
If you're leaning towards a tiny, discreet elopement style ceremony during NON business hours, Pasadena City Hall is free to use. Your wedding cost will depend on other factors, including:
- Your marriage license fee (your officiant will help you with this!) (Around $150)
- A photo permit (for the second floor if you're having your session DURING business hours) ($85)
- Wedding Day Outfits
- Wedding bouquet
- Photography
- Makeup / Hair
- Whether You're Hosting a Dinner Reception
What Are the Best Photo Locations for Pasadena City Hall Wedding Photos?
The following are my personal favorite locations!
- In front of the Pasadena City Hall building, near the street
- In front of the fountain inside of the Pasadena City Hall courtyard
- In one of the open passageways/hallways, near the courtyard
- On of the many staircases (there are 5 total)
- On the Bridge, located on second level of Pasadena City Hall (this can be accessed via one of the staircases). ** Keep in mind, a photo permit is needed to take photos on the second level!
- Across the street, there is this really interesting church with gorgeous gothic architecture
Important Tips for Pasadena City Hall Wedding Photos
Let's talk tips for your Pasadena City Hall wedding photos!
Schedule enough time for your photos
There is so much variety when it comes to any Pasadena City Hall photoshoot. For this reason, I wouldn't schedule any less than 2 hours of photography here, including the time for the ceremony. Realistically, anything less than that would feel super rushed & wouldn't do justice to the space.
2 Hours is typically enough to cover the following: a 15 minute ceremony, family/friend portraits, and couple portraits.
Schedule photos during the morning or golden hour
The best time for a Pasadena photoshoot is in the early morning, before 8:30 am or during the golden hour, which is the hour before the sun goes down. Please keep in mind that Pasadena City Hall is enclosed by the building's structure and trees, so it gets darker earlier there. For that reason, I recommend starting portraits 90 minutes to 2 hours before the sun goes down.
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Benefits of a Pasadena City Hall Wedding
The architecture is breathtaking
If you and your partner are fans of amazing architecture, this City Hall Pasadena is a great place to say "I do." The photos will come out spectacular as well, which is always a nice bonus! The space brims with beauty, attention to detail, and elegance in every corner.
It is close by to a lot of restaurants
The amazing thing about Pasadena is that is has SO MUCH variety. It is a charming place filled with so much to do and see. This includes restaurants, museums, nightlife, bookshops, architecture, coffee shops, parks, wine shops, the rose bowl, etc.
With this in mind, you can always host your elopement or ceremony at City Hall Pasadena and then have the reception somewhere nearby, perhaps at a local restaurant.
It's easy to have a wedding there
Planning a wedding can be exhausting! Having an intimate Pasadena City Hall elopement or wedding will save so much time, money, and energy!
Hotels Near Pasadena City Hall
Perhaps you have guests traveling to attend your Pasadena City Hall wedding! Below are my personal hotel recommendations around the area!
- The Westin Pasadena - This hotel is right across the street from Pasadena City Hall. It's literally a two minute walk away! I always recommend this hotel if couples are traveling from out of town. Staying so close to Pasadena City Hall will make everything very simple and stress free on your wedding day!
- Langham Huntington, Pasadena - This hotel is luxurious and gorgeous! If you want an amazing experience, this is the hotel to stay at in Pasadena! Keep in mind that this hotel is about a 10 minute drive from Pasadena City Hall as its located in South Pasadena.
- Hyatt Place Pasadena - This hotel is about a 5 minute drive from Pasadena City Hall, however it's located in old town Pasadena, meaning you'll be close to A TON of restaurants, bookstores, shopping, etc. If you're staying in Pasadena for the weekend and want to easily explore the area, this is the hotel to stay at!
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Wedding Venues Near Pasadena City Hall
You may want to integrate the beauty of City Hall Pasadena into your wedding day somehow, but perhaps you're still looking for a wedding venue for a larger wedding reception.
In this case, Pasadena City Hall can be used for your ceremony or some portraits, while a nearby wedding venue can be used for your reception. Below are some of my personal favorites. The great news is that they are all very close to Pasadena City Hall.
You can view my list of the 50 most unique Pasadena wedding venues below!
List of 50 Unique Pasadena Wedding Venues
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I’m Elyana, a Los Angeles wedding photographer whose intention is to capture relationships in a manner that is artistic and heartfelt.
My goal on your wedding day is to make sure you feel beautiful, celebrated, and seen.
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