Pasadena City Hall Weddings: Complete 2024 Guide

Table of Contents

22 May, 2024

Are you considering having a Pasadena City Hall wedding ceremony? I'm a wedding photographer who has had the honor of documenting over 50 intimate weddings and elopements there.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about getting married at Pasadena City Hall, whether you’re eloping, planning a micro-wedding, or going all-out.

Pasadena City Hall Wedding Photos

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 tiny, quick, and discreet ceremony during non work hours, in my experience one won't have to reserve the space, making Pasadena City Hall free to use. Note: this is not a guarantee. However, I have captured many elopements there and that has been my experience so far!

If you're planning on having a larger ceremony with several guests, you'll need to reserve the space (more details on this below!) The courtyard can be reserved here and the cost can range from about $750 - $5,500. This will privatize the space for your ceremony and allow you to bring in items (decor, seating for your guests, music, etc.)

How to Get Married at Pasadena City Hall: The Step-by-Step Guide

Alright, now let’s break this down into actionable steps so you can get your dream wedding on the books.

Step 1: Determine if 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
The timing of your ceremony

Pasadena City Hall is a public space making it free for all to use. However, it is also home to several 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.

Crucial: It's important to use discernment here. If you know that realistically you're not going for elopement vibes and you're probably going to have a large guest count or opt to have your ceremony during business hours (8:30 am - 5 pm), a reservation will absolutely be required. Ceremonies with too many people that are causing a distraction & don't have a reservation will be stopped by a security guard.

If you plan to have a larger guest count OR a ceremony during business hours (8:30 am - 5 pm), read the following:

There is no hard rule, but in my experience, if you're having a larger guest count (I would say over 12 people), a ceremony reservation is required.
If you want your ceremony to be during business hours (even if it's a small guest count), a ceremony reservation is required.
Your Pasadena ceremony reservation can be obtained HERE. This reservation 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.

If you plan to have a tiny, discreet elopement during NON business hours (before 8:30 am or after 5 pm), read the following:

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 and make for a really beautiful experience!

STEP 2: Choose Your Ceremony Date (My Recommendations Below)

If you're not reserving the space, I would 100% recommend a Monday - Friday date. This is because Pasadena City Hall gets extremely crowded on weekends. Keep in mind, all of the weddings taking place in nearby cities use Pasadena City Hall as the backdrop for their wedding party photos.

If you are reserving the space, I'd recommend a weekend date, as the courtyard will be privatized for you, meaning you'll have intimacy regardless.

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 fairly often. Please check 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.

STEP 2: Choose Your Ceremony Time Based on Your Preferences

If you prioritize intimacy and an empty space:

Early Morning (Before 8:30 AM): Fewer crowds, soft + pretty light, and a peaceful atmosphere.

Note: Pasadena City Hall is the most crowded on weekends or weekdays the 2-3 hours before sunset.

If you prioritize amazing, golden light:

Golden Hour (2 Hours Before Sunset): That dreamy, golden, romantic lighting

I recommend googling the time the sunset will be on the day you want to have your ceremony and use that to gage what time the light will be best. Keep in mind, there is always going to be more people during golden hour, compromising intimacy. By "more people," I mean a lot of people. Pasadena City Hall is a SUPER popular place for photography.

Note: During winter the sun goes down at around 4:30 pm. In this case, if you aren't booking the space with the reservation fee, an early morning ceremony BEFORE business hours would be best since it would already be dark AFTER business hours.

Lighting at Pasadena City Hall

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, if you're going for an evening golden hour ceremony, you'll want to start your ceremony a minimum of 2 hours before sunset. This will also ensure enough time for portraits while the sun is still out.

Again, 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.

Step 3: Get Your Marriage License

Before you walk down the aisle (or grand staircase), you’ll need a marriage license. Here’s what you need to know:

You can obtain your marriage license at any California County Clerk’s office.
Both of you need to be present, bring valid ID, and be ready to pay the fee (which ranges from $61 to $91 depending on the county).
There’s no waiting period, so you can get married the same day if you want!
The license is valid for 90 days, so plan accordingly.

You can apply for your Pasadena marriage license HERE.

Step 4: Book Your Wedding Permit

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 50 times I've photographed there), but if you'd rather not stress about it, I'd recommend getting it to be extra safe.

Please note, any location photography permit fees are the responsibility of the couple.

This permit costs about $90.00 and can be obtained HERE.

STEP 5. 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. Memories get hazy. These will transport you back to the day and serve as an heirloom for you family.)
A florist for your bouquet
Hair and Makeup Artist

Looking for a photographer for your Pasadena City Hall Photos? Reach me Below!

STEP 6: Provide Your Guests With the Following Details

Tell your guests to arrive at least 20 minutes before the actual ceremony start time. I can't stress this enough. Traffic in LA can be terrible.
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!
Pasadena City Hall's restrooms are closed on weekends. Otherwise, they have very nice, spacious, and accessible restrooms open Monday - Friday.
Pasadena City Hall is wheelchair accessible

STEP 7: Make Plans for After Your Ceremony!

Below are my personal favorite restaurants for a post Pasadena Courthouse Wedding or Elopement!

Nancy Meyers Inspired

Julienne Fine Foods (Do you ever wish you were on the set of a Nancy Meyers or Nora Ephron film? I've probably seen "You've Got Mail" and "The Holiday" 50 times now. This place feels like that. It is enchanting. It's a perfect brunch spot!

Intimate Dinner

The Arbour Incredible farm to table food, romantic, allows couples to rent out a separate space for their intimate event)
Cafe Santorini (perhaps my favorite restaurant in Pasadena. Incredible mediterranean food with twinkling lights. This place books up fast, so book in advance).

Outdoor Celebration

The Langham Huntington (Luxury garden setting)

Pasadena City Hall Wedding FAQS

Does Pasadena City Hall or The Pasadena Courthouse Perform Civil Wedding Ceremonies?

No. Pasadena City Hall or the Pasadena Courthouse (which is right next to Pasadena City Hall) DO NOT 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.

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!

Beverly Hills Courthouse

Santa Barbara Courthouse

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.

Lighting Tips

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.

2 Hours is typically enough to cover the following: a 15 minute ceremony, family/friend portraits, and couple portraits.

Lighting at Pasadena City Hall

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, if you're going for an evening golden hour ceremony, you'll want to start your ceremony a minimum of 2 hours before sunset. This will also ensure enough time for portraits while the sun is still out.

Reach Out About photography for your Pasadena Elopement Here!

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!

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!