Planning Your Santa Barbara Courthouse Wedding

Planning a Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding? First off — great choice. As a wedding photographer, I’ve had the pleasure of capturing countless weddings and elopements at this iconic location. And trust me, it never gets old. With its Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and that gorgeous Mural Room, it’s a great option that is both picturesque and accessible.

But while it may look like an ideal setting (and it is), planning your wedding here still comes with its own little to-do list. That’s where I come in.

So grab your favorite drink, settle in, and let’s walk through everything you need to know to plan a beautiful, stress-free Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding — from permits and ceremony spots to timing, photography tips, and a few secrets only locals know.

Why Choose a Santa Barbara Courthouse Wedding?

Besides the obvious (hello, incredible architecture and golden California light!), here are a few reasons why couples get married at this location from all over the world:

• It’s budget-friendly. A courthouse wedding gives you all the beauty without the high cost of a traditional venue. This means you get to save that money and spend it on your honeymoon! :)
• Intimate, Meaningful, and Stress Free
• You get options. Indoor and outdoor ceremony locations? Check.
• No chapel vibes here. The Santa Barbara Courthouse feels more like a historic garden estate than a government building.
• It’s elopement and micro-wedding friendly. Perfect for intimate celebrations.
• Endless photo ops. In my humble opinion, it definitely is the prettiest courthouse in California.

Steps to Have a Santa Barbara Courthouse Wedding

STEP 1: Decide on Your Ceremony Type

There are two ways to get married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse:

1. Civil Ceremony with a Deputy Marriage Commissioner

• Santa Barbara Courthouse weddings are held Monday through Friday during business hours (typically between 10am and 4:30pm).
• Performed by a County Clerk staff member.
• You can choose to get married inside the Hall of Records or outdoors in one of the courthouse gardens.
• The locations outdoors are non reservable. It's a matter of first come, first serve.
• Up to 10 guests allowed.
• Cost: $104 for the ceremony, plus $100 if you want a confidential marriage license.

2. Private Ceremony (You Bring Your Own Officiant)

• You rent a specific area on the courthouse grounds or in the Mural Room.
• Ideal for larger guest counts (up to 100 depending on location).
• Gives you more flexibility with timing and setup.
• Cost: Varies depending on location:
  • Mural Room: $600 for 2 hours
  • Gardens: $300–$400 (half-day rental)

STEP 2: Reserve Your Ceremony Site

If you’re planning a civil ceremony, you’ll book directly through the County Clerk-Recorder’s Office. You can make your appointment online or by calling their office. Start here

If you’re going the private ceremony route, you’ll need to:

• Contact the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Reservations Office
• Choose your desired site (more on those below!)
• Pay the rental fee and secure your date
• Book your courthouse location here

Pro tip: These spots book FAST, especially the Mural Room. If you have a dream date, reserve it at least 6–12 months out.

STEP 3: Choose Your Location

The Mural Room

• Indoors, with soaring ceilings and floor-to-ceiling murals
• Historic, dramatic, and weather-proof
• Capacity: Up to 100 seated
• Ideal for formal ceremonies or elegant micro-weddings
• Details: https://www.countyofsb.org/1066/Courthouse-Mural-Room-Weddings

Photos of Mural Room Ceremony Below

The Sunken Gardens for Santa Barbara Courthouse Weddings

• Iconic outdoor location with lush grass, palm trees, and a sweeping staircase backdrop
• Capacity: Up to 100 guests
• Best for spring and fall weddings when the gardens are in full bloom

Photos of the Sunken Gardens Ceremony Below

The Palm Terrace or Fiesta Stage

• Smaller outdoor areas that offer privacy and charm
• Great for weekday weddings or smaller groups

Photo of the Palm Terrace Below

Hall of Records Patio

• Often used for civil ceremonies
• Simple, shaded, and surrounded by Spanish architecture

Photos of the Hall of Records Below

STEP 4: Get Your Marriage License

• You’ll need to make an appointment at the County Clerk’s Office (1100 Anacapa St.).
• Both partners must be present with valid ID.
• No blood test required, and you can get married the same day if you like.
• Marriage license is valid for 90 days.
• For more details, click Here.

IMPORTANT: An officiant will be needed for the ceremony and to legalize everything by the signing the license right after the ceremony. The Santa Barbara courthouse can provide an officiant and perform a civil ceremony if you prefer that over bringing in your own officiant.

STEP 5: Hire Your Dream Photographer (Possibly Me?! :) )

Let’s be honest — the Santa Barbara Courthouse is a showstopper, but it takes a skilled eye to capture it at its best. As a photographer who’s shot dozens of weddings here, I know all the secret nooks, the best times for golden light, and how to navigate crowds to make it feel like it’s just the two of you. If you're looking for someone to capture your Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding photos, feel free to reach out below.

Who Am I a Great Fit For?

I'm a great fit for those who value presence, love, and connection over all else. For those that value people over things and feel that time spent with loved ones or each other is their number one priority.

Interested in Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding photos? Feel free to reach me below!

STEP 6: Organize Everything You Need to Bring

What do I need for a Courthouse Wedding in Santa Barbara?

1. A valid form of ID (drivers license or passport)
2. For You & Your Partner: full Names, address, date & place of birth
3. Names & birth places for each of your parents, including your mother’s maiden name
4. Payment
5. Witness (this person also need to bring his or her ID). The Santa Barbara Courthouse can provide a witness if needed! Note: If you're doing a confidential license, a witness isn't needed. A confidential license: $111 instead of $104.
6. Your ring and vows
7. Your closest loved ones or just the two of you
8. A photographer to document all of the magic!

STEP 7: Plan the Rest of Your Day

Whether you’re eloping or bringing a handful of guests, there are so many fun ways to celebrate after your ceremony:

Grab a Bite:

• Mesa Verde
• Los Agaves
• Villa Wine Bar & Kitchen
• Brophy Bros (Best Seafood Ever!)
• Convivo
• Santo Mezcal

Do a Photo Adventure:

• Walk down to the Santa Barbara Historical Museum
• Hit the beach at Butterfly or East Beach
• Explore the Funk Zone for murals, wine tasting, and cool industrial textures

Host a Small Dinner:

• Rent a private room at a restaurant or a charming Airbnb
• Hire a private chef for a backyard dinner party

STEP 8: Reserve Accommodations if You’re Traveling

If you're coming from out of town, here are some accommodations I recommend:

• Kimpton Canary Hotel
• Palihouse Hotel Santa Barbara
• Harbor House Inn - LOVE this place because the rooms come with kitchens and outdoor patios / it's also walking distance from the ocean
• Simpson House Inn
• Chesire Catt Inn - These cottages are the cutest

These hotels are all really close to the courthouse and to various restaurants!

Dinner Reception Venue Options

Thinking of having a more formal dinner reception after your Santa Barbara Courthouse ceremony? I recommend looking at my comprehensive list of Santa Barbara Wedding venues below:

Santa Barbara Wedding Venues Complete List

When is the Best Season, Day & Time to Have My Ceremony at the Santa Barbara Courthouse?

Best Season for Your Ceremony

Santa Barbara has amazing weather year-round, but:

• Spring (March–May): Lush gardens, wildflowers, mild temps
• Fall (September–October): Warm light, golden tones, fewer tourists
• Summer: Beautiful but busier
• Winter: Quiet, moody, romantic — and easier to book your date

Best Day for Your Ceremony

If you're having a Santa Barbara elopement, I highly recommend eloping on a Monday -Thursday to avoid crowds. Weekends can get super crowded at the Santa Barbara Courthouse with several wedding parties using it as their location to take portraits.

Best Time for Your Ceremony

As far as the best time for Santa Barbara Courthouse ceremonies, it's one of the two options:

• Before 11 am because the sun won't be as harsh yet
• Within 2.5 hours before the sun sets to take advantage of the golden hour.

Once you decide on your date, make sure to make your reservation for your Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding appointment here.

Pro Tips From a Photographer Who’s Been There (A Lot):

• Schedule your ceremony early (10–11am) or later (after 3pm) for the best light
• Avoid Fridays if possible — it’s the busiest day
• Bring water and touch-up essentials (lip balm, powder, a mini fan in summer)
• Consider weekday mornings — peaceful, better parking, dreamy light
• Parking: There’s a lot across the street, and plenty of metered options nearby

Crucial Info for a Santa Barbara Courthouse Wedding

Santa Barbara Courthouse Ceremony Rules

The following rules apply to all Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding ceremonies, whether they be small and intimate or large.

• No amplified sound, but soft acoustic music would be permitted
• All chairs and equipment are to be hand carried to wedding site.
• No rice, confetti, flower petals, bird seed or open flames are permitted.
• Wedding rehearsals are not included with a wedding reservation.
• Taping off or coning any area of Courthouse Grounds is not permitted.
• Food or beverages are not allowed for ceremonies. Water bottles are permitted in exterior venues only (not in Mural Room), and must be disposed of properly.
• Stay out of planting beds

How to Get to the Santa Barbara Courthouse

Where is the Santa Barbara Courthouse? 

The official address for a Santa Barbara County Courthouse wedding is 1100 Anacapa Street. The building and gardens cover a full block between Anacapa St., Santa Barbara St., Anapamu St. and Figueroa St.  The Clerk-Recorder's office is on the north-west corner at Anacapa and Anapamu.

Where do I park for the Courthouse?

Directly across the street from the Anacapa St. entrance is a four level parking garage - 75 minutes free and a dollar and a half ($1.50) an hour after that.

Final Thoughts: Is a Santa Barbara Courthouse Wedding Right for You?

If you’re looking for a wedding that’s:

• Beautiful but not over-the-top
• Intimate, meaningful, and stress-free
• Full of charm and storybook vibes
• Photographically stunning (without needing much decor)

Whether you’re eloping, doing a minimony, or planning a larger celebration, the Santa Barbara Courthouse offers the perfect blend of elegance, history, and coastal California magic.

Santa Barbara Courthouse Wedding Photographer

I'd be honored to document your Santa Barbara Courthouse elopement or larger wedding ceremony. As my as my photography style, I'd say its: ethereal, heartfelt, and emotion driven.

I love the combination of leveraging the best light to my advantage in order to give images that soft & dreamy look, WHILE also focusing on more nuanced moments filled with sincerity and emotion.

If you'd like to schedule a time to chat more about Santa Barbara wedding, please feel free to reach me below!

GET IN TOUCH!