Theres nothing as jaw dropping as the towering, majestic Redwoods. Youll need a different permit depending on the area that you plan on holding your ceremony even if its just you two. You can find more information here. Hunting Beach and Laguna Beach offer opportunities for surfing and for relaxing by the water, and you can explore the local shops and restaurants after your ceremony. You will likely need a permit but that will depend on the location you decide on. With a mix of wild flowers and rugged areas, the cliffs provide different scenery for photo options. For a unique elopement, the Alabama Hills are definitely a great pick! Diane was excellent! As mentioned, one popular location for eloping in California wine country is Napa Valley. With a public marriage license, you need one witness but this is still pretty neat because most states require two. The closest airport is John Wayne Airport (SNA), only minutes away from the beach or Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) approximately 90 minutes away and Ontario International Airport (ONT) about 2 hours away. Travel Do you need flights or transportation? With fields of windmills, desert like areas, palm trees and cacti everywhere, youve got so many options here when it comes to great elopement locations! Lake Elsinore is about 60 miles inland from Huntington Beach, and the 3,000 acre lake surrounded by mountains makes a pretty scenic elopement backdrop. All of my couples get a list of location recommendations, making finding the right spot easy! We called a few places to inquire." more See Portfolio 2. You can find more information here. Once you get the license then you can have your Wedding Ceremony. Yosemite National Park 2. Monterey Bay includes scenic seaside cliffs and gorgeous beaches, where you can often see wildlife lounging around. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Theyll sometimes even offer all inclusive wedding packages in California as they have relationships with vendors in the state. That said, summer is the busiest time so if you dont want to see anyone on your elopement day, avoid July and August for sure. You get to decide what matters to you and how you want to allocate your California elopement budget. There are so many trails around, and you can choose to hike on your elopement day like this couple, or find a lakeside spot that's easily accessible. Much of the year is overcast, creating a gorgeous fog over the coast, and snow capped mountains farther inland. However, if youd like to do a self-uniting ceremony, we can help with an officiant signature (read more here!) The cost can range from a staycation close by to flights somewhere off of your bucket list. She arrived at our home and was professional and organized. Its an enormous airport that connects with most of the world. To get around you can use kayaks or walk. As other parks, you will need a permit which costs around $150 for a few hours. The Shasta Cascade region is the perfect Northern California elopement location for outdoor enthusiasts. Check out our Joshua Tree Elopement Guide. All inclusive elopement packages California are not for everyone and can often costs multiple thousands of dollars but they are worth looking at to get an idea of how much your elopement planner can do. A popular skiing destination in the winter and a strikingly blue alpine lake in the summer, Lake Tahoe is another incredible place to elope in California. When we visited Yosemite National Park, we were blown away by the incredible landscapes the park offers. Think about being in Yosemite but outside of Yosemite. What youll find in this Laguna Beach Elopement Guide: Before we tell you all about planning your Laguna Beach elopement, here are some reasons to tie the knot here! The lake straddles the border of California and Nevada, offering hiking, skiing, and beaches for relaxing or for hopping in the water. With the beautiful villas, fine dining, and the incredible scenery, how could you say no?! Disneyland is located in Orange County, so you can definitely spend a day, or a few days, exploring the park. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. In high elevation, mountainous areas throughout the state, the changing seasons are much more dramatic than they are on the coast! Sep 15, 2021 - Ideas for places to take engagement and elopement photos around Orange County, California. The Bay Area is hands down one of the best places to elope in Northern California, spanning the hilly city of San Francisco and the surrounding beach, forest, and hill-covered counties. Apr 26, 2021. The weather in Mendocino is more or less always the same throughout the year which makes it a great year-round elopement location. Its still pretty warm and sunny in Laguna Beach, but night time gets a little chilly and can dip down to the 40s. A Wild Card choice! Whether youre looking for fall foliage or a winter wonderland, youll find it here! No matter what kind of scenery, what kind of adventure, and what kind of wedding day youre dreaming of, youll find it here. During summer, everything, including elopement venues California offers is more expensive. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) located in Los Angeles, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) located in San Francisco, San Diego International Airport (SAN) located in San Diego, Oakland International Airport (OAK) located in Oakland, John Wayne Airport (SNA) located in Santa Ana, cheap elopement packages California style which are usually short in time, with no vendors, no guests and with the minimum you need to make your elopement happen, affordable elopement packages California style which usually lasts a bit longer and might include the brides bouquet and a couple of guests, luxury elopement packages California style which can include locations such as large mansions, over 75 guests, and several vendors, officiant, if getting legally married: around $400 on average, photographer: usually around $2,000 but will depend on the number of hours, videographer: usually around $2,000 but will depend on the number of hours. Please contact for more information at 1-800-660-0693. Close to looking like a desert, its definitely a unique setting for an elopement! With this one, you still need an officiant but no witnesses are required! If you liked this post, dont hesitate to share it by using the share buttons on the side. The short answer is yes, you can elope in California. Here are some of the best places to elope in Southern California. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. , Your Fun and Romantic Wedding at our Chapel Starts with our Amazing Team of Officiants / Notaries and Staff The BossAlan Katz Welcome to the Cute Little Wedding Chapel. Russian River Valley, also part of the Sonoma area, is famous for its Pinot Noir vineyards and charming towns like Healdsburg. You can order certified copies of your marriage certificate to provide as proof of marriage. ***Some of the links in this post are affiliate links meaning we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Check out our Big Sur Elopement Guide, Ereene + Juans Boho Elopement, or Katherine + Nicos Glen Oaks Elopement. California is a state with nine national parks and 280 state parks which definitely provides endless possibilities when it comes to finding the perfect Californian elopement location. We Make Getting Married Fun, Easy and Affordable. If you are eloping while already married in your home country, you wont need a California marriage license. This destination is bets suited for active couples who love to kayak, snorkel and hike! Your location and special use permit, if you need one, will also determine how long you can be in said location for. The 21 Best Places to Elope in California Best Places to Elope in Northern California Burney Falls Mt. In this section, we guide you through the paperwork. Originally, I wanted a hotel elopement package but it's been hard to find one or contact anyone at the hotels. As your experienced California elopement photographer, I can help you navigate picking a location, acquiring permits, and following LNT principles to enjoy these beautiful, wild places to the fullest! When you elope, we want you to have a wedding day thats carefree, adventurous, fun, and everything you want it to be! Southwest of Los Angeles is Catalina Island, known for its laid-back island atmosphere and blue ocean water. As for the best time of the year to elope at Lake Arrowhead, fall is absolutely a winner. If youre wondering where to elope in Los Angeles for stunning views, the Griffith Observatory and Hollywood sign are two very good places. Florals Add a bouquet, flower crown, boutonniere, or floral decorations to your day! Hiring a professional, experienced elopement photographer means youll have photos that will retell the story of your elopement day forever! The best elopement locations in California are usually also quite busy on the weekend. The best place to elope in Los Angeles is in our opinion Venice Beach and Venice Canals fi youre looking for a fun elopement. The gorgeous blue water of Lake Tahoe draws visitors from all over the world! The first one is when you are already married legally in your home country and you are eloping solely for the ceremony. Plan an adventure and spend the day doing something incredible whether its a favorite hobby or a new experience. The forest even extends into Oregon which could be a great honeymoon idea! Another option is Sonoma Valley. Dana Point in south Orange County is a city known for stellar dolphin and whale watching, boating, paddleboarding and express ferries to nearby Catalina Island. Email us at getmarried@cutelittleweddingchapel.com, You come in. It is possible to elope in Yosemite National Park with a permit though not all points are easily accessible. There are two types of marriage licenses in California, which is pretty unique! The application fee is $61 in Orange County. Places where you can plan your elopement include the areas around Two Harbors and Avalon. Fill out the application and we issue it to you instantly. If you intend on getting legally married in California, you will need a marriage license. Afterwards, you will need to book an appointment to retrieve your licence. If youd prefer saying yes in the mountains above Malibu, there are endless options including Malibu Creek State Park, Topanga State Park, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Leo Carrillo State Park and Rocky Oaks Park. For just the 2 of you or up, There are Many ways to Pay Making a payment is so easy! The views dont end at the shoreline you can see a whole other world of sea life and beauty under the water! An Orange County marriage license is $65, while in San Francisco it costs $112, and most counties fall within this range. Redwood National and State Parks are perfect if youre looking for an enchanted forest type of elopement and are looking for a quiet ceremony away from crowds. The ride up only takes 10 minutes and no physical effort which is perfect for an elopement! The park is absolutely mind blowing with areas that makes you feel like youre on a different planet. During your elopement, youll need a place to stay! Your email is never published or shared. Winter can be beautiful as well but be aware of closed roads due to weather conditions. Pismo Beach is a sought-after location for elopements due to its gorgeous coastal scenery and various intimate elopement venues and known for its wineries and gorgeous coastal trails. Places to Elope in Palm Springs. Leave No Trace Aware. For the most part, we recommend avoiding inland California in the summertime since it can get uncomfortably hot. Elopement Packages in Laguna Beach Are you ready to elope Wild & Free? Temperatures rarely dip too far, but summers are definitely the warmest, and the lows in winter are usually in the 50s or high 40s. Mammoth Lakes 6. San Diego is further south, offering a big city with small town vibes. Orange County is one of the most beautiful countries in California. You can find more information here. Eloping in Lassen Volcanic National Park is best between May and September as the park gets a lot of snow that makes it completely inaccessible the rest of the year. Check out our Catalina Island Elopement Guide! San Diego is one of the best places for elopements for several reasons including its year-round beautiful weather, stunning landscapes, and wide variety of romantic settings to choose from. How to Get Married in Joshua Tree. These are some highly rated businesses for officiants in Orange County, CA: What are some businesses with a large number of reviews for officiants in Orange County, CA? What are some highly rated businesses for officiants in Orange County, CA? If you choose a California elopement location that requires a permit, expect to pay be between $200-$600 to the park. The park is usually crowded, especially during summer and at sunset. If you want the ultimate vibe for your elopement photos, eloping in the Glamis Sand Dunes might be just what youre looking for! Hello :) I made an account for this, hope it's the right place to post! Here are some of the best spots in Laguna Beach. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The town is nestled in the mountains northwest of Santa Monica, so ceremonies here feel more intimate than you might expect from a Los Angeles elopement. I absolutely loved visited the Death Valley National Park and especially Artists Drive with all the natural colours of the rocks. Some of the top elopement spots in the park include Borrego Palm Canyon, Erosion Road Scenic Areas and Fonts Point but feel free to explore yourself and find one that really suits you! Its so EASY to get Your Marriage License with Us. As for Northern California, Big Sur and Mendocino County . There are lots of hikes around Laguna Beach and Orange County! Like, almost the size of the entire country of Germany huge. On the weekends and/or after 9pm an additional $29 travel fee is added for marriage license only appointment or if we are not performing your ceremony. As far as coastlines and redwoods go, Big Sur is certainly one of the best places to elope in California. But the park is huge so you could also stop as soon as a spot feels right to you. Located near Redding, the McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park is absolutely stunning for an elopement! 17 Best Places to Elope in California Big Sur Catalina Island - Long beach elopement Lake Tahoe Joshua Tree Yosemite Sunset Cliffs - San Diego Beach Elopement Palm Springs San Francisco Court house (San Diego Courthouse or Santa Barbara courthouse) Crystal Cove, Laguna Beach El Matador Beach, Malibu Pismo Beach Santa Barbara Death Valley The first thing to consider is weather in different parts of the state. As this is a state park, you will likely be required to apply for a permit and you can do so here. Jun 7, 2021. Eloping usually refers to going abroad to get married either just the two of you or with a minimal list of guests. On top of its undeniable beauty, Orange County is also rich in history swith many historic sites and landmarks, including the Mission San Juan Capistrano, which dates back to the late 18th century. This is the case for the Death Valley. In most cases, it is easier to get legally married in your home country and then elope than getting legally married in your elopement country. The weather is sunny and warm, and this is the best time to elope if you want to be in the water for surfing, snorkeling, or swimming. It was just exceptionally beautiful. The park is so large that its easy to find a spot with no-one there. Southern California is mega different from Northern California, so when youre figuring out your elopement plans, keep that in mind! First, San Ysidro Ranch, located on the Montecito foothills, is perfect if youre looking for a lush Californian elopement with loquat tress falling on the ceremony area, a wine cellar and flower fields. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Yosemite Valley is a large area and allows you to get away from the crowds. Check out our San Francisco Elopement Guide and this Marin Headlands Elopement. The park doesnt get too hot including in the summer and provides plenty of forests and shade for sheltering you on hot days. But, the license expires after 90 days, so your ceremony must take place within that time. Big List of 25 Best Places to Elope in California, Best Places to Elope in Southern California, Best Places to Elope in Central California, Best Places to Elope in Northern California, The Legal Stuff: California Marriage Licenses and Officiants, Malibu Elopement Guide How to elope in Malibu, Laguna Beach + Orange County Elopement Guide, Big Bear + Lake Arrowhead Elopement Guide, Kings Canyon + Sequoia National Park Elopement Guide, Santa Barbara + Central Coast Elopement Guide, Death Valley National Park Elopement Guide, eloping on the Central Coast of California here, guide to eloping in Californias Redwoods, Boho Rodeo Beach Elopement | Marin Headlands Wedding Photography, California Elopement Photographer Packages, Pricing of your license will vary by county. For more info, check out this guide to eloping Wild & Free in Californias Joshua Tree National Park! One thing to know about eloping in California, and anywhere else for that matter, is that peak tourist season always coincides with good weather. You can find more information here. The exact length and details of your elopement in California will depend on your personal preferences and plans. Note that you may be restricted as to where you can hold your ceremony for those reasons. Wine Country Elope Wine Country of California in Napa, Sonoma, and Lake Counties including the cities of Calistoga, Glen Ellen, Kenwood, Napa, St. Helena and Sonoma. It depends on what your situation is. Yes, you will need both an officiant and two witnesses if you want to legally marry in California. ), best seasons to visit, how to elope in Southern California, what to do to make your day epic, and more.