Dear adventurous couple about to embark on the journey of a San Diego courthouse elopement, welcome to a guide crafted just for you! Your decision to exchange vows at the courthouse opens the door to a world of possibilities. This blog is your personalized roadmap to curating the most magical courthouse elopement experience whether you choose to include any wedding guests or not. From tips on creating the perfect ceremony to infusing unique touches that reflect your love story, we’ll navigate the details of crafting an intimate wedding that resonates with you and your future spouse. Let’s embark on this journey together, where your San Diego courthouse elopement becomes a cherished tale of love, connection, and celebration!
Tips for a Memorable Courthouse Elopement
First off, it’s important to note that courthouse weddings in San Diego actually happen at the County Clerk and Administration buildings, not the courthouse itself. There are four County Clerk locations that offer civil ceremonies at this time: Chula Vista, San Marcos, Santee, and Downtown San Diego. All are great options, but do have different backdrops so be sure to look at each before making your decision! I’ve included a photo of each wedding ceremony area for your reference below.
Make an Appointment:
If you’re hoping to get married at a courthouse in San Diego, you MUST make an appointment first! After making your appointment at least seven weeks in advance, you can complete your Marriage License application to make the entire process go smoother on the day of your courthouse elopement. You need to pay the non-refundable license fees and make sure you have your marriage license before a wedding ceremony can take place. Important to note, the marriage license is NOT the same thing as your marriage certificate. This is a separate document and requires a separate payment that can be made after your marriage license is registered.
Confused? Be sure to call and ask any and all questions ahead of time. This way there won’t be any added stress on the day of your elopement. This IS your wedding day afterall, and guests are allowed to attend (even your pup if you ask ahead). If you’re planning on having an elopement photographer attend your courthouse wedding ceremony, be sure to talk to the County Clerk’s office you choose about this as well. Your photographer shouldn’t need a permit, but it’s always a good idea to know for sure in case things change. And if you choose the right elopement photographer, they’ll know to call as well!
[Read more about Marriage Licenses and Civil Cermonies in San Diego here.]
The Marriage Ceremony:
Once all of the logistics have been taken care of, it’s time for the elopement ceremony to take place! This can be done indoor or outdoor depending on the courthouse elopement location you choose and the weather. Luckily in San Diego, we have pretty good weather most days out of the year. January and February do have more rainy days than normal though.
If you opt for an outdoor ceremony, there is no limit to the number of guests that can attend. If indoors though, there is a limit of 15-20 wedding guests depending on the location you choose for your courthouse elopement. You also have the option of having a friend or family member perform the ceremony to add another special touch. This does come with an additional fee and needs to be planned at least one month before the San Diego ceremony though. You can learn more about the Deputy Marriage Commissioner for a Day program here.
Other San Diego Courthouse Elopement Information:
Have more questions about the technical aspects of getting married at a courthouse in San Diego? This FAQ page goes into more detail about anything you might be wondering. It even includes how to get married if your fiancé is in the military and stationed outside of San Diego.
Post-Ceremony Celebrations and Elopement Photography
Just because you have your wedding ceremony at the courthouse, doesn’t mean the fun has to end there! You and your bride or groom can still have a post-ceremony party, pre-ceremony rehearsal dinner, elopement photography session, or anything else you may dream of for your wedding day. A courthouse elopement doesn’t mean you have to miss out on anything a traditional wedding has that may feel important to you.
Don’t know what those things may be? I’d love to help out! As a destination elopement photographer I help my clients plan every step of the way. From getting ready, to the florals and dress. Having an intimate wedding photographer that acts as a planner can be lifesaving. When stress and overwhelm begins to set in you have experienced help. You chose to skip the big traditional wedding and elope for a reason, right?
San Diego Courthouse Elopement Photography:
I may be biased, but I believe this is the most important part of an intimate wedding… It all happens so quickly, and just because you’ve opted out of the traditional wedding, doesn’t mean you don’t want to have vivid memories of your wedding day. Having an elopement photographer on site to catch authentic wedding moments is invaluable. They should ideally arrive at the Civil Clerk’s office before you do. Not only to capture you and your fiancé walking into the building, but also to scout locations for photos after the ceremony. If you choose, you can also drive to another nearby location with a better photography backdrop. You are in San Diego afterall!
[Still unsure about where you want to have your intimate wedding experience? Check out my free guide on all of the best locations for an elopement in San Diego. Your San Diego elopement doesn’t have to be at the courthouse!]
Your elopement photographer can be there to document the entire day, from signing the marriage license together and greeting guests, to the first kiss. If you’ve decided not to have a post-wedding celebration, it could be fun to bring a small cake. Cutting it while you have a small photo session after the ceremony adds a special touch. Below are images from a Santee Courthouse Elopement I photographed. Although there is a parking lot behind the ceremony that I didn’t love, there are also gorgeous mountains you can walk through and capture beautiful images as a newly married couple. This bride chose to wear black on her wedding day, giving the best gothic vibes! Luckily there was the perfect gray wall on the Santee courthouse building that I knew we had to take advantage of. Check out the edgy bridal vibes below.
Post-Ceremony Celebration:
Again, it’s your wedding day, so anything you want goes, okay? If you choose to have a HUGE rager as if it’s your first time marrying your fiance that’s perfectly fine! My husband and I actually did just this and I’m beyond happy we did. We eloped with close family in a family member’s backyard. We then had the wedding of our dreams at a gorgeous restaurant wedding venue in La Jolla. Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. Except telling the photographer I didn’t want to take photos outside in the rain because I was having too much fun… Remember to take advantage of all photo moments, brides!
If a big traditional wedding just isn’t your vibe and that’s why you’ve chosen a courthouse wedding, that’s totally fine too! There are so many San Diego celebration spots to choose from. You could plan a small dinner and hotel stay just for the two of you. Or you could have a dinner party with your guests. Even a small brunch the next afternoon after you’ve had a San Diego honeymoon night to yourself could be great. The bride below opted for a backyard wedding celebration a couple weeks after their civil ceremony and I was happy to photograph it. With this option, you can have your getting ready moments photographed as well as any toasts. The options really are unlimited if you get creative enough!
Intimate Wedding and Elopement Photographer Collaboration
Please please please talk to the photographer you’re thinking about booking for your San Diego courthouse elopement and ask them all the questions! They are there to be your sounding board and so many of us include elopement planning in our hourly packages. We’ve done this before and are great at coming up with ideas for whatever wedding vibe you may be looking for. Just ask! Don’t hesitate to communicate your vision. Collaborate with your photographer to achieve breathtaking results beyond your wildest dreams. Engaging in this dialogue ensures a seamless and personalized experience for your courthouse elopement in San Diego.
If you’d like to take a look at the elopement pricing packages I offer, reach out here!
Looking for a Southern California Elopement Photographer?
Hi there! I’m Katie, a passionate Southern California photographer specializing in capturing love stories, fostering creativity, and promoting holistic well-being through my lens and expertise. Whether you’re planning an elopement, vow renewal, or engagement, my mission is to artistically document your unique love during these significant moments. I’m dedicated to reminding you that life is enchanting, and love is ever-present. If you’re searching for a photographer to beautifully capture the essence of your current love chapter, especially if you want guidance on making your elopement truly extraordinary, let’s connect! I’m excited to learn all about your love story and discuss how we can make it unforgettable.
San Diego Elopement, Intimate Wedding and Vow Renewal
Blogs You May Find Useful
How to Elope in San Diego – All the Info You Need to Tie the Knot
Your Elopement Timeline: Choosing the Perfect Adventure for You
Best Places to Elope in San Diego
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