Most couples also tend to elope when they can take time off from work which is usually between late spring and early fall so thats also when elopements are more expensive. Summers are warm and sunny, perfect for hiking, while winters usually bring snow and freezing temperatures. One of its main features is the Burney Falls which stand tall over a lake and are surrounded by greenery. Nowhere in the US will you find landscapes as diverse as Californias! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Youll exchange vows and rings, and may have a few close friends or family members in attendance. Spring can especially be a lot colder than you would expect! So youll want to bring lots of water and food with you noting that phone reception is pretty much non existent as well. $ 245 Starting price. Some of the top elopement locations in the Death Valley include Artists Drive, Badwater Basin Dantes View and Zabriskie Point. Two of Lisa's favorite beach spots for elopement photo magic in Southern CA are Laguna Beach in Orange County and Malibu near Los Angeles. The appointment has to be in person. Here are some of the best places to elope in Southern California. Keep in mind that spring starts late and fall ends early, as these higher elevation areas see much more snow. For example desert like landscapes tend to be really cold in the winter and really (almost unbearably hot) in the summer). Orange County is a region in Southern California, known for its incredible beaches, gorgeous mountains, and Disneyland! The water will be cold, but this is a great time to visit if you want to avoid crowds! The site is accessible all year-round though winter can be tough due to the high amount of snow. Closest Airport: Charles Schulz Airport (2 hours), San Francisco or Oakland (4 hours) Where to stay: Philo Apple Farm Agate Cove Inn Inn at Newport Ranch Mendocino Grove Where to eat: Wild Fish Cafe Beaujolais Trillium When I visited Long Beach, I wasnt sure what I was going to do there but the atmosphere and the views made it the perfect place to have a walk and take in the relaxing vibe. Did you like this post? The sunsets are to die for, and who doesnt want to play in a giant sand box? As a Palm Springs Wedding Photographer, I can definitely say that Palm Springs has so many different beautiful scenery options and is such an amazing spot to vacation! On top of how impressive the park is, its simply beautiful. Humboldt is a county in Northern California, located on the moody coast. Southern California, of course. Tying the knot in Orange County is perfect for couples who want a wedding day thats unique and spontaneous, and if youre planning a Laguna Beach elopement, this guide will tell you everything you need to know! But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. We know that these are memories youll want to look back on for the rest of your life, so we have experience-based packages which you can check out. With similarities to the other locations, it stands out by its size! Thats definitely a great idea! It offers endless locations for an intimate and memorable elopement ceremony. or no matter where you, Affordable Wedding Chapel Packages! If youre looking for a stay in the middle of Napa Valley with views on vineyards and California mountains, If youre spending some time in Sonoma, you can. To ensure yourlittle slice of California is still accessible in the future and exactly as you remember it, please follow all Leave No Trace principles (especially with wildflowers). Well give you a list of personalized recommendations with secret spots to help you choose the right one. With big, traditional weddings towering well over 30k on average, eloping offers you the opportunity to craft your day in a meaningful way andintentionally invest in your experience. Known for its world-class wineries and stunning scenery, youll find rolling hills, vineyards, and charming towns that provide a beautiful and romantic setting for your elopement day. Alternatively, if you can only elope on the weekend, we recommend choosing a location thats just as beautiful but less known such as Bishop or Lassen Volcanic National Park. , 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. Then Patricks Point is your pick! Orange County is one of the most beautiful countries in California. The beaches will make you feel like youre in Greece, and youll find tons to do on land and in the water. You can also use these amenities for your honeymoon or to entertain yourself after your elopement! The desert is the exception, with its peak happening in the spring and fall. Secret Wild & Free Spots Accommodations Youll need somewhere to come back to after your adventure so whether its a campground, trendy Airbnb, or an upscale resort, find something that fits your vibe! Both types are legally valid. That said, if you elope in Northern California or in one of the forests, the temperature tends to go down so think of bringing a few layers either to wear with your outfit or to wear on top of your clothes in between photos. Fill out the application and we issue it to you instantly. I saw several bears during my visit and though they minded their own business, they can get curious (which could possibly make for fun elopement photos!). I remember driving through Orange County for the first time at 19 and seeing how beautiful it was contrasting with landscapes we had just come from. 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. Big Bear Lake is a mountain town located on the San Bernardino National Forest. Get Married Today Here Is How It Works At the Wedding Chapel Get married INSTANTLY!!! When you elope in Laguna Beach, making a budget will help you keep track of expenses! The weather in Sequoia National Park is not as hot as the Death Valley or Yosemite. Check out our San Francisco Elopement Guide and this Marin Headlands Elopement. With wildflowers, snow covered mountains in the backdrop and even views overlooking the city, this national forest offers a range of locations to say your vows. As for Northern California, Big Sur and Mendocino County . Check out Santa Barbara for Mediterranean architecture and a beach-mountain view combo, Montana de Oro State Park for stunning canyons and hills, and the Carizzo Plain National Monument for a breathtaking wildflower-covered hillside! Hop on the tramway and enjoy romantic aerial views of Palm Springs with your partner. First, I recommend eloping during shoulder season this is the time right before and right after the peak, when weather is still likely to be favorable, but there are way fewer people around. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park 13. The desert landscape is unique, with sand dunes, jagged peaks, and colorful hills created by layers of sediment. Here are a few of my favorite Central California elopement locations. "My wife and I got married on a Saturday thinking we were that last ceremony, but we were told there was another ceremony afterwards so we had to accommodate unexpectedly. Places where you can plan your elopement include the areas around Two Harbors and Avalon. 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. The beach is stunning with views on the coastline and offers the possibility of seeing whales and dolphins while you exchange your vows! Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. I continously found myself saying "is this guy for reals?" Southwest of Los Angeles is Catalina Island, known for its laid-back island atmosphere and blue ocean water. These are perfect for romance, adventure and making beautiful memories with your forever partner. I always recommend making an appointment with the County Clerk to get your California marriage license for your elopement, just to avoid any headaches or last-minute stress! Newport Beach was made famous through the famous TV Show and has been a dream for many of us to see with our own eyes. Any wedding or elopement taking place on a beach in LA County requires a permit. In the below list, we share 18 elopement locations in Northern California. You can read more about it here. You can pay Online Over the Phone In Person at our office. Summer is the busiest time of the year for Santa Cruz so if youd like to avoid crowds, spring or fall are better options. The beach is gorgeous at sunrise and sunset, but midday sun can be harsh. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Yosemite National Park 2. Finding that perfect spot to officially promise to spend forever together can be hard when you have so many gorgeous options but dont worry, well help you narrow it down! Wanna to get married? Have more questions? Some popular services for officiants include: What are people saying about officiants services in Orange County, CA? The winter season is usually rainy so there is less crowds which can offer a more peaceful elopement experience though you will need to account for the rain in your props. The Central Coast is 350 miles of some of the most incredible coastline! You can apply here. The Klamath National Forest doesnt get super busy so the summer months are a great time to elope here. Whether you want to elope in the mountains or on a beach with the mountains in the backdrop, Lake Tahoe has got it all! Santa Cruz is full of shops and eateries, Monterey has the best aquarium in the country, and Point Lobos Natural Reserve has some incredible rocky scenery! Yosemite Valley is a large area and allows you to get away from the crowds. The ride up only takes 10 minutes and no physical effort which is perfect for an elopement! Temperatures can climb over 100 degrees, so spring and fall are a much better choice. The area includes Sue-Meg State Park the state park, Montgomery Wood State Preserve and endless wild spots that could work great for an elopement. During summer, everything, including elopement venues California offers is more expensive. Yosemite Valley is, however, big enough so there is always some ways to get away from the crowds (and closer to bears!). When youre making a timeline for your Laguna Beach elopement, its important to think about lighting! Just the 2 of you or up to 30 of your Friends or Family. Of all the places to elope in California, Malibu is easily one of the most picturesque. You wont need a permit if you have less than 75 guests. Between redwood forests, the beach and the charming downtown areas with dining and entertainement, Santa Cruz is a stunning place for a Californian elopement. One of the top locations is Mt San Jacinto which you can access by riding the Aerial Tram up. These are some businesses with a large number of reviews for officiants in Orange County, CA: Great Officiants - Fun and Romantic Ceremonies (1093 reviews), Great Officiants - Fun and Romantic Ceremonies. We take Covid seriously and maintain a sanitized environment. How do you elope in California: Legalties, Best places to stay for an elopement in California, Best activities for couples who elope in California. The weather in Mendocino is more or less always the same throughout the year which makes it a great year-round elopement location. As other parks, you will need a permit which costs around $150 for a few hours. Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is one of the elopement locations near San Diego City and in San Diego County. January and February tend to be rainier than the rest of the year, but most days are still sunny. Its a small but vibrant community, with mountains creating a backdrop for the desert scenery. Otherwise, no permit is needed! You an also opt for no flowers at all if its not your thing. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. This is a review for a officiants business in Orange County, CA: "If you are looking to elope then use 1 hour marriage. Wear comfortable shoes and bring layers as the wind can make evenings damp, chilly, and often quite windy. Lakes, campgrounds, and trails cover the mountains, with plenty to explore! How much does it cost to elope in California? We recommend checking this link in case you want to elope in surrounding national forests. If youre a local, I recommend going to whichever one is closest to home! If you choose to hire an elopement planner, you will have the choice between: California elopement packages usually start around $2,000 and can go as high as $26,000 depending on the number of guests and days your elopement lasts. Though its best known for being the center of the US film industry, youll also find gorgeous beaches, rolling hills, mountain peaks, and desert views nearby. Youll never regret being able to look at photos from the best day of your life, and reliving every amazing moment! You can also stay at the Ranch at Laguna Beach, which offers incredible mountain views and a vista over the ocean! Though there are beautiful places to elope in California, we highly recommend taking some additional time off to enjoy more of California than just your elopement location. There are hikes of all kinds, so you dont need to do anything too strenuous to reach amazing views. A San Francisco elopement can only be a good idea! Check out our Sierra Nevada Mountains Elopement Guide! If youre wondering what you could do after eloping in Santa Barbara, check our recent list of things do to there for couples. Close to looking like a desert, its definitely a unique setting for an elopement! photography by Lorin Kelly Photography at Palo Verde Ranch, Joshua Tree, California. The area is bordered by the Santa Ana Mountains, where youll find plenty of hikes and stunning overlooks. After all, California is known for its endless sun and sand. No matter your elopement season, you definitely should consider Bishop for your elopement location. If you choose a California elopement location that requires a permit, expect to pay be between $200-$600 to the park. We felt so little next to the giant sequoias that have been around for much longer than us! Intimate Beach Wedding is a wedding ceremony provider that has been part of the Southern California wedding industry since 2017 specializing in beach weddings and elopements. Southern California is mega different from Northern California, so when youre figuring out your elopement plans, keep that in mind! All of my couples get a list of location recommendations, making finding the right spot easy! The moody fog over the rocky beaches and the snow-capped mountains in the north turn into palm tree-studded surf spots and vast, rocky deserts in the south, which is why a California elopement is perfect for any couple! Take a gorgeous tour of Yosemite and the giant sequoias withy our partner. The views dont end at the shoreline you can see a whole other world of sea life and beauty under the water! 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. Its got meadows, forests, and sequoia tunnels that all make for stunning elopement ceremony locations or elopement photos. Are a much better choice are to die for, and youll find tons to do anything too to! 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