Santa Barbara California is the ideal location to elope! Year round amendable weather, gorgeous ocean & moutain views, our own airport, and plenty of local amenities make our small city perfect backdrop for a wedding of any size.

I’m Barbara of Fine Heart Photography, I photograph weddings and elopements in Santa Barbara. As a local I know the best kept secrets, and I won’t be sharing them all here, but without further ado here are my top 5 reasons to elope in Santa Barbara

5.  The Food

Santa Barbara California is the ideal location to elope! Year round amendable weather, gorgeous ocean & moutain views, our own airport, and plenty of local amenities make our small city perfect backdrop for a wedding of any size.

I’m Barbara of Fine Heart Photography, I photograph weddings and elopements in Santa Barbara. As a local I know the best kept secrets, and I won’t be sharing them all here, but without further ado here are my top 5 reasons to elope in Santa Barbara

5.  The Food

SB is home to some world class restaurants, from taqueria style mexican to 5 star Italian, whatever you’re craving, and whatever your budget you can find it in Santa Barbara! When you book me, I can advise you on the best local restaurants, and the tourist traps to avoid!

4. The Weather

You won’t have to worry too much about your decision to elope on a whim, Santa Barbara weather is temperate year round. It hovers around 60-80 most days of the year. I hardly ever get to photograph a wedding in the rain, darn it!

3. The Easy

Located on the Central coast of California, Santa Barbara is 2 hours north of LA, 5 hours south of SF, and we even have our own airport! No matter where you are hailing from, travel into SB is easy, and once you get here local traffic is a dream! If you elope at the courthouse the parking lot is across the street, downtown a street over, and the beach down a few blocks. Getting your license is also fairly easy!

2. The Scenic Backdrop

The Santa Barbara Courthouse is a photographer’s dream as a backrop for any occasion, but especially elopements! I get to take the happy couple around the arches and murals and fixtures of this amazing building and photograph you on your wedding day! And that is just the start!

Some of the most beautiful beaches and parks are just blocks away from the courthouse. We have butterflies that migrate through, and mountain views looking down upon the harbor!

#1 No Stress

You can be the chillest bridechilla in the land, but a wedding is only as calm as its calmest link. I personally adore the pomp and circumstance of a big wedding day, there is so much ceremony to enjoy and loads and loads of family and friends to enjoy and accommodate! Not everyone enjoys a big hurrah, and frankly the expense can be overwhelming. An elopement can be just you and your sweetie and some precious meaningful vows. If you add a bouquet, a fancy dress or suit and book a deluxe photographer like myself, that will enhance and commemorate a day that is very simply about love and connection.

Santa Barbara is a popular destination for weddings and elopements alike. Whether you prefer the iconic architecture of the courthouse, or the picturesque beaches, or the local gardens and parks, Santa Barbara offers a wealth breathtaking beauty as a backdrop to your love. Best thing is,  the temperate costal climate means you can plan your wedding or elopement any month of the year! The weather is temperate, and every month offers different trees and flowers in bloom. My personal choice of month would be September. It is still warm, but not too hot, no June gloom and the days are still long enough to have a flexible timeline with cocktail hours and such.  That being said, here are some points to consider before you even set your wedding or elopement date in Santa Barbara California.

Summer is the most popular and in Santa Barbara  it sure is gorgeous! That coastal climate means the temperature never gets too hot or cold. The long days mean you can have a late night timeline, and include lots of activities. If you are banking on sunny skies, Santa Barbara is a great choice with our few days of precipitation per year. That said, that heat is kept at bay by what we locals refer to as ‘June gloom’ which has lasted the entire month of June, but does burn off by 12-1 most days.   Summer is host to a few iconic events that ensure local hotels are booked, crowds are maxed, and venue prices might be high. These events include UCSB graduation (around 1st week of June), Old Spanish Days (aka Fiesta in August), and the Summer Solstice parade. Looking ahead and avoiding those weekends may be a good idea for a large event, where if you are eloping you may want to enjoy the festivities!

Fall is Santa Barbara is the ideal combo of good weather and good length of days. It is extremely popular, and I love September weddings. One thing to note is that Santa Barbara is somewhat low on that Fall color/ seasons changing that many love in a fall wedding. Of course, we can get gorgeous trees but you have to hire a local photographer who knows where to take you to find that Fall color palate.

Spring turns Santa Barbara into a magical garden. Although your chance of rain goes up in Spring and Winter, so does your chance of gorgeous green grass and foliage around your venue. Santa Barbara foliage can get scrubby brown in a chapparal style into a dry late summer, which has its own appeal for sure! But if you want that green green backdrop then a spring wedding is for you!

Whatever month you choose, be sure to contact me, Barbara,  to be your photographer! As a Santa Barbara local, I know all the local beaches parks and venues and can help guide you to the right vendors and spaces and places for your ideal day.

I was so lucky to photograph this special time in Maggie and David’s life! I had a blast photographing their wedding, and getting to see thier family grow is truly my honor. We had a great time out in the lovely light just the happy couple with baby Emma in the belly! Thank you all for having me to document such a lovely moment in your life!

Here are some photos of elopements at the Santa Barbara Courthouse by Barbara of Fine Heart Photography. She is talented and also knows the courthouse intimately, where the light is best at what time of day and in what season!  I can’t wait to tour you around and photograph you and your fiance on your wedding day! Contact Me today to check my calendar and book me!

John and Channing eloped at the Santa Barbara Courthouse June 18 2019. It was my honor to capture these two in their playful love and unique bond. They were so naturally sweet and in love, and that really comes through in the photos. Here is a short preview video of some of my favorite images! I will deliver these and a few dozen more, and I hope the images along with this slideshow will properly tell the story of this blessed occasion and their special connection on this amazing day.

Here’s a link to more info on getting married in SB at the courthouse! If you’re ready to hire the best photographer contact me today! Elopement packages are $475 and come with 2 hours photography, an online gallery and a slideshow set to music.