It was a lovely afternoon to get married at the gorgeous Santa Barbara courthouse! April and Keith were surrounded by family and friends and got married on the lawn inside the courtyard area. Thank you to all who attended to wish them well, and thank you April and Keith for having me on your special day.

 

Santa Barbara is a beautiful backdrop where you can elope! The photographs I’ve taken at elopements in this area are some of my favorite images! To elope in SB is a no brainer – we have the year-round mild weather, so you can elope any calendar date you like!  And the variety  of gorgeous backdrops to elope in is amazing – from the bluffs overlooking the pacific ocean to the green flower covered parks the options are many! The only problem is where to elope? As your photographer, I would love to have a vote on where you elope! I’m as invested as you are in making amazing images of this romantic and sentimental moment, so here are my suggestions for venues.

My top 3 locations to get married or elope in and around Santa Barbara are below. Since I’m a photographer, let me tell this story visually.  Click on the photos below to see more about each location.

The Santa Barbara Courthouse is a beautiful place to elope!

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Alice Keck Park always has some flowers in bloom that make for a romantic dreamy backdrop for photos!

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The bluffs in Ellwood in Goleta make for a stunning sunset show to usher in your first married moments!

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There is always something in bloom in Santa Barbara, but you have to know when and where. The gardens and parks all bloom different flowers different times of year! My worth comes in my creative talent, my excellent service and the finished art, but add to that the knowledge of the best spots to elope in and around town!  This is only my top 3 for today, but I’ll add more soon.  If you want to pick my brain about the perfect location for your proposed date, feel free to call or email me. I’ve lived in Santa Barbara a few decades and am in tune with the seasons and so many hot – and cool spots in town. And I discover more all the time! I would be honored to share your elopement and be the one to capture the moments so you can enjoy your elopement images happily ever after!

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Elope in the beautiful sunken gardens of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse! Enjoy the ethereal 360 views while you exchange vows in front of your whole village, or enjoy a more intimate setting with just you and your fiancé!

For a full wedding ceremony, setting up guests by the fiesta stage ensures a full view of the tower and arch, you’ll be surrounded by gorgeous architecture.

If you choose to elope, there are several spaces you can choose outdoors, and on really cool spot in the courthouse itself! Its just a little nook on the second floor in the office where you get your license, but it has some cool curtains, cielings and other elements to enjoy that many who visit this courthouse never get to see!

If you’re eloping in Santa Barbara, its easy to add a few elements that will make the simple but special day even more so. Here are some suggestions that will help make your photos pop!

 

  1. Sweets 

Grabbing some sweets and sharing that ‘first piece of cake’ moment not only makes the photos exciting, it adds an element of joy to the day. Some couples like adding a litte more of the grandiose in the form of a simple cake cupcake or donut! For cakes I recommend Anna’s Bakery! For about $30 they’ll give you a delicious whipped cream frosting cake already on the shelf. For donuts, Hook and Press just can’t be beat! And for cupcakes, Crushcakes is a local hit!

2. Florals

If you’ve though ahead you may have contacted a local florist to get a flower crown, boquet and boutonniere. There are many florists I know of that work on short notice, so you can email or call me for a current list of who I’m working with. Short of that, you can buy some poses from any of the 4 local Trader Joe’s and bind them together in an easy peasy bouquet.

3. Dress

If you haven’t thought about a wedding dress, I have some you can borrow! Putting on a white dress just makes the occasion grand and the photos pop!

The one thing I wouldn’t skimp on is the photography! No matter how simple or fancy your details are, I will render you and your partners special love in images you can treasure forever! Like diamonds, these images will become more precious over time! Call me, I’d love to chat about your upcoming elopement and anything I can do to help!

Jenn and Travis’ magical sunset elopement on the Ellwood bluffs near Santa Barbara Ca. It was my honor and pleasure to capture the love and union that was solidified on this wonderful day! Thank you Jenn and Travis for choosing me, I hope you enjoy these photo memories for a lifetime.

 

Thank you Father Jerry for the beautiful ceremony and Hook and Press for the gorgeous donuts.

Jason and Jenny got married at Alice Keck Park Santa Barbara in an intimate ceremony with family and friends! Congratulations Jason and Jenny!

Congratulations Rey and Bryan on your wedding day! You are an amazing couple full of joy and love and surrounded by those who love you dearly! It was a beautiful day to join two beautiful souls.

Rey and Bryan enjoyed their wedding surrounded by family and friends! One of the best ways to enjoy your wedding day photography is a photobooth! We offer photobooth services so you and your friends can enjoy your Santa Barbara wedding for days to come!

Rey and Bryan’s Wedding

November 10, 2018

Santa Barbara, California

Thank you to the wonderful vendor team including

Fine Heart Photography

Amazing Days Events

Blush & Bangs

Chooket Bakery

Mariachi Jalisco Entertainment

Leana Rae and the Baes

Alpha Floral

The Hyatt

Eloping in Santa Barbara is easy! Make sure you have a witness, or you’ll pay them $51 to witness you! Of course, as your photographer I’m  happy to fill in!

To elope in Santa Barara, you simply need to fill out a license online, then set up a time to take an oath, sign papers, pay the fees, and then you can get hitched right then and there, with the gorgeous Santa Barbara Courthouse as a backdrop! Of course you will want to book me, Barbara, an amazing photographer who makes the process fun and delivers gorgeous images! Below is the link to the online marriage license form. Scroll down to find some useful links for eloping! Enjoy my courthouse wedding photography along the way. – Barbara

Some things you might not know:

You need a witness or else you pay a $51 witness fee. Your lovely photographer can be your witness.

You can have a friend appointed BY the courthouse to perform your ceremony (no need to go online to a church).

Helpful Links

Santa Barbara Marriage License Application

Make an Appt for Marriage Ceremony  (costs $23 and takes 48 hours)

Get more information on elopement photography from FineHeartPhotography!

Here’s a slideshow of images from Tanya and Billy’s courthouse elopement.

Get more information on marriage in Santa Barbara County

Best of luck to you and many happy returns!

 

 

 


(805) 637-0752