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.

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.

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!

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

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

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!

For practical information on eloping in Santa Barbara County see this page. 

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!