The time has come to start planning your special day! You and your partner have google spreadsheets, notebooks, and a phonebook of all the contacts you may need. After an hour of planning, you’ve concluded that a big wedding isn’t really your style, and you want to take the road less traveled…eloping! Eloping has become a popular alternative in place of traditional weddings as of late, which is cool to see the transition! With increased elopements, many are still lost on where to start when planning their elopement. As a California-based photographer, I decided to create the ultimate elopement guide on how to elope in California! 

Picking a Location: Where To Elope in California

Location is probably one of the essential aspects when it comes to eloping! The location sets the overall mood and scene of the elopement. California, aka the Golden State, is an excellent option because of its versatility. You’ve got options that range from beautiful mountain tops to sun-kissed beaches along the coast. Below are some of my top locations to choose from when planning your California elopement.

Best California Elopement Locations

Death Valley

Sand dunes, mountains, and badlands- talk about dramatic scenery! Deemed as one of the largest national parks in the US, there’s no question that Death Valley can serve as the ultimate setting for your California elopement. With such a versatile landscape, you are bound to get some unforgettable views and photos.

Big Sur

Big Sur is the place for you if you’re one for coastal views! This national park can only be described as dreamy, with winding turns, seaside cliffs, and a misty coastline. The cliffside views are breathtaking.

Yosemite National Park

Located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite is one of California’s most notorious national parks. Not only does this landscape have exceptional views, but it also has a village full of shops, restaurants, lodging, and a couple of museums—a trendy location for many to elope at.

Joshua Tree

One can never go wrong with Joshua Tree as their California elopement location. Located in Southern California near Palm Springs, the landscapes of tan rock formations and exotic Joshua trees make for airy photos with warm and welcoming undertones.

Picking a Time: The Best Time of Year To Elope in California

This part varies depending on the individual. There isn’t a “good” or “bad” time of year to elope- it all comes down to personal preference. Each season in California offers different attributes that may appeal to some and less to others. Many claim that California’s weather is pretty consistent but depending on where you are located (north or south), you are in for two contrasting climates. With each season’s uniqueness, I’ve highlighted my favorite aspects of each of them.

Spring

One of the best times to be in California! The weather is mild and sunny, with flowers blossoming all around.

Summer

Summer in SoCal is the place to be! It’s fun, lively, and vibrant, with the beaches poppin off. The heat is reasonably bearable if you stay along the coast in the summertime.

Fall

The weather starts to cool down in Southern California, while in NorCal, the mountain ranges and trees begin to burst with vibrant red, orange, and yellow hues.

Winter

Compared to most states, winter in California is very manageable. If you’re looking for snow, you will need to make your way up to NorCals mountain tops.

The Logistics: How to Legally Get Married in California

This may be one of the most critical parts of the whole process- getting your marriage license! There are marriage laws that couples are permitted to follow when planning to get married. I’ve listed some of California’s below so you can understand the legal process for your California elopement.

Marriage License

In order to get married in California, both individuals need to meet the age of 18 or older. The state requires both individuals to apply for and sign the marriage license in person. Luckily there’s no waiting period, so the pressure of getting your license at a specific time before your wedding isn’t necessary.

Permits

If you’re planning on eloping in a national park, you will need to use a special permit to do so. Costs may vary depending on the location along with the rules and regulations. Make sure you do your research to enable that everything runs smoothly.

Witnesses + Officiants

For your marriage to be official, you will need at least one witness over the age of 18 present at the ceremony.

The Nitty Gritty Details: Figuring Out The Fun Stuff

Now that you’ve taken care of the location, time of year, and the marriage license process- it’s time to move on to the fun stuff of your California elopement! This part of the planning process is where your personal preference and creative freedom come into play when choosing things such as dress and tux styles, flower arrangements, food, etc. To help guide you through this process and to ensure you haven’t forgotten any significant details, I created a list of resources with some of the most vital aspects when planning an elopement

Elopement Checklist Resources

Junebug Weddings

Here Comes The Guide

Brides

Related Topics

For more blogs similar to this one check out the links below!

Retro Palm Springs Elopement

Sunset Desert Elopement