Say ‘I do’ amidst California’s stunning landscapes—towering mountains, desert tranquility, iconic rock formations, renowned beaches, and enchanting forests.
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Embarking on the journey of matrimony in California is an enchanting experience, where the diverse beauty of nature becomes your wedding backdrop. From the majestic cliffs of Big Sur to the pristine shores of Lake Tahoe , the vibrant cityscape of San Diego, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, to the awe-inspiring wonders of Yosemite National Park, each locale holds a unique charm for your elopement. The weather varies across these destinations, so consider packing layers for the coastal breezes or mountain chill. Accessibility is generally good, but it’s advisable to check specific locations for any potential challenges, ensuring a seamless celebration. Whether exchanging vows with the sound of ocean waves or the rustling leaves of a sequoia forest as your soundtrack, California offers an unforgettable setting for your special day.
For those seeking an awe-inspiring backdrop, California is a treasure trove of breathtaking vistas and unforgettable moments. Whether you’re drawn to the dramatic cliffs of Big Sur the serene beauty of Lake Tahoe, the vibrant energy of San Diego, the iconic landmarks of San Francisco, or the natural wonders of Yosemite, each location promises a unique and magical setting for your elopement. In terms of wardrobe, consider the diverse climates—from the mild coastal temperatures to the cooler mountain air—and choose attire that suits your chosen locale. California welcomes all love stories, and many venues are accessible, though it’s recommended to confirm specific details for any mobility considerations, ensuring that your celebration is not only beautiful but inclusive and comfortable for everyone.
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Why eloping in California is awesome
California, with its diverse landscapes and iconic destinations, offers an unparalleled canvas for your elopement.
We’re firm believers that there’s magic within each and every wedding that takes place.
You, your SO, and someone to make it official. For couples all about the essentials, the Seed package sets you up for a simply perfect day.
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Customize your PackageThe Sprout package offers a professional officiant, one hour of photography, your Personal Elopement Planner and access to our best-in-class tech platform. Your stress-free elopement starts here!
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Customize your PackageBloom couples enjoy all of the Sprout services and more—namely, a matching bouquet and boutonniere delivered to your suite or ceremony site.
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Customize your PackageWhy should big weddings have all the fun? If your dream elopement includes an exotic photo sesh, a first-look video, and a dedicated glam team, Oasis is your destination.
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Customize your PackageTo elope in California, simply bring a driver’s license or passport for both parties wishing to elope to any county clerk office in the state — weekdays only. Note that some counties in California will also require copies of your birth certificates for this process, so check online well before your trip to confirm if this is a requirement for the county you plan to elope in. While you’re on the clerk’s website you may also check to see if you can start the marriage license application online before you travel. This can shorten your eventual visit to the clerk’s office to finalize your application and help to avoid any unforeseen complications that might arise on the week of your elopement when you’re already far from home.
If either party wishing to elope has been divorced within the past six months, you’ll need to present a copy of the divorce decree along with your other required documents. A California marriage license is immediately valid and remains valid for 90 days. It must be used within the state of California. Once your marriage is formalized, don’t forget to return the actual license to the clerk’s office where it was issued. They will provide you with certified copies of your marriage license. If you’re not sticking around the area for long after your elopement, let us know! Your officiant may be able to assist with this bit.
If you’re looking to elope in Lake Tahoe, be sure to double and triple-check the location of your elopement venue to ensure that you are indeed eloping in California and not across the border in Nevada, where you’ll need a marriage license issued by the State of Nevada rather than California.
There are California elopement options to fit any budget. The Golden State has plenty of possibilities for those looking to splurge a little, but if you and your partner are trying to be budget-conscious, you can certainly keep costs low. Your marriage certificate will cost around $100 and, if you’re eloping outdoors, there may be extra fees associated with any permits required to elope in one of the state’s nine national parks.
For a custom quote on a package, explore our Quote Builder.
California is a huge state with so many different landscapes that it can be daunting to narrow down the location of your small California wedding. Talk with your partner about the kind of weather, scenery, and activities that bring you the most joy before deciding on your elopement destination, venue, and date. The northern half of the state has more pine trees than palms and it celebrates all four seasons out loud while the southern half of California has more of a tropical, beachy feel overall and fewer national parks. Both areas have plenty of perks, so it’s up to you to figure out what your preferences are before honing in on a location for your intimate California wedding.
You’ll need to bring $100, one form of government-issued identification per person, and proof of any prior legal separations to any county clerk’s office in the state. You may also need to bring copies of your birth certificates. This varies by county, so do your research. Simply Eloped will guide you through the marriage license process.
In the State of California, you are required to have one witness present during the ceremony. Note that there is no age requirement in California for witnesses, but any witnesses you choose will need to be old enough to sign their names on the official marriage license.
In California, there is no blood test or waiting period required, so your visit to the county clerk’s office shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. As soon as you’ve completed the application process, the clerk will give you your license immediately and you are ready to elope. California marriage licenses are only valid for 90 days, so make sure you get your marriage license within the 90 days leading up to your elopement date.
All beaches within the State of California require a permit for wedding ceremonies, no matter how small. For example, if you’re getting married in the LA area, be sure to check out LA County’s beach permitting system. Pending where you choose to elope in California, Simply Eloped may coordinate your permit for you, but the state won’t limit access to any public areas, so keep in mind that you might not be completely alone when saying your vows.
California’s weather is exceptional. Even with the varied climates of the northern and southern parts of the state, the weather in California is typically sunny and temperate throughout. Keep in mind that the summer months still get hot here, so spring and fall may be better options for heat-sensitive couples. It is also worth noting that the state can experience some clouds in May and June, but these two months are popular with engaged couples who welcome the slightly cooler weather for their outdoor elopements and are happy to avoid the dreaded midday sun that can cause squinted eyes and an unpleasant glare in photographs. Of course, deciding which month will be best for your California elopement also depends on the vibe you’re after. Each season offers something different, especially in northern California.
If you want to keep costs low, May, June, and July should be avoided, as they are the state’s busiest months for tourism, and prices for things like accommodations and transportation are at their highest. For elopers on a budget, your best bet is a November elopement when visitors are more sparse and prices are subsequently lower.
1. We don't believe a wedding has to be stressful. There is far less to coordinate (and we take on most of that planning anyhow), and your realm of responsibility consists of making a few decisions and getting your marriage license. It's hard to beat a wedding that is actually...wait for it...relaxing!
2. Cost-conscious: Let's be honest, there is so much uncertainty right now! Economic recession? Inflation? Rising cost of living? Save your money for a honeymoon or buying a house and still have a ceremony you'll remember for the rest of your lives.
3. A Ceremony should be About YOU and YOUR LOVE: When did a wedding turn into a party for everyone else? We personalize every aspect of your experience – from the vendors to the vows. We'll even cry real tears with you. We're here to celebrate the core of what makes a wedding ceremony special: you making a lifetime commitment to the one you love. That's a big deal – and we treat it as such.
1. Flowers by Palette We have arrangements based on a color palette, which means the types of flowers may not be exactly as pictured, but the colors and arrangement style will match. You can explore our options for Flowers by Palette here (excluding Hawaii).
2. Hawaiian Arrangements Hawaii is a unique destination, and we have our stunning tropical arrangements for ceremonies taking place in Hawaii. You can view these arrangements here. Please note that these arrangements are only available in Hawaii.
As soon as you book our services, we get to work! We'll immediately introduce you to your Personal Elopement Planner, who is kind of like your best friend between the date you book and the day you elope! Your Pep will be ensuring every step of the process is smooth and delightful. They will introduce you to your team, answer any questions you have, put your schedule and invoice together, and much more!
We'll also begin the process of personalizing. You'll work with your officiant to ensure your ceremony matches what you envision and dream of. Your photographer will ensure they understand the kind of shots or photos you're hoping for. Your hair & makeup artist will inquire about the style you're going for with your hair and makeup. Your dashboard is also customized to meet your needs.
We offer many tools to help you feel at ease about your decision to book Simply Eloped, including your personalized Elopement Checklist, your marriage license guide, your Wedding Page, and more! You can even make installment payments on your invoice at 0% APR. Weeks prior to your ceremony, we'll send your itinerary with all the details you and your guests need. Your team will meet at your ceremony site, and the rest, as they say, is history.
First off, know that every moment of your elopement day, we are available to you for whatever you need! We're very prompt on timing with floral delivery, hair & makeup, etc.
Your team will always meet at your venue prior to your ceremony time to ensure everyone is collected, introduced, and ready for a gorgeous ceremony right on time. Your officiant will kick off your ceremony and ensure that all of your requests are beautifully exhibited in your personalized ceremony. It's important to note that your dedicated Personal Elopement Planner will not be present at the ceremony, but will definitely be accessible by phone or text for your day-of needs.
Ceremonies generally last 15-20 minutes, which will then kick off into your portrait session with your photographer (if you booked one with us). The main task you need to be mindful of on your big day is bringing your marriage license, and we do the rest! 🌼👰🤵
We wish we could control the weather, but alas, there are some things quite simply out of our realm of power.
In our experience, most weather passes quickly, and we can be flexible about timing. However, we do have recommendations or options for indoor venues, and if worst comes to worst, we can move your ceremony to another day. We'll work with you individually in the case of poor weather.
Pro tip: Though weather can be daunting or scary, some of our FAVORITE ceremonies happen in thunder, rain, or snow storms. Being open-minded about ""undesirable"" weather can create an extremely memorable ceremony. Sometimes it's all about perspective.