Let me guess…

You clicked post because you read the title and though YES I HAVE BEEN NEEDING THIS 

I am also going to guess that  big weddings are not your thing, the thought of 100+ guests stresses you out, and that if you would rather focus on marrying the love of your life on your wedding day- instead just entertaining your parent’s friends that you haven’t seen since you were 5, and low key don’t know very well.  You would rather spend your wedding day doing what you want and where you want to do it, without being obstructed by timelines or traditions or familial expectations.

I totally get you! Ever since the pandemic, and before then honestly, more and more couples have been choosing to elope over having a big wedding. It can be (sometimes, but not always) cheaper than a bigger wedding, and saves you from having 100 people watch you say “I Do” (where are my shy girlies at ?!?!?!?). A lot of couples who elope also just prefer a more private life style. Or maybe they are saving for a house or a big move and do not want to invest thousands into a wedding right now, but want to be officially married. Eloping can also be a great option if you don’t have a lot of family near by who you would want to attend a bigger wedding, but you don’t want to wait until everyone has time to get together again to be married.

Eloping can also look so many different ways now. You can hike to a mountain top to exchange your vows. Or runaway to Vegas and have an Elvis impersonator officiate your wedding. You can elope at city hall, and have a nice dinner downtown with your friends and family after. It can look and feel however you want, and that is something that I personally love and appreciate about eloping in 2024.

This is why I made a list of all the prettiest places in Southern California to exchange your vows at! There is everything from beautiful architecture to stunning beach views on this list, and the best part is you don’t have to JUST choose one! You can make multiple stops on your elopement day, after all it is YOUR day! You can do whatever you want to make sure it is personalized and unique to you and your partner. So whether that be a courthouse vow exchange and then photos at the beach after, or beachside vow exchange with a downtown photo session after, there is something for everyone and your day can be 100% what you want it to be and look like.

1. The Santa Barbara Courthouse in Santa Barbara

Located near State Street and just minutes from the beach, The Santa Barbara Courthouse is such a beautiful spot for your elopement! It features a courtyard filled with lush greens and surrounded by beautiful Spanish style architecture. After your ceremony you can try one of the AMAZING restaurants nearby so you don’t have to worry about driving across town. And if you decide to elope on a week day, you can even go inside the courthouse for shots at the iconic spiral staircase!

2. Grant Park in Ventura

This one of a kind, picturesque park sits above Ventura and overlooks the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands! It has a cross on a raised platform that is perfect for saying your vows, and from there you can see all of Ventura, and even Oxnard! Located right above downtown Ventura and less than 10 minutes from the beach it is the perfect spot if you are looking for an elopement spot that has a little bit of beach, a little bit of hillside, and a little urban twist! It is also a short distance from the Ventura Botanic Gardens, which are perfect for photos after your vows. This is truly such an iconic California spot that has something for everyone, and you will not regret choosing it for your elopement (plus if you have a few friends and family with you to witness your vows, they’ll love it too).

3. Ellwood Bluffs in Goleta 

This is the most perfect spot for those who love the beach, and the outdoors in general! It’s an easy walk through a beautiful garden to cliffs that overlook the beautiful pacific ocean and Channel Islands!! The plant life there is diverse and unique to California. It also changes with each season, so you can guarantee that your photos won’t look like anyone else’s. It is a one of a kind location that you will not find anywhere else in Southern California.

4. The Ventura County Courthouse in Ventura 

Featuring clean cut marble from it’s original build in 1912, with a stunning view of the beach and downtown Ventura, this is a perfect elopement spot for couples who love historic vibes with a modern twist. There are lots of stunning spots inside, and around the outside of the building for taking photos at, and the front of the building makes a perfect backdrop for exchanging vows! Then, when your ceremony is over and you took all your dream photos, you can head down to one of Ventura’s amazing restaurants for an amazing dinner downtown! Another plus for eloping here is if you get married at sunset, you will have perfect unobstructed views of the sunsetting over the Ventura Pier and Pacific Ocean, truly it is the most perfect way to end your elopement.

I hope this article helped you with your Southern California elopement planning! Whether you are looking for a simple elopement that is just you, your partner, or an officiant- or you want a couple of your closest friends and family to be there too- either way there is a spot that is perfect for creating your dream elopement! If you have any questions or are looking for even more ideas click here I’d love to chat with you and see how I can help bring your photo vision to life!!