How to elope in California

If you're idea of an epic elopement involves sharing your vows in a wild, surreal destination- California will go above and beyond!
As elopement experts, we have done a ton of research on eloping all over the world, and created in-depth guides for adventurous couples just like you!

Table of contents:

Emily

Owner + Lead Elopement Planner, Photographer & Videographer

MEET THE
LOVE UNCHARTED

team!

Heyyy, I'm Emily! The founder of Love Uncharted and the OG elopement photographer of the crew!
When I'm not busy planning and documenting epic wedding days, you can find me exploring on two wheels, loving on my fur babies, or day-dreaming about my next adventure!

yASMINE

Elopement Planner & Photographer

Elopements have allowed me to bring my love for photography and adventure together in such an epic way!
When I'm not scouting for locations or taking photos of an awesome couple on their wedding day, you can find me hitting the trails!

The Best Time to Elope in California:

When choosing your destination and date for your elopement there are several factors to consider- such as tourism, weather, and scenery. Each season brings something unique to the table, and there are pros and cons to eloping in California during every season!

Summer (June- August)

Summer is the only time of year where all locations, both high and low elevation, are accessible. Like many other scenic states, summer time is the peak for tourism. However, if you're looking to elope on the coast or in higher elevation areas, summer is a great time to elope! If you're looking to elope in areas such as Death Valley or Joshua tree, we recommend avoiding the summer months as it gets incredibly hot.

Fall (September- November)

If you want to enjoy the epic scenery of California without the tourists and high temperatures, fall is the perfect time to elope! Plus, the fall colors of California are surreal, which adds a stunning flare to the scenery for your elopement! Some places may begin seeing snow in November (especially higher elevations,) so avoid planning your elopement too late into the fall if you're looking to elope in the mountains!

Winter (December- March)

The winter months are the perfect time of year to elope in certain areas of the state, such as the deserts, as temperatures are cooling off. Some roads and trails in higher elevations may be closed due to snow, so it's important to check road statuses and conditions and create a backup plan in case your location is inaccessible. The winter months are also the wettest months out of the year, which means rain has a higher possibility.

Spring (March- May)

While it depends on where in California you are before you start seeing the warmer temperatures, spring in California tends to be the best time of year to elope in California! Waterfalls are rushing, wildflowers will be blooming from late March- April, and the state is coming alive again!

Where to elope in California:

While we try to keep information about elopement locations updated as frequently as possible, things are always changing!
It's important to always do research and contact the national/ state parks in advance to get information on the latest guidelines, requirements, and restrictions!
When we help you design your epic elopement experience, I will always provide the most recent information regarding permits and guidelines for locations!
Be sure to leave no trace when visiting beautiful outdoor locations- it is crucial for the health and longevity of the environment.


The Coast

California's coast has so many stunning beaches, with their vibe changing based on where in the state you are. Northern California's beaches have dramatic rocky coastlines, whereas souther California has the white sandy beaches.

Things to consider:

  • As you can imagine, the beaches in California during the summer time can be slammed. If you're looking to enjoy the coast, avoid the peak tourist months.

Our top five locations for elopements:

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Lake Powell
Grand Canyon National Park
Petrified Forest National Park
Salt River Canyon Wilderness
While we 100% believe in transparency, as elopement experts we have dedicated a lot of time searching far and wide for hidden gem locations that are less crowded, and more surreal!
While we recommend general areas, gorgeous state and national parks, and other popular locations- we have a personal database of thousands of locations across the United States! When you book your elopement experience with us, we will help you find locations that perfectly suit your unique elopement.

Ready to start planning your epic elopement?
GET IN TOUCH!

The Mountains

There are so many stunning mountain ranges throughout the state of california that are perfect for an epic elopement! The Cascade Range with Mount Shasta in the north, the Coast Ranges in the west, and the Transverse/Peninsular Ranges in the south are all epic areas if you're looking to explore the mountains during your elopement!

Things to consider:

  • Higher elevation areas may be inaccessible during the winter months due to snow, so it's important to have a backup plan and other potential locations just in case. Be sure to check road statuses and conditions prior to your elopement!

The Desert

There are several areas in southern California that are vast deserts, which are awesome locations for an adventurous elopement! Places like Joshua Tree, Death Valley, and the Great Basin are great places to elope if you want something unique and other-worldly!

Things to consider:

  • Sumer months in the deserts of California are brutal, so plan your elopement in the winter or early spring moinths to have much more tolerable weather and less crowds!

Obtaining a marriage license in the state of California

If you're looking to obtain your marriage license in the state of California, here's what you need to know and what you will need to bring when picking up your license:

  • Both parties must present in person a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, state-issued ID, passport, military ID, or Tribal/BIA card.
  • There is no waiting period to pick up your marriage license.
  • Califronia requires 0-1 witnesses and an officiant to sign the marriage license.

A marriage license in California costs $80- $100 for a public license (requires one witness,) or $83- $220+ for a confidential license (no witnesses required.)

California has so much more to offer than just epic views...

When most people are thinking of eloping, they don't intitally think to include some epic activities and experiences into their elopement timeline! However, not only does it make for some badass photos, it also fills up the day with some excitment versus driving around and looking for scenic spots!

There are so many fun things you can do in Arizona, such as:
  • Jeep tours
  • Horseback riding
  • Zipling
  • Hiking
  • Kayaking
  • Ride ATVs
  • Paddleboarding
  • Camping
  • Surfing

You need a California photographer who truly understands epic elopements

We have spent years mastering the art of elopements in some of the most surreal and epic destinations across the globe, and California is one of our favorite places to plan epic wedding days!
While we're pretty good at documenting the adventure (if i do say so myself,) we also do SO MUCH MORE for our adventurous couples.

Some things you can expect when booking your elopement with us in California is:
  • Experts who have spent years planning unique elopements.
  • A team of two hype girls who are honored to celebrate your big day with you.
  • Expert advice on locations, weather, and other logistics.
  • A timeline that is designed to keep your day running smoothly (as well as a backup plan.)
  • Help booking other vendors, such as HMUA's, florists, private chefs, etc.
  • Recommendations on local activities that can add some fun to your elopement.
  • Answers to all of your questions!

California
ELOPEMENT PACKAGES

Photo and Photo + Video Packages Available.

What Every California Elopement Experience Includes:

From 4 Hours to Multiple Days of Coverage that Preserves your Epic Day

In-Depth Planning to create your Personalized Elopement Experience

No Added Fees- All Travel Costs for the Whole Crew are Covered

Experiences Starting at $3,400
Couples Typically invest $5,400

Pricing Includes Tax + Travel.

FAQ ABOUT ELOPING in California

"Do I need a permit to elope in California?"

"Do I need a permit to elope in California?"

Some locations, such as national parks and state parks, typically require a special use permit or a wedding ceremony permit when you are having a ceremony within the park. Some parks only require a permit if the wedding/ elopement will have over a certain number of people within your group. If you are just enjoying the park and having photos done, you may not need a permit for your elopement, but a photo/ film permit may be necessary for your photographer or videographer.
Be sure to check each location's regulations and requirements to ensure your elopement day goes as smooth as possible!
If you book your elopement experience with us, we will help you with all of the logistics and legalities of your elopement day!

"How much does it cost to elope in California?"

"How much does it cost to elope in California?"

You can elope in California for as little as your marriage license! A marriage license in California costs $80- $100 for a public license (requires one witness,) or $83- $220+ for a confidential license (no witnesses required.) If you're visiting national or state parks you may need to pay an entry fee. We typically find that our couples spend anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000+ depending on what they have planned for their experience! Keep in mind that this also includes airefare, lodging for several nights, rental car, wedding attire, vendors, activities and more!
Choosing to elope doesn't necessarily mean choosing the cheaper option (though it definitely can be,) it just means you are investing into an experience that is worth the money! Think about it, you're basically having your dream vacation AND marrying your best friend!

"When should we book our elopement photographer & videographer?"

"When should we book our elopement photographer & videographer?"

We can plan an epic experience with as little as a few weeks notice, however, we recommend you book your elopement photographer and videographer as soon as possible- even if you aren't sure when or where you will elope!
We have helped couples plan a truly epic wedding day when all they knew is they wanted somewhere scenic and full of opportunities, so even if your ideas are vague, don't hesitate to reach out!
There are endless possibilities when it comes to planning a truly unique and epic elopement! While these are only a handful of adventurous ideas, there are no rules nor limits when it comes to what your wedding day can look like.
The most important thing is that your elopement makes your wildest dreams come true, and that the day truly aligns with you and your partner!

Not sure where to start when planning your epic elopement?
We are a team of adenture-loving elopement experts who have planned and photographed unique elopements across the world!
Click here to learn more about eloping with Love Uncharted!

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