A Santa Barbara Courthouse Wedding: Inspiration to Plan a Dreamy Courthouse Wedding

I will literally never get tired of shooting in Santa Barbara. The sunshine, the palm trees, the architecture… It’s like California showing off (as it should). And don’t even get me started on this Santa Barbara courthouse wedding venue, it’s hands down one of the prettiest “venues” you can get married at, yet it doesn’t even feel like a courthouse (think Mediterranean villa vibes with arches, murals, gardens, all the things!)

The couple sharing a kiss outside the courthouse, the bride holding a large bouquet of pastel blooms at their santa barbara courthouse wedding.

A candid black-and-white moment of the bride twirling with the groom on the sunny courthouse lawn at their santa barbara courthouse wedding.

A close-up of the couple’s hands joined together during their vows, with delicate lace details on the bride’s gown.

A wide shot of the bride walking across the lawn with her mom and dad in front of the Santa Barbara Courthouse building and palm trees.

Haley & Conor’s day was the blueprint for why I’m obsessed with Santa Barbara weddings. Like, it had everything, a courthouse ceremony that was sweet AF (yes to emotional vows under palm trees), a lawn cocktail hour that felt like a fancy garden party with their favorite people, and then a casual lil stroll through downtown like wedding day icons before heading to their Villa & Vine reception. It was giving chic, effortless, and zero drama, aka the dream. 10/10 would relive this day forever.

If you’ve been thinking about having a Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding, take this as your sign! Here’s some inspiration and a few ideas from Haley & Conor’s day that might just convince you.

The bride walking up behind the groom for their first look moment at a santa barbara courthouse wedding.

Wedding flat lay details with invitations, gold rings, perfume, and flowers styled together on rustic wood.

The groom turning around with a smile as the bride shows off her gown in a garden first look.

Why You Should Have A Santa Barbara Courthouse Wedding

The Santa Barbara Courthouse is honestly one of the prettiest venues in California, and it doesn’t even have to try (like...how is it this cute and still technically a courthouse?!). The architecture is stunning, the palm trees are thriving, and the light?? Unreal. It’s the kind of spot that looks good at every angle, which means less stress and more living your best wedding day life. Whether you’re eloping just the two of you or inviting a whole hype squad, there’s plenty of space to make it feel intimate, personal, and easy. Bonus: You don’t have to do much to make it feel special; it already is all on its own!

Things to Note From Haley & Conor’s Ceremony:

Keep your ceremony simple, let the building’s details be the “decor.”
There are multiple spots to have ceremonies here. If you want an indoor ceremony, it is limited to 15 people, so have your ceremony in the gardens if you have more people!
Plan for group photos on the lawn outside! There’s plenty of space without it feeling crowded!

Every county has different guidelines for marriage licenses, so be sure to check out Santa Barbara’s Marriage License Requirements!

The couple holding hands during their outdoor ceremony, framed by the historic wooden doors and floral arrangements.

A pastel bouquet of roses, ranunculus, and daisies resting beside a turquoise fountain during a santa barbara courthouse wedding.

The bride and groom walking hand in hand under the large stone archway at their santa barbara courthouse wedding.

A romantic portrait of the couple standing together on the stone courthouse steps after their santa barbara courthouse wedding.

Cocktail Hour on the Courthouse Lawn

Haley & Conor made the most of the courthouse grounds by hosting a cocktail hour right on the lawn (food and drinks aren’t allowed for ceremonies, but you can reserve a Light Reception!). Guests sipped drinks mixed by Simply Cocktails, grazed on spreads from The Grazing Place, and enjoyed the sunshine while we took portraits. The flow of Haley and Conor’s day was truly unmatched!!

A lavish charcuterie table decorated with greenery set beneath the white tower at a santa barbara courthouse wedding.

The couple walking across the green lawn together, the bride’s veil flowing in the breeze.

White cocktail tables scattered across the lawn, decorated with small floral arrangements under the sunshine.

This setup was so beautiful but simple (in the best ways). The guests gathered in little groups under the palm trees, kids ran around on the grass, and the whole thing felt natural and so effortlessly beautiful!

Idea to steal: Even if your reception is at another venue, let guests enjoy a casual cocktail hour on the courthouse lawn. It keeps the energy flowing and avoids that post-ceremony lull!

The groom gently lifts the bride’s gown as they walk across the grass after their santa barbara courthouse wedding.

The newlyweds walking back down the aisle, smiling as guests cheer at their santa barbara courthouse wedding.

A close-up of the bride’s lace gown and veil as she holds a lemonade during the sunny reception.

Guests gather under umbrellas and palm trees during cocktail hour on the courthouse lawn.

Walking from the Courthouse to Villa & Vine

After the ceremony and cocktails, Haley & Conor did my favorite thing: they walked with their guests from the courthouse to their reception. This little transition gave us some of my favorite photos of the day. Everyone was laughing, cheering, and soaking in the moment, no shuttles, no stress, and it was so fun!

Villa & Vine is only a short walk away, which makes it the perfect pairing with the courthouse. You get two totally different vibes in one day without overcomplicating logistics, and then you get two different vibes for photos!

Idea to steal: Choose a reception venue close enough to walk to. Those “in-between” moments of strolling through town as newlyweds are honestly unforgettable.

The bride and groom holding hands while crossing the street after their santa barbara courthouse wedding.

The bride and groom walking around after their santa barbara courthouse wedding.

The bride and groo walking hand in hand together to their wedding reception at Villa and Vine

Reception at Villa & Vine

If the courthouse is giving grand + iconic main character energy, then Villa & Vine is her chill, cozy BFF who always knows where the best wine is. The combo? Elite! Haley & Conor brought the vibes with florals from Boho Chic Dreams, so many fun textures, pops of greenery, and the dreamiest purples that totally made the Spanish-style courtyard feel like a floral fairytale. It was intimate, romantic, and just the right amount of "extra" in the best way.

An open-air reception setup with long wooden tables, string lights, and florals for a santa barbara courthouse wedding celebration.

The bride and groom smiling and sharing their first dance outdoors surrounded by greenery.

Guests seated at long wooden tables beneath draped white curtains during the santa barbara courthouse wedding reception.

Their rentals were from The Tent Merchant, which pulled everything together for dinner under the hanging lights! Guests enjoyed cake from Lele Patisserie before everyone hit the dance floor. Villa & Vine has that private, tucked-away feel right in the middle of Santa Barbara, and it was the perfect spot to cap off a courthouse wedding day!

Idea to steal: Pair the courthouse with a reception venue that already has character. You won’t need to over-style, and you’ll save money and time on all the extra decor!

A tiled fountain surrounded by purple and white florals at the reception venue.

A vintage-inspired wedding cake topped with cherries and Polaroid snapshots of the couple.

Rows of champagne glasses displayed on a gold shelf with name cards at a santa barbara courthouse wedding reception.

Making Your Courthouse Wedding Feel Like You

If you’re thinking, “Okay, but how do we make it feel personal?” I’ve got you!! A courthouse wedding isn’t about stripping things down to nothing; it’s about focusing on what matters most and layering in details that feel like you.

Love food? Bring in your favorite grazing boards or a local taco truck for after the ceremony.
Big on cocktails? Hire a bartender who can whip up a signature drink (yes, even at the courthouse lawn!).
Want photos that feel more documentary? Skip the stiff posing and plan a walk through the city instead.
Love the idea of getting out of town? Pair your Santa Barbara courthouse wedding with a weekend wine tour in the Valley.
Stuck between two aesthetics for your day? Pick different ceremony and reception locations so you can have it all.

Haley & Conor leaned into their laid-back, people-first energy, and it was perfect. Your version might look totally different, and that’s the beauty of it!

The newlyweds share a romantic dip kiss down the aisle surrounded by florals at their santa barbara courthouse wedding.

The bride stands on stone steps holding a pastel bouquet, smiling softly in her lace gown.

The couple poses together on the courthouse steps after their santa barbara courthouse wedding, framed by the curved white wall.

The groom adjusting his suit jacket while standing in front of the courthouse architecture.

What to Know Before Planning a Courthouse Wedding

Here’s where I sprinkle in the quick “don’t forgets” that couples sometimes overlook:

Permits are required. Even for smaller ceremonies, make sure you reserve your spot early (Santa Barbara Courthouse reservations may be made up to, but no more than 12 months from the date of the ceremony!)
Timing matters. The courthouse lawn gets direct sun midday. Later afternoon = softer light for photos (and depending on the time of year, you might like the weather better at different times)
Crowds are real. Weekends can get busy, so consider a weekday if you want a more private feel. The Courthouse is still a public place, so you can’t “block” anything off, so keep that in mind when planning!
Have a coordinator. Haley & Conor worked with Joyan Design and everything flowed so seamlessly! Having a coordinator or planner truly does make your day go so much smoother (and who doesn’t love less stress?!)
Think about flow. Courthouse → cocktail hour → Villa & Vine reception = smooth, connected but super relaxing! Your flow will depend on your priorities for the day, and that’s the best part!

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Why I Love Photographing Courthouse Weddings

As a Santa Barbara wedding photographer, courthouse weddings are some of my favorites to capture. You get variety (historic architecture, open lawns, downtown streets all in one), and couples get to relax instead of stressing about big timelines!

Some of my favorite shots from Haley & Conor’s day weren’t even at the ceremony; they were on the walk through town, when the pressure was off and they could just laugh together. That’s what makes courthouse weddings so special: the real, unscripted moments! And the portraits we did at the end of the night at The Arlington Theatre?! Literally the cherry on top for the whole day.

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Book Your Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer!

Haley & Conor’s wedding is proof that a Santa Barbara courthouse wedding can be both stylish and low-key without even feeling like you’re at a courthouse! Pairing the courthouse with Villa & Vine gave them a flow that just made sense: ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all within walking distance.

If you’re planning your own courthouse wedding and want photos that capture the in-between laughs, the sweet walks, and every real moment in between, I’d love to tell your story! Get in touch here to book your Santa Barbara wedding photographer today!

If you want more wedding inspiration, check out my Pinterest for more!