How to Elope In San Diego
There aren’t many couples brave enough to consider eloping, so if you’re reading this, you’re pretty badass.
Eloping means that all of the wedding day choices you have to make, are yours entirely. There are no rules. You can truly make your day any adventure you want—it can be a day that reflects the two of you instead of being focused on everyone else’s needs, opinions, and expectations.
You decided to elope, and you decided to elope in San Diego. Pat yourself on the back for making an amazing choice. Now you just have to figure out exactly how to Elope in San Diego. There’s a actually a suprizing amount of choices to make. Let’s break it down.
Where?
Close your eyes and think about your wedding day. Where will you be standing when you say I do?
Beach
There’s no shortage of amazing beaches in San Diego all with their own unique features. I’ll help guide you to pick the right one. Start by checking out this sunrise intimate elopement.
Cliffs
With epic rock formations and expansive views of the ocean, you can’t go wrong with a cliffside elopement.
Courthouse
San Diego’s downtown courthouse is a stunning historic building making it a beautiful option for a quick and easy ceremony. Interested? Take a peek at a courthouse elopement.
Parks
It’s not all beaches here. Throughout San Diego County there are unique parks full of different natural backdrops for your ceremony.
Airbnb
Splurge on a luxe rental and get married onsite. Bonus- this option means a built in honeymoon suite.
Desert
From Anza Borrego to Joshua Tree there are amazing desert locations not far from San Diego proper. The raw beauty of the desert is breathtaking.
When?
Next up you’ll need a date. There are few different things to take into account when choosing.
There’s really no bad time to elope in San Diego. However, the notion that it’s 75 and sunny year round isn’t true. The weather is relatively mild year-round, but it changes with the seasons. You’ll want to take that into account when choosing your date.
Coastal:
Inland:
Something to consider…
San Diego is a major vacation destination, and you will probably want to stay away from peak times for tourists. Tourist season is generally June through August, so we recommend eloping either in the spring or fall. Winter is also a great time to visit San Diego. The winter months are still generally pleasant but surprisingly enough there can be chilly days, especially at the beach! The trade-off is that winter is typically the least crowded time here, which is super appealing.
How?
This is the fine print- the hoops you need to jump through so you actually end up legally married when you elope in San Diego.
At the Courthouse
- Appointments are required and fill up quickly! You can make your appointment up to 6 weeks in advance.
- Ceremonies are performed both inside and outside- make sure you choose the outdoor location when making your appointment.
- For outdoor ceremonies, there is no limit to the number of guests you may have. (For indoor ceremonies up to 30 guests may attend)
- At your appointment, you’ll first apply for your marriage license, and then a deputy commissioner will perform a ceremony to solemnize your marriage.
- Both need to bring valid government-issued photo IDs, and don’t forget a credit card- the fee for your license and ceremony is $235.00.
- More info can be found on the county website here.
Everywhere Else
- Depending on your site choice and a few other factors (like if you’re having any decor set up) you may or not need a permit. If you have your heart set on a specific location keep in mind that a permit may cost approximately $250.
- A marriage license must be obtained in advance. There are 5 locations throughout the county that issue licenses and the entire process takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. Appointments are required so be sure to make one.
- For your ceremony, you’ll need an officiant plus at least one person to serve as a witness- and that can be me if you want!
- After your officiant and witness sign your license- You’re married! You’ll have 14 days to return the completed license form to the county for processing.
Extras
Your wedding day is more than a ceremony. Adding special details and experiences makes the day memorable. Here are a few ideas:
Flowers
Flowers can be a way to express your unique style and add some flare. Details like flowers are fun- and holding a bouquet really makes you feel like a bride. Another bonus is that a bouquet and boutonniere are high impact and low cost. You can’t go wrong with florals from Native Poppy.
Getting ready
For the bride hair and makeup are a must. First off you’ll look and feel your best, and it also takes something off your plate so you can relax For the guys I recommend treating yourself to a hot shave, beard trim, or massage I love documenting getting ready- it‘s the beginning of the story of your wedding day and an important part of telling your story.
Rent a classic car
Want a once in a lifetime splurge? Rent a classic car. It’s incredibly glamorous and romantic. Pick a car that matches you- a vintage bug, a muscle car, or even a Rolls Royce. You can rent this class Rolls Royce through IG Rolls Royce.
Second Location
Especially if you’re a courthouse couple- we can zip to a second location for some epic portraits. The Beach, Sunset Cliffs, Balboa Park and more are a quick drive from the Downtown Courthouse
Do something fun after!
There’s this amazing giddy feeling after your ceremony, It’s the perfect time to do something fun and memorable. On the flip side if you don’t have something planned there’s an out-of-place feeling of “what do we do now?” Even something simple like grabbing ice cream, or watching the sunset can be the perfect after wedding activity. Whatever you do don’t just go home and change out of your wedding clothes.
Party with Friends
Heck yea- you’re married!! Tell your friends and family to meet you at your favorite bar, or make a reservation at a trendy restaurant. Enjoy celebrating with your people without the stress and cost of a full wedding reception.
Last but not least- the Photos.
This is one of the most important days of your life. Hire a photographer that will immortalize this day for you. The high of a wedding day means that it goes by so fast and it’s a blur. Your photos will also be a way to share your elopement experience with friends and family. I’m here not just to document your day- but to give you advice and help you navigate the process. Ready to get started? Let’s do this!
