Think government buildings are a bit dry? Whoa, buddy. You’d be way off. There are some GORGEOUS government buildings and courthouses out there. But one of the most lovely in California is the Santa Barbara Courthouse.

The building itself is charming, sporting Spanish-styled whites, rich tans, and orange hues. Better still, are the lush green lawns and plants outside. But what really captures the imagination is the interior. Inside, you’ll find intricate designs, winding staircases, and historical murals—it’s absolutely stunning.

All of these sensory wonders make for a magical courthouse elopement—which is why Kelsie and Jordan picked the area for their wedding day.

Kelsie & Jordan Say “I Do” at the Santa Barbara Courthouse

My husband Isiah and I arrived in Santa Barbara a day early to tour the grounds, finding different angles to see what lighting would be best for our couples. When we went inside, we took our time scoping out various hallways and the rooftop, simply delighted by everything we saw. We both felt excited to meet our couple there the next day.

Jordan and the wedding guests met us on the lawn. It was nice to make small talk and get to know the guests, the sweet scent of the Pacific ocean in the air. When the bride arrived, I had to do some finagling to make sure we got to surprise the groom when the ceremony started.
Once we got everyone settled, Isiah opened the ceremony with a reading of “Always Love Each Other” by Larry S. Chengges. I love this poem because it balances the importance of working together as a couple, but also being your own people in a relationship.

The ceremony was lovely, and put everyone in a good mood for family photos.

After that, I stole the couple away for wedding photography inside of the Santa Barbara Courthouse. We toured the spiral staircase, the muraled hallways, and—of course—the bell tower to take in the amazing views of Santa Barabara.
All in all, it was everything you’d want a courthouse elopement to be—heartfelt, pretty, and all your own.

How to Get Married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse

Interested in learning how to get married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse? Fortunately, it’s a fairly easy process. Here’s how:

Choose a general time or date, then schedule your date and time with the courthouse.
Decide whether to get your marriage license in advance or on the day of your actual wedding. When scheduling your wedding day, it’s a good idea to ask how long they expect the process to take. It’s usually pretty quick on the day of, but you can save time by coming in before your actual wedding day—which is smart if you have other plans too.
Choose between a civil ceremony or private ceremony. There’s a few key differences to note—one of which is whether you want a ceremony inside the courthouse or on the lawn.
Book an elopement wedding photographer to help you plan and capture the day. This is such a lovely location, you’ll want to secure some amazing wedding couple photos.
Book lodgings and other vendors, such as an officiant, florals, decor, food, and more. These are the little touches that make everything all the more magical. Plus, who doesn’t love a good meal?
Get married! That’s the fun part.