Los Angeles Elopement Guide

How to Elope in Los Angeles

Elope in Los Angeles. All You Need to Know.

You don't have to go big or go home when planning your wedding. Elopements are an intimate & totally rad option for couples who desire a sentimentally emotional & private vow exchange. & since you're a totally rad couple lookin' to elope in Los Angeles in your own custom way, this elopement guide will tell you all you need to know, & more, about how to bring your unique dream wedding day to life!

What You Will Find in this Elopement Guide!

  • Why you should elope in Los Angeles

  • Los Angeles elopement locations + nearby alternatives

  • What to do when you elope in LA

  • Los Angeles elopement timeline examples

  • The nitty gritty: The legal stuff

  • Affordable Elopement Packages

Why you should elope in Los Angeles?

Why might a Los Angeles elopement be the right route for you? Los Angeles is home to epic idyllic charm, offering you a plethora of gorgeous backdrops & diverse delicious eateries to choose from to bring your dream visions of a Los Angeles elopement to life. Here are just a few reasons why LA will elevate your wildest love story!

Beaches

Etch your story in the sand. Nothing short of spectacular, the beaches in Los Angeles provide a variety of backdrops sure to stun any time of year. Vibrant sunsets, warm sand, crashing waves, & gusty winds. If you want emotive storytelling, say no more. Expect to get a little wet, & maybe more sandy than you signed up for, but boy oh boy will your elopement on the beach in Los Angeles be one for the books!

Mountains

Exchange your vows as the lower elevation bears witness. Stand above the clouds & say your I Do's in a gorgeous location nestled in the Santa Monica or San Bernardino Mountains. Or, stand hand-in-hand as newlyweds & admire the view of Los Angeles from Mount Baldy, the highest peak of the San Gabriel Mountains at 10,068 feet. And, not to mention, the highest point in Los Angeles County.

Eateries

Why settle for one banquet meal when Los Angeles has opened the door to delicious diversity? From breakfast bistros & coffee cafes to Michelin star menus, grabbing a bite to eat in LA is an adventure in itself. If you imagine yourself eating it, a Los Angeles has created it.

Los Angeles Elopement Locations

Let’s get creative & dream: envision yourself standing hand-in-hand with your lover as you promise forever to each other. Where are you standing? Cliffside? On the beach? Overlooking the city? In a museum? Choosing a spot to exchange your vows & promise forever to each other is a special experience. Between streets of iconic palm trees, views of snow-topped mountains, countless botanical gardens, & a vast selection of pretty parks to choose from, the various scenes LA sets for your dream Los Angeles elopement are bound to elevate all your sentimental wedding day emotions. To help you narrow down your options, below are a few of the most incredible Los Angeles elopement locations.

  • Malibu

    Beautiful bluffs, robust rock formations, and serene sunsets. Malibu is a beautiful beach town not far from the city. Get soaked in the sand and enjoy the scenery of one of the more iconic places to elope in Los Angeles.

  • La Arboretum

    Located in the city of Arcadia, the LA Arboretum is a museum of living plants and a wonder for those of all ages. The Arboretum offers distinctive backdrops, from the signature Meyberg Waterfall to the sweeping vistas of the San Gabriel Mountains. Don’t mind the fellow fowls, peacocks may make a guest appearance on your day. Is there a better way to add unique charm to your elopement? I’ll wait. But let me know when you’re ready to confess your love to each other amidst garden magic and waterfall wonders.

  • Big Bear

    Don’t mind the drive. You can plan some fun portraits along the way! Just outside Los Angeles, Big Bear is one of the most gorgeous and epic locations to elope. If you’re looking for the mountains and that fresh pine scent, look no further. Another scenic spot to elope in LA is Lake Arrowhead, just a stone’s throw away from Big Bear. Both offer stunning mountain resorts with views that’ll melt your heart.

  • Rancho Palos Verdes

    With 15 individual reserves to choose from, spread out across approximately 1,500 acres, the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve offers some of the most beautiful, pristine locations. One of the most picturesque is the Portuguese Bend Reserve, providing 424 acres of various delicate plant and wildlife habitats. Abalone Cove and Vicente Bluffs are also must-see locations. Rancho Palos Verdes provides spectacular private Los Angeles elopement locations if you dream of being immersed in nature while exchanging vows.

  • Go Greene: My Secret Elopement Spots

    The best place to elope depends on each unique couple. Your love story is special, and your elopement is too! So part of my job is to find you those hidden gems, the off-the-beaten path locations that make your heart pitter patter fastest when exchanging vows with your special person in absolute privacy.Each couple gets a custom list of personalized location recommendations to help narrow down your perfect spot. Get in touch to learn more about my secret Los Angeles elopement locations.

Nearby Alternative Elopement Locations

Say you aren’t totally sold that a Los Angeles elopement is the right fit for you. Below are a few other locations in California that make magical places to tie the knot.

  • San Diego

    South of Los Angeles, San Diego offers plenty of gorgeous beaches & mountain alternatives. Whether you picture a historic vibe, or downtown destination elopement, San Diego has it all.

  • Lake Elsinore

    Between sunny San Diego and lovely Los Angeles, Lake Elsinore puts on the charm. If you imagine a dense foggy morning as part of your elopement, Lake Elsinore will satiate your soul. The area offers multiple stunning lake front locations and truly provides privacy for you to tie the knot!

  • Temecula

    Temecula is for the winery lovers. A unique backdrop to say “I Do”, Temecula provides countless vineyards that add creative and fun dimensions to any elopement day!

  • Mammoth Lakes

    Mammoth Lakes is further north, with snowy topped mountains almost all year long and more lakes in one zip code than Los Angeles and San Diego have combined! If you love the mood of the mountains, this is the location for you. Every scene is breathtaking and worthy of exploring. Mammoth Lakes is one of the most epic & rad remote locations to consider for your elopement!

What to do during your Los Angeles Elopement?

Your elopement day should include adventures and activities that are unique to you and your lover. When you choose to elope in Los Angeles, you open the door to planning a day completely unique to your love story, a day that’s truly unforgettable! Here are a few ideas to do during your elopement.

Go on a Hike

Los Angeles has a collection of more than 175 trails. Explore Bronson Canyon or Runyon Canyon (maybe you’ll spot a celebrity!); adventure to the Hollywood sign or take the Bridge to Nowhere. If your soul yearns to be out on a trail somewhere, Los Angeles has plenty to choose from!

Go to a Museum

Los Angeles is home to some iconic museums: the Broad, the Getty, Griffith Observatory, and Los Angeles County Museum of Art. There are plenty of sights to see and pieces to admire. Visiting a museum is a unique way to add charm and character to your elopement day, especially if you choose to elope in LA.

Go to Disneyland

Crave oodles of magic? Disneyland will for sure add a hefty dose of enchantment to your elopement! Bring or buy some custom Mickey ears as a keepsake for your day, find your favorite characters, and take iconic portraits throughout the park. You also can’t forget to share a larger-than-life turkey leg! 

Sample Los Angeles Elopement Timelines

Don’t stress about how things will play out on your day. Let me ease away any of your anxieties about your elopement day happenings. I work with you to curate a timeline that’s completely personalized and tailored to how you envision your day. To help get you inspired, here are a few sample Los Angeles elopement timelines!

LA Arboretum Elopement with Family:

10:00 - Breakfast & coffee at AirBnB

12:00 - Hair & makeup begins

2:00 - Step into wedding attire

2:30 - Drive to LA Arboretum

3:30 - Picnic lunch at LA Arboretum

5:00 - Take a stroll through park to ceremony spot

5:30 - Ceremony

6:00 - Family portraits

6:30 - Family goes back to AirBnB; bride & groom portraits

7:00 - Drive to Mt. Wilson trailhead for sunset photos

8:30 - Drive back to AirBnB for dinner & toasts

"JUST US" Palos Verdes Elopement:

9:00 - French toast breakfast

11:00 - Hair & makeup to begin

12:30 - Drive to Palos Verdes

1:30 - Picnic lunch on the beach

2:30 - Change into ceremony attire

3:00 - First look & photos

4:00 - Hike & explore to find the perfect ceremony spot

6:00 - Ceremony

6:30 - Sunset portraits

Go Greene: Pro Elopement Planning Tip

Harsh lighting is not ideal for anyone, you don’t want to be squinting throughout your ceremony! Keeping lighting in mind can help you plan the perfect elopement. I am expert on lighting, so when I create your elopement timeline with you, we’ll plan to be in shadier locations during the day, and save the open beaches for epic sunset photos!

The Nitty Gritty: Legal Stuff

It’s the stuff you usually don’t think about until it’s last minute. Or, you think about it, stress about it, and then forget about it. Things to note: Plan accordingly as an appointment is required with the County Clerk's office. Usually not open on the weekends, the County Clerk's office can sometimes also close early on weekdays.

Here’s a breakdown of a few items you legally need to be married during your elopement below.

  • Los Angeles Wedding Permits

    Some locations - the beach, a park, or a unique Los Angeles elopement location - may require a wedding permit for your ceremony to take place. Permits are dependent on where you decide to tie the knot & sometimes need to be handled well in advance. No matter what, I'll help you find out what is required & I'll make sure whatever you need is secured in a timely fashion!

  • Los Angeles Marriage License

    To get legally married, you will need a California marriage license. Find a county clerk's office close to home if you're a local & if you're not, say you're traveling, the Los Angeles county clerk's office will likely be the most convenient location for you. You can go to any County Clerk's office in California though, & you don't need to get married in the county you receive your license. You do however need a witness & officiant for your ceremony to be legally binding.

  • Los Angeles Elopement Officiant

    Whatever officiating style you prefer (friend or family member officiate vs. hired professional), you need an officiant’s signature on your marriage license for your elopement to be legal. Make sure you coordinate with your officiant prior to your elopement day; be sure they know where your chosen location is and what time they should be there.

  • Go Greene: Pro Los Angeles Elopement Tip

    A big part of the elopement budget usually goes toward the photographer – it’s so worth it too because you walk away with little reminders of your best day ever! Looking back and seeing the story of your elopement day, reliving it over and over again, is truly priceless. Invest in someone whose photos you love, & who will help you plan your elopement day!

Affordable Elopement Packages

Keep whatever traditions you want & toss out those you don't connect with. Curate an adventurously unique, sentimental elopement day that gives you all the feels rather than all the trendy aesthetic. No two elopements are the same, because no two couples are the same. As such, all of my elopement packages are customizable to you. No matter what, I am here to support you & guide you on your entire adventure.

Reach out to me so we can begin discussing your upcoming Elopement: Contact Page

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