Santa Barbara Courthouse Ceremony Locations
This majestic building in the center of historic downtown offers a wide array of options for Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding ceremony sites. This location has long been the choice of many couples since the building was completed in 1929. Stroll through the tiled hallways and lush gardens and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to another era. Walk up a winding staircase to the clock tower and experience a breathtaking 360 view of the city. You’ll find countless architectural backdrops and a tropical garden that are perfect for timeless wedding photos.
As a wedding planner whose team has planned dozens of Santa Barbara Courthouse weddings right here at the courthouse, I wanted to share my favorite locations for your “I dos”.
Wedding Ceremony in The Sunken Garden
There are several areas in the interior courtyard that can be used for a ceremony. The Sunken Garden, a favorite of many couples, faces the main archway and wins first place for a backdrop with the grandest architecture. The majestic main arch is a spectacular setting for a wedding ceremony. This space can accommodate up to 250 guests and the steps provide a tiered platform for a bridal party. This location is also perfect for a warm summer afternoon as the building provides shade, keeping you and your guests cool and comfortable. It also offers nice, even lighting, which is optimal for ceremony photos.
Wedding Ceremony at the Fiesta Stage
Another popular site is the Fiesta Stage, named for its use as the main entertainment venue during Santa Barbara’s annual Fiesta celebration which takes place the first week in August. This is also the site where Queen Elizabeth II made her appearance when she visited Santa Barbara in 1983.
Fiesta is a lively, festive time to visit Santa Barbara, but not the best time to plan your courthouse wedding ceremony! The Fiesta Stage is a good choice for a large bridal party, generally has less foot traffic than the main archway area, providing a bit more privacy. The Fiesta Stage steps provide a lovely setting for family photos.
Wedding Ceremony on the Palm Terrace
Raised slightly above the Sunken Garden area is the beautiful Palm Terrace. This site offers sweeping views of the gardens and the courthouse building. This space can be set up to face the main arch or the rotunda. Both views are spectacular. Couples who choose to use this area often install an arch or arbor. Weddings by the Sea can custom design any arch/arbor to suit your vision and individual style.
Wedding Ceremony on The Rotunda Lawn
The Rotunda Lawn offers a charming, intimate area for smaller weddings. Lush plants give this area a tropical vibe and there is plenty of shade, making this a comfortable location on warm day. This space also offers a greater degree of privacy from foot traffic.
Wedding Photography Locations
Throughout the courthouse grounds and inside the building, there are endless places for amazing photos. One of our favorite locations for wedding photography is the second-floor mezzanine hallway which overlooks the gardens. The bright, diffused light in this location is perfect for photos and is flattering to everyone. The courthouse interior is open from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM on weekdays and 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM on weekends. Visitors are not admitted into the building after 4:00 PM. In order to make sure that you have the opportunity for indoor photography, it is advisable to plan your ceremony time accordingly.
Info on Booking Your Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens Wedding Ceremony
The Sunken Gardens are available for wedding ceremonies 7 days a week, with two time slots available; 11 am - 2 pm and 3 pm - 6 pm. Once you’ve reserved your date and paid the fees, you can choose from any of the sites mentioned above in the Sunken Gardens.
Photos can be taken all around the courthouse grounds. But keep in mind that the building is a working courthouse and building access closes by 4:30 PM. Our clients sometimes choose to schedule a First Look photography session to fully take advantage of all the gorgeous photo ops inside the building. Contact us for more information on your Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding — We will plan a beautiful day for you!
Ceremony Site Locations in the Sunken Gardens