The Most Beautiful (and Budget-Friendly) Wedding in Santa Barbara: Your Complete Courthouse Guide
Santa Barbara Courthouse Wedding | Courthouse Wedding Flowers | Forage Ojai | Santa Barbara Wedding Bouquet | Elopement Flowers Santa Barbara
If you've been dreaming of a wedding that feels effortlessly romantic without the six-figure price tag, let us introduce you to one of California's best-kept secrets: a Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding. Soaring Spanish Colonial arches, sun-drenched courtyards, sweeping mountain-to-ocean views — and you can do the whole thing in a single morning, then be sipping rosé on the Funk Zone by noon.
We're Forage Ojai, a flower studio rooted in the wildflower valleys of Ojai, California — and we've had the joy of creating bouquets for brides walking those courthouse halls time and time again. Here's everything you need to know to pull off a stunning, stress-free courthouse wedding in Santa Barbara.
Why the Santa Barbara Courthouse is the Ultimate Wedding Venue
The Santa Barbara County Courthouse isn't just a government building — it's a jaw-dropping piece of architecture that looks like it was plucked straight from the Andalusian countryside. Built in 1929, it features hand-painted ceilings, a Sunken Garden perfect for intimate ceremonies, a Mural Room with sweeping panoramic views from the clock tower, and romantic archways at every turn.
Brides from around the world fly in specifically to get married here. And honestly? We understand completely.
The best part: The venue fee is dramatically lower than a traditional wedding venue. You're looking at a fraction of the cost — leaving your budget for the things that actually show up in every single photo: your flowers, your dress, and your people.
The Ease of a Courthouse Wedding Day (Yes, Really)
One of the biggest myths about courthouse weddings is that they feel "small" or rushed. Done right, a Santa Barbara courthouse elopement feels intimate, intentional, and completely yours. Here's what a typical day looks like:
Morning: You get ready at your hotel or Airbnb — no 5am call times, no 200 guests to wrangle. You do your hair, your makeup, slip into your dress, and pick up your flowers.
Mid-Morning: You and your person walk into one of the most beautiful buildings in California. The ceremony itself is short and sweet — just the two of you (or a small circle of loved ones), the officiant, and that golden Santa Barbara light pouring through the arches.
Afternoon: You're officially married. The rest of the day is yours. Wander State Street. Take portraits in the Sunken Garden. Drive up to the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden or pop over the hill to Ojai for a celebratory dinner.
There's no timeline to chase. No caterer to manage. No seating chart. Just you, your love, and a really good bouquet.
Your Flowers: The One Detail That Changes Everything
Here's where we come in. At Forage Ojai, we believe that even the most minimal wedding deserves wildly beautiful flowers. Especially courthouse weddings — because when you're keeping things simple, your bouquet becomes the centerpiece of every single photo.
We design bridal bouquets for Santa Barbara courthouse weddings with the same care and artistry we'd bring to a 300-person estate wedding. Our style draws from the rolling hills and wildflower meadows around Ojai — think loose, garden-gathered arrangements with seasonal blooms, trailing greenery, and a natural beauty that photographs like a dream in that Santa Barbara light.
What We Offer for Courthouse Brides
The Classic Courthouse Bouquet — A lush, hand-tied bouquet of seasonal flowers. Perfect for the bride who wants one stunning piece that does all the talking. We source locally and seasonally, so every bouquet is a little different, and entirely beautiful.
The Petite Posy — For the bride who prefers something smaller and more understated. Still completely gorgeous. Still totally you.
Flower Crowns & Hair Florals — A single bloom tucked behind your ear. A crown of wildflowers for the boho bride. These are the details that make courthouse photos feel ethereal.
His Boutonnière — Because he deserves a little something too.
We offer easy online ordering and local pickup or delivery — making the flower portion of your courthouse wedding genuinely effortless. We know you have a lot on your plate. Flowers shouldn't be one more thing to stress over.
The Cost: What a Santa Barbara Courthouse Wedding Actually Runs
Let's talk numbers, because this is where courthouse weddings really shine.
A traditional Santa Barbara wedding can easily run $30,000–$80,000+. A courthouse wedding? You can have an absolutely stunning, memorable, photographable day for a fraction of that. Here's a rough breakdown:
Marriage license: ~$100
Ceremony fee (Sunken Garden or Mural Room): A few hundred dollars
Photographer (2–4 hours): $1,500–$3,000
Flowers from Forage Ojai: Starting around $250–$400 for a bridal bouquet and boutonnière
Your outfit: Whatever makes you feel incredible
A celebratory lunch or dinner in Santa Barbara or Ojai: Your call
You're looking at a total day that can come in well under $5,000 — often under $3,000 — and still feel like the most beautiful day of your life. We've seen it happen over and over.
Why Brides Choose Forage Ojai for Their Santa Barbara Courthouse Wedding
We're based in Ojai, California — just 35 miles from Santa Barbara — which means we know this landscape intimately. We forage, source locally when available, and design with the natural beauty of the Central Coast in mind. When your bouquet is in your hands and you're standing under those Spanish Colonial arches, we want it to look like it grew right there.
We work with courthouse brides regularly and understand the unique needs of an elopement or small ceremony: you need something beautiful, easy to order, easy to pick up, and guaranteed to be ready on your day. No drama. No floral coordinator required. Just flowers that make you feel exactly the way you've always imagined.
Forage Ojai serves brides throughout the Santa Barbara and Ojai area, including Santa Barbara courthouse weddings, beach elopements in Ventura, and intimate backyard ceremonies across the Ojai Valley.
Planning Your Santa Barbara Courthouse Wedding: Quick Tips
Book your ceremony date early. The Sunken Garden and Mural Room are popular — especially on Fridays and weekend days. Secure your date with the County as soon as you can.
Hire a photographer. Even for a courthouse elopement, photos are worth every penny. Santa Barbara light is magic, and those courthouse arches are otherworldly at golden hour.
Order your flowers 2–3 weeks in advance. This gives us time to source the best seasonal blooms for you. Last-minute orders are sometimes possible, but earlier is always better.
Explore beyond the courthouse. Before or after your ceremony, wander the Santa Barbara Waterfront, drive Tunnel Road up into the hills, or make the beautiful 30-minute drive to Ojai for dinner at one of our favorite valley restaurants. It's a perfect wedding day extension.
Keep your circle small and intentional. Whether it's just the two of you or a group of 10 close family members, courthouse weddings are beautiful precisely because they're not trying to be everything to everyone. Lean into the intimacy.
Ready to Start Planning?
If you're dreaming of a Santa Barbara courthouse wedding and you want flowers that feel as intentional and beautiful as you do — we'd love to hear from you.
At Forage Ojai, we believe every bride deserves a stunning bouquet, no matter the size of the celebration. Reach out to us to talk about your vision, your date, and what's in season. We'll take it from there.
Visit us at ForageOjai.com | Based in Ojai, CA | Serving Santa Barbara, Ventura County & beyond
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Forage Ojai is a flower studio and foraging-inspired floral design studio based in Ojai, California. We create seasonal, locally-inspired floral arrangements for weddings, elopements, and everyday life.
