Couple Kissing At Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding — *ByCherry Photography*

The historical Santa Barbara Courthouse with its mural room, bell tower and sunken garden is popular with tourists, but it’s also a stunning venue for wedding ceremonies and wedding receptions. Nestled in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, the Courthouse is known for its historic architecture combined with vintage elegance, making it an ideal venue for any unique occasion. Currently, the Courthouse hosts many community and private events, such as Old Spanish Days-Fiesta, wedding ceremonies, corporate dinners, school graduation, docent-led tours, concerts and festivals. Be it an intimate gathering or a vast ceremony and reception, a wedding at the Courthouse is an unforgettable celebration. Described by Architect Charles Willard Moore as one of the “grandest Spanish Colonial Revival structures ever built,” the historic Courthouse has attained multiple architectural design awards, including the 2016 AIA Design Honor Award praising the Mural Room, and the 2012 Tucker Design Award complimenting the entire Courthouse building.

Small Weddings: For small wedding ceremonies with 15 or fewer participants, we have identified six suitable locations outside the reserved spaces, free of charge, primarily along the Anacapa and Figueroa Street lawn areas. These locations (A through H) are non-reservable. The complementary areas A-H are for a group of 15 or less, first come first serve, no set up (no chairs, tables, décor, arch, etc.) and you bring your officiant. Available 24/7 all year round. The officiants from the County Recorder’s Office/Hall of Records will NOT perform a ceremony in the free spaces. No reservation is taken you just walk up, stand and do your vows then vacate. These locations will provide a place for small wedding parties with the architectural treasure of the Courthouse buildings and landscaping as a backdrop.

Please note that the County Courthouse is a public building. Wedding areas may not be roped off, and all public access ways must be maintained available at all times. The County of Santa Barbara, its Directors, Employees, and Representatives are not responsible or liable for the actions of the public during Weddings/Special Events.

Pricing for Exterior Garden Wedding: $1,200 ($1,000 facility fee plus $200 non-refundable application fee)

Areas: Bird of Paradise Area - Cap: 50

Fiesta Stage - Cap: 80

Palm Terrace - Cap: 125

Rotunda Lawn - Cap: 25

Sunken Gardens - Cap: 200

Restrooms: On-site

Requirements: Full Payment (application plus facility fee) must be made at the time of reservation and in order to be locked into the schedule we require the application completed, signed, dated and initialed with the full payment.

Time Allotments: Weddings that choose the Exterior Gardens reserve the site for three hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Please note that the Courthouse Building closes at 4:45 p.m. Our fee, comparable with other sites, is listed. These reservation fees all fall within the BOS's current fee structure.

Vendors: Only local area vendors with experience at the Courthouse are allowed

Parking: Not on-site, but available directly across the street from the Anacapa St. entrance is a four level parking garage (Cost: first 75 minutes free and $1.50 an hour after that).

Music: No amplified sound, but soft acoustic music is permitted

Decoration: All chairs and equipment are to be hand carried to wedding site and may be placed on site during reserved times only. No rice, confetti, flower petals, birdseed or open flames (including candles) are permitted.

Restrictions: Food and beverages (including alcohol) are allowed with a wedding reception only. Smoking is not permitted on grounds. Taping off or coning any area of Courthouse Grounds is not permitted. Existing plants and lights must not be moved, not allowed to place signage. Water bottles are permitted in exterior venues only (not in the Mural Room) and must be disposed of properly. Stay out of planting beds. Wedding officiants and wedding rehearsals are not provided.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be made at least sixty days before the event to receive a full refund, minus the non-refundable application fee. Cancellations received less than sixty days before the event will be subject to a 50% cancellation charge of the paid facility fee and cancellations less than three (3) days before the event will not receive any refund.

Reservations:

To check availability and access the Application, first click on the blue "Make A Reservation!" button below. Then, select "Facilities & Hourly Rentals." Next, select "Courthouse" and click the blue "Show Facilities" button. Finally, click on the grey Details button.

Any questions regarding a marriage license, license submit, express weddings, civil ceremony (reserved 90-days out), officiant inquiries and ceremony for up to 15 people are for the County Recorder’s Office which conducts business Monday through Friday only. To contact the County Recorder’s Office please visit the link below:

WEBSITE: https://www.countyofsb.org/595/Marriages

Please Note: Reservations may be made up to but no more than 12 months from the date of the ceremony. Reservations may not be made less than five business days from the date of the ceremony.

Contact: Christina Franquet

Phone: (805) 568-2441

Email: weddingvenues@countyofsb.org