How to Elope or Have a Micro Wedding in Los Angeles

Best Places to Elope in LA

The best part about planning an elopement in LA is that you don't have to choose between city and nature. There are so many beautiful scenic landscapes that make you feel like you're deep in nature alongside interesting architecture and city amenities.

Instead of being tied to one venue you can really explore the city and get a good taste of what LA has to offer, turning your elopement into a full experience.

Some of the best places to elope in LA are:

• Beverly Hills City Hall: Iconic Spanish Renaissance architecture alongside palm trees that gives the whole place a Hollywood glamour vibe (note - the inside of the building is not anywhere near as impressive as the outside but you can take photos all over the grounds).
• Greystone Mansion: A mansion on a beautiful estate with English gardens in Beverly Hills. You can rent out the garden for your ceremony or you can just purchase a permit to take photos on the grounds.
• Griffith Observatory or Griffith Park: You can have your ceremony on one of the many beautiful hiking trails in the park or at the observatory overlooking the city of LA. The observatory at sunrise is also particularly beautiful and photogenic.
• El Matador State Beach: One of the most beautiful beaches in LA county! Just be mindful of the tide schedule when planning your elopement here as high tide makes the beach really narrow.
• Malibu Creek State Park: A beautiful park in the Santa Monica Mountains in Malibu with lots of scenic trails and canyon views.

Best Venues for a Micro Wedding in LA

If you're looking to have a micro wedding with about 50 guests or less there are some great venues in the LA area that cater to a smaller crowd. Below is a list of some of my favorites.

Best venues for a micro wedding in LA:

• Il Cielo: Upscale Italian restaurant in Beverly Hills that is perfect for a micro wedding of about 30-80 guests. It has the feeling of an intimate European country villa with a beautiful Tuscan style garden.
• Inn of the Seventh Ray: A restaurant in Topanga Canyon that has a romantic fairy-tale vibe with beautiful gardens and lighting.
• Malibu Beach Inn: Luxury boutique hotel right on the beach in Malibu with an outdoor patio that hangs over the water.
• Hotel Erwin: A hotel overlooking Venice Beach with a beautiful rooftop and other spaces for an intimate gathering.
• The Oviatt Penthouse: A cool art deco style penthouse in downtown LA that has an old Hollywood film set vibe.

What Does an Elopement or Micro Wedding Day Look Like in LA?

Now that you have some ideas about where to elope or have your micro wedding in LA, you may be wondering what the whole experience looks like.

While there's a lot to see and do in LA you'll definitely want a timeline that leaves room to breathe instead of running all over the city. And the famous LA traffic is definitely something to keep in mind when planning your day.

You ultimately want your wedding day to feel like the best day of your favorite trip together and not like a huge production or photoshoot.

Most couples do something like:

• Enjoy a relaxed morning together before getting ready at your hotel or Airbnb.
• Head to your ceremony location, say your vows, and tie the knot!
• Head over to another location or two for photos or a chance exchange private vows if you had guests at your ceremony.
• Have your micro wedding reception with your guests, or if you're eloping just the two of you do a celebratory activity like a sailboat tour, a picnic or intimate dinner, bar hopping, or anything else you want to include in your big day.

How to Make Your Marriage Legal

The first step to making your marriage legal in LA is to get a valid California marriage license. This can be done at any California county clerk's office so it doesn't have to be in LA county. You do not have to be a resident of California and you can apply for the license online but you must appear for an in person appointment with your partner. A marriage license is only valid for 90 days so you must have your ceremony within 90 days of obtaining the license.

The next step is making sure you have an officiant to perform your ceremony. An officiant is required to make your marriage legal.

Who can officiate your ceremony:

• A professional officiant that you can hire for your wedding.
• A religious officiant.
• A friend or family member who is legally ordained.

Another thing to consider is whether or not you need a witness. The witness requirement depends on the type of marriage license you get. If you get a public marriage license you will need a witness. If you get a confidential marriage license then no witness is required. A confidential marriage license is for couples who are already living together and means that your marriage record will be private.

The last thing to think about is whether or not you need a permit for your ceremony. This varies widely by location, but as a general rule of thumb most public outdoor spaces in California require a permit for a wedding ceremony.