Outside
Hall of Records Outdoor Ceremony
This ceremony is performed outside near the back entrance of the Hall of Records. If you haven't already, read my helpful guide "How to Get Married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse" for more detailed information on the process.
Here are some main tips though.
1. You can only make your appointment within 90 days of your preferred date. Start the whole process by requesting an appointment with the county clerk.
2. The clerk will ask you where you would like your ceremony to be so you don't have to choose until the day-of. To see what the inside option looks like click here.
3. If you have more than 10 guests, the clerk will allow a certain amount to stand around you but ask that the others stand about 10 feet back. They are very particular about staying within the boundaries they are allowed and not to encroach upon Parks + Recreation lawn.
Here are some main tips though.
1. You can only make your appointment within 90 days of your preferred date. Start the whole process by requesting an appointment with the county clerk.
2. The clerk will ask you where you would like your ceremony to be so you don't have to choose until the day-of. To see what the inside option looks like click here.
3. If you have more than 10 guests, the clerk will allow a certain amount to stand around you but ask that the others stand about 10 feet back. They are very particular about staying within the boundaries they are allowed and not to encroach upon Parks + Recreation lawn.
Two Angles of the Same Area
The photos below show the ceremony being performed a little further away from the back door of the Hall of Records. When the lighting is nice or there isn't a giant crowd of tourists hanging in the back I recommend having the ceremony here so you can get the courthouse tower in the background. See below for the other angle.
Second Angle
The photos below show the ceremony being performed at the back door of the Hall of Records. I particularly like this area early in the day as the palm trees offer nice shade. The above location would be harshly lit early in the morning which means that you can't really see the tower in the background and you and your fiance might be squinting a lot as the sun beats down directly on that area in the morning.
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