Where to Get Married in Los Angeles
If you’re planning a wedding in Los Angeles, one of the first decisions you’ll make isn’t a venue name — it’s which kind of wedding day you want. LA is one of the few cities where a same-day courthouse ceremony and a full black-tie estate wedding are both completely normal options, often chosen by couples living a few blocks apart. Here’s how to think through the choice.
Getting Married at the Courthouse
A courthouse wedding is the fastest, simplest way to get legally married in Los Angeles: a short civil ceremony, usually with a small handful of guests, often done as a standalone event or as a low-key legal formality before a bigger celebration later. It’s a popular choice for couples who want to keep planning simple, save on cost, or get married quickly ahead of a visa deadline, deployment, or other timeline. For a closer look at what the day actually involves and how photography works around it, see our Los Angeles courthouse wedding photographer page.
Choosing a Full Wedding Venue
Most couples planning a traditional wedding day — ceremony, reception, dancing, the works — choose a dedicated venue instead: a hotel ballroom, a hillside garden, a downtown rooftop, or a historic estate. Los Angeles has an unusually wide range of these, spanning nearly every architectural style and budget, which is part of why choosing a venue is often the first real planning decision couples make. Our Los Angeles wedding photographer page covers the regions and styles we shoot most, and our favorite LA venues walks through specific venues if you already know you want the full experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a courthouse wedding legally different from a wedding at a venue? No. Once you have a valid marriage license and it’s signed and filed, a courthouse ceremony and a full venue wedding carry exactly the same legal weight. The difference is entirely about scale, cost, and experience, not legal status.
Can we do a courthouse wedding now and a bigger celebration later? Yes, and it’s common. Many couples get legally married at the courthouse first, then hold a larger ceremony and reception at a venue later, sometimes months apart. Both events can absolutely be photographed.
How far in advance should we book a venue in Los Angeles? Popular LA venues are often booked nine to eighteen months ahead, especially for weekend dates in spring and fall. Courthouse ceremonies need far less lead time — often just a marriage license appointment.
How do we get a marriage license in Los Angeles County? Marriage licenses are issued through the LA County Registrar-Recorder's office, and both partners typically need to appear in person with valid ID. It’s worth confirming current appointment requirements before your ceremony date, whether that’s at the courthouse or a private venue.
Ready to Start Planning?
Whichever path fits your wedding, Lulan Studio has photographed 2,200+ weddings — from courthouse ceremonies to full estate celebrations — and earned 35+ industry awards and 350+ five-star reviews since 2016, with photo galleries delivered in 4–8 weeks and films in 8–12 weeks. See our rates and collections or get in touch to check availability for your date.
