Santa Ana, California
Old Orange County Courthouse Wedding Photographer
A landmark 1901 sandstone courthouse in downtown Santa Ana, now a county museum facility, where couples marry in a restored historic courtroom by weekday permit.
About Old Orange County Courthouse
The Old Orange County Courthouse is one of Southern California's most photogenic civic landmarks: a Richardsonian Romanesque building finished in 1901 in red Arizona sandstone and granite, with original woodwork, marble stairs, and vintage chandeliers. Today it operates as a county museum and event facility managed through OC Parks, and its restored Historic Courtroom is rented for intimate ceremonies.
This is a ceremony space, not a full reception venue. Weddings here are short and simple: a permitted two-hour block in a beautiful room, ideal for elopements, micro-weddings, and courthouse-style ceremonies with a lot more character than a standard civil office. Couples who want architecture and history without a large budget gravitate here.
Location · Downtown Santa Ana, Orange County
Style · Historic 1901 sandstone courthouse / museum
Capacity · Up to 75 guests
Ceremony · Restored Historic Courtroom, indoors
Best season · Year-round (indoor, climate-controlled)
Facts compiled from OC Parks reservation information and local wedding-vendor guides (Christopher Todd Studios, Lin & Jirsa). Fees and time slots can change; confirm directly with OC Parks.
The complete Old OC Courthouse planning guide
Capacity & spaces
Seated dinner · n/a (ceremony venue only)
Standing/cocktail · n/a
Ceremony · Up to 75 guests in the Historic Courtroom
Rentable spaces
- Historic Courtroom — restored early-1900s courtroom with original woodwork, judge's bench, and vintage chandeliers; the primary ceremony space, up to 75 guests.
- Grand staircase and lobby — marble and sandstone interior architecture, popular for portraits (subject to facility rules).
- Building exterior — red sandstone facade, arched entries, and steps used for photographs.
Pricing
Peak Saturday · n/a — ceremonies are booked weekdays only (Mon-Fri)
Off-peak · About $600 courtroom rental plus a $300 refundable security deposit
What's included · Use of the Historic Courtroom for a two-hour block; couple provides officiant if not using a county commissioner
Catering & bar
There is no on-site catering and this is not a reception venue. The courthouse rental covers a brief ceremony window only; couples hold any dinner or party at a separate location. Food, beverage, and alcohol service are not part of the courtroom booking.
Rules & restrictions
- Reservations are weekdays only (Monday-Friday), typically in two-hour blocks such as 12:00-2:00 pm or 2:15-4:00 pm.
- Setup, ceremony, and breakdown must all fit inside the reserved two-hour window.
- Decor is kept minimal; simple items like bouquets are generally fine, but check current facility restrictions before bringing anything else.
- A refundable security deposit is required in addition to the rental fee.
- Reservations open about 90 days in advance and are first-come, first-served; no same-day bookings.
Getting ready, parking & access
Getting ready space · No dedicated bridal suite; most couples arrive ready
Parking · Metered street parking, public lot behind the courthouse, and lot P4 at 630 N. Broadway St.
Load-in · Through public entrances during the reserved block; minimal decor only
How to book
Book through the OC Parks reservations desk. Reservations can be made roughly 90 days ahead through one day prior, first-come first-served, with no online booking. You will also need an Orange County marriage license, obtained separately from the Clerk-Recorder.
Photographing Old OC Courthouse
The draw here is architecture and light. The Historic Courtroom's tall windows, dark original woodwork, and period chandeliers give warm, timeless interior frames, while the grand marble staircase and sandstone lobby offer dramatic vertical lines for portraits. Because the block is only two hours, an efficient shot list matters.
Outside, the red sandstone facade, arched entryways, and front steps photograph beautifully in soft morning or late-afternoon light, and the surrounding downtown Santa Ana civic district adds classic backdrops. Plan portraits immediately before or after the ceremony to stay inside the reserved window.
Engagement sessions at Old OC Courthouse
The courthouse exterior and downtown Santa Ana make a strong, low-cost engagement or elopement backdrop.
Best time · Weekday late afternoon for warm light on the sandstone facade
Permit/fee · Exterior/public-area photos generally need no permit; interior use requires the paid courtroom reservation
Standout spots · Sandstone facade and steps, arched entries, grand staircase, courtroom interior
Coordinate any interior access with your two-hour reservation, since the building is a working county facility.
What couples love
- Genuine historic character at a very low price point
- Fast, low-stress ceremonies ideal for elopements and micro-weddings
- Stunning 1901 architecture and interior woodwork
- Central downtown Santa Ana location, close to the Clerk-Recorder for licenses
- No large-scale planning required
Good to know
- Weekdays only and only two-hour blocks — no weekend or evening ceremonies.
- Strictly a ceremony space; you will need a separate venue for any reception.
- Capacity caps around 75 guests.
- No bridal suite or getting-ready rooms on site.
- It is an active county museum facility, so rules on decor and access are enforced.
A typical wedding day at Old OC Courthouse
12:00 pm — Arrive, check in, quick setup in courtroom
12:15 pm — Guests seated, ceremony begins
12:35 pm — Vows, ring exchange, pronouncement
12:50 pm — Family and couple portraits in courtroom
1:20 pm — Portraits on staircase and sandstone exterior
Frequently asked questions
Can we get married at the Old Orange County Courthouse?
Yes. The restored Historic Courtroom is rented for ceremonies through OC Parks by permit, for groups up to about 75 guests.
How much does it cost?
The courtroom rental is around $600 plus a refundable security deposit of about $300. Confirm current pricing with OC Parks.
Can we have our ceremony on a Saturday?
No. Reservations are weekday only (Monday-Friday), typically in two-hour blocks in the early afternoon.
How many guests can attend?
Up to about 75 guests in the Historic Courtroom.
Is there a reception space?
No. This is a ceremony venue only; you would hold any reception at a separate location.
How far in advance can we book?
Reservations generally open about 90 days in advance and are first-come, first-served, up to one day prior. No same-day bookings.
Do we need our own officiant?
You may bring your own authorized officiant, or use a county Deputy Commissioner of Marriage for a small additional fee.
Where do we get the marriage license?
Separately from the Orange County Clerk-Recorder. A public license is about $61 and is valid for 90 days.
Is there a getting-ready room?
No dedicated bridal suite is provided; most couples arrive ceremony-ready.
What about parking?
Metered street parking, a public lot behind the courthouse, and city lot P4 at 630 N. Broadway Street are available.
Can we decorate the courtroom?
Only minimally. Simple bouquets are usually fine, but elaborate decor is restricted, and everything must be set up and removed within your two-hour block.
Is alcohol allowed?
No. The rental is for a brief ceremony in a county facility, not a catered reception, so alcohol service is not part of the booking.
Getting there & logistics
Address · 211 W. Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Nearest airport · John Wayne Airport (SNA), about 15-20 minutes
Drive time · About 45 minutes from downtown Los Angeles
Nearby getting-ready hotels
- The Westin Anaheim Resort
- DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Ana / Orange County Airport
- Ayres Hotel Orange
- Marriott Santa Ana / Orange County
The history behind Old OC Courthouse
- Completed in 1901 and built of red Arizona sandstone, it is one of Southern California's oldest courthouses.
- It served as the county's main courthouse for decades and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- It now operates as a county museum and event facility.
Similar venues we love
More venues we photograph: Los Coyotes Country Club · Franciscan Gardens · Mission Basilica SJC · The Harper · Turnip Rose.
Planning a wedding at Old OC Courthouse? Reach out to check your date →
