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California beach wedding photos always look so magical… the surf, the sand, the sunshine, a small arch, a handful of people and a beaming couple saying their vows. But in reality, it’s more complicated than it looks to get married on the beach. You must comply with the local laws, and there are some steps you have to take before that walk down the sandy altar.

Check your destination’s laws

California is a huge state, and the laws of every county are a little different. The beach is a public space governed by county rules. You will generally need a beach wedding permit, which typically cost around $100-$150 (some are cheaper), and then you must pay an insurance fee of $100 (in some counties). However, there are some exceptions—in Santa Monica, for example, beach weddings are first come, first serve for weddings with less than 150 guests. You can even set up a stage. But for most beach weddings, you’ll need to give a 15-30 day advance notice.

Getting married in a state park? This is typically allowed for a small fee, and our state parks are beautiful, especially on the coast. The visually stunning Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach, for example, has bluff top wedding sites and allows beach weddings. Call 949-494-3539 for more information. Visit our state beaches pages to find specific parks and their contact information. See our suggested wedding venues:

Call to confirm

The best way to find out the exact laws and requirements of your beach of choice is to call the county it’s in. They can easily be found with a quick Google search. Here are a few of the most common numbers for our state beaches:

  • San Diego County: 619-688-3260
  • Orange County: 949-492-0802
  • Los Angeles County: 310-457-8185
  • Ventura and Santa Barbara County: 805-648-4059

Keep in mind that alcohol is not allowed on California state beaches, and bonfires are rarely allowed. Plan any reception celebrations accordingly.

California officiant laws

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If you’d like to have a friend or family member officiate your California beach wedding, you’ll have two options. You can get him or her deputized for one day for a cost of $120, or he or she can get ordained online for free. California Family Code section 400(a) allows “a priest, minister, rabbi, or authorized person of any religious denomination” to solemnize a marriage. Getting ordained online is easy, fast, and as we’ve mentioned, free. If you’d rather just hire someone while you’re there, there are hundreds of ordained ministers in California who do weddings for hire you can find online.

Keep it simple and choose a package

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Of course, if you’d rather get married on a hotel property or through a company, they’ll be able to tell you what you need to know. The Surf and Sand Resort in Laguna Beach is just one of many possible beach wedding venues. They’ll help you find the perfect wedding packages and will assist you every step of the way. There are also numerous companies, such as So Cal Beach Weddings, that offer assistance with everything from marriage licenses to officiants and floral and arch design. Even if you’re typically a DIY couple, you may want to consider splurging on a wedding package to make the process easier, especially if you don’t live in California.

Keep it REALLY simple with a flash wedding

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Disclaimer: We’re not advocating breaking any laws. But we also live in the real world, and we know some couples would prefer a small, super-quick ceremony with only an officiant and a few witnesses. If that’s the case, you can probably get away with picking a secluded stretch of sand and just going for it, especially on a weekday or in the off season. If this is your idea of a perfect wedding, simply inform your guests ahead of time that the ceremony will be quick and you may need some help with music or chairs (if you’ll even have them).

Wedding season is right around the corner, so if you’re hoping to get married on the beach in spring, summer or fall, we recommend starting your research now.