orange county elopement
How to plan an elopement
Christopher Todd Studios is OC's top elopement photographer. With over 18 years of experience, we love and value every type of wedding ceremony. Elopements are just as sacred as a large traditional ceremony. Therefore, we feel it is important to capture all the beautiful moments of couples who chose to elope.
- Choose a location Do you want to have a destination elopement? At a favorite park or beach? Or at a Courthouse?
- Pick an elopement date
- Decide on the type of ceremony Civil ceremony or wedding officiant
- Hire vendors Photographer, videographer, flowers, hair and makeup artist, officiant
- Purchase your wedding rings
- Honeymoon Don't forget to celebrate and take some time away as newlyweds
Why hire a wedding photographer for your elopement ceremony?
- To document your elopement
- To have beautiful photos of your ceremony
- To share your elopement with family and friends
- Professional photos will outlast your iPhone pictures
- Being able to announce your elopement to the world with a stunning portrait
Best Orange County Elopement Locations
- Old Orange County Courthouse
- Laguna Beach
- Heisler Park
- Montage Resort
- Dana Point
Read more about elopement locations
Top 5 reasons Couples Elope
- Avoid all the stress that comes with planning a wedding
- Want your day to be all about the two of you
- Save tons of money
- Looking for an adventure
- Only want your closest friends and family there
Covid-19 Update
The following blog was written pre-covid. Please be advised of the new rules for getting married at the Old Orange County Courthouse during this time.
- Marriage licenses will be issued by appointment only. A marriage license is valid for 90 days.
- For couples looking to obtain a marriage license, only the couple can be present. No guests allowed.
- For couples looking to obtain a public marriage license and have a ceremony performed, only the couple and one witness may be present. This can be your photographer. No guests allowed.
- No walk-in applicants will be taken during this time.
- Upon arrival, couples must remain inside their vehicle until department staff contacts them by phone.
For more information visit the official OC Clerk Reporter website.
5 Simple Steps For Getting Married At The Old Orange County Courthouse
- Choose Your Date Your first step is to decide on the date you want to elope. The courthouse is open Monday-Friday from 8 am -4 pm Walk-in reservations are currently unavailable. Complete Your Application and Make an Appointment online.
- Bring Valid I.D. Be sure to bring a valid form of government-issued photo I.D. A current driver’s license or a passport. Your I.D. must be shown to the Orange County Clerk-Recorder’s office to apply for your marriage license. Both individuals have to show their I.D.
- Witness You must bring a witness to sign the marriage license and be present at the ceremony. This can be any person you choose.
- Fees Marriage license fee is $61 for a public marriage license or $66 for a confidential marriage license. The ceremony fee This fee is $28. Acceptable forms of payment: Cash, personal check, cashiers check, and most major credit cards. Be sure to always check the website for up to date fees.
- Civil Ceremony All marriage ceremonies will be performed at the service desk/counter. Ceremony rooms are not available at this time. A civil non-sectarian ceremony will be performed by a Deputy Commissioner of Marriage. Civil ceremonies are available by appointment only. Walk-ins will not be accommodated.
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Meet Your Photographer
Call Me Chris
I won't bore you with too many details, but I will say that I consider myself to be the luckiest guy in the world and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to merge my passion and career.
A couple of quick things about me personally. I was born and raised in Orange County. I currently live with my family near Huntington Beach where I love to surf or be in the ocean with my boys.
My passions include art, traveling, and of course photography.
Meet Your Photographer
Call Me Chris
I won't bore you with too many details, but I will say that I consider myself to be the luckiest guy in the world and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to merge my passion and career.
A couple of quick things about me personally. I was born and raised in Orange County. I currently live with my family near Huntington Beach where I love to surf or be in the ocean with my boys.
My passions include art, traveling, and of course photography.
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