We recently accompanied some of our best friends up to Santa Barbara to serve as witness to their civil marriage. It was the most simple, perfect, sunny, love-filled day and we wanted to share a few details of what we planned to make your courthouse appearance a good one!
Here are some of our tips:
Book a Santa Barbara Courthouse appointment in advance! They offer appointments Monday - Friday and reservations open 90 days out of the date you are looking for.
Friday courthouse dates are the most desireable due to being able to turn your appointment into a weekend-long vacation, so make sure to call the courthouse and find out what time they open their booking window.
Book a local photographer to capture the moment, or bring a friend with a film camera. For our personal courthouse wedding, we used a local Tin-Type photographer, The Alchemistress who took the coolest photos ever!
Stay:
We recommend snagging a Friday appointment and staying Friday and Saturday night!
$$$ Belmond El Encanto
$$$ Palihouse Santa Barbara
$$ Kimpton Canary
$$ Drift Hotel
$ Haley Hotel
Eat:
Loquita in the Funk Zone is our favorite restaurant in Santa Barbara, book 2 weeks out for a Friday / Saturday night reservation.
Bettina in Montecito is a cute and relatively new restaurant in their shopping center with great Italian cocktails and Neapolitan pizzas.
You cannot go wrong with a late lunch at the Honor Bar in Montecito.
Do:
Cruise the funk zone for a late afternoon wine, cocktail, shopping session.
Hike 7 Falls in upper Mission Canyon.
Spend the afternoon at Miramar Beach in Montecito.
Drive the most scenic road in Santa Barbara through the hills of Montecito.
Shop:
The Blue Door - great vintage shop
Mollusk SB - surfboards and softgoods for the beach
The Shopkeepers - Clothing
LoveWorn - cool vintage and graphic tee’s
Have so much fun! You’ll love it