How to Elope in Laguna Beach, California

Ready to have a wedding or elopement at one of the most beautiful beaches in SoCal?

Laguna Beach holds many beauties from gorgeous coves filled with sandy stretches and rocky tide pools to unique factors like Victoria beach’s pirate tower and “the pool” at Thousand Steps beach. It is truly one of the most beautiful lines of coast in Orange County! Also with so many activities that you can do at the beach and near the area, it is a destination paradise! You will not regret choosing this destination for your elopement or wedding.

First lets go over the time of year to do it! Most people think of beach weddings for the Summer time only, but the great thing about California is that we have wonderful weather most all year around. Personally, I think Fall and Winter are the best times in Laguna Beach to elope but let me lay out the seasons for you below! 

Summer. If you are considering a summer elopement or wedding at Laguna Beach there are a few things you should note:

• According to the Laguna Beach permitting office their summer season dates are Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. 
• The permitting office only allows weddings on the sand at four of the less popular/busy coves during this timeframe which are the following:
  • Diver’s Cove, Picnic Beach, Rockpile Beach, and North Main Beach
• The beach parks are available during the summer with the exception of Crescent Bay Park being unavailable on Sundays or holidays year round.

Summer is a great time because it’s hot everywhere but cooler at the beach and the sun stays out longer. The cons of the summer time is the fact that it is a lot more crowded, parking is hard to find, and limited beaches are permitted for the ceremony. 

Tips for planning a summer elopement or wedding:

• Try for a weekday as it will be less crowded with beach goers
• The ceremony needs to be at one of the four beaches listed above but additional portrait photos can be taken at an additional cove. 
• Early morning time will be the least crowded if you want more privacy! I have done sunrise sessions and we had the beach pretty much to ourselves 
• Call the permitting office to check the dates and tide charts as you can only get a permit when the tide is low enough to ensure the safety of both of you and any guests you may have. 
• Arrive early for parking as many of the coves in Laguna only have street parking. 

Fall-Spring wedding and elopements in Laguna Beach are great because there are less crowds and more coves are available to have for your wedding on the sand! There are a few tips for each season still though! 

Tips for planning a Fall beach Wedding or Elopement (which starts right after Labor Day Weekend for the Laguna Beach permitting office)

• You will have the warmest weather and water without as much of the crowds! 
• You will have a better chance to find parking however sunset and weekends still can be crowded. 
• Early morning will still give you the most privacy if you are looking for the beach without the crowds.
• You can choose from the list below for any of those coves or parks to have your wedding.
• Check with the Laguna Beach permitting office for which dates/times you are considering so that you can be sure to plan around the tides. 

Tips for planning a Winter Wedding or Elopement (November-February) 

• Winter is one of my FAVORITE times of year for beach elopements as it is the least crowded time at the beach.
• While the days are shorter, the sunsets often are the most beautiful in the winter as we get more clouds and the pink and purple hues light up the sky before the sun dips below the water
• Parking is much more available from morning to sunset. 
• Check with the permitting office for dates and times for the tides 
• January-February we can get more rain but not all of the time and usually not all day

Tips for planning a Spring Wedding or Elopement (March until Memorial Day weekend) 

• Spring can also be a great time of year because the crowds are still low and the sun is starting to stay out longer again
• The weather can be more rainy in the spring (usually in March and April), but it does depend on the year and it usually isn’t all day. 
• Sunsets are still gorgeous in spring and start to get more orange as they get closer to the summer time 
• Parking is generally pretty available but will start to get more crowded towards sunset
• Check with the permitting office for dates and times for the tides

Deciding on what time of year, time of week, and time of day are best for your elopement/wedding really depends upon a few factors:

• Do you care about privacy? Go for a weekday, fall-spring, and potentially an early morning time frame.
• Do you want to ensure the weather is warm and sunny? Go for a summer or fall wedding! 
• Do you want to swim while you are out here? A summer or fall or early winter wedding is great for that! 
• Do you want your pick of coves? Go for after Labor Day to before Memorial Day weekend! 
• Do you want to get married in Laguna? That is ready for you year round!  

Which Coves/beaches are available for the wedding permit? 

• Summer (Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend)
  • Diver’s Cove
  • Picnic Beach 
  • Rockpile Beach
  • North Main Beach
• Fall-Spring (After Labor day to Memorial Day weekend)
  • Crescent Bay Beach
  • Crescent Bay Park (not on sundays or holidays)
  • Shaw’s Cove
  • Fisherman’s Cove
  • Diver’s Cove
  • Picnic Beach
  • Rockpile Beach
  • N. Main Beach
  • Gazebo at Heisler Park
  • Green Grass above Rockpile Beach
  • Monument Point at Heisler Park
  • Trio Bench at Heisler Park
  • Rock Bench at Heisler Park
  • Grass Amphitheater Not Permitted
  • Main Beach
  • Main Beach Park
  • Alta Laguna Park (Not Trails)
  • Top of the World Park
  • Sleepy Hollow Beach
  • St. Ann’s Beach
  • Thalia Street Beach
  • Oak Street Beach
  • Brooks Street Beach
  • Bluebird Canyon Beach
  • Bluebird Park
  • Pearl Street Beach
  • Woods Cove Beach
  • Ruby Street Park
  • Moss Point Beach
  • Moulton Meadows Park
  • Victoria Beach (Excludes Pirates Tower)
  • Aliso Beach

Wedding Permit information for Laguna Beach can be found through their website listed below! It is currently $437 for a two hour permit for the beaches and parks with the exception being Crescent Bay Park which is $543. Some of the parks allow up to 50 guests while the beaches and other parks allow up to 95 guests. For more information please see below:

• https://www.lagunabeachcity.net/government/departments/parks-recreation/parks-and-open-space/permits/wedding-permits

Another important note for planning your beach elopement/wedding is that Laguna beach is very strict on a few things: no chairs, archways, structures, or tables are allowed to be setup. The beach also doesn’t allow open flames, glass, loose flower petals, or confetti. Also no alcohol or sound equipment is permitted. And we cannot rope off or block the area to the wedding as everything needs to remain open to the public. There are a few additional things that can be read on their permitting application! 

Decor is allowed as long as it is not anything listed above and is cleaned up by the end of the permitting allotment time. There are definitely some creative ways to do this which I am happy to share via email! 

I hope this resource was helpful to you as you look to plan your Laguna Beach Wedding/Elopement! For myself, I am happy to help you book the permits, find out dates, times, and coves that are available for you and of course take amazing photos of your special elopement day!!! Please feel free to reach out at any time and I look forward to hearing about your special day!!