Beverly Hills Courthouse Wedding: A Complete Planning Guide

Planning a Beverly Hills courthouse wedding is one of the simplest ways to turn your wedding day into something intimate, stylish, and effortlessly iconic. The ceremony itself takes less than ten minutes — but the real magic happens in the walk from the courthouse to Beverly Hills City Hall, where Spanish Renaissance architecture and palm-lined courtyards create some of the most cinematic backdrops in Los Angeles.

This guide walks you through everything you need: how to schedule your Beverly Hills courthouse wedding, marriage license logistics, photo permit requirements, the best times of day for portraits, and the most beautiful locations nearby. If you're already planning your ceremony and looking for a Los Angeles wedding photographer, you can reach out here.

For Couples Who Want It Intimate, Intentional, and Undeniably Los Angeles

There is a version of your wedding day that skips the ballroom, the seating chart, and the year-long planning timeline — and still gives you photos that look like they belong in a magazine. A Beverly Hills courthouse wedding is that version. You get the legal ceremony, the iconic city backdrop, and the freedom to build the rest of the day exactly how you want it.

I have photographed couples here who showed up in fashion-forward mini dresses and olive suits, who came in full ballgowns with 20 family members on the courthouse steps, who kept it to just the two of them and a marriage license and nothing else. Some start the day at Greystone Mansion before their ceremony slot. Some end it at sunset on the streets of Beverly Hills with a vintage car. The courthouse handles the legal part in about 15 minutes. Everything after that is yours to design.

This guide covers everything you need to plan a Beverly Hills courthouse wedding from start to finish — the logistics, the permits, the photo locations, and how to build a full day around it if that is what you want.

If you are ready to reserve your date and start planning, reach out here and I will walk you through everything.

Beverly Hills Courthouse vs. Beverly Hills City Hall: What You Need to Know

This is the most common point of confusion for couples planning this day, and it matters before you do anything else.

The Beverly Hills Courthouse (9355 Burton Way) is where legal civil ceremonies are performed by LA County officiants. This is where you make it official. The interior is functional rather than architectural — most couples spend about 15 minutes inside, exchange vows, sign the license, and walk out married.

Beverly Hills City Hall (455 N. Rexford Drive), one block away, is the iconic Art Deco landmark you have seen all over Pinterest and wedding blogs. The columned facade, palm-lined courtyard, ornate details, and tiled dome make it one of the most photogenic civic buildings in Southern California. Ceremonies are not performed here, but with a photography permit, this is where your portraits happen.

Most couples do not realize that getting married at the courthouse does not automatically give you the right to photograph at City Hall. A separate permit is required — and it is worth every dollar. More on that below.

How to Get Married at the Beverly Hills Courthouse: Step by Step

Step 1: Get your marriage license

Your marriage license must be obtained from the LA County Registrar-Recorder before your ceremony. You can begin the application online but both parties must appear in person to finalize it. The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.

Cost: $91 (public) or $85 (confidential). Bring valid government-issued photo ID for both parties. If either of you has been previously married, have your divorce decree or death certificate ready.

Step 2: Schedule your ceremony appointment

Courthouse ceremonies are performed Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, by appointment only. Reserve your slot as early as possible — popular morning times fill up weeks out.

Ceremony fee: approximately $35. The courthouse can provide a witness for an additional $20 if needed. Ceremonies typically run 10-15 minutes.

Step 3: Get your City Hall photography permit

This is the step most couples miss. A separate permit from the City of Beverly Hills is required for professional photography at City Hall, the Palm Court, the Civic Center Plaza, and the surrounding areas. Without it, your photographer cannot legally shoot in these locations.

The 1-hour permit costs $83. Additional hours can be added. Apply through the City of Beverly Hills film and photo permit office — I recommend doing this 2-3 weeks before your date to ensure availability.

When I shot at City Hall most recently, we permitted a 1-hour session that covered the main steps, the columned side archways, and the surrounding grounds. That hour goes further than you think when you have a clear shot list and someone who knows the light and how to pose you.

For Greystone Mansion permits, which I also recommend as a first stop in your day, the non-resident engagement permit is $399. Details on that below.

Step 4: Arrive early and be ready

Arrive at the courthouse 15-30 minutes before your ceremony slot. Bring your marriage license, valid ID, and any fees. Underground parking is available beneath the courthouse — $20 cash only, so come prepared.

After the ceremony you receive a temporary certificate. Your official marriage certificate arrives by mail within a few weeks.

The Best Photo Locations for a Beverly Hills Courthouse Wedding

Beverly Hills City Hall

The front steps are the obvious anchor — the watchtower, the ornate facade, the grand scale. But the less-photographed spots are where the stronger images live. The columned side archways create natural frames. The shadows from the palm trees hit the surrounding walls in mid-afternoon in a way that is worth planning around. We set up a full white seamless backdrop between two of the architectural columns on a recent shoot — it brought a studio quality into an outdoor civic setting and created something no other photographer has done at this location.

Best light: 4:30-6pm gives you soft directional light on the facade without harsh midday contrast. Early morning before 9:30am works well for cooler, intimate light with fewer bystanders.

Greystone Mansion — the ideal first stop

If you want to extend your day beyond City Hall, Greystone Mansion is 10 minutes away and one of the most photogenic estates in Southern California. The Italian cypress alley, the stone archways, the fountain courtyards, and the balcony overlooking the city all photograph differently depending on the time of day.

The order of your day depends entirely on your courthouse appointment time and your permit windows. A common approach: handle the legal ceremony at the courthouse first, then move to City Hall for your permitted portrait session, and use Greystone as your final stop in the mid to late afternoon before it closes at 5pm. If your courthouse slot is early in the day, Greystone works equally well as a starting point — arrive for portraits first, then move to City Hall, and close the day at sunset on the streets of Beverly Hills.

What matters is that all three locations sit within a 2-mile radius. With the right timeline, you cover all of them in a single afternoon without rushing.

The non-resident photo permit for Greystone is $399. Read my complete Greystone Mansion permit guide for everything you need to know, and see what portraits at Greystone actually look like before you decide.

Beverly Hills Hotel area and Rodeo Drive at sunset

The palm-lined streets surrounding the Beverly Hills Hotel, and the stretch of Rodeo Drive and Canon Drive at golden hour, give you that unmistakable LA aesthetic — wide boulevards, warm light, and the feeling that the city belongs to you for the evening. These locations work especially well if you incorporate a vintage car. On a recent shoot we used a red 1980s Porsche 911 from Hollywood Classic Cars — the car against the hedgerows and palm trees created portraits that felt as much fashion editorial as wedding photography.

No permit is required for street-level photos on public sidewalks in Beverly Hills, but if you want access to the Hotel's private courtyard or property, that requires coordination with their team directly.

How to Build a Full Beverly Hills Elopement Day

A courthouse ceremony is 15 minutes. The rest of the day is yours. Here is how I recommend structuring it for maximum photography and minimum stress.

A Sample Full Day in Beverly Hills

2:00pm — Courthouse ceremony. You walk out married by 2:20pm.

3:00pm — Greystone Mansion portraits begin. Permit session covers the cypress alley, fountain courtyard, stone archways, and balcony. A full hour inside one of the most photogenic estates in Los Angeles.

4:30pm — City Hall portraits begin. Steps, columns, archway portraits, palm shadow walls. Late afternoon light at this hour hits the facade in a way that is worth planning around — warm, directional, and flattering on every skin tone.

5:30pm — Golden hour. A vintage car through the Beverly Hills Hotel area and surrounding streets, cocktails at a nearby bar, or dinner with whoever you want around you. The day closes exactly on your terms.

6:30pm — Done. Full gallery, marriage certificate, and the whole evening ahead of you.

This is not the only way to sequence the day — your ceremony slot and permit availability will shape the exact order. Some couples prefer City Hall portraits in the morning when the light is softer and the crowds are thinner, then Greystone in the late morning before closing. Either way, all of these locations sit within a 2-mile radius and one well-planned day covers all of it.

If you want to extend beyond Beverly Hills, Malibu is 30 minutes from City Hall and works well as a sunset addition in the warmer months. UCLA's campus is another strong option for a completely different architectural aesthetic without leaving the west side.

The Styling Approach: What This Day Can Look Like

A Beverly Hills courthouse wedding does not have to look like a courthouse wedding. The couples I photograph here tend to lean into one of two directions — or both.

The fashion-forward route. Short dress, architectural silhouette, a fascinator instead of a veil, a bouquet that functions more like an accessory than a prop. The groom in a double-breasted suit in an unexpected color — olive, slate, camel — with a boutonniere that makes a statement rather than blending in. This is the approach that photographs like a fashion shoot and attracts the eye on Instagram and Pinterest immediately.

The elevated classic route. A fitted midi or full-length gown, clean lines, simple jewelry. The groom in a tailored navy or charcoal suit. The focus entirely on each other and the architecture around you.

Both work at City Hall. Both work at Greystone. The location is neutral enough to absorb either direction completely.

On a recent shoot I styled the day with two distinct looks — a flowing, soft chiffon skirt dress with a strapless bodice for the Greystone portraits, and a fitted lace turtleneck mini dress with a birdcage fascinator for the City Hall and sunset portion. The dress change took under 10 minutes and gave the gallery twice the visual range.

The bouquet on that same day was designed as a fashion accessory — white orchids and trailing greenery structured to be carried at the hip rather than in front. The second bouquet was a compact purse-style arrangement built entirely from tropical blooms. Both were styling decisions as much as floral ones.

Florals: Balen's Floral Studio

Gown: Nicole Castaneda

Film Photography at a Beverly Hills Courthouse Wedding

Every couple I photograph here gets a gallery that is a mix of digital and film. The decision is intentional: digital gives you the full story with consistency across every light condition, film gives certain frames a quality that no digital preset can replicate.

The Italian cypress alley at Greystone, the palm shadow walls at City Hall, the mirror reflection in a vintage car window — these are the frames that earn the film treatment. The grain, the tonal warmth, and the slight compression of color film does something to Southern California light that makes the location feel even more like itself.

If you are drawn to that aesthetic, we can discuss adding a film component to your coverage. The film add-on starts at $595 for 50 analog frames delivered alongside your digital gallery.

Vendor Credits

Photography: Rene Porto Photography (reneportophoto.com)

Florals: Balen's Floral Studio

Gown: Nicole Castaneda

Vintage car: Hollywood Classic Cars

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Beverly Hills Courthouse and Beverly Hills City Hall?

They are two separate buildings located about one block apart. The courthouse at 9355 Burton Way is where your legal civil ceremony is performed by an LA County officiant. Beverly Hills City Hall at 455 N. Rexford Drive is the landmark Art Deco building you see in photos — it does not perform ceremonies, but with a photography permit it is where your portraits happen. Almost every photographer you see shooting "Beverly Hills courthouse weddings" is actually shooting at City Hall for portraits. The ceremony is at the courthouse. The photos are at City Hall. You need both locations in your plan, and you need a permit for the photography portion.

How much does a Beverly Hills courthouse wedding cost?

Here is a realistic cost breakdown:

Marriage license: $91 (public) or $85 (confidential)

Courthouse ceremony fee: approximately $35

Courthouse witness fee (if needed): $20

City Hall photography permit (1 hour): $83

Greystone Mansion permit (if adding): $399 for non-residents

Photography: starting at $1,800 for a 2-hour session or $2,500 for 4 hours

Total before photography runs roughly $230-650 depending on which locations you permit. With photography included, most couples investing in a full Beverly Hills courthouse day spend between $2,500 and $3,500 all in for the day itself.

How do I schedule a courthouse wedding appointment in Beverly Hills?

Courthouse ceremonies are by appointment only, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. You can schedule your ceremony appointment through the LA County court system. I recommend booking 4-6 weeks out, especially if you want a specific morning slot — those fill fastest. Your marriage license must be obtained before the ceremony and is valid for 90 days, so get the license first and schedule around it.

Do you need a permit to take photos at Beverly Hills City Hall?

Yes, and this is the detail that trips up most couples — and some photographers. A City of Beverly Hills film and photo permit is required for professional photography at City Hall, the Palm Court, the Civic Center Plaza, Rodeo Drive, and Beverly Gardens Park. Without it, your photographer is not legally permitted to shoot in these locations. The 1-hour permit is $83 and is applied for through the City of Beverly Hills permit office. For Greystone Mansion, the permit is applied for directly by the couple as the subject of the shoot — the non-resident fee is $399. I will walk you through exactly what you need for both locations so nothing gets missed before your date.

How many guests can attend a Beverly Hills courthouse wedding?

The official guest limit for a civil ceremony is 20 people total — including you, your partner, and your photographer, which leaves room for roughly 17 guests. In practice the courthouse is not always strict about this, but plan around 20 as your ceiling. Most couples I work with keep it to immediate family and close friends, usually 10 or fewer. If you are eloping with no guests, the courthouse can provide a witness for $20, or I can serve as your witness if needed.

One thing worth knowing: the civil ceremony takes place in a private room with seating. If you want guests present, this is the ceremony type to choose. The express ceremony takes place at the clerk's window in a public space and does not allow guests.

What should we wear for a Beverly Hills courthouse wedding?

Wear what you would want to see in your photos, not what feels appropriate for a government building. City Hall is an architectural landmark — it can hold any level of styling. Short dresses photograph beautifully here, as do full-length gowns. Jumpsuits, two-piece sets, and fashion-forward silhouettes all work. For grooms, a well-tailored suit in any color reads better than a standard navy or black when the backdrop is this strong. Accessories matter here — a fascinator, a statement earring, a boutonniere that is designed rather than assembled. If you are adding Greystone Mansion to the day, a dress with movement photographs especially well in the cypress alley. Bring an outfit change if you want two distinct visual chapters to your gallery.

How much does a photographer charge for a Beverly Hills courthouse wedding?

At Rene Porto Photography, Beverly Hills courthouse coverage starts at $1,800 for a 2-hour session (100+ photos, 24-48 hour preview, 4-week full gallery turnaround). The 4-hour collection is $2,500 and covers a more complete day including portraits at City Hall, surrounding streets, and time for a second location if desired. If you want to add Greystone Mansion and a full day structure, we build a custom timeline around your ceremony slot and permit windows. Reach out here to talk through your day.

Can I hire a private officiant for a Beverly Hills courthouse wedding?

For the legal ceremony at the courthouse, no — a Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages officiates all civil ceremonies. You cannot bring your own officiant for the legal portion. What you can do is keep the courthouse ceremony for the legal formality and then hold a separate symbolic ceremony at a permitted location like Beverly Hills City Hall or Greystone Mansion with a private officiant of your choosing. Many couples do exactly this — the courthouse handles the legal piece, and a more personal vow exchange happens afterward with their photographer and guests present in a location that actually photographs beautifully.

Can we add a second location to our Beverly Hills courthouse wedding day?

Yes, and I strongly recommend it. The courthouse ceremony is 15 minutes. Building a full day around it is where the photography really opens up.

The most natural additions from Beverly Hills:

Greystone Mansion — 10 minutes away, Italian cypress alley, stone courtyards, balcony with city views. A $399 non-resident permit gives you access to one of the most photogenic estates in LA. Read the full Greystone Mansion permit guide and see real portraits from the estate.

Beverly Hills Hotel area — the palm-lined streets, the iconic hedgerows, and the stretch toward Sunset work especially well at golden hour, with or without a vintage car.

UCLA campus — Royce Hall and the surrounding grounds offer a completely different architectural aesthetic, about 15 minutes from City Hall.

Malibu — 30 minutes west. If you want ocean and cliffs in your gallery, Malibu is reachable within the same day for sunset portraits. See Los Angeles elopement locations for more options across the city.

A restaurant, bar, or hotel nearby — some of the best moments of a courthouse day happen after the camera goes down. Spago on Canon Drive, Porta Via, and The Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel are all within minutes of City Hall. If you are staying somewhere in Beverly Hills for the night, your hotel becomes a natural closing location — a suite at the Beverly Hills Hotel or the Beverly Wilshire photographs beautifully for end-of-night portraits before the rest of the evening is yours.

Can you be our witness if we need one?

Yes. If you are eloping without guests and need a witness for the ceremony, I can serve in that role. The courthouse also provides a witness for $20 if you prefer. Either way, you will not be stuck at the desk scrambling — it is one of the logistics I sort out with every couple I work with here before the day arrives.

Ready to Plan Your Beverly Hills Courthouse Wedding?

A Beverly Hills courthouse wedding gives you something a lot of couples spend years chasing: a day that is completely yours, without compromise, and photographs that hold up against anything. The logistics are simpler than you think. The locations are already there. What it comes down to is choosing a photographer who knows how to use them.

I have shot at Beverly Hills City Hall, Greystone Mansion, and throughout the streets of Beverly Hills more times than I can count. I know where the light lands at 5:30pm, which permit windows need to be reserved first, and how to build a timeline that does not leave a single hour wasted.

If you're comparing all your options across Southern California, this guide covers every Los Angeles courthouse worth considering for an elopement.

If you are planning a Beverly Hills courthouse wedding and want to talk through what your day could look like, start here. I will walk you through the timeline, the permits, and the collections before you commit to anything.