Elope Los Angeles: A Cinematic Guide to Intimate LA Elopements
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If you want to elope in Los Angeles, the city offers everything a couple could want for an intimate, visually stunning elopement—dramatic coastlines, iconic architecture, mountain overlooks, and that legendary golden light that makes every frame feel like a scene from a film. Whether you’re drawn to the windswept cliffs of Malibu or the Art Deco grandeur of downtown, LA provides the kind of backdrop that transforms a simple ceremony into something cinematic.
This guide is for couples considering an intimate elopement in Los Angeles and want a step-by-step resource to make their day cinematic, stress-free, and legally sound. It matters because it provides a comprehensive, easy-to-follow roadmap for making your elopement both beautiful and legally valid, ensuring you can focus on the experience rather than the logistics.
This los angeles elopement guide walks you through every step: securing your marriage license, choosing a ceremony location that reflects your style, building a realistic timeline, and capturing the day with photography and film that feels editorial yet emotionally true—with the expertise of a Los Angeles elopement photographer who knows how to document intimate, cinematic moments in the city’s most iconic locations.
Diverse and Scenic Elopement Locations in Los Angeles
Los Angeles offers a wide variety of unique and scenic elopement locations, including:
El Matador Beach: Known for its dramatic cliffs and rock formations, making it a stunning backdrop for elopements.
Griffith Park: Provides panoramic views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.
Greystone Mansion: Features elaborate gardens and impressive architecture, ideal for a luxury elopement.
Pasadena City Hall: Breathtaking Mediterranean and Spanish architecture, a popular elopement spot.
Old Brown House: Offers a charming and rustic experience.
Inn of the Seventh Ray: A magical, year-round outdoor setting by a creek in Topanga Canyon.
Venice Beach: Vibrant and eclectic atmosphere for couples looking to elope.
Korean Bell of Friendship: Culturally rich backdrop with ocean views in San Pedro.
Malibu Creek State Park: Beautiful outdoor setting with canyon views and meadows.
Start Here: How to Elope in Los Angeles (Fast, Simple Overview)
Eloping in Los Angeles is simpler than most couples expect. The city’s year-round light, diverse landscapes, and straightforward legal process make it one of the best places in the country for an intimate ceremony—whether you’ve been planning for months or decided last week.
Here’s the short version of how to make it happen:
Step 1: Pick your date. Los Angeles offers spectacular weather most of the year, so you have flexibility. Late September through early November delivers the clearest skies and warmest golden hour light, but winter brings its own soft, cinematic glow.
Step 2: Secure your California marriage license. Visit any LA County Clerk’s office in person—Beverly Hills, Norwalk, Van Nuys, Lancaster, or East LA are popular options. The fee runs approximately $90–$100, no appointment needed for the license itself, and it’s valid for 90 days. No blood test, no waiting period, no residency requirement. Marriage ceremonies can also be performed at each county clerk's office branch, and you can book an appointment up to 3 weeks in advance.
Step 3: Choose your location. This is where it gets fun. Griffith Park for panoramic views, El Matador State Beach for dramatic sea stacks, Greystone Mansion for lush gardens—or mix two or three spots into a single afternoon.
Step 4: Book your photo and film team, then finalize vendors. Lock in your elopement photographer and cinematographer early (we recommend starting here since the best teams book months ahead), then add your officiant, florals, and any other personal touches.
Same-day elopements are absolutely possible. You can walk into the county clerk’s office in the morning, obtain your license, and exchange vows at sunset in Malibu or overlooking the city from Griffith Observatory. It’s stress free and entirely legal—just you, your partner, an officiant, and the Pacific glowing orange behind you. If you prefer to skip the county clerk's office, you can opt for a symbolic ceremony at your chosen location.
Why Elope in Los Angeles Instead of Planning a Big Wedding?
Cost Comparison
A traditional los angeles wedding with 150 guests, a ballroom, and all the expected vendors averages $45,000 or more—and often takes 12–18 months of planning, guest-list negotiations, and logistical coordination that can overshadow the reason you’re getting married in the first place.
Intimate Experience
An intimate elopement flips that equation entirely. You redirect resources toward experiences and visuals rather than catering minimums and chair rentals. The result is a wedding day that’s actually about the two of you.
What LA Offers That Other Cities Can’t
Los Angeles packs an unusual range of landscapes into a single metropolitan area:
Beaches: Malibu’s secluded coves, Santa Monica’s iconic pier and palm trees, the rocky tide pools of Palos Verdes
Mountains and parks: Griffith Park’s skyline overlooks, the oak-studded trails of Topanga, the desert drama of Vasquez Rocks
Architecture: The steel curves of Walt Disney Concert Hall, the ornate ironwork of the Bradbury Building, Spanish Colonial Revival at Union Station
Hidden gardens: Greystone Mansion’s terraced lawns, the Mediterranean plantings of Arlington Garden, tucked-away estate venues in Pasadena
Weather and Light
Best months: Late September through early November offers the clearest skies, lowest humidity, and warmest light. Winter (December–February) brings soft, diffused tones and fewer crowds—ideal for moody, cinematic imagery.
What to expect in summer: July and August are warm, sometimes hot, especially inland. June Gloom can blanket coastal areas in marine fog through early afternoon, which creates its own ethereal look but requires flexibility.
Flexibility is the point: Elope on a Tuesday at sunrise and you’ll have Griffith Observatory nearly to yourself. Schedule a Monday sunset ceremony at El Matador and skip the weekend crowds entirely. This flexibility—impossible with a larger wedding—is one of the core advantages of keeping your guest count minimal.
Cinematic Qualities
The city’s legendary light isn’t accidental. That golden hour glow, the way sunset reflects off downtown glass, the neon-lit streets after dark—these are the same qualities that drew filmmakers here a century ago. An elopement in Los Angeles isn’t just documented; it’s filmed in the truest sense. At Arrakis Films, we lean into these elements to create coverage that feels like a real movie, not a wedding video.
How to Legally Elope in Los Angeles
Getting legally married in Los Angeles is refreshingly straightforward. Here’s exactly what you need to know.
Legal Requirements at a Glance
To legally get married in Los Angeles, you'll need a California marriage license obtained in person at the County Clerk's Office. The license costs $91 and is valid for up to 90 days. Both partners must provide photo IDs and, if applicable, proof of divorce. You'll also need an officiant and at least one witness for your ceremony.
Marriage License Basics
Where to apply: Any LA County Clerk’s office. Popular locations include Beverly Hills, Norwalk, Van Nuys, Lancaster, East LA, and the LAX Courthouse.
Cost: Approximately $90–$100 for the license fee. For a complete breakdown of the average wedding cost in Los Angeles, including venues, entertainment, and more, check out this 2025 guide.
Validity: 90 days from issuance
Requirements: Both parties must appear in person with valid government photo ids. If either party was previously married, bring finalized divorce or death certificate documentation.
No waiting period: You can get the license and marry the same day.
No residency requirement: Couples flying in from anywhere can obtain a California license.
Public vs. Confidential License
California offers two types of marriage licenses:
Public marriage license
This license is recorded in public records and typically requires one witness.
Best for couples who are comfortable with the marriage being part of the standard public record.
Confidential marriage license
This license is not part of the public record and does not require a witness.
Best for couples who prefer privacy.
Ceremony Requirements
To make your marriage legal in LA County:
One registered officiant must perform the ceremony
At least one witness must be present (for public license; confidential requires none)
The signed license must be returned to the county clerk within 10 days
Pro tip: You can obtain your marriage license in any California county and still hold your ceremony anywhere within the state. Some couples find it easier to get their license near home or hotel, then elope at a location in a different part of LA or even joshua tree national park.
Courthouse & City Hall Elopements in and Around Los Angeles
City hall and courthouse ceremonies offer a minimalist elegance that photographs beautifully—marble floors, grand staircases, architectural details that read as timeless rather than bureaucratic.
LA County Courthouse Ceremonies: Civil ceremonies cost an additional fee beyond the license (typically $35–$75) and last 10–15 minutes. Appointments are required at most locations.
Beverly Hills City Hall: Spanish Renaissance architecture, a palm-lined civic center, and Will Rogers Memorial Park just steps away for portraits. The building’s clean lines and warm stone photograph exceptionally well.
Pasadena City Hall: Perhaps the most stunning city hall in Southern California, with Mediterranean arches, a grand staircase, an interior courtyard, and a domed rotunda. While official ceremonies happen at the LA County offices, many couples hold symbolic vows here and capture their professional photography against the architecture.
Santa Barbara Courthouse (Day Trip): About two hours north, this Spanish-Moorish landmark offers sunken gardens, painted tile, and archways that feel more like a European palace than a government building. A popular option for couples willing to make a short road trip.
At Arrakis Films, we approach city hall elopements as short films: capturing getting ready in the hotel, the ceremony’s quiet emotion, and then editorial portraits around the building and nearby streets.
How to Choose Your Los Angeles Elopement Location
Your elopement location should reflect who you are as a couple—not what looks trendy on social media. Start by asking: Are we modern and architectural? Coastal and romantic? Wild and adventurous? Urban and editorial?
For beach lovers, consider scenic and secluded spots like Will Rogers State Beach, which is ideal for intimate elopements. If you prefer gardens, parks, or city rooftops, Los Angeles offers a variety of options to match your style.
Private residences and unique venues can also provide a personalized touch. Los Angeles has unique venues for elopements, such as the Old Brown House, which offers a charming and rustic experience.
Key Decisions Before Location Scouting
Guest count first: Just you two? Up to six people including vendors? Closer to ten? Your guest count affects permits, space requirements, and the overall feel. Beyond ten guests, you’re planning a small wedding rather than an elopement.
Time of day shapes everything: Sunrise offers empty locations and soft light but requires early wake-ups. Sunset delivers that spectacular golden hour but means peak traffic to reach coastal or park locations. Nighttime opens up neon-lit downtown for something entirely different.
Pick 2–3 vibes to explore:
Beach (Malibu cliffs, Santa Monica pier, Venice canals)
Mountain/park (Griffith, Topanga, Angeles National Forest)
Urban/rooftop (DTLA architecture, Arts District, Hollywood Hills)
Private residence (estates, luxury rentals, Airbnbs with views)
Permits matter: Most public outdoor locations in Los Angeles require a permit for a ceremony and/or photography. Fees range from $200–$500 for spots like Griffith Park. Weekday dates reduce both crowds and competition for permits.
Guest count definition: Elopement packages often have a guest limit, typically allowing around 10 to 15 people including the couple and photographer. Elopement packages can include additional services such as hair and makeup, florals, and intimate dinner arrangements.
Our team scouts light, angles, and backup spots in advance. If June Gloom settles over Malibu on your elopement day, we know where to pivot inland for canyon overlooks that still deliver spectacular sunsets.
Iconic LA Architecture & City Spots for Cinematic Elopements
Downtown and central LA offer a playground for design lovers: steel, glass, marble, and Old Hollywood details layered into a single square mile.
Walt Disney Concert Hall: Frank Gehry’s stainless-steel curves catch sunset light in ways that border on surreal. The roof terraces and surrounding gardens provide multiple angles for editorial imagery. Best 1–2 hours before sunset on weekdays to minimize crowds.
Bradbury Building: The landmark atrium with ornate ironwork, open-cage elevators, and natural skylight reads as pure film noir romance. Ideal for portraits and symbolic vows; formal permit required for professional photography.
Los Angeles Union Station: Spanish Colonial Revival meets Art Deco in the grand waiting room. Leather chairs, inlaid marble, original chandeliers—perfect for a vintage-inspired elopement with cinematic pacing.
Griffith Observatory: Panoramic views over the city, the Hollywood Sign in the distance, and Art Deco architecture. Ceremonies are allowed only on the exterior grounds, and the location gets crowded at sunset—arrive 1.5–2 hours early to secure your spot.
Practical notes: Parking downtown can be challenging. Build in buffer time. Weekday mornings offer the emptiest conditions at most locations.
Beaches & Coastal Cliffs: Malibu, Santa Monica & Palos Verdes
LA’s coastline stretches from the classic Santa Monica pier to the dramatic sea stacks of El Matador and the hidden gem coves of Palos Verdes—all within 30–60 minutes of central LA (traffic permitting).
Santa Monica Beach & Palisades Park: The quintessential LA beach with palm trees, the iconic pier, and grassy bluffs overlooking the Pacific. Pier lights at night create a completely different mood.
Venice Beach & Venice Canals: Bohemian murals and boardwalk energy for the adventurous, then a quiet shift to the romantic canal bridges for a second-look session.
Malibu Favorites:
El Matador State Beach: Sea stacks, caves, golden sands, and dramatic cliffside views. Arguably the most photogenic beach in Los Angeles for elopements. Arrive at low tide for cave access.
Point Dume: Cliff-top ceremony location with wide ocean views and rock formations below.
Leo Carrillo State Park: Rocky coves, tide pools, and a more secluded feel.
South Bay & Palos Verdes: Malaga Cove, Abalone Cove, and the Palos Verdes cliffs offer private spaces, romantic coves, and tide-pool edges without the Malibu crowds.
Planning notes: Check tide charts carefully—many beaches transform completely between low and high tide. Wind can be significant, affecting veils, loose hairstyles, and audio recording for film. Weekday afternoons see far fewer beachgoers than weekends.
Mountains, Forests & Desert Vibes Near Los Angeles
Los Angeles shifts from urban to wilderness faster than almost any major city. Within a half-day drive, you can reach pine forests, oak woodlands, and high desert.
Griffith Park & Runyon Canyon: The easiest accessible overlooks with skyline views, palm trees, and that quintessential LA backdrop. Better for sunrise or late afternoon on weekdays when hiking crowds thin out.
Topanga State Park & Malibu Creek State Park: Rolling hills, canyon trails, and oak trees create a serene environment for nature-loving couples. These spots offer lush greenery in spring and warm golden tones by late summer.
Santa Monica Mountains & Eaton Canyon: Oak and chaparral landscapes, waterfall options at Eaton, and potential for starry twilight portraits away from city lights.
Further Afield:
Joshua Tree National Park: 2.5 hours east. Iconic twisted trees, boulder fields, and desert light unlike anywhere else. Permit required for commercial photography.
Vasquez Rocks: 45 minutes north. Dramatic tilted rock formations (you’ve seen them in countless films). Free to visit, permit needed for professional shoots.
Big Bear: 2 hours northeast. Pine forests and lakeside settings for mountain-meadow vibes.
Each landscape photographs differently. Desert locations deliver warm ochre and sienna tones that grade beautifully in post-production. Mountain haze creates soft, dreamy backgrounds. At Arrakis Films, we adjust our color grading approach based on location to emphasize each environment’s natural palette.
Gardens, Estates & Private Homes
For couples seeking a refined, private atmosphere—lush gardens, historic architecture, and an “estate” feel—Los Angeles offers exceptional options.
Greystone Mansion (Beverly Hills): A Tudor-style historic estate with terraced gardens, fountains, and panoramic views. Pure Old Hollywood luxury. Permit required; weddings and elopements allowed in the gardens but not inside the mansion.
Etienne Estate & Similar Pasadena/Altadena Venues: Italian and Mediterranean influences, vineyard-style lawns, olive trees. Perfect for intimate elopements of 10–20 guests who want a refined, almost napa valley-inspired setting without leaving LA.
Wayfarers Chapel (Palos Verdes): A glass chapel designed by Lloyd Wright with coastal views and surrounding walking paths. The architecture itself becomes the decor.
City Gardens:
Arlington Garden (Pasadena): Mediterranean plantings, gravel paths, intimate scale
Virginia Robinson Gardens (Beverly Hills): Lush, tropical, old-money elegance
Los Angeles River Center & Gardens: Spanish courtyard style, often overlooked
Private Residences & Luxury Rentals: Many couples rent high-end Airbnbs or vacation homes in the Hollywood Hills, Malibu, or Pasadena. Verify that the property allows events (some explicitly prohibit them), check parking and noise restrictions, and confirm you have access for vendors. Pools, balconies, and modern interiors become cinematic backdrops—we use these spaces constantly for getting-ready sequences and nighttime portraits.
Guest Count, Timeline & Budget for Your LA Elopement
Clarity on guest count and schedule transforms your elopement from a rushed event into a luxurious, relaxed experience. This is where planning makes the difference.
Guest Count Guidance
Just us two
Purely intimate, with maximum flexibility.
Considerations: no coordination needed beyond the officiant and your photo/film team.
Up to 6 guests
Parents, siblings, or your closest friends.
Considerations: still easy to manage and fits most permit limits.
7–10 guests
An extended close circle.
Considerations: starts requiring more logistics and closer venue attention.
Beyond 10
Essentially a small wedding.
Considerations: different planning approach and typically higher permit fees.
Definition: Elopement packages often have a guest limit, typically allowing around 10 to 15 people including the couple and photographer. Elopement packages can include additional services such as hair and makeup, florals, and intimate dinner arrangements.
We generally recommend capping at ten people including vendors to preserve the intimate elopement feel.
Budget Ranges
A los angeles elopement typically costs between $5,000–$15,000 total, a fraction of the $35,000–$50,000 average for a larger wedding. Here’s where that money goes:
Legal fees: $90–$200 (license + ceremony if courthouse)
Location permits: $0–$500 depending on venue
Officiant: $200–$800
Professional photography + cinematography: $3,000–$12,000+ depending on coverage scope
Florals and styling: $300–$2,000
Dinner/celebration: $200–$1,500+ for private dining or chef
Optional extras: Vintage car rental, helicopter tour, private venue fee
Timeline Blocks
2-hour coverage: Ceremony and couple portraits only. Minimalist but impactful—best for courthouse weddings or single-location elopements.
4-hour coverage: Getting ready, ceremony, and golden hour portraits at one primary location with brief travel.
6–8 hour coverage: The full story. Getting ready, travel to ceremony site, vows, portraits across multiple locations, sunset, potentially evening/night city shots. This is where cinematic film coverage truly shines—capturing quiet in-between moments, audio of vows, and visual variety.
We advise couples to prioritize experiences over decor. A private chef dinner after your ceremony, cocktails on a rooftop, or a vintage car to drive between locations creates memories and footage. Extra centerpieces don’t.
Arrakis Films helps build realistic, traffic-aware timelines. Los Angeles traffic is unpredictable, and we factor in buffers so you’re never rushing to catch the light.
Sample Los Angeles Elopement Timelines
Mini “Just Us” Malibu Elopement (Weekday)
3:00 PM — Getting ready at Santa Monica hotel
4:30 PM — Depart for Malibu (45-min drive with buffer)
5:15 PM — Arrive El Matador, cliff-top vows
5:45 PM — Beach portraits during golden hour
6:30 PM — Sunset final shots
7:30 PM — Dinner at Malibu Farm or Nobu
Coverage: 4 hours | Best season: September–November for clearest light
Expanded Timeline with 6–10 Guests (Hollywood Hills + Griffith Park)
1:00 PM — Getting ready at private Hollywood Hills rental
2:30 PM — First-look portraits on property
3:30 PM — Ceremony in garden, guests arrive
4:00 PM — Champagne toast, candid moments
4:45 PM — Drive to Griffith Park overlook
5:30 PM — Couple portraits with skyline views
6:15 PM — Golden hour final shots
7:30 PM — Private dinner at hillside restaurant
Coverage: 6–7 hours | Guests: Parents + 4 closest friends | LA elopement packages
Sunrise to Night: Griffith Observatory + Downtown LA
5:00 AM — Arrive Griffith Observatory (pre-dawn)
5:45 AM — Sunrise vows overlooking the city
6:30 AM — Morning portraits, observatory grounds
7:30 AM — Breakfast at nearby café
8:30–4:00 PM — Break—rest, explore, check into hotel
4:30 PM — Resume coverage downtown LA
5:30 PM — Walt Disney Concert Hall portraits
6:30 PM — Sunset shots on DTLA rooftop
8:00 PM — Night portraits with neon, city lights
Coverage: 8 hours (split) | Best for: Couples wanting dramatic variety
Longer coverage creates space for storytelling—the quiet getting-ready moments, the audio of your vows layered over landscape shots, the shift from day to night that gives your film real pacing and emotion.
Best Areas to Stay for Your Los Angeles Elopement
Your hotel isn’t just a place to sleep—it’s often the opening scene of your elopement film. Choose based on your ceremony location and the aesthetic you want for getting-ready coverage.
Westside / Beach
Best for Malibu or Santa Monica elopements:
Santa Monica Proper: Modern design, rooftop pool, walking distance to the beach
Shutters on the Beach: Classic coastal luxury directly on the sand
Stylish Airbnbs near the water: Modern interiors with natural light photograph beautifully
Hollywood & West Hollywood
Best for Griffith Park ceremonies or mixing city views with nature:
1 Hotel West Hollywood: Sustainable luxury with skyline views
The London West Hollywood: Rooftop vistas, refined British style
Boutique rentals in the Hollywood Hills: Private pools, canyon views
Beverly Hills
Best for Greystone Mansion, Virginia Robinson Gardens, or pure Old Hollywood glamour:
Beverly Hills Hotel: Pink palace, iconic bungalows, tropical grounds
Hotel Bel-Air: Secluded gardens, swan lake, ultimate privacy
Boutique properties near Canon Drive: More accessible luxury
Downtown LA
Best for urban, architectural, Arts District elopements:
Ace Hotel Downtown: Historic theater building, rooftop bar
The Hoxton: Industrial-chic, great natural light
NoMad Los Angeles: Beaux-Arts elegance in a restored bank building
At Arrakis Films, we use hotel suites, lobbies, and rooftops as part of your coverage. A well-chosen hotel with good light becomes a cinematic backdrop—getting ready with downtown visible through floor-to-ceiling windows, or portraits in a vintage-inspired corridor.
Capturing Your LA Elopement: Photography & Cinematic Film
An elopement deserves more than someone standing back with a camera. It deserves to be filmed—with the intentionality and artistry you’d expect from an actual movie.
Arrakis Films is a luxury wedding cinematography and photography studio based in Los Angeles and New York City. We create coverage for intimate weddings and elopements that feels editorial and emotionally real—not staged, not generic, not the same shots you’ve seen a thousand times.
What Makes Cinematic Coverage Different
Audio of your actual vows layered over landscape and detail shots
Movement and pacing that builds emotion
Environmental context—the crash of waves, the wind in the canyons, the city humming below
Quiet, unscripted moments between the “important” ones
What We Offer
Highlight films: 4–8 minute edits that tell your full story
Teaser trailers: 1–2 minute cuts perfect for sharing
Super 8 film sequences: Vintage, textural footage that adds warmth and nostalgia
Drone footage: Where legally permitted, aerial perspectives of LA’s landscapes
Full photography coverage: Consistent visual style across stills and motion
Our Aesthetic
Clean, editorial compositions
True-to-life color with cinematic grading
Natural emotion over stiff posing
We’re not interested in making you look like models—we’re interested in making you look like yourselves, in a setting that happens to be stunning.
How We Support Your Planning
Location scouting and light planning
Realistic timeline building (with LA traffic buffers)
Permit guidance for parks, beaches, and public spaces
Coordination with officiants, planners, and other vendors
A morning at Griffith, an evening downtown: Imagine exchanging vows as the sun rises over the LA skyline at Griffith Observatory, then spending the afternoon exploring the city before reconvening at dusk for portraits among the neon signs and glass towers of DTLA. That’s not just a wedding—it’s a short film.
Malibu cliffs and a beach bonfire: Picture ceremony vows on the bluffs of Point Dume, then climbing down to the beach for portraits as the sun drops, ending with a small bonfire dinner on the sand. The day has acts, a narrative arc, a sense of place.
This is what elopement coverage can be when you approach it cinematically.
Choosing the Right Photo & Film Package for Your Elopement
Packages scale with story length. A short, focused session works beautifully for courthouse ceremonies. A full-day package gives us the raw material to craft something genuinely film-like.
Compact Elopement Package (2–3 hours):
Ceremony coverage
Couple portraits at one location
Short highlight film (2–3 minutes)
Curated photo gallery
Expanded Elopement Package (6–8 hours):
Getting ready coverage
Ceremony and immediate reactions
Multiple portrait locations (beach + city, park + architecture)
Sunset and/or night coverage
Super 8 add-on option
Full highlight film (5–8 minutes) + teaser
Complete photo gallery
Think about how you’ll relive your elopement day:
Sharing a teaser with family and friends who couldn’t be there
Watching your full film on anniversaries
Printing your favorite portraits for your home
Creating an heirloom album
Arrakis Films works with elopements in the $1900–$5000+ range depending on scope, travel, and add-ons like Super 8 or extended coverage. We recommend reaching out early to align your date, locations, and coverage with permit timelines and seasonal light.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eloping in Los Angeles
How fast can we elope in LA?
Same-day is possible if you can get a walk-in appointment at the county clerk’s office and have an officiant available. Realistically, most couples book 2–4 weeks out to secure their preferred location, permits, and vendors. Destination couples flying in typically plan 1–3 months ahead.
When is the best time of year to elope?
September–November: Best overall. Clear skies, warm light, minimal crowds on weekdays—an ideal season to elegantly capture your special day with The Promise: Film wedding package.
December–February: Soft winter light, lower humidity, green hillsides after rain.
March–May: Wildflower season, longer days, occasional rain.
June–August: Warmest temperatures, June Gloom on the coast, peak tourist season.
Can we elope on the beach?
Absolutely. Most LA-area beaches allow ceremonies with proper permits. Guest count limits vary by beach (often 6–15 people including vendors). Check tide charts, plan for wind (it affects audio for film and veils), and have a backup plan if weather shifts. Our favorite beaches include El Matador, Point Dume, and the coves around San Pedro and long beach. Don’t forget to capture every moment with a full wedding photo package to ensure your memories last a lifetime.
How many guests can we bring?
Most elopement permits allow 6–15 people including the couple, officiant, and vendors. Beyond 10 guests, logistics start to feel more like a small wedding. For a true intimate elopement experience, we recommend keeping it to 10 or fewer—ideally just the two of you plus your essential people.
We’re flying in. Where should we land and what can guests do?
LAX: Most international and domestic options, 30–60 minutes to most LA locations.
Burbank (BUR): Smaller, easier, closer to Hollywood and DTLA.
Long Beach (LGB): Relaxed alternative, convenient for South Bay beaches.
For guests with time to explore: the Santa Monica pier, LACMA and The Broad, the Getty Center, studio tours, palm springs or napa valley day trips, and simply walking Venice Beach or exploring downtown’s arts district.
Plan Your Cinematic Los Angeles Elopement With Arrakis Films
Your wedding day should feel like the opening scene of your life together—intimate, intentional, and visually unforgettable. Los Angeles provides the canvas: golden light, dramatic landscapes, architectural icons, and the kind of atmosphere that makes every frame feel like cinema.
Arrakis Films brings the craft: editorial imagery, emotionally honest storytelling, and a style that feels like a real film rather than standard wedding coverage. We work with couples who value authenticity over tradition, experience over spectacle, and a calm planning process over wedding-industry chaos.
Ready to start planning? Reach out through our inquiry form to check availability. Share your tentative date range, your guest count, the locations you’re drawn to, and whether you’re interested in photography, film, or both. We’ll respond with availability and begin shaping a custom elopement experience that fits your vision.
Arrakis Films is based in Los Angeles and New York City, with regular work throughout southern california, palm springs, joshua tree, Big Sur, and international destinations.
Your special day deserves to be captured like the film it is. Let’s make it happen.
1 Videographer
Up to 4 hours of coverage
3-5-minute cinematic highlight film
1-2 minute trailer
Private online gallery available for one year
Unlimited downloads in full quality