Hi there,
I'm Mia, a professional wedding photographer with a knack for capturing 80+ traditional weddings plus 100+ civil weddings / courthouse weddings annually in San Diego. If you've come across this blog, consider yourself fortunate! You've just found the ultimate photographer in San Diego, specializing in both courthouse weddings and large weddings.
While there's no shortage of articles guiding you through the process of arranging a courthouse wedding in San Diego, very few delve into what you can expect, the subtleties to keep in mind, and the various options at your disposal for your courthouse wedding. This is where I come in, prepared to share valuable insights and tips to ensure you're thoroughly prepared for your courthouse wedding, whether it's an intimate affair or a grand celebration.
Here are some recent examples of civil wedding videos from our actual clients:
Location:
Our courthouse, officially known as the San Diego County Administration Building, is situated at 1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101. It is nestled in the picturesque surroundings of Waterfront Park, offering a stunning scenic backdrop for your special occasion.
Google Maps Link:
2. Parking information:
When it comes to parking, you have a couple of options to consider:
Street Parking: You can opt for street parking along Pacific Hwy, where you'll find parking meters charging at a rate of $1.5 per hour.
Underground Waterfront Park: An alternative is the underground parking facility at Waterfront Park, which costs $10 for the entire day. It's worth noting that wedding couples can enjoy up to 3 hours of free parking.
For a visual guide on how to navigate the underground parking at the Administration Building, you can watch this informative video: Parking at the County Administration Center
Given that the Administration Building is situated in the bustling heart of downtown San Diego, parking can be quite a challenge. To ensure you make it to your appointment on time and avoid unnecessary stress, it's advisable to plan ahead:
Leave Early: Consider leaving well in advance of your appointment time. This will give you a buffer in case you encounter parking difficulties.
Ride-Sharing Services: Another convenient option is to arrange for an Uber or Lyft ride. This can save you the hassle of searching for parking and ensure a timely arrival.
I've had wedding couples who were up to 2 hours late for their weddings due to parking issues. Fortunately, the county was understanding and accommodated them. Remember, it's your special day, and a little delay can be forgiven, but it's best not to test the limits. Planning ahead is the key to a stress-free experience.
3. Operation Hours:
The San Diego County Administration Building operates during the following hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
If, for any reason, you find yourself running late for your wedding ceremony during these hours, it's worth noting that the staff at the Administration Building are often quite understanding. A simple apology and an explanation that you encountered parking challenges can go a long way in ensuring a smoother experience.
4. Scheduling :
You can schedule your courthouse ceremony up to 45 days in advance from your desired date.
For the best photographic results, I recommend reserving your ceremony time between 8 AM and 9:30 AM or between 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM. This timing is ideal due to the lighting conditions. However, if these slots are not available, don't fret. There are plenty of spots around the courthouse where we can always find shade.
Additionally, I highly recommend selecting the outdoor ceremony location for its scenic beauty and ample space, making your wedding even more special.
5. The process:
(1) Check in procedure
Upon passing through the security checkpoint at the entrance, head to the 2nd floor of the Administration Building to obtain your marriage license. Specifically, you'll want to make your way to Room #273, where the process begins. This typically takes about 3 to 5 minutes.
If you've chosen me as your photographer, I'll be there to meet you at the entrance, ready to capture some arrival photos for you. In the event that you've already cleared security, you can find me waiting for you in Room #256 on the 2nd floor, where everyone gathers for the processing of their documents.
Look out for a sign that reads "Start Here." You'll need to check in at this point, and then you'll wait for them to call your number, much like you would at a bank. This process ensures a smooth and organized experience.
(2) Sign documents
Once it's your turn, please take a seat and carefully review the documents. I encourage you both to express your love and intimacy freely during this moment. Always hold hands, steal kisses whenever you feel like it. Please, don't pay attention to the photographer, and try to forget that there's a camera present. I will capture the most authentic and natural moments between you both.
(It takes 10 -15 mins)
(3) Waiting for the officiant
After you've finished the paperwork, you'll proceed to Room 256, where you'll await the officiant. Typically, the officiant will come to get you within 2 to 15 minutes. However, during busy periods with a large number of people in line, the waiting time can extend to about 30 minutes. Patience is key during these moments.
(4) Walk to the venue
If your appointment is scheduled for an indoor wedding, please be aware that there are two rooms within Room 273 designated for indoor wedding ceremonies.
For those with an outdoor wedding appointment, the officiant will lead you to your chosen outdoor wedding venue. As you make your way there, I encourage you to hold hands, maintain your smiles, engage in conversation, and continue to look at each other. Feel free to express your love in your own unique way, as I'll be there to capture these candid and heartfelt moments.
If you happen to see me moving quickly, don't be alarmed; I'm simply trying to secure the perfect spot for capturing those wonderful candid shots. So, keep calm, stay cool, and continue to cherish each other.
Typically, couples are led to the location in Waterfront Park near Harbor Dr., which features a charming floral bridge and the scenic backdrop of California palm trees. It's a lovely setting for your special moments:
<1> The Original Wedding Bridge in Waterfront Park: This picturesque location features the original wedding bridge, providing a lovely backdrop for your special moments.
<2> The Mini Wedding Bridge in Front of the Administration Building: There's also a charming mini wedding bridge right in front of the Administration Building, offering an intimate and beautiful setting for your ceremony.
<3> Waterfront Park Playground: In certain cases, when both of these locations are busy or undergoing construction, the county may conduct wedding ceremonies in Waterfront Park near the playground. It's another suitable option for your special day.
(5) The ceremony
The ceremony is a brief and sweet one, involving the exchange of standard vows, ring exchange, a kiss to seal the moment, and signing the necessary documents. Once this is done, you're officially married! Congratulations! This whole process typically takes about 5 minutes. During the ring exchange, I recommend doing it slowly and gracefully so that we can capture some beautiful photos of the moment. If you have a private license and require a witness to sign, and you don't have one with you, I'd be more than happy to sign as your witness.
6. Photography background options :
Following the ceremony, if there's still time available, we'll take a leisurely stroll around the area to capture your stunning wedding photographs. We'll explore various backgrounds and settings, ensuring that your photo session is not only beautiful but also filled with fun and memorable moments. We will have a lot of fun!!!
(1) Pink and green——Flowers and leaves :
(2) Blue & Black——"Star of India" and the embarcadero (cross the street):
(3) Green—— California palm trees:
(4) Colorful——The mural:
(5) FUN——Baby playground：
（6） Fun and Romantic - The Water Fountain:
One of the delightful and romantic spots for your photos is the water fountain, where we can capture moments of fun and love in this enchanting setting.
(7) The USS Midway & big Kissing statue:
(8) San Diego Downtown - If Time Allows:
(9) Seaport Village - If Time Allows:
(10)Balboa Park - If Time Allows:
If there's sufficient time, we can also explore the beautiful Balboa Park for your photos, adding a touch of elegance and charm to your wedding album.
7. Next Steps After Your Ceremony
Congratulations, you've completed your ceremony! Now, what's next?
Firstly, a big thank you to the San Diego Recorder Clerk for their invaluable assistance.
If you plan to share your stunning wedding photos on Instagram, we'd greatly appreciate it if you could tag us! Mention both @sdrecorderclerk and @pka_photo in your posts to showcase your beautiful memories and spread the joy.
Testimonials:
Luciana & Kavans
Courthouse Wedding on 08/11/2023
"Mia was so personable, so professional and such a pleasure to work with! She made our wedding shoot such an easy and fun experience! Great communication up to the shoot, after the shoot, and prompt with the delivery of our edited pictures. I am so happy with how our pictures came out and highly recommend her services!"
Amy & Cobin
Courthouse Wedding on 03/03/2023
”Thank you Mia and Nafas! We loved our wedding pictures. They are perfect! Definitely recommend the PKA photography, they are AMAZING!"
Shawn & Diana
Courthouse Wedding on 11/28/2022
”Very good experience for taking our elopement photos! Mia is a very professional photographer. She is very patient and accommodating to help with our questions and needs. She is that kind of photographer who will guide you to show the best of yourself and capture the best timing (instead of just taking those "3-2-1-cheese" pictures), so don't worry if you are a person who gets nervous facing a camera. We felt very relaxed working with Mia during the shots and the results turned out better than we expected.
Mia works really hard to quickly deliver our photos (I found she wakes up very early but sleeps quite late. She also works during the weekends). Not surprised that she got so many 5-stars reviews.
We booked her package with a good discount and it is totally worth it. I would definitely book her other packages in the future and recommend her to my friends.“
Pamela & Jonathan
Courthouse Wedding on 11/07/2022
”I can’t say enough great things about Mia. From the moment we had our initial consultation with her, she was very helpful, professional, and kind! We did a simple courthouse wedding and she had a whole page on her website that gave us the step-by-step process, from the locations of the rooms to do our paperwork to where we could take our photos in/around the courthouse. No matter how big or small a wedding is, it always ends up stressful for the bride/groom, so it was very helpful having an expert around.
Then, when we met her on our wedding day, we got some awesome photos in some beautiful spots. She has a great eye for beauty. On top of that, her personality is made for what she does. She is so down-to-earth and funny and made us loosen up and feel comfortable as we took photos for two hours. Expectedly, the photos turned out absolutely beautiful. We look forward to working with her for future life milestone events! Please do yourself a favor and hire her."
Dianna & Jed
Courthouse Wedding on 09/14/2022
”Working with Mia for our wedding was amazing! She helped prep us well before the event, and even sent us notes after we reviewed multiple possibilities together. She was very energetic, yet professional and we loved our photos. There is a reason she is so in demand! Couldn’t recommend more.“
Charrod & Quiana Courthouse Wedding on 09/13/2022
”Mia is incredible. Not only was she able to get photos of the entire ceremony and stuff, she took us outside of the courthouse and got more than 100 photos of us on our special day. GO WITH PKA! I’m so glad we did.“
Andrew & Anthony Courthouse Wedding on 09/06/2022
"Mia is an excellent photographer! She knew so many important details and made our wedding day extra special. She was prompt with the delivery of our photos and her editing is superb! We couldn’t be happier! Definitely book her!"
Hayete & Samuel Courthouse Wedding on 08/12/2022
"Mia of PKA Photography is the best photographer we could have hoped for! She is so professional, communicates and prepares with you everything you need prior to the photoshoot. Mia’s energy and joyful spirit are contagious! Her work are a perfect balance of elegance, creativity and provides sophisticated yet genuine lifelong memories. We will definitely contact Mia for our future family photos needs and absolutely recommend her services to anyone! Thank you Mia for perfectly capturing our beautiful moments!"
Dani & Lauren Courthouse Wedding on 07/13/2022
"Mia is absolutely incredible! She did the photoshoot for our wedding and we could not have been happier with it. Not only did our photos come out amazing but we had the best time taking them. Mia was both professional and personal. We loved working with her, she made us feel comfortable, confident and kept us laughing the whole time. She had great energy and a creative eye, knowing the BEST spots to take beautiful photos. We will definitely be looking her up for future photo shoots. we would rate her 100 stars if we could. 100% would recommend!"
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