In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about planning or attending a destination wedding in California.
If you’re considering a destination wedding, California should be at the top of your list.
With its stunning beaches, lush vineyards, and majestic mountains, the Golden State offers something for everyone.
And with so many amazing venues to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect location for your big day.
From the classic elegance of San Francisco to the laid-back vibe of Los Angeles, California has it all.
With its endless sunshine and sandy beaches, California is the perfect place to exchange vows and start your new life as husband and wife.
You and your guests will have an unforgettable experience that you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
Weddings in California: What You Need To Know
But first: you need to know where in the world California is…
Where is California?
California is a state located in the west of the United States.
California is bordered to the north by the state of Oregon in the United States, to the east by the states of Nevada and Arizona, to the south by the state of Baja California in Mexico, and to the west by the Pacific Ocean.
It is the largest state in population and the third largest in area in the United States.
Area: 163,695 sq mi (423,967 sq km), Population: (2020) 39,538,223, Capital: Sacramento.
California Facts To Know:
- Language: English
- Currency: U.S. dollar (USD)
- Airports: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), San Diego International Airport (SAN)
- Official Tourism Website:https://www.visitcalifornia.com/
- Driving side: Right
Below you will find some more useful information about visiting California for your special day:
4 Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding in California
Planning a wedding can be stressful. Planning a destination wedding can be even more stressful!
But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips and things you need to know for planning a destination wedding in California:
1. Choose a date that works for both you and your guests
Choosing a wedding date can be a daunting task, whether you are planning on getting married in California or closer to home.
You want to make sure that you pick a date that works for both you and your guests.
Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect wedding date:
- How To Pick A Date For A Wedding?
- When To Send Out Save The Date For Wedding?
- How To Write Date On Wedding Invitation?
2. Decide on a budget
When it comes to having a California wedding, there are a lot of different factors that come into play – from the guest list to the venue.
But one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how much you’re willing to spend.
Here are some tips on how to decide on a budget for your wedding:
- How To Plan A Wedding On A Budget?
- What Is A Good Wedding Budget?
- How To Decorate A Wedding Reception Hall On A Budget?
3. Find a venue that fits your vision and budget
No one ever said wedding planning was easy. In fact, it can often feel downright daunting.
Here’s some useful resources for finding a wedding venue in California:
4. Hire a wedding planner to take care of the details
A wedding planner can take care of everything for you, from booking vendors to creating a timeline for the day.
Here are some tips on how to find and hire the right planner for your big day in California
California Weddings: Key Information
Getting married abroad is a big decision. There’s a lot of things you need to be aware of if you want your big day to run smoothly.
To help, we have put together some useful information about getting married in California:
- What is the average cost of a wedding in California?
- What are the marriage requirements for California?
- What is the weather like in California?
- What should you pack for a trip to California?
- What things are there to do in California?
- What are the best California wedding venues?
Read on to find out more:
How Much Does a Wedding in California Cost?
Marriage license fee in California state is around $70, however the cost varies by county.
Both parties must present proof of identity – a picture ID with date of birth like a driver’s license, state ID card, or valid passport.
Legal Requirements for Getting Married in California
- To apply for a marriage license, one must be at least 18 years old.
- At least one witness is needed, and no more than 2 witnesses may sign the official marriage license.
- The license is valid for 90 days from the issue date, and there is no waiting period.
- A marriage license cannot be obtained without the presence of both parties.
- When applying for a marriage license, you will need to provide a photo identification that proves your identity and age.
- Proof of divorce, death or annulment is needed.
- A California marriage license can be used in any county in the state.
- Blood tests are not required.
- There is no restriction for foreign people marrying in California, provided that they are in the country legally and get the proper marriage license.
- All additional documents (like a certified copy of your birth certificate) need to be translated into English.
- Before making any wedding or travel preparations, make sure you have all the paperwork needed for your marriage to be recognized in your home country by checking with the local county clerk or marriage official where you intend to marry.
- What you need to have in your possession before leaving the country is a legal document that can confirm that your marriage is legitimate and has been registered – the marriage certificate.
What Is The Weather Like in California?
If you want to go to California, the spring is the best time to go, particularly the month of April. By visiting in the spring, you may avoid not only the summer heat of the interior and desert parts, but also the rains that can hit the whole state in winter, and the cold that mostly hits the mountainous areas in winter.
Even in the fall, temperatures are, for the most part, agreeable; nevertheless, in the central-southern region, it is more probable that the Santa Ana wind will blow.
What should you pack for your trip?
When it comes to protecting oneself from the sun of California, the best strategy is to dress in layers and to make sure that you are also wearing a sunhat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. You should bring clothes suitable for both a day at the beach and a day in the mountains.
A light jacket is also a good idea, as the evenings can get cool, even in summer.
If visiting in the winter, pack a variety of tops, including casual tees and polo shirts as well as more formal options for going out. Include some items that you may use as a top layer on cold winter mornings as well. This may consist of items such as ponchos, cardigans, and down vests.
California Weather By Month
Below you will find some useful information and handy tables of weather information to help you pick the best month to visit California:
Average Temperatures in California
The table below shows the average temperatures in California each month:
| Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
| January | 9.5 | 19.6 | 14.5 | 49 | 67 | 58.2 |
| February | 10.3 | 19.5 | 14.9 | 51 | 67 | 58.8 |
| March | 11.9 | 19.8 | 15.8 | 53 | 68 | 60.5 |
| April | 13.3 | 20.8 | 17.1 | 56 | 70 | 62.7 |
| May | 15.3 | 21.2 | 18.2 | 60 | 70 | 64.8 |
| June | 16.6 | 22.2 | 19.4 | 62 | 72 | 66.9 |
| July | 18.6 | 24.1 | 21.3 | 65 | 75 | 70.4 |
| August | 19.4 | 25.2 | 22.3 | 67 | 77 | 72.1 |
| September | 18.6 | 25.3 | 22 | 66 | 78 | 71.6 |
| October | 16 | 24.2 | 20.1 | 61 | 75 | 68.1 |
| November | 12 | 22 | 17 | 54 | 72 | 62.6 |
| December | 9.2 | 19.4 | 14.3 | 49 | 67 | 57.7 |
| Year | 14.2 | 22 | 18.05 | 57.6 | 71.5 | 64.5 |
Average Rainfall in California
The table below shows the average rainfall in California each month:
| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
| January | 85 | 3.3 | 6 |
| February | 90 | 3.5 | 6 |
| March | 55 | 2.2 | 5 |
| April | 20 | 0.8 | 3 |
| May | 8 | 0.3 | 2 |
| June | 2 | 0.1 | 0 |
| July | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| August | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| September | 3 | 0.1 | 0 |
| October | 15 | 0.6 | 2 |
| November | 20 | 0.8 | 3 |
| December | 65 | 2.6 | 6 |
| Year | 360 | 14.2 | 34 |
Sunshine Hours in California
The table below shows the average sunshine hours in California each month:
| Month | Average | Total |
| January | 7.5 | 225 |
| February | 8 | 225 |
| March | 8.5 | 265 |
| April | 10 | 305 |
| May | 9 | 375 |
| June | 9 | 275 |
| July | 11.5 | 365 |
| August | 11.5 | 350 |
| September | 9.5 | 280 |
| October | 8 | 255 |
| November | 7 | 215 |
| December | 7 | 220 |
| Year | 8.9 | 3255 |
Sea Temperatures in California
The table below shows the average sea temperatures in California each month:
| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
| January | 14.5 | 58 |
| February | 14.5 | 58 |
| March | 14.5 | 58 |
| April | 14.5 | 58 |
| May | 15 | 59 |
| June | 16 | 61 |
| July | 18 | 64 |
| August | 18.5 | 65 |
| September | 18.5 | 65 |
| October | 18 | 64 |
| November | 16.5 | 62 |
| December | 15 | 59 |
| Year | 16.1 | 61 |
What To Wear in California? (Packing Tips)
It can be difficult to know what to pack for your vacation. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when preparing for your trip.
We’ve put together some tips on what to wear in California so that you can make the most of your time there.
- Comfortable shoes: You’ll need some good walking shoes – California is a big state, and you’ll want to be able to explore as much of it as possible.
- Sunscreen: If you’re planning on spending any time at the beach, don’t forget your sunscreen!
- Hat and sunglasses: A hat and sunglasses will help you in the hot California sunshine.
- Beachwear: Whether you’re planning on spending time at the beach or taking a dip in the hotel pool, beachwear will also come in handy,
- Camera: And of course, don’t forget your camera! With so much to see and do, you’ll want to document your trip.
- Passport: Other essential items to pack include a valid passport and any necessary visas.
- Travel insurance: Make sure you have travel insurance that will cover you in case of any medical emergencies or lost baggage.
- Chargers: Also, be sure to bring along any chargers and travel power adapters you’ll need for your electronic devices.
- FIrst-aid kit: It is also a good idea to pack a first-aid kit, in case of any minor injuries, and also any essential medications.
Things to Do in California
There are many different things to do in California, no matter what time of year you visit.
Here is a list of some of the top activities to enjoy during your stay:
- Yosemite National Park
- Golden Gate Bridge
- Death Valley National Park
- Big Sur
- Lake Tahoe
- Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
- Universal Studios Hollywood
- The Getty Center
- USS Midway Museum
- Alcatraz Island
- Pacific Coast Highway
- Hollywood Walk of Fame
Best California Wedding Venues & Hotels
With so many stunning locations to choose from, how do you know which is the best wedding venue in California?
Here are our picks for the top spots to tie the knot, as well as hotels to stay in:
Wedding Venues in California
- Hotel Casa del Mar in Santa Monica
- The Surfrider Malibu
- The Millwick in Los Angeles
- Colony 29 in Palm Springs
- Nestldown in Los Gatos
- Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
- The Redwoods in Yosemite
- Kimberly Crest House in Redlands
- City View Metreon in San Francisco
- Hangar 1 Distillery in Oakland
Hotels in California
- La Playa Inn Santa Barbara
- AutoCamp Joshua Tree
- citizenM San Francisco Union Square
- Bass Lake Cottage Yosemite Park
- Inn at Palm Springs
- Hotel Per La, Los Angeles
- AKA Beverly Hills
- Pendry West Hollywood
