Inclusive vendor directory

LGBTQ+ Affirming Wedding Vendors in California

Photographers, planners, officiants and venues across California, from San Francisco city hall to Big Sur cliffs and Joshua Tree at sunrise. Every vendor here is vetted to be genuinely affirming before they’re listed.

See California vendorsHow we vet every vendor
A Big Sur elopement among the redwoods and cliffs
From A Big Sur Elopement with Redwoods, Cliffs, and Handwritten Vows.

California at a glance

License lasts 90 daysNo extensions, and you must marry in California.

No residency neededBoth of you just need to show up together with photo ID.

One witness, or nonePublic licenses need a witness. Confidential ones do not.

A friend can marry youMany counties deputize a friend for the day.

Vetted vendors serving California

Type of vendor
    • Around the World
    • |
    • Banff, Alberta
    • |
    • Canada
    • |
    • Iceland

    The Organic Moment Photography & Videography
    Hey, we’re Liz & Jason, your Elopement Photographer and Videographer, Planners, Guides and all time fun duo!!
    Read More
    • Baltimore, Maryland
    • |
    • USA

    Ginger Fox Photography
    Candid, laid-back, queer destination photographer celebrating LGBTQ+ love, from epic city weddings, to mountaintop elopements.
    Read More
    • Rockville, Maryland
    • |
    • USA

    Married by Miller Officiating
    Married by Miller Officiating is a one woman celebrancy business owned by Joanna Miller. A Washington, DC area native who lived in Australia for four years, Joanna specializes in creating custom ceremonies for couples from different religious, cultural and racial…
    Read More
    • Asheville, North Carolina
    • |
    • USA

    Laura Sparks Photography
    Hey, I’m Laura Sparks and I specialize in elopements and intimate weddings because I 1000% believe it’s the best way to get married! (Like, for real! My wife and I eloped in Olympic National Park in Sept ’23!) I seriously…
    Read More
    • Chicago, Illinois
    • |
    • USA

    Rya Photographie
    It’s just you, the love of your life, and a handful of your closest friends and family, celebrating your love, your commitment, and the life you want to build together.
    Read More
    • Leominster, Massachusetts
    • |
    • USA

    Kassia Lee Photography
    Kassia Lee Photography is all about capturing real moments & raw emotion. The little things that make life so beautiful, from the laughter, the tears, to the smallest details, I’m here to document your story as it naturally unfolds.
    Read More
    • Troy, New York
    • |
    • USA

    Milestones by Miri
    I create and perform ceremonies and rituals of all varieties. In the process of getting to know people, from newborns and their families to nearlyweds to actively dying folks, I craft celebrations of life’s meaningful moments, both big and small.
    Read More
  • Two people are standing waist-deep in a misty river, facing away from the camera with rocky terrain in the background.
    • Florence, Alabama
    • |
    • USA

    The Rose Reflective
    Milly and her team capture love across America and the world, specializing in LGBTQ+ couples and body-positive wedding photography.
    Read More
    • New York City, New York
    • |
    • USA

    Sylvie Rosokoff
    Hey there! I’m Sylvie, an NYC-based photographer specializing in elopements and intimate weddings. My work is all about celebrating the texture, motion, and ephemeral feeling of your milestone day in the city I’ve called home for the past 18 years.
    Read More
    • New York City, New York
    • |
    • USA

    Elvira Kalviste Photography
    Choosing a wedding photographer isn’t just about finding someone who takes great photos—it’s about finding someone you trust to capture the real, unfiltered moments without turning your day into a production. With 11 years of experience, we know how to…
    Read More
    • Denver, Colorado
    • |
    • USA

    Sophia Lewis Photography
    I’m Sophia, the photographer behind Sophia Lewis Photography. I specialize in story-driven wedding and elopement photography across Colorado and beyond, documenting celebrations that are intentional, emotional, and deeply personal. My approach is rooted in connection and trust. I want you…
    Read More
    • Portland, Oregon
    • |
    • USA

    Muffcake Manor
    Muffcake Manor is a boutique wedding stationery studio led by illustrator and designer Adrienne Browning, where every piece is crafted with intention, heart, and a touch of old-world romance. Rooted in the Pacific Northwest but serving couples around the world,…
    Read More

  • Laura Sparks Photography

    Hey, I’m Laura Sparks and I specialize in elopements and intimate weddings because I 1000% believe it’s the best way to get married! (Like, for real! My wife and I eloped in Olympic National Park in Sept ’23!) I seriously have the best job ever because I get to help lovers create a day that is authentic, where you can completely be yourselves, and have the best damn day EVER. From location and vendor recommendations, to creating the perfect timeline for you, I’ve got you covered!

  • Milestones by Miri

    I create and perform ceremonies and rituals of all varieties. In the process of getting to know people, from newborns and their families to nearlyweds to actively dying folks, I craft celebrations of life’s meaningful moments, both big and small.

  • Sylvie Rosokoff

    Hey there! I’m Sylvie, an NYC-based photographer specializing in elopements and intimate weddings. My work is all about celebrating the texture, motion, and ephemeral feeling of your milestone day in the city I’ve called home for the past 18 years.

  • Elvira Kalviste Photography

    Choosing a wedding photographer isn’t just about finding someone who takes great photos—it’s about finding someone you trust to capture the real, unfiltered moments without turning your day into a production. With 11 years of experience, we know how to blend into the rhythm of your wedding, letting things unfold naturally while staying ready for whatever comes next.

  • Sophia Lewis Photography

    I’m Sophia, the photographer behind Sophia Lewis Photography. I specialize in story-driven wedding and elopement photography across Colorado and beyond, documenting celebrations that are intentional, emotional, and deeply personal. My approach is rooted in connection and trust. I want you to feel comfortable enough to be fully yourselves so the photos reflect the real moments unfolding around you.

  • Muffcake Manor

    Muffcake Manor is a boutique wedding stationery studio led by illustrator and designer Adrienne Browning, where every piece is crafted with intention, heart, and a touch of old-world romance. Rooted in the Pacific Northwest but serving couples around the world, the studio specializes in bespoke wedding invitations that feel less like paper goods and more like heirloom keepsakes. The kind of pieces families tuck into albums, frame on walls, and revisit long after the celebration ends.

Oops! It looks like you've seen it all!

Oops! It looks like you've seen it all!

Getting married in California

California has been a home for queer love stories for generations, and the options here are endless: San Francisco city hall, Palm Springs pools, Big Sur redwoods and Joshua Tree at sunrise.

The legal bit

There’s no residency requirement. Both of you appear together at a county clerk with photo ID, and the license is valid for 90 days with no extensions, for a ceremony anywhere in California. Fees vary by county.

Public or confidential license

A public license needs at least one witness at your ceremony. A confidential license needs no witnesses, but you must already be living together as spouses. Most couples choose a public license, and anyone old enough to understand the ceremony can be your witness.

Have a friend marry you

Many California counties offer a Deputy Marriage Commissioner for a Day program, so a friend or family member can legally officiate your wedding. Apply through the county well ahead of your date.

Where couples are saying yes

Think sequins and sunset vows in San Francisco, an intimate Joshua Tree elopement and a Los Angeles backyard wedding.

Questions couples ask

Do we need to live in California to get married there?

No. California has no residency requirement. You both need to appear together with valid photo ID.

How long is a California marriage license valid?

90 days, with no extensions. Your ceremony must take place in California.

Do we need witnesses?

With a public license, at least one witness must attend. A confidential license needs no witnesses, but you must already live together as spouses.

Can a friend officiate our California wedding?

Yes. Many counties offer a Deputy Marriage Commissioner for a Day program that lets a friend or relative legally officiate. Apply with the county in advance.

How much does a California marriage license cost?

It depends on the county. In San Diego County, for example, a public license is $129 and a confidential license is $144.

Legal details last checked October 2026 against the San Diego County Clerk. Fees and processes vary by county, so check with yours.

Real California love stories

ElopementSequins, Sneakers, and Sunset Vows: A San Francisco ElopementWeddingA San Francisco Wedding with James Bond Style and BachataElopementAn Intimate Elopement at Joshua TreeWeddingLos Angeles Backyard Wedding with Croatian Plum Brandy and FloralsElopementA Palm Springs Elopement – ‘Just Us’ProposalA Sunset Proposal On A San Diego Beach While Horseback Riding

Explore nearby

Affirming wedding pro in California?

Get in front of couples planning their California wedding.

Explore partnerships