Frequently Asked Questions About Weddings in Santa Cruz

1. How do I plan a wedding at the beach?

Please see our Beach Wedding FAQs.

2. What is the best time of year to hold a wedding in Santa Cruz County?

Santa Cruz weather is mild, with summer temperatures in the mid-70s and winter temperatures in the mid-50s. The sun shines 300 days a year and the humidity is low for a coastal city. Most rainfall occurs between November and April. However, we experience beautiful weather during these months as well. We have occasional fog due to changing Pacific currents, which tends to burn off by late morning.

3. How do I obtain a marriage license in Santa Cruz County?

The Santa Cruz County Clerk’s Office can provide information and requirements for Santa Cruz County marriage licenses. Give them a call at (831) 454-2060.

4. How much does a wedding cost?

Weddings will vary in cost depending on the decisions you make about your event. There’s no one size fits all cost. If you’d like pricing information, it is helpful to vendors for you to have key variables determined: date, number of people, desired type of venue, and any important details for what you most want. If you’d like to receive a Wedding Packet, Visit Santa Cruz County can help out – just complete this form.

5. Do I need a wedding planner?

A wedding planner is not required, but can help you make the most of your big day, particularly when planning a destination or large event. Many wedding venue hotels and resorts will have a coordinator for the day of and leading up to your wedding. When considering hiring a planner, some questions you may want to ask yourself are: Am I planning from out of town? Is my venue a public park or beach? Do I have more than 30 guests? Will I need to coordinate transportation between venues? Do I have so many ideas for my wedding and am finding it hard to keep track? Answering “yes” to many of these questions may indicate a wedding planner is right for you. Wedding coordinators can also recommend ways to make your wedding more cost effective and sustainable!

6. Where can my guests stay?

Santa Cruz County offers a variety of hotels and resorts for all kinds of budgets. For any wedding, but particularly those during the summer season, it is recommended to hold a block of rooms in advance to ensure your guests have ease of finding accommodations. Our website offers a variety of lodging properties from beachside to mountain settings; take a look at our lodging listings here! Also, consider the off-season (October through May) for better availability and rooming specials for groups!

7. Where can I find information about other vendors?

Caterers, photographers, bakeries, ministers and more may be found on our wedding services list. Another resource for wedding venues and services is Monterey Bay Wedding Event Professionals (MBWEP).

8. Are there shuttles in Santa Cruz?

There is a seasonal trolley in Santa Cruz between downtown and the beach – please refer to the Santa Cruz Trolley website for details. There are private shuttles available for hire. Please see our Transportation Information page.

9. What if my questions aren’t answered here?

We have a variety of resources to help you on our website. You can also request a wedding packet containing the Official Santa Cruz County Traveler’s Guide and wedding venues and services brochures. If your questions aren’t answered here or on the Beach Wedding FAQs, please contact us at (831) 425-1234