The Ultimate Riverside County Courthouse Wedding Guide: 14th Street Chapel, Permits & What It Actually Costs
Riverside Courthouse Wedding Photographer | Downtown Riverside · 14th Street Chapel
Riverside doesn't get talked about as an elopement destination the way Palm Springs or Big Sur do — and honestly, that's part of why I love shooting here. It's not trying to be a backdrop. It's a real, working Southern California city with a genuinely beautiful historic core, and a courthouse wedding here can be just as intentional and photograph just as beautifully as one three hours away, minus the flights and the hotel bill.
If you're considering a Riverside County courthouse wedding, here's the real, practical guide — what the day looks like, what it costs, and what nobody tells you going in.
Where the day actually happens
The ceremony — most couples handle their marriage license at the Riverside County Clerk-Recorder's office, then hold their civil ceremony at 14th Street Chapel — a straightforward 30-minute ceremony performed by a deputy commissioner. It's quick, official, and exactly as simple or as meaningful as you make it. With that 30-minute slot, you can bring up to 40 guests and step straight into beautiful family photos in the chapel afterward.
The portraits — we also make use of the chapel's architecture, built by G. Stanley Wilson, the same architect behind the St. Francis of Assisi Chapel and the rotunda at the famous Mission Inn. From there, Downtown Riverside has more than enough character to round out a full session — historic storefronts, coffee shops, donut shops, tree-lined streets, and (if you want it) the Mission Inn's exterior architecture as a bonus backdrop.
A reasonable timeline
Most Riverside courthouse weddings I photograph run something like this:
Civil ceremony (15–30 min, including any wait) — at 14th Street Chapel or the Clerk-Recorder's office in the Gateway district
Portraits at 14th Street Chapel, on Downtown Riverside's streets, at the Mission Inn exterior, or over a celebratory lunch or coffee nearby
The whole experience comfortably fits inside a 2–3 hour coverage window, which is exactly why it's such an accessible option if flying somewhere and building a multi-day trip around your wedding isn't realistic right now.
What you will pay with my Riverside Courthouse Special
THE SWEETHEART - $1,300
2 hours of coverage, Seasonal bouquet + boutonniere (with color palette options),Mini Polaroids, Full online gallery with print release.
THE HEIRLOOM - $1,500
2 hours of coverage — your ceremony, portraits at the chapel, and a golden-hour stroll through downtown Riverside.
Shot on film + digital, Mini Polaroids, Seasonal bouquet + boutonniere (with color palette options), Full online gallery with print release.
⬇ See pricing details ⬇
Riverside Courthouse Special Pricing
Getting legally married in Riverside County
You'll need: a valid photo ID, your marriage license (public or confidential — the confidential license doesn't require a witness, which makes it a popular choice for true two-person elopements), and one witness if you go the public license route (I'm always happy to sign as your witness).
Marriage licenses in California are valid for 90 days from issue, and there's no waiting period and no residency or citizenship requirement to marry in California. I confirm current Clerk-Recorder hours, appointment policy, and fees with every couple as part of planning, since government office procedures shift more often than you'd expect.
What to pack
Not much, honestly — that's part of the appeal. A change of shoes for walking Downtown Riverside streets, a light layer for cooler mornings or evenings depending on season, and your marriage license paperwork. a bottle of water. That's it.
Vendors worth having
Photographer + videographer — me, and my husband Demetris when a second shooter makes sense. Florist — fresh bouquet and boutonniere available as part of both my special packages. Hair + makeup — happy to send trusted Inland Empire recommendations.
View some of my favorite “Civil Weddings Gallery”
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does a Riverside courthouse wedding actually take place? Your marriage license is processed at the Riverside County Clerk-Recorder's office, and the civil ceremony itself takes place at 14th Street Chapel in Downtown Riverside — a 30-minute ceremony slot that allows up to 40 guests, with portraits right there in the chapel immediately after.
How much does a Riverside courthouse wedding cost with a photographer? My Riverside Courthouse Special starts at $1,300 for The Sweetheart package (2 hours, digital gallery, seasonal florals, mini Polaroids) and $1,500 for The Heirloom package (2 hours, film + digital, seasonal florals, mini Polaroids). Both include a full online gallery with print release.
How long does a Riverside courthouse wedding take? Most couples comfortably fit the ceremony, portraits, and a bonus location or celebration stop into 2–3 hours total.
Do I need a witness for my Riverside marriage license? Only for a public marriage license, which requires one witness (I'm happy to serve as yours). A confidential marriage license doesn't require a witness.
Is there a travel fee to photograph a Riverside wedding? No — Riverside is within my Southern California service area, which has no travel fee.
Are florals and an officiant included in the price? A seasonal bouquet and boutonniere are included standard in both the Sweetheart and Heirloom packages — no florist needed. I don't provide officiant services; your ceremony officiant is part of your appointment with the Riverside County Clerk-Recorder, and I'm always happy to serve as your witness if you go the public license route..
Ready to plan your Riverside courthouse wedding?
Tell me your ideal date and what you're picturing for the day — I respond to every inquiry within 24 hours.
Riverside Special Pricing Details - https://www.marielacampbell.com/riverside-courthouse-wedding-special
