Is there a travel fee for Riverside?

No — this is my home base. No travel fee applies

Riverside elopements start at $1,600 for 2 hours with The Little Ceremony, and there's never a travel fee. Courthouse and civil ceremony packages are listed separately on my courthouse page.

Do I need to be a Riverside local to elope at the Mission Inn?

Not at all — I've photographed destination couples who flew in from out of state specifically for it. The Mission Inn is a genuine destination venue. It just happens to be in my backyard.

Is the walk up Mount Rubidoux difficult?

It's paved and non-technical, about 3 miles round trip, with easier lower viewpoints available.

What days do you book elopements?

Elopements are available Monday through Thursday. I keep weekends for full weddings, and weekdays mean quieter locations and a more relaxed pace for your day.

Do we need a permit to elope at the Mission Inn?

The Mission Inn is a private hotel and venue — you'll work directly with their events team for any ceremony permissions. I'll help guide you through the process and can recommend trusted officiants who have worked there before.

Can we combine the Mission Inn with another location?

Absolutely. A popular option is an intimate ceremony at the Mission Inn followed by desert or wine country portraits in the afternoon — Joshua Tree and Palm Springs are both under two hours away. The Two-Day Experience is built for exactly that kind of itinerary.

Can you recommend an officiant or florist?

Yes — I have trusted local recommendations for both. I also have packages that include both services plus me! Just ask when you inquire and I'll connect you with the right people.

What's the closest airport to Riverside?

Ontario International Airport (ONT) is about 20 minutes away, with direct flights across the US and some international routes. LAX is about an hour away for nearly any global connection.

Riverside Elopement Photographer

Film + Digital · Mission Inn Hotel · Inland Empire · SoCal

A woman in a white dress sits on a chair, putting on a high-heeled shoe. The room has a large window, curtains, and a patterned rug.

Historic architecture, rose gardens, and my home turf

Riverside is where I'm based, which means it's the one destination on this list with zero travel fee, ever. It's also genuinely beautiful in its own right — the Mission Inn's Spanish colonial architecture is one of the most photogenic backdrops in Southern California, and there's a quiet charm to Riverside's parks and gardens that a lot of couples overlook.

A bride and groom descending an ornate staircase outside in front of a building with wrought iron railings and decorative murals, during a wedding ceremony.

A woman and a man walk hand in hand on a bridge outdoors, with trees and street lamps in the background on a sunny day.

Why Riverside for Your Elopement

If budget flexibility matters to you, Riverside is the easiest way to work with me — no travel cost built into any package. It's also a smart home base for day trips out to Joshua Tree, Palm Springs, or Temecula wine country, all reachable with zero travel surcharge since I'm local.

Where We Can Elope

Mission Inn Hotel & Spa: A National Historic Landmark with Spanish colonial courtyards, arches, and architectural details throughout — no hiking, entirely walkable grounds.

Mount Rubidoux: A paved, multi-use road winds to the summit (about 3 miles round trip) with panoramic city and mountain views and a historic cross. A genuine walk, not technical — lower viewpoints on the hill offer shorter options for couples who want less distance.

14th Street Chapel: A county-run civil ceremony chapel in Downtown Riverside — a fast, official option for elopements, or for out-of-state and destination couples who want the legal ceremony and the photos handled in one trip. This location follows the timeline and pricing from my Riverside Courthouse Wedding Special (Heirloom $1,500 / Sweetheart $1,300) rather than the standard package tiers above — the county's own $138 ceremony fee for the 30-minute appointment is separate from my photography price.

Best Time of Year

Fall through spring for the mildest temperatures. Riverside summers run hot, so we plan around morning or evening light in warmer months.

Getting Here

Riverside is my home base — no travel fee, ever, regardless of your package.

A couple eloping here might exchange vows in a Mission Inn courtyard at golden hour, then head up Mount Rubidoux for a panoramic city view as the sun sets.

A wedding couple holding hands on a staircase with ornate railing in an indoor venue, with a man wearing a tuxedo and a woman in a wedding dress.

I am a preferred vendor at the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa

A bride and groom are standing close together in front of a church with ornate architecture. The bride has blonde hair and is wearing a white dress, while the groom has a beard and is dressed in a dark suit. The bride is holding a bouquet of flowers. The church behind them features a colorful tiled dome and brick walls with arched windows and decorative sculptures. There is a metal fence in front of them and some greenery surrounding the area.

Local Riverside Pricing

Riverside elopements start at $1,500 — no travel fee, ever.

Pricing

The Little Ceremony - $1,600

2 hour coverage
Online gallery, full print release
A handful of mini polaroid prints
35mm film
Sneak Peek within 5 days

Look for Courthouse/Civil Ceremony packages?

see my pricing and info HERE

Need an officiant or florist but want to book them yourself? I have trusted local recommendations — just ask when you inquire.

For Destination + International Couples

Riverside and the Inland Empire are one of the easiest places in Southern California to plan a destination wedding — and being my home base means zero travel fees on top of it. Ontario International Airport (ONT) is just 20 minutes away, with direct connections across the US plus international routes to Asia and Central America, and LAX is about an hour out for nearly any global connection. The logistics on the ground are genuinely simple. California has no residency or citizenship requirement for a marriage license. Your passport and your partner are all you need.

Couples flying in for the day often choose the iconic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa for its Mission Revival architecture, Glen Ivy Hot Springs for a spa-resort feel, the historic citrus groves of Arlington Heights, or the wine country estates out in Temecula.

→Full planning guide for international and destination couples

A woman in a white wedding dress holding a bouquet of flowers standing on a balcony with large potted plants and a decorative railing, in front of a building with arches and tiled roof.

FAQ

No — this is my home base. No travel fee applies
Riverside elopements start at $1,500. See the full pricing chart for tier details.
Not at all — I've photographed destination couples who flew in from out of state specifically for it. The Mission Inn is a genuine destination venue. It just happens to be in my backyard.
It's paved and non-technical, about 3 miles round trip, with easier lower viewpoints available.
I keep Fridays and Saturdays for full weddings, so elopements are available Sunday–Thursday.
The Mission Inn is a private hotel and venue — you'll work directly with their events team for any ceremony permissions. I'll help guide you through the process and can recommend trusted officiants who have worked there before.
Absolutely. A popular option is an intimate ceremony at the Mission Inn followed by desert or wine country portraits in the afternoon — Joshua Tree and Palm Springs are both under two hours away. The Two-Day Experience is built for exactly that kind of itinerary.
Yes — I have trusted local recommendations for both. I also have packages that include both services plus me! Just ask when you inquire and I'll connect you with the right people.

Ready to elope somewhere unforgettable — close to home?

Tell me your vision and your dates. I'll respond within 24 hours with availability, timing ideas, and everything you need to start planning.

→ Start your inquiry

A woman in a white dress holding a large bouquet of various colorful flowers, including pink, red, orange, white, and purple blooms.

A bride in a white wedding gown with a long train and lace veil is standing outdoors next to a large wooden door. A man in a black suit is standing nearby, and there is a person in black kneeling and adjusting the dress. The scene is in front of a decorated stone building with ornate carvings, statues, and potted plants.

A woman in a white dress with a floral ribbon on her back is walking up a curved staircase holding a bouquet of flowers. Behind her, a man in a light-colored suit is also holding a bouquet of flowers. The staircase has ornate metal railings and is outside of a brick building with potted plants and large windows.

Start your inquiry below ↓