Elopements & Intimate Weddings
Elopement & Intimate Wedding Planning
A beautifully personal celebration, supported with thoughtful planning from start to finish.
Intimate by Nature.
Meaningful by Design.
A smaller celebration allows more room for connection, intention, and the details that feel most personal to you. Behind that simplicity, there is still thoughtful planning required to bring every element together seamlessly.
Vela helps manage the logistics, vendors, timeline, and flow of the day so the experience feels calm, considered, and entirely your own.
Who This Service is For
This service is ideal for couples planning a private elopement, a ceremony with immediate family, a celebration with closest friends, or a destination elopement in the Santa Barbara area—often followed by an intimate dinner or reception.
Celebrations with more than 10 guests may still be accommodated, with planning fees increasing in predetermined guest-count increments to reflect the additional planning, logistics, coordination, and event scope required. If you are planning a slightly larger or unusual format, we encourage you to inquire so Vela can determine the best service fit.
Planning + Coordination
From the first decisions through the final moments of the celebration, every detail is thoughtfully considered.
- Initial planning consultation
- Vision development
- Venue and ceremony-location guidance
- Curated vendor recommendations
- Vendor communication & coordination
- Planning priorities & logistics guidance
- Ceremony planning
- Timeline development
- Floor plan or event-layout guidance when applicable
- Design and aesthetic guidance
- Restaurant or intimate reception planning guidance
- Rental recommendations when applicable
- Final vendor confirmations
- Wedding-day vendor liaison
- Ceremony processional coordination
- Setup of personal details, signage, and décor
- Oversight of wedding-day flow
- Wedding-day coordination and troubleshooting
* Planning support is customized based on the celebration.
Your Celebration,
Thoughtfully Built
An intimate wedding may be smaller in scale, but it still takes the right team to bring everything together beautifully. Vela helps recommend, source, and coordinate trusted professionals based on your style, priorities, and celebration needs.
While we guide the planning and overall experience, we can coordinate with specialized professionals for:
For couples looking to add another layer of atmosphere and detail, Vela also offers bespoke Candle Design as an optional in-house service.
Intimate Celebrations Along the California Coast
From coastal ceremonies in Santa Barbara and Montecito to vineyard celebrations in the Santa Ynez Valley, Vela helps couples thoughtfully plan intimate celebrations throughout Santa Barbara County and Southern California’s Central Coast. With our local expertise, we guide you toward the most beautiful settings for your gathering.
Getting Your Marriage License in Santa Barbara
Planning an elopement in Santa Barbara? You’ll need a valid California marriage license before your ceremony. Couples can obtain a marriage license from any county in California, and the license is generally valid for 90 days from the date it is issued. Both parties must appear in person and bring valid government-issued photo identification.
If you’re obtaining your marriage license through Santa Barbara County, both parties will need to appear in person at the Clerk-Recorder’s office. Appointments are not required, and licenses are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Before you go, check the County’s current requirements so you know what identification or documentation to bring.
Apply for a Santa Barbara County Marriage License →
Frequently Asked Questions
Your celebration can feel intimate, intentional, and completely cared for.
Invite us to share what you are envisioning, and allow Vela to help determine the level of planning and coordination support that best fits your celebration.
Start Your Inquiry