Name: Dana Point Elopement
Brand: Wedy

Question 1

Do I need a permit to get married in Dana Point?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a permit is required for ceremonies at Dana Point's most popular cliffside parks. Heritage Park (Compass Point) costs $594 for a 180-minute reservation; Lantern Bay Park and Pines Park each cost $297 for a 180-minute reservation. Contact the City of Dana Point Permit Center at (949) 248-3521 to apply up to one year in advance. Salt Creek Beach allows ceremonies for up to 20 guests without a permit on a first-come, first-served basis. Your Wedy planning team handles permit coordination as part of the planning process.

Question 2

How many guests can I have at my Dana Point elopement?

Accepted Answer

Guest limits vary by location. Heritage Park (Compass Point) and Lantern Bay Park each accommodate up to 100 guests including vendors. Pines Park accommodates up to 80 seated guests and offers chairs and three ceremony arches — it's the most ceremony-ready of the three. Salt Creek Beach allows up to 20 guests without a permit. For intimate elopements with 2–20 people, Salt Creek Beach is the easiest no-permit option; for celebrations with family and friends, any of the clifftop parks work beautifully.

Question 3

When is the best time to elope in Dana Point?

Accepted Answer

March through May and September through November are the best months for a Dana Point elopement. Spring brings mild temps (62–75°F), blooming wildflowers, and manageable crowds. Fall delivers the clearest skies of the year with warm light and beautiful golden hour conditions. Avoid peak summer (June–August) if crowds bother you — beaches fill quickly and the June Gloom marine layer can keep coastal skies overcast until noon. Winter (December–February) offers the fewest tourists and easier permit availability, though days are shorter with sunset before 5:30 PM in December.

Question 4

How do I get a marriage license for an Orange County elopement?

Accepted Answer

Dana Point is in Orange County, so you'll obtain your marriage license from the Orange County Clerk-Recorder at 601 N. Ross Street, Santa Ana, CA. A public license costs $61 and a confidential license costs $66 (note: confidential licenses require the couple to be living together prior to marriage); there is no waiting period, and the license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. Both parties must appear in person with valid government-issued photo ID. If either partner was previously married, bring a divorce decree or death certificate. You can find more information and office hours at ocrecorder.com.

Question 5

How much does a Dana Point elopement cost?

Accepted Answer

Dana Point elopement costs vary widely depending on your package and location. Permit fees alone range from $0 at Salt Creek Beach (up to 20 guests) to $594 at Heritage Park for a 180-minute reservation. Wedy's all-inclusive packages bundle photography, officiant, florals, and planning coordination — check the listing for current package tiers and pricing. Additional costs to budget for include your marriage license ($61–$66 in Orange County), accommodation (Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Monarch Beach Resort, or coastal Airbnbs in San Clemente and Laguna Beach), and travel.

Question 6

What's included in a Wedy Dana Point elopement package?

Accepted Answer

Wedy's Dana Point all-inclusive packages typically include professional photography, a licensed officiant, planning coordination, and florals. Specific inclusions and customization options vary by package tier. Your Wedy planning team also assists with permit applications, ceremony location selection, and day-of logistics so you can focus entirely on each other. Check the package details on this listing for current inclusions and pricing.

Question 7

What should I wear to my Dana Point elopement?

Accepted Answer

Dana Point's clifftop parks (Heritage Park, Lantern Bay) have manicured grass lawns, so low block heels, wedges, or flats all work well — bring flats as a backup if you're nervous about heels on grass. Pines Park and Salt Creek Beach are flat and easy to navigate. Ocean breezes at the headlands can be 10–15°F cooler than inland, so bring a wrap, light blazer, or a chic jacket even on warm days. Avoid long cathedral trains that drag on grass or get caught in the wind — detachable trains or shorter lengths work much better at coastal locations.

Question 8

What time should I schedule my Dana Point ceremony for the best photos?

Accepted Answer

All of Dana Point's cliffside parks face west over the Pacific, making them ideal for golden hour and sunset ceremonies. Start your ceremony 60–90 minutes before sunset for the best light. In spring, sunset falls around 7:30–8:00 PM (sunrise ~6:15–6:30 AM); in summer, sunset is around 7:55–8:10 PM (sunrise ~5:50–6:00 AM); in fall, sunset ranges 6:00–7:00 PM (sunrise ~6:30–7:00 AM); in winter, sunset is around 4:50–5:30 PM (sunrise ~6:50–7:10 AM). If you're booking a fall or winter date, plan your ceremony time accordingly — the early sunsets mean you'll want a late-afternoon start.

Question 9

Where should we stay near Dana Point for our elopement?

Accepted Answer

Dana Point and the surrounding OC coastline offer excellent accommodation options. The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel is a legendary clifftop resort just minutes from Dana Point's ceremony parks — ideal for a splurge. Monarch Beach Resort is another luxury option in the area. San Clemente and Laguna Beach both have charming coastal Airbnbs and boutique hotels within a 15-minute drive. Book 1–2 months in advance for most seasons; 3–4 months ahead for summer weekends.

Question 10

Do I need to bring my own officiant to my Dana Point elopement?

Accepted Answer

California requires a licensed or legally authorized officiant to perform and sign your marriage ceremony for most couples. Online ordinations through the Universal Life Church (ULC) or American Marriage Ministries (AMM) are widely accepted in Orange County, so a friend or family member can get ordained online and legally officiate your ceremony. Wedy's all-inclusive packages include a professional licensed officiant, so if you're booking through Wedy, this is handled for you.

Question 11

Do I need witnesses for my Dana Point elopement?

Accepted Answer

California requires at least one witness to sign your marriage license if you obtain a public license ($61 in Orange County). If you choose a confidential marriage license ($66 in Orange County), no witnesses are required — though note that confidential licenses require the couple to be living together prior to marriage. Your photographer or any adult present at the ceremony can serve as the required witness for a public license, so even the most intimate elopement for two can satisfy this requirement.

Question 12

What decorations are allowed at Dana Point parks?

Accepted Answer

Dana Point parks are among the most ceremony-friendly in Southern California. Pines Park allows chairs, three ceremony arches, colored fabric sashes, and silk florals — it's the most decor-flexible option. Lantern Bay Park and Heritage Park (Compass Point) both allow chairs and basic setups. Amplified music requires prior approval at all city parks. Avoid rice, real flower petals on lawns, glitter, and confetti at all locations. Check your specific permit approval for any additional restrictions.

Question 13

What if it rains on my Dana Point elopement day?

Accepted Answer

Rain is infrequent in Dana Point — the area enjoys over 280 sunny days per year — but December through March brings the highest chance of overcast skies or light rain. Your Wedy team can help you identify a rain-day backup, such as a restaurant or indoor event space nearby. The clifftop parks offer no natural shelter, so having a plan B for a worst-case winter ceremony is wise. The good news: an overcast sky often produces dramatic, moody coastal photos that many couples love.

Dana Point Elopement

Explore Pre-Designed Packages

Dana Point Elopement — Classic

Dana Point Elopement — Classic

Dana Point Micro Wedding — Premium

Dana Point Elopement — Classic

Dana Point Elopement — Classic

Dana Point Micro Wedding — Premium

Ceremony & Reception Locations

Dana Point - Heritage Park (Compass Point)

Dana Point - Lantern Bay Park

Dana Point - Pines Park

Dana Point - Salt Creek Beach

Dana Point - Heritage Park (Compass Point)

Dana Point - Lantern Bay Park

Dana Point - Pines Park

Dana Point - Salt Creek Beach

Dana Point - Heritage Park (Compass Point)

Curated VendorsPer Service

Photographer

Hair & Makeup

Videographer

Florist

Officiant

Caterer

Bands & DJs

Bar Services

Wedding Planner

Rentals

Bring your own vendor

Seaside Ceremony

Wedding + Reception

Luxe Elopement

How It Works

Pick Your Package

Seaside Ceremony

Wedding + Reception

Luxe Elopement

Meet Your Planner

Choose Your Vendors

Show Up & Celebrate

How ItWorks

Pick Your Package

Meet Your Planner

Choose Your Vendors

Show Up & Celebrate

Traditional Planningvs Wedy

Enhance YourExperience

Videography

Hair & Makeup

Luxe Picnic

Cake & Desserts

Day-of Coordinator

Bartending

DJ

Live Musicians

Furniture & Tabletop Rentals

FAQs

Curated Vendors
Per Service

How It
Works

Traditional Planning
vs Wedy

Enhance Your
Experience