A growing number of couples are choosing simpler courthouse weddings over expensive traditional ceremonies, leading to a surge in demand for marriage appointments in California. Municipal buildings are seeing a rush for available slots, with some booking up months in advance.

"They pretty much get picked up as soon as we release them," Melinda Greene, Santa Barbara County Clerk, told the Los Angeles Times. "We have people from all over the world." The demand has transformed elopement into what the Times described as a "formal contact sport," requiring couples to be online precisely when appointments become available.

"It books up so fast, you have to be online at the exact time [of day] you plan on having your appointment," said Asha Marshall of So Fetch Photography. "A lot of my brides get stressed out."

Popular venues like Santa Barbara's courthouse, known for hosting celebrity nuptials such as those of Kamala Harris and Kourtney Kardashian, are seeing significant activity. Roy Lee, a Santa Barbara County supervisor, noted that the courthouse hosts "dozens a day, starting at 8 o'clock in the morning."

San Francisco City Hall, which famously hosted Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio's wedding in 1954, is another sought-after location, conducting approximately 7,000 weddings annually.

This trend coincides with the oldest members of Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, reaching the average age of marriage, which is 28 according to wedding planning company Zola. This demographic is becoming a significant force in the wedding industry. Zola's "2026 Wedding Trends: First Look" report, based on a survey of over 11,500 couples, indicates that Gen Z is embracing trends influenced by social media and AI, while prioritizing mental wellness.

Despite the rise in simpler civil ceremonies, the overall cost of weddings remains high. Zola reports the average wedding expense is $36,000, with an average guest count of 145 people, consistent with the previous year. The company's findings suggest that "couples are prioritizing the celebration they want over other financial goals," with 85% of couples deeming their wedding "worth every penny."

Spending on wedding-related services saw an 8.5% year-over-year increase as of June 2026, indicating that rising costs have not significantly deterred spending on weddings. Additionally, consumers are spending less on formal wear, with lab-grown diamonds gaining popularity as a more economical option.