How to Elope in Big Bear, California

While Southern California is primarily known for its deserts and coastline, it is no secret that SoCal has one of the most diverse landscapes in the US, and yes, you can find little mountain towns with lakes and pine trees tucked away in the mountains surrounding the SoCal deserts! One popular destination is Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains, just 2 hours from the metropolitan area of Los Angeles, and a short drive from Joshua Tree National Park - which means that you can go from cacti and Joshua Trees to tall pines (or vice versa) all in a day!

As a SoCal elopement photographer obsessed with mountains and lakes, Big Bear is one of my favorite places in all of Southern California. I have been to Big Bear hundreds of times, and the place never fails to amaze me. The drive up the mountain (or hill, as the locals call it) always takes my breath away, and I’m constantly amazed that such lush greenery and tall trees exist just outside the desert-y city of Los Angeles. If you’re thinking of a mountain elopement in the trees but want to stay within Southern California, Big Bear is an amazing option filled with tons of things to do… or lots of opportunity to just relax and do nothing. ;)

I hope that these help give you a solid starting point to planning your Big Bear elopement, but if you have any further burning questions, feel free to reach out! As a Big Bear elopement photographer, I am absolutely obsessed with the area and would love to assist you in planning your Big Bear elopement!

How to get married in Big Bear

If you are looking to get legally married in Big Bear, there are three things you need: 1) your marriage license, 2) an officiant, and 3) one witness.

Marriage License. In order to obtain a marriage license, you will need to first fill out a Marriage License Application, then make an appointment to appear in-person at a County Clerk’s office to obtain your license, which is good for 90 days. Since Big Bear is in California, you can go to any County Clerk’s office within the state of California - it doesn’t need to be the same county you’re getting married in. (Different states have different rules though, so if you’re considering eloping in a different state, be sure to read up on the laws of that particular state!) If you’re located in California, I recommend visiting your local County Clerk’s office. If you’re traveling from out-of-state or from another country, the closest County Clerk’s office to Big Bear is located in San Bernardino county. Here’s a link to their office locations (make sure to click on the ‘Recorder-Clerk’ tab). Visit this page for a step-by-step guide on how to obtain your marriage license in San Bernardino county. The cost of a marriage license may vary depending on the county you’re obtaining it from, but on average a marriage license in California costs about $90.

Officiant. The officiant will be the one to help you perform the ceremony and fill out the necessary legal paperwork (i.e. completing your marriage license and submitting it to the relevant offices) to make your marriage official. If you are having guests at your elopement, you could consider having one of your guests officiate to keep things intimate and personal. It’s free and relatively simple to get ordained online - this article has more helpful information on how to do so. However, if you’d rather hire an officiant instead, consider finding one local to the Big Bear area or asking your photographer for recommendations. A few questions to ask when looking for an officiant: a) what is the process like? b) do they help you submit the paperwork after the ceremony? c) are they willing to adventure to a location with you (if you’re planning an elopement in the woods or somewhere less accessible/requires hiking to)? d) how personal do they make the ceremony?

One Witness. If you’re looking to have a public marriage in California, you will need one witness for your ceremony. This can be a guest, your photographer (if it’s just the two of you), or even a fellow hiker on the trail (if you’re doing a hiking elopement!). If you’re thinking of having a confidential marriage, you don’t need a witness to your ceremony. Public marriages are the more common of the two; the only difference between the two types of marriage licenses is how your marriage is recorded. A public marriage license, as the name suggests, becomes public record and is available for anyone to view, while a confidential marriage license can only be viewed by the couple or by court order.

Permits for a Big Bear Elopement

At the moment, permits are not required for an elopement in Big Bear (as long as it isn’t on conservatory land), however it is important that you check in with the proper county officials in case this changes at any time.

If you are planning an elopement on private property such as an AirBnB, be sure to clear this with your host on whether this is allowed or not.

How to ask your AirBnB host about eloping on their private property:

a) Let them know what exactly is involved. If it is something really simple that doesn’t require setups of any arches, chairs, reception tables or decor, make sure to communicate that to your AirBnB host.

b) Be honest about how many people will be present. Are you having guests? If so, how many, and how long will they be on the property for? Or will it just be the two of you exchanging vows with an officiant and photographer?

Many hosts may not allow a ceremony or a meal celebration on their property due to liability reasons and not fully understanding the nature of elopements; some may also be bound by city/county regulations and AirBnB rules. If a host says no, make sure to respect their decision.

Getting to Big Bear

Driving. There are three major roads roads leading to Big Bear - Hwy 330 (most commonly used), Hwy 38 (lesser traffic but longer route if coming from Los Angeles), and Hwy 18 from Lucerne Valley (shortest, least windy route).

**If you are traveling during the winter months (Nov 1-April 30), make sure to carry snow chains as the mountain does get dumped with snow and there are snow chain inspection points along the way. You may be cited and fined if you drive without snow chains when they are required. I’ve found this link to provide reliable updates on driving conditions up to Big Bear.

Flying. If you are traveling from out-of-state, you may consider flying into a major airport in the SoCal area and renting a car to drive up the mountain.

The closest airport is Ontario International Airport (about 1.5-2 hrs away), and offers all the major car rental options such as Hertz, Enterprise, Thrifty, etc. Other close-by airports include:

Palm Springs International (2-3 hrs away)
Los Angeles International, LAX (3-4 hrs away)
John Wayne Airport (2-3 hours away)

There is also an airport in Big Bear itself (L35) that services private pilots, so if you have a private pilot’s license and are able to fly, you might consider flying directly into Big Bear itself (what a way to start off your adventurous elopement too!). The only thing to consider is transportation when you’re on the ground. There is a Mountain Transit Bus System in Big Bear that runs once per hour, but I highly recommend having your own vehicle to get around town and surrounding areas with, which may mean flying into a major airport with car rental options instead.

When to have your Big Bear Elopement

Season & Weather. As one of the only places in Southern California that truly experiences the four seasons, it is important to consider the season you’d like to elope in when planning your Big Bear elopement. Big Bear is absolutely beautiful in the Spring (March-May) when the flowers start blooming. Fall (Sept-Nov) can be a hit or miss since most trees in Big Bear are pine trees and therefore don’t turn orange, so it’s a little more difficult finding fall colors in Big Bear (not impossible, though!).

A quick glance at the seasons:

SPRING (March - May): Avg temps in the 60’s-70’s
SUMMER (June - Mid Sept): Avg temps in the high 70’s-mid 80’s
FALL (Mid Sept - Nov): Avg temps in the 60’s-70’s; can drop to 40’s at night
WINTER (Dec - Feb): Avg temps in the 40’s; can get tons of snow!

If you are looking to have a snowy elopement in Southern California, Big Bear (or its surrounding areas) might be your best bet. At an elevation of 7000’, Big Bear gets dumped with snow during the winter season (early December to February), and is SoCal’s biggest ski resort town. This also means that the winter months can be very crowded as well. I recommend planning for a late January elopement if you want a chance of snow with relatively fewer crowds, since you can expect most of the crowds during the holiday season (Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year).

Summer in Big Bear (June-August) is also a popular time of year for many. Because of its high elevation, Big Bear doesn’t get as hot as it does down the hill in the high desert areas. The lake also offers many water activities for people to cool off in the summer heat. If you’re planning a summer elopement in Big Bear, you might want to consider a weekday (Mon-Thurs) or a Sunday elopement to avoid the crowds. Be sure to check the calendar to avoid holiday weekends as well (e.g. Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day). In theory, having a 3-day weekend might sound nice and the perfect time to arrange a small getaway to elope without having to request extra vacation days off work, however, as an already popular tourist destination, Big Bear does get significantly busier during these times.

That said, there are many areas just outside of town that crowds don’t flock to as much, and as a Big Bear elopement photographer, I can absolutely show you to these spots!

Time of Day. This actually depends on where you’ll be having your elopement at in Big Bear. While photographers often encourage planning for a sunrise or sunset elopement because of that dreamy golden light you get and also it being a cooler time of day (especially in the summer), it’s important to also remember that Big Bear has a lot of tree cover, which means you might not want to wait till sunset for your elopement since you do lose the light much quicker under the trees. If you are planning an elopement under the pine trees, you might want to plan your elopement at least 2-3 hours before sunset or 1-2 hours after sunrise, but your photographer should be able to advise what time they think is best.

If you are planning an elopement by the lakeside, then a sunset elopement would actually be perfect because Big Bear gets a stunning sunset that goes right between the mountains to the west of the lake, and is absolutely beautiful at that time of day. Keep in mind that depending on the day of your elopement, the lake might be pretty crowded at sunset. Sunrise is also a great time to consider for your elopement, since it generally means fewer crowds (and what a way to start a wedding day!).

Where to have your Big Bear Elopement

There are several options for places to get married in Big Bear:

AirBnBs. If you are planning a smaller wedding (anywhere from just the two of you, up to 10-15 guests), you may be able to find an AirBnB that would allow you to host a small ceremony in their backyard. One thing to note is that Big Bear consists of two zip codes - the city of Big Bear Lake, or Big Bear City located in San Bernardino county (I know, it’s confusing!). AirBnBs with a Big Bear Lake zip code are generally subject to much stricter rules and regulations - so be sure to keep this in mind when searching for an AirBnB. (See notes above on how to ask a host about hosting an elopement ceremony at their AirBnB).

National Forest land. Another option for a Big Bear elopement is finding a spot by the lake or in the forest land surrounding the lake. North Shore and Moonridge are two areas in the immediate Big Bear area that have beautiful areas to explore and have your elopement ceremony. If you don’t mind a further drive, there are more options along Hwy 38 that are absolutely gorgeous as well. As a Big Bear elopement photographer with a cabin in Big Bear, I spend a lot of time exploring the area and taking note of gorgeous, private spots for couples to have their intimate ceremony.

(**It is extremely important to follow LNT principles if you do choose this option. For more information on Leave No Trace and why it’s important, read this blog post. As a Big Bear elopement photographer, I am committed to LNT and will work with all my couples to make sure we plan ahead and make decisions for both locations and activities that will not leave any environmental impact.)

Venue. If you are having more than 15 guests, you may want to consider renting a venue for your wedding. Below are a few of my favorite venues in/around Big Bear (some of them even offer cabin lodgings as well!) —

Holcomb Valley Ranch (large 400 acre ranch with spacious campgrounds & a meadow with wild horses!)
Cienega Creek Ranch
Into The Woods Big Bear
Calico Farm

Elopement ceremony in Big Bear, CA at Holcomb Valley Ranch

Activity Ideas for your Big Bear Elopement

The best thing about elopements is that the tiny nature of your wedding day opens up a world of opportunity to incorporate a fun activity into your day! Whether you’re looking for adventure or a relaxing time, Big Bear offers possibilities for both. Here are some ideas:

Adventurous Activities

Hiking. Whether you want to stay close to the lake or hike up into the mountains for a view of the lake from above to exchange your vows, there are hundreds of trail options with varying difficulty levels to choose from. If hiking isn’t your thing but you still want a view of Big Bear Lake from a higher viewpoint, you might want to consider a 4x4 experience instead 😉

4x4 Off-Roading. If you have your own 4x4 vehicle, there are a ton of OHV trails around the Big Bear area of varying difficulty levels that you can go on! I have a few recommendations myself, one of them being a trail that takes you from Big Bear into Pioneertown - watching the landscape of tall pine trees transform into Joshua Trees is definitely something special ;) If you don’t have a 4x4 vehicle but want to have a 4x4 experience, you can rent one from Big Bear Jeep Experience - they offer jeep rentals with guided tours and adventure experiences that will be sure to make your Big Bear elopement experience one to remember!

Kayaking/Paddleboarding/Jetskiing. Want to get off the land and onto the water? There are a few places around the lake that rents kayaks, SUPs and jetskis in the summer when the lake comes alive. I mean, how fun would it be to go kayaking, paddleboarding or jetskiing on your wedding day?! (PS. This can still be part of your wedding day experience even if you choose not to do this in your wedding attire!)

Helicopter Tours. Big Bear Helicopter Tours offers sightseeing tours with a variety of tour options and is a super fun way to experience Big Bear from the air!

Snowshoeing/Skiing/Snowtubing. If you’re eloping in the winter, you could consider incorporating these winter activities into your winter elopement experience. Big Bear has two main ski resorts, or visit Snow Summit a 30-min drive away for more slope options.

Easy & Relaxing Activities

Picnic at Meadows Edge Picnic Area or Aspen Glen Picnic Area
Cycle along Alpine Pedal Path next to the lake
Grab coffee at The Copper Q or Moonridge Coffee
Try the poké bowls at Tropicali
Relax in a hot tub in your cabin
Make s’more over a fire. (PS. Make sure to follow burn bans and avoid campfires especially during wildfire season)
Rent a pontoon boat from one of the three marinas in Big Bear

Elopement Reception Ideas

BBQ at a picnic site or at your AirBnB
Hosting a private dinner in your cabin
Picnic reception by the lake
Celebrating at a restaurant in Big Bear Village (the Oakside is a favorite!)

Tiny elopement reception at a cabin in Big Bear, CA

Where to Stay for your Big Bear Elopement

Did you know that most of the homes in Big Bear are vacation rentals? Here are a few of my favorite AirBnB cabins in the area, including my own - Three Lanterns Lodge! (Yes, my husband and I own a cute vacation rental gambrel in Big Bear, and we’d love to host you!)

Three Lanterns Lodge (If you’d like to stay at our cabin for your elopement, reach out to me directly as I do have Big Bear elopement packages that include a 3D2N stay in our cabin!)
Big Bear Treehouse
Rancho Pines
Calico Farm
Getaway House Big Bear (this is technically in Running Springs, a neighboring town to Big Bear!)

cozy AirBnB cabin in Big Bear, California

Big Bear elopement timeline ideas

I am a huge advocate for having your elopement or small wedding documented with the same care and attention that traditional weddings get. Just because you’re choosing a more intimate day doesn’t mean your wedding day is any less significant. In fact, the smaller nature of your wedding opens up a world of possibilities on how to experience your day, and whether it’s just the two of you exchanging vows or sharing your day with a close-knit group of family & friends, there are so many ways to celebrate and experience your entire day.

Just-Us-Two Elopement Timeline (No Guests)

10-HOUR TIMELINE

1:00 - 2:30 Getting ready in cabin

2:30 - 3:00 First look outside cabin

3:00 - 4:00 Pick up Jeep Rental

4:00 - 5:00 Drive on 4x4 trail to mountain top for ceremony

5:00 - 5:30 Ceremony

5:30 - 6:30 Exploring + Sunset Portraits

6:30 - 7:30 Drive back down + return Jeep

7:30 - 8:00 Return to cabin for private dinner

8:00 - 9:30 Private dinner in cabin

9:30 - 10:00 Drive out to a lookout for stargazing

10:00 - 11:00 Stargazing + star portraits

Intimate Wedding Timeline (0-20 Guests)

10-HOUR TIMELINE

12:00 - 1:30 Getting ready in cabin

1:30 - 2:00 Drive to lake

2:00 - 3:00 First look by the lake

3:00 - 3:30 Ceremony

3:30 - 4:30 Formal portraits with guests

4:30 - 6:00 Rent kayaks/boats

6:00 - 6:30 Drive to overlook in the mountains

6:30 - 7:30 Exploring + Sunset portraits

7:30 - 8:00 Return to lakeside

8:00 - 10:00 BBQ by lakeside

Other similar mountain towns in Southern California

If you’re looking for a mountain town that’s a little smaller than Big Bear, I list a few alternatives below that you can consider.

Lake Arrowhead
Idyllwild
Running Springs

Big Bear Elopement Packages

If you’re thinking about having an intimate wedding day in Big Bear, don’t hesitate to reach out! As a Big Bear elopement photographer, I provide all my couples with planning and consultations to get to know you and what’s important for your day, help you with location ideas, research and scouting, timeline assistance based on what you’d like documented with advice on best times for lighting, activity suggestions, local vendor recommendations and more.

I have specific Big Bear elopement packages that include a 3D2N stay (with the option of adding more nights if you’d like) at my Big Bear vacation cabin rental, but if you’d rather find your own separate accommodations, I can absolutely cater a custom elopement package for you too!

let's plan your big bear elopement!