From Lush Gardens to Waterfront Spaces, Here’s Where to Tie the Knot
Finding the right wedding venue for your big day can be as exciting as it is daunting. The right venue will reflect your style as a couple, set the scene, fit your wedding’s chosen theme and provide your guests with an unforgettable experience. Yes, it’s a lot, but don’t stress—selecting a venue is an opportunity to create and enjoy a day that’s just as special and beautiful as your love story.
Here in Southern California, we’re fortunate that there are so many stunning Orange County wedding venues that can accommodate your personal style and guest list. Ready to tie the knot? Here are 10 picture-perfect wedding venues in Orange County.
Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano
If you’re looking to curate a Euro-chic wedding without the plane ride, check out the stunning Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano. Located right next to the historic mission and surrounded by the historic charm of San Juan Capistrano, there’s something truly enchanting about this boutique hotel.
With its timeless Spanish style and spacious venue options, the Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano offers a gorgeous venue for a couple who wants a timeless and elegant atmosphere right across from the historic mission, which is great for photos! The Inn at the Mission recommends starting your special day with a ceremony in the property’s lush Olive Grove, followed by a reception in the 3,000-square-foot Los Olivos Ballroom, the 2,500-square-foot Catalan Room or the Spanish-tiled Landmark Courtyard. And we recommend booking a room to stay the night—what better way to start married life than with a gorgeous stay, a dip in a pool and a trip to the Inn’s spa to unwind?
Local Insight: The Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano offers custom on-site catering as well as outside catering services to accommodate specialized cuisine requests. For a full list of provided services, click here!
Location: San Juan Capistrano
The Hacienda
Step through the gates of The Hacienda in Santa Ana and into a romantic, tranquil space rich in history and sophistication. Set on the original grounds of an early 20th-century avocado and orange ranch, The Hacienda is an Orange County wedding venue known for its beautiful courtyard, whitewashed adobe walls and all-inclusive packages.
The Hacienda offers two beautiful settings for ceremonies and receptions. For an Old World style, opt for the inner flagstone courtyard with its ivy-covered balconies, lush greenery and three-tiered fountain, or go for a Southwest style with the Taos Room, which features skylights, a fireplace and beautiful antique wood doors.
Local Insight: Aside from traditional wedding packages, The Hacienda also offers a ceremony-only package for the Inner Courtyard and a brunch wedding package.
Location: Santa Ana
Muckenthaler Mansion
The Muckenthaler Mansion, a 1920s Spanish Revival estate located in Fullerton, is a beautiful choice for a couple who loves sweeping manicured lawns, lush gardens and architecture that captures the Italian Renaissance and Spanish Revival styles. The historic mansion’s gorgeous backdrop sprawls across over nine acres, ensuring a special day that’s scenic, sophisticated and completely unforgettable.
Create your perfect menu with Muckenthaler Mansion’s exclusive caterer, Colette’s Catering & Events, dance the night away in a space that’s ideal for a live band and choose from Muckenthaler Mansion’s stunning indoor and outdoor spaces—there’s a backdrop for every couple’s vision.
Location: Fullerton
The French Estate
If you love the old town charm of Orange, you’ll love The French Estate. Originally built in 1895 as a Queen Anne Victorian, the estate was remodeled in 1917. The estate has maintained its Spanish Revival style ever since and kept its namesake from former owners Judge and Mrs. French.
Effortlessly romantic and intimate, The French Estate offers a certain je ne sais quoi—it has a breezy and welcoming feel accompanied by a classic, elegant setting. The venue can host up to 150 guests and even offers access to an on-site venue coordinator! The French Estate also prides itself on being one of the most affordable venues in Orange County and offers all-inclusive elopement and micro-wedding packages.
Location: Orange
The Harper
Located in Costa Mesa, The Harper is part of the Hospitality Collaborative family, founded by Steve Fortunato, and designed by Cliff Fong and SALT Landscape Architects. The overall feel of The Harper is luxurious but still approachable and welcoming. The event space is large and open with an industrial style, and guests can curate their ideal event menu with the help of their in-house catering service roomforty with handcrafted cocktails by Pharmacie. The indoor/outdoor venue is made up of multiple gorgeous spaces like the salon, courtyard, garden, sunroom and library and can accommodate both intimate and grand events of up to 250 guests for seated meals or 300 for standing cocktail parties.
Location: Costa Mesa
The Colony House
For a couple looking for a space that’s versatile and adaptable, we recommend booking a tour at The Colony House. This gorgeous indoor venue in Anaheim, as a whole, can host up to 500 guests and features customizable spaces that can be combined and accommodate different event sizes and style preferences.
The Colony House is owned and operated by 24 Carrots (yes, the 24 Carrots Catering and Events company), so rest assured that you, your guests and your vision are all in good hands. The Colony House aims to offer the best value, so the space is rented as a whole—individual spaces are not available for separate rental.
Location: Anaheim
Skyline at Peninsula Village
Peninsula Village in Newport Beach is a recently developed residential, dining and retail destination right on the water’s edge of Newport Harbor. While the coastal community has made a splash with its fun eateries and beautiful luxury living spaces, Peninsula Village also offers elegant venues for special events—one of our favorites being Skyline. The venue’s open-concept layout allows for unobstructed views of the harbor and comes with a built-in bar, an outdoor fire pit and plenty of lounge seating. Regardless of your wedding’s theme or overall vibe, Skyline sets a gorgeous scene that can make your Orange County wedding dreams a reality.
Location: Newport Beach
The Swanner House
For an Orange County event venue that has equal doses of rustic charm and sophistication, look no further than The Swanner House. Located on the former grounds of A Stone’s Throw Winery in San Juan Capistrano, The Swanner House features a bar in a carriage house, a beautifully restored farmhouse from 1923 and an open-air reception area.
Other notable features of The Swanner House include the courtyard with a cottage pavilion—perfect for a cocktail hour—and a gorgeous view of the surrounding mountains. The venue’s natural beauty makes for a stunning backdrop for florals, botanical decor and organic materials. Aesthetically, this is a venue that can support everything from sweet and simple to grand and opulent.
Location: San Juan Capistrano
Rancho Las Lomas
There are so many words we could use to describe Rancho Las Lomas, but the first one that always comes to mind is “enchanting.” Located in the hills of Silverado, Rancho Las Lomas is a gorgeously restored ranch with exquisite botanical gardens and breathtaking backdrops throughout the grounds. Choose from three different venue spaces: El Teatro, the Grand Salon and La Terraza.
Rancho Las Lomas has a lush, green backdrop that looks beautiful when paired with a light, crisp color palette and rich materials. The venue offers so much inspiration to pull from, whether you want your special day to be whimsical, classic, modern or something entirely unique to you.
Location: Silverado
Terra Laguna Beach
If you’ve been to Pageant of the Masters, then this beautiful Laguna Beach venue should look familiar. Situated on the Festival of the Arts grounds, Terra Laguna Beach offers an artful blend of midcentury and historic influences. The venue features two levels, each with a modern and sophisticated ambiance. Host your ceremony in the striking garden veranda, then move to the atrium-style space for the reception. Twinkling bistro lights and modern architectural accents create an elegant atmosphere that’s topped by Terra’s panoramic views of the nearby canyon and surrounding hills.
Note: Terra Laguna Beach is open from September through June.
Location: Laguna Beach
Born and raised near the Pacific Coast, Jordan Nishkian is a California girl through and through. She graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a BA in Creative Writing and a BA in Anthropology, and her favorite place to be is curled up in a comfy chair with a book in her hand and a pen in her hair.
