Destination Wedding Venues

Southern California Wedding Venues

Southern California offers a premier selection of wedding venues to suit every taste. Not only can you choose between indoor or outdoor weddings, your choices also include natural and classic backdrops, modern and rustic settings, and traditional and contemporary venues. Elegant country clubs, contemporary museums, gorgeous parks and high-end hotels all offer various types of wedding packages ranging in price, look and mood.

Southern California’s warm climate allows for year-round weddings, including winter outdoor weddings. The natural landscapes surrounding much of Southern California play greatly into the region’s appeal for outdoor weddings, but indoor weddings are equally stunning and common. Many Southern California couples choose to incorporate both outdoor spaces and indoor spaces on their wedding day to craft a unique and seamless event flow. A couple may choose to host their ceremony out on the lawn and the reception inside, for example.

Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara and the Central Coast all offer exceptional wedding venues that will make your special night an evening to remember for both you and your guests.

Orange County is the epitome of Southern California style. The famed “OC” offers couples a variety of wedding venues ranging from historic landmark-designated mansions, luxurious yachts, contemporary museums and waterfront golf clubs ranging in price, capacity and options. The area is also well-known for its pristine beaches and quintessential beach towns, including Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and Huntington Beach. All in all, Orange County presents an exciting destination with plenty of attractions to entertain!

An international destination full of urban bustle, trendy spots, glittering hills, and beautiful people, Los Angeles’ fame and notoriety lends greatly to its appeal as an attractive place to say, “I do.” LA and its eclectic neighborhoods play host to incredible weddings at unique venues, including manicured private estates, wooded and rustic vineyards, contemporary eateries, and historic landmarks. Whether you prefer to have the shoreline or the skyline as the backdrop to your day, you can bet that Los Angeles has a setting to suit your taste.

Nestled in the southwest corner of California, San Diego’s warm climate and exceptional landscape create an ideal location for your big day. The city is full of attractions for every personality: aquariums, world class zoos, museums and theme parks. Alternatively, one can enjoy the stunning San Diego coastline! Beachfront spots, beautifully manicured gardens and private estates, private country clubs and picturesque wineries are among the types of wedding venues in San Diego.

Located along the central California coast, Santa Barbara’s historic Mediterranean-style architecture is beautifully complemented by the colorful and dramatic Santa Ynez Mountains. While rustic ranches and vineyards make up a great deal of the area’s wedding venues, couples also have scenic museums, beaches, upscale hotels and mansions, and riverboats to choose from when planning their Santa Barbara wedding.

The Central Coast region of Southern California is nestled by sea cliffs, colorful mountainous landscapes, and picturesque wine country. From trails of redwoods to hidden beaches and Big Sur, the Central Coast is a nature lover’s dream getaway spot. Plus, it may be a bit less expensive than some other areas of Southern California while still offering exceptional wedding venues, including vineyards, ranches, historic restaurants and beachside parks.

Wedding Venue Prices in Southern California

Southern California’s peak season for weddings is April through November, although year-round weddings are common due to the beautiful weather and natural landscapes that surround the region. An off-season wedding can save you anywhere from 6 to 15 percent off the total price, depending on the venue.

Because of Southern California’s vast selection of wedding venues and styles, prices range greatly between venues. Expect to spend anywhere from $60 to $250 per guest for your big day. Fees include the common sales tax of 8.25 percent plus deposits and service fees, which range between venue and are typically at least a couple thousand dollars.

Information and Resources for Weddings in Southern California

To apply for a California marriage license, you and your partner must both appear in person to the County Clerk’s office with valid picture identification. Some counties in the state may require a birth certificate for each party, as well. The fee for a marriage license varies throughout Southern California; for example, Los Angeles County charges $90 for a public license whereas San Diego charges only $70. Each county varies in their rules regarding marriage, but expect to be required to have at least one witness.