Our top 5 Southern California wedding venues

The Authentic Storytellers

We are so excited to showcase some of our favorite southern California wedding venues. Not only is SoCal known for its dreamy landscapes but there is certainly no lack of sunshine. Before we jump into naming our favorites, let’s talk about why the right venue is an important piece to your wedding day. Plus, stick around to take a peek at Cassie and Morgan’s Huntington Bay Club wedding.

A venue fitted to your theme

When you have a specific vision in mind for your big day, then you have all the more reason to find the right spot. Your venue is going to be the backdrop of all your photos. If you want your videography to give off a specific feeling then your venue should absolutely reflect that. Some factors we suggest highly considering when deciding on a venue are the following:

How is the natural lighting?

Would the venue suit my color palette?

Do the pros outweigh the cons?

How does the venue make me feel?

What will my guests experience at this venue?

The top 5 venue list

Once you find a venue you feel over the moon about, the rest of the planning process will fall more seamlessly into place. With that in mind, let’s dive into some of our favorite Southern California wedding venues.

La Lomita Ranch

Dreaming of a Spanish ranch getaway? La Lomita Ranch is your ultimate destination. It’s made for the couple that seeks a romantic setting for their wedding day. Located in San Luis Obispo, this charming ranch is also a bed and breakfast as well as a winery. Your friends and family will have complete access to these experiences. Surrounded by mountains and lush landscaping, the venue features a courtyard, a terrace, and a pavilion with plenty of space for a reception. The drive up or down the coast is roughly the same distance whether your guests are flying out of LA or San Francisco coming out to about 3.5 hours. You can’t beat a road trip on the California coast!

Huntington Bay Club

For the couple that wants what they call a “waterfront oasis”, Huntington Bay Club is your venue. It checks off all the boxes for a coastal-chic wedding in Orange County. The venue sits on the seaside marina and can provide you with both an intimate and extravagant experience. You actually have the sandy beach right at your feet! Additionally, this location is only about a 45-minute drive to LAX airport! To get more inspiration on Huntington Bay Club, check out Cassie and Morgan’s wedding at the end of this blog!

Korakia Pensione

Korakia Pensione is a balanced mix of a Meditteranean and Moroccan aesthetic. Our list wouldn’t be complete without this Palm Springs venue. It is rare to find a 1918 California Adobe build still standing. Our favorite aspect is that you can choose from the Moroccan or the Mediterranean side, whatever vibe will suit your wedding day best. The white-washed walls mixed with ocher, rust, and tawny yellows make it a dream for a natural-toned color palette. A big plus to this location is that they have a variety of wellness offerings, outdoor vintage movie viewing, and fantastic food. At night the grounds come alive with hundreds of candles lit to set the ambiance. Only a little over a two-hour drive from the LAX airport, this one is a must-see.

Avalon Hotel Palm Springs

For a modern, classic old Hollywood type of wedding, the Avalon Hotel Palm Springs venue is an excellent choice. The grounds are filled with Spanish-style bungalows for your guests with perfectly maintained lawns and gardens for your ceremony. The Avalon Hotel offers spa services, healthy food options, and four separate pools for spending time with family and friends after the wedding. This Southern California venue is located in Palm Springs so your guests will have plenty to do if they decide to make it a longer stay.

Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm

Dos Pueblos Orchid farm is a unique southern California experience. If you are looking for a venue to feel dreamy and enchanting, this massive greenhouse will embrace just that. It’s about a 10-minute drive from downtown Santa barbara which makes it the perfect location for your guests to have plenty of stay options. The greenhouse is big enough for a grand party celebration. Imagine dancing the night away under the stars. Additionally, the scenery overlooks the California coast, with a deep turquoise ocean water as your background. This venue is not one to miss.

Cassie and Morgan

Cassie and Morgan’s big day is a beautiful inspiration on how to style Southern California wedding venues! We genuinely had so much fun capturing such special memories for this couple. They went with a neutral color palette of white, cream, beige, and hints of soft baby pink with gold accents. The outdoor courtyard with string lights and wooden chairs that overlooked the marina was a perfect spot for a ceremony. Cassie’s satin dress and Morgan’s beige suit complemented each other, the venue, and their chosen aesthetic so well.

We hope some of these venues sparked your eye. We know this is a big decision in the planning process so feel free to reach out with any questions you may have! If you are interested in working with us, you can contact us here. For more inspiration check out these galleries/blogs listed below!