Your ultimate source for Orange County wedding venues is here. Browse our list of top wedding venues in Orange County, from outdoor gardens to historic buildings, and view photos of weddings at each one. Then get in touch with your favorites.
At the Hilltop, we will make your dream wedding come true. Just ask our brides. The Hilltop has been named Best Romantic Restaurant, Best Ambiance and Best Event Planner in the Inland Empire. Known as one of the most prestigious establishments in…
It’s time to head to the OC! An Orange County wedding celebration can be the perfect way to celebrate the love shared by you and your partner. Orange County wedding venues offer elegance in a variety of settings, including scenic beachside and waterfront options and even elegant resort ballrooms and other event spaces. Whether you are interested in the best beach wedding venues California has to offer or are planning a glamorous estate gathering, you can easily find a spot that suits your needs in this area of Southern California.
Orange County wedding venues are available in a wide range of price points that will suit most budgets. Celebrations hosted in public parks require permits but will generally be far less expensive than comparable wedding celebrations at the most popular wedding venues in Orange County. With our directory of real weddings, you can compare various venues and to decide on the right option for your wedding ceremony and reception.
From an elegant ceremony on a Newport Beach wedding yacht to a garden wedding in San Clemente, there are so many ways to plan your Orange County wedding. We offer information on venues, vendors, and other key information you will need to make your wedding an unforgettable experience for all those in attendance.
While there is no bad time of year to plan an event at any of the Orange County wedding venues, some seasons are more likely to experience high demand for venues and higher concentrations of tourists. Knowing what to expect can help you to schedule your Orange County wedding venue at a time that works for you and that allows you to achieve the best results. Here are some points to keep in mind when planning your wedding in Orange County:
This is the most popular season for wedding venues in Orange County. As a result, many of the top beach wedding venues California is famous for will be booked solid for months or even years in advance. The cool breezes from the ocean in beach cities can ensure that summer weddings in Orange County are comfortable for everyone who attends your celebration too. These cities can sometimes reach triple-digit temperatures during the hottest part of the summer.
By contrast, Orange County wedding venues are often less expensive and less busy during the winter months. Outdoor wedding venues in Orange County, however, could experience a higher chance of rain and cooler temperatures that could make them less conducive to a stress-free outdoor wedding celebration. Making sure you have a backup for the beach wedding venues California couples recommend is essential if you plan to marry between November and March too. Cold temperatures are common during the winter in desert areas of the inland or at some of the beach wedding venues California has to offer. If you are looking for a winter wedding in this area, choosing Orange County wedding venues that are located between the coast and the far-inland areas can reduce the risk of chilly temperatures that could mar your outdoor ceremony. Alternatively, you can opt for indoor wedding venues in Orange County that can provide shelter from less comfortable outdoor weather. All of that said, even the beach wedding venues California is known for should be gorgeous and pleasant during this time.
If you are planning to get married at one of the many Orange County wedding venues, think through the exact location. Given the information about summer and winter above, opting for a spring or fall wedding in these areas can allow you to manage temperatures for outdoor weddings in Orange County.
At all Orange County wedding venues, making plans in case of rain can prevent sudden storms from affecting your ceremony or reception. Though the state is known for having a serious drought issue, there are rainy days here and there. Selecting Orange County wedding venues that feature indoor-outdoor options can often be the best way to manage the threat of rain and to ensure that your plans are not spoiled by raindrops falling on you and your guests.
Wedding venues in Orange County are available in a wide range of types and price ranges. In some cases, working with experienced Orange County wedding planners can help you find the perfect venues and options for your once-in-a-lifetime wedding celebration.
Orange County spans almost 950 square miles of territory and offers plenty of options for wedding venues within its borders. From Huntington Beach wedding venues to the natural beauty of Orange’s Santiago Oaks Regional Park, you can find the right places all over this region. As you review your options, it’s important to narrow it down to the wedding venues in Orange County that reflect your desired theme and allow you to create the ideal backdrop for your upcoming celebration.
The location you choose among the many wedding venues in Orange County will also have a real impact on the weather you will experience and the difficulty you may have in finding available dates for your special event. Orange County wedding venues fill up fast, so reserving your Newport Beach wedding yacht or other popular option early is important to ensure the best selection and the right dates for your epic celebration.
Orange County consists of three basic regions, each of which offers its own unique flavor and options for wedding locations. To the north, Orange County wedding venues are largely concentrated in the following cities:
Central Orange County wedding venues are located in Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and several other cities in this area. Newport Beach wedding venues are especially popular and include several cruise options for happy couples. For a more relaxed approach, Huntington Beach wedding venues are a popular option for boho and rustic weddings with a surfing theme (cowabunga!). Some of the most popular central Orange County wedding venues include the following:
Southern Orange County offers plenty of sunshine to brighten up your wedding day. Many of the top wedding venues in Orange County are located in this area, which will make it easier for you and your partner to select the right options for you.
From the best Newport Beach wedding options to gorgeous gardens in San Juan Capistrano, there’s no shortage of inspiration all over this part of Southern California. Many Laguna Beach wedding venues guarantee absolute luxury and chic waterfront photo ops. Meanwhile, San Clemente wedding venues offer the perfect coastal getaway in the most southern region of the county. All in all, you really can’t go wrong with any of these top spots.
When budgeting for an Orange County wedding, it is important to remember that Californians typically experience a higher cost of living than many other areas of the United States. Studies have shown that residents of California pay an average of $46,636 in living expenses. As a result, weddings and Orange County wedding venues specifically will likely cost more than those located elsewhere in the country.
Couples planning an Orange County wedding spend an average of more than $26,000, which is well above the national average of $20,300. Some wedding experts put that figure even higher, with estimates for Orange County wedding celebrations topping out at a significantly higher rate. Since about half of your wedding budget will go toward the venue and catering costs of your events, finding ways to cut costs on these items can often allow you to splurge a little on other areas of your wedding plans.
Your vendors will also make up a significant percentage of your wedding costs. Hiring Orange County wedding caterers typically will require about one-fourth of your total budget. And Orange County wedding florists and photographers, will also dip into a significant portion of your total budget too.
Your wedding vendors will have a significant impact on the success of your wedding plans. Selecting the right Orange County wedding photographers, videographers, florists, and wedding planners can help to make your wedding even more special for you and your partner. Here are some of the most important vendors you will need to make your wedding plans come to life:
From the most beautiful Orange County bridesmaids dresses to decor and flowers for your Newport Beach wedding, finding the perfect vendors is well within reach–so long as you spend time during the research phase. Orange County wedding hair and makeup pros are all over the region, and there are plenty of photography and floral experts too. Once you have chosen your venue, we can help you select the vendors you need, including Orange County wedding videography experts and other professionals to make your day extra special.
Since guests spend an average of almost $1,000 in travel expenses, gifts, and other costs associated with attending a wedding, making sure they know about the best things to do in Orange County can make the trip even more worthwhile for them.
Fortunately, there are plenty of activities and sightseeing opportunities in Orange County. Disneyland is always popular and offers activities for guests of all ages, and is an iconic part of OC history. For surf enthusiasts, planning a wedding at one of the numerous Huntington Beach wedding venues can allow your guests to enjoy Surf City for themselves too. Plus, Newport Beach wedding cruises can provide entertainment while on board and can ensure the best access to other attractions in the area. For guests staying in that area, they can enjoy the many Newport Beach piers, beaches, and popular islands like Lido and Balboa.
Making sure your guests know about the not-to-be-missed attractions of Orange County is best accomplished on your wedding website. Carats & Cake can make it easy for you to find the best options and the most beautiful places to visit for you, your partner, and those you invite to share your magical day with you.
Celebrities that include Chance the Rapper and Ian Ziering have chosen to get married in this beautiful part of the country, and many famous people have attended or hosted a Newport and Laguna Beach wedding. Looking at where celebrities tie the knot in Orange County may provide you with added insights into your own wedding plans. This can assist you in selecting the best Orange County wedding venues for your celebration and can ensure that your wedding lives up to your expectations.
Adding a few luxury touches to your chosen venue can allow you to create a wedding fit for royalty or celebrity. For example, ordinary Newport Beach wedding celebrations can be transformed by taking your guests aboard for the most unique celebration. Newport Beach wedding cruises, for example, can help your guests see the area they’re visiting while celebrating your love. Keeping everything contained to one luxury boat can also ensure that your Orange County wedding videography and photography team will easily capture unforgettable images of your event.
Most guests who do not live in the area will depend on air travel to reach your wedding venues in Orange County. Both domestic and international airlines fly into the local area, allowing them to reach most Orange County wedding venues easily. Some of the biggest airports in the region are listed here:
Providing your invited guests with information on transportation options to your wedding venues in Orange County will make it easier for them to make plans to attend your celebration. You can provide maps or instructions to guide your guests to your wedding venues in Orange County as part of an insert to your printed wedding invitation or on your wedding website.
At Carats & Cake, we offer an inside look at real weddings and Orange County wedding venues that can help you make the most appropriate choices for your wedding day plans. Want to check out San Juan Capistrano wedding venues? Or perhaps you’re dreaming of a bayfront fete aboard one of the Newport Beach wedding cruises? Whichever wedding venues in Orange County you prefer, we can help you find the best options for your budget and any other priorities you might have. If you want to find the perfect Orange County wedding photographers, florists or other vendors, you can also discover your best options within our directory.