Orange County Wedding Venues Worth Touring: 10 Options to Add to Your List

Choosing a wedding venue is one of the biggest (and most exciting!) decisions you’ll make while planning your day, and Orange County has so many beautiful options to choose from. Whether you’re dreaming of an ocean view ceremony, a historic ballroom, a golf course lawn, or a hilltop with a panoramic view of the city, there’s a venue here for you!

As an Orange County wedding photographer, I’ve had the joy of touring and photographing weddings at venues all over Southern California. Here are nine Orange County wedding venues worth touring, with the details that matter most when you’re comparing options: guest capacity, ceremony and reception spaces, costs, and what to expect from a photography standpoint. Prices and policies change, so be sure to confirm current details with each venue.

The venues at a glance

Summit House (Fullerton)

Summit House is a must-see if you want a view! The founders fell in love with this hilltop back in 1989, and it’s easy to see why: you get a panoramic look at Orange County, the San Bernardino Mountains, and even a peek of the ocean toward Laguna Hills. The English-style country manor has floor-to-ceiling windows, so your guests can enjoy the view even indoors. Ceremonies take place in Vista Park under a gazebo, with guests watching from an amphitheater built right into the hillside (up to 250 guests). Receptions are held in the Grand Summit Ballroom, which also fits up to 250, and it can be expanded to include the adjacent Queen’s Room, which is great for about 60 more guests.

All catering and bar service is done in-house, and since Summit House is a restaurant, the food is amazing! Every package includes on-site coordination, cleanup, and a one-year anniversary dinner for you and your spouse at the restaurant, which I love. You can estimate a starting cost of roughly $20k for a ceremony and reception with catering, and the “Everything But the Ring” package adds florals, DJ services, a hosted bar, and more. A bridal suite is included, too. As a photographer, I especially love the sparkling city lights below after the sun goes down! Read my full Summit House guide.

The Charleston (Fullerton)

As a wedding photographer, The Charleston was love at first sight for me! It’s located in the Historic Williams Building in Downtown Fullerton, which was built in 1927 and was originally home to the Fullerton Odd Fellows Lodge. It became a local historic landmark in 1980 and has since been renovated into a stylish Art Deco-style event venue. The Petite Ballroom on the third floor (2,100 square feet) is great for ceremonies of up to 200 guests, and the Grand Ballroom on the second floor (3,000 square feet with 22-foot ceilings and five chandeliers) hosts receptions of up to 200 guests. For cocktail hour, you can choose between the Foxtrot Lounge, a speakeasy-style space with a fireplace and leather armchairs, or the Jitterbug Bar.

The Champagne Parlor is a 500-square-foot bridal suite with a vanity, a full-length mirror, plenty of window light, and a built-in Champagne bar, so it’s a wonderful place to get ready with your bridal party. Rental pricing is hourly and varies by room and day of the week. For example, the Grand Ballroom is $900 per hour with a minimum spend of $6,000 to $7,000. Catering and bar service are handled in-house. I’m also one of the preferred photography vendors at this venue! Read my full Charleston guide.

Coyote Hills Golf Course (Fullerton)

Considering wedding venues in Fullerton? Coyote Hills Golf Course is a beautiful choice! It was built in 1996 by two-time championship winners Payne Stewart and Cal Olson on 250 acres in the hills of northern Fullerton, and it’s known as both an award-winning golf course and one of Orange County’s most beautiful wedding venues. Ceremonies are often held under a wisteria-draped pergola with a view of the waterfall near the 18th hole. Inside the 22,000-square-foot Pavilion clubhouse, the Vista Falls ballroom (3,000 square feet with 20-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows) holds 250 to 300 guests, and it can be split to create the Pointe Ballroom, which comfortably hosts 80.

Starting costs range from about $15,000 in the off season to $25,000 during peak season, and ceremony-only celebrations start at $4,500. On-site amenities include valet, a bridal suite, guest shuttle services, an on-site event coordinator, and in-house catering and bar services. One of my favorite photo spots is the adorable little bridge by the terrace, and the waterfall near the 18th hole sits on the west side, so you get a beautiful golden glow behind it around sunset! Read my full Coyote Hills guide.

JW Marriott Anaheim (Anaheim)

Weddings at JW Marriott Anaheim are extra special! This AAA Four Diamond luxury hotel opened in 2020 and is steps from Disneyland and Anaheim Garden Walk. You can say “I do” in the Serenity Garden, a 2,700-square-foot rooftop garden that holds up to 240 guests, or in the Orchard Ballroom, an indoor space with floor-to-ceiling windows and hand-blown chandeliers (just keep in mind that ceremonies there must conclude by 5 pm). For receptions, the Arbor Ballroom is the largest space at 13,565 square feet and up to 650 guests, and it can be divided into smaller banquet spaces.

Your wedding includes a one-night stay in the 1,700-square-foot honeymoon suite, which is a lovely perk. Ceremony fees range from $3,500 to $5,500 before taxes and service fees, and in-house catering runs $116 to $165 per person before taxes and fees. The hotel has 466 guest rooms, valet parking, and a rooftop pool. One of my favorite bonuses is the Parkestry rooftop bar, the highest rooftop bar in Anaheim, where the timing is right you could even catch the Disneyland fireworks! Read my full JW Marriott Anaheim guide.

Los Coyotes Country Club (Buena Park)

Los Coyotes Country Club is a hidden gem in Buena Park with golf course views and Mediterranean-inspired architecture and decor. The Lakeside Ceremony Site, set near a lake and surrounded by tall palm trees, seats up to 350 guests, and hedges give the wedding party privacy before guests arrive. Receptions are held in the Grand Ballroom, which fits 350 guests for a seated dinner with a dance floor and features 18-foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and an attached terrace. The Cypress Palm Room is perfect for smaller receptions (about 90 guests) or as an indoor ceremony space for up to 200 on a rainy day.

Amenities include valet parking, a dressing suite, guest shuttle services, a ceremony coordinator, and in-house catering and bar services. One thing to know is that the bridal suite is small and has no windows, so I recommend doing hair and makeup somewhere with plenty of natural light. Two large fountains offer great spots for classic, romantic portraits, and I’m one of the preferred photographers here! Read my full Los Coyotes guide.

Old Ranch Country Club (Seal Beach)

If you’ve been looking at event spaces in Orange County, chances are you’ve already come across a beautiful Old Ranch Country Club wedding! It’s nestled in a quiet pocket of Seal Beach on a 128-acre golf course founded in 1967. The club is members-only, but the banquet facilities are open to non-members for weddings. With 15,000 square feet of combined event space for up to 450 guests, it works for everything from intimate to large weddings. The ceremony lawn overlooks the lake and golf course and features a raised altar with an ornate wrought-iron domed pergola, plus a grand staircase that leads to the start of the aisle (amazing for entrance photos!). Inside, 6,000 square feet of banquet space can be used as one large room or up to four smaller rooms, with floor-to-ceiling doors that open to the terrace.

In-house catering is required, but the good news is that it’s great food! Hosting includes the bridal suite, guest parking, and tables, chairs, and linens, with estimated starting costs of around $14,000 to $17,000 for about 100 guests. The club’s stone entrance archway, mural wall, and lit fountain make gorgeous photo backdrops. Read my full Old Ranch guide.

Pasea Hotel & Spa (Huntington Beach)

The culture of hospitality is the first thing you notice at Pasea Hotel & Spa! With 250 guest rooms in a single tower, the hotel feels intimate, and many of its main areas have floor-to-ceiling windows. The Ocean Lawn & Terrace offers 14,600 square feet and can host up to 800 guests, with a breathtaking ocean view for your ceremony. Indoors, the Sapphire Ballroom (8,400 square feet, 19-foot ceilings) fits up to 550 guests, while the Blue Ballroom & Terrace is perfect for smaller weddings, seating up to 150 with a dance floor and featuring a built-in bar and terrace firepits that bring a classic Huntington Beach bonfire vibe.

The ceremony fee is $6,500 and includes an event service manager, a private pre-event tasting for two, an overnight stay for the newlyweds, and a discounted room block, among other items. In-house catering starts at $165 per person, and approved outside caterers are available too. Keep in mind that outdoor events have a 10 pm curfew and may have amplification restrictions. For photos, I love the lobby’s “Flip Flop wall,” the famous VW Pasea Bus, and the beach for sunset portraits on the sand! Read my full Pasea Hotel & Spa guide.

Marbella Country Club (San Juan Capistrano)

Dreaming of beautiful views and romantic Mediterranean architecture? Marbella Country Club delivers! Built in 1989, it’s an award-winning 18-hole course nestled in the hills of San Juan Capistrano. With over 3,500 square feet of event space, it can accommodate up to 240 guests depending on your event style. Ceremonies are often held on the Croquet Lawn, which overlooks the course and a landscaped waterfall, or on the Valencia Terrace, which fits around 140 guests. The Catalonia Room has a built-in bar, a cozy fireplace, chandeliers, and 10-foot doors that open to a terrace for a great indoor/outdoor reception.

Tables, chairs, and linens are included; the venue handles post-wedding cleanup, and in-house catering and bar services are available. The bridal suite has a long vanity and even a TV, but no natural light. Because Marbella is in a private community, there may be time limits on outdoor music and sound. The double staircase behind the Catalonia Room & Terrace is so grand it’s a must-photograph spot! Read my full Marbella Country Club guide.

La Ventura Event Center (San Clemente)

La Ventura Event Center is a charming banquet hall and garden courtyard venue in the heart of San Clemente, with dreamy Spanish-Colonial Revival-style architecture. It’s a hidden gem and a perfect fit for intimate weddings of up to 200 guests. The 1,500-square-foot outdoor courtyard has Spanish tiles, exposed wooden beams, olive trees, and a cozy outdoor fireplace, and it leads right into the Grand Parlor, with high wood-beamed ceilings, wood floors, and ornate wall sconces. Spacious Bride and Groom suites are available for getting ready.

Rental fees range from $4,000 to $6,000 depending on your date and include 11 hours of site access, chairs and tables, and movable wooden bars. Plates, glassware, and linens are not included. In-house catering, bar, and valet services are required, and every event must have a licensed and insured coordinator on-site. There are about 52 parking spaces. The beach is only about half a mile away, so be sure to schedule time to slip away for romantic photos on the sand! Read my full La Ventura guide.

Gold Coast Farm (Aliso Viejo)

Gold Coast Farm is a working farm on more than two acres of fruit and nut tree groves, tucked into the northeast end of the historic Aliso Viejo Ranch. Ceremonies can take place in the Orchard Clearing or the Grass Clearing within the vine trellises. Two large paved gathering areas and winding natural paths, lit by romantic bistro lights, make a lovely setting for the rest of your day. The venue hosts up to 150 guests, and every booking includes the entire farm, a private air-conditioned bungalow for the bridal suite, 15 handmade oak tables with benches, a sweetheart table, a bar, a full sound system, two bartenders, and a large free parking lot.

The venue doesn’t provide food or beverages, but it has a list of trusted vendors to help you get started. Saturday weddings are $7,400, and Friday weddings are $6,800, and Fridays from April through July are available at a discount. Your booking includes up to 7 hours of event time with setup access starting at 8 am. Amplified sound must end by 9:30 pm. A security guard is required for more than 100 guests or any alcohol service, and there’s a $500 refundable deposit. The best part is that rental income supports local food donations and community programs, so your wedding gives back, too! Read my full Gold Coast Farm guide.

Tips for Choosing Your Orange County Wedding Venue

  • Start with your guest count. Capacities in this list range from intimate (La Ventura Event Center, up to 200) to very large (the Ocean Lawn at Pasea Hotel & Spa, up to 800).
  • Ask about catering rules. Many of these venues require in-house catering, including Summit House, Old Ranch Country Club, and La Ventura Event Center, so factor that into your budget early.
  • Check ceremony timing and sound limits. Some venues have restrictions, such as the 5 pm ceremony end time in JW Marriott Anaheim’s Orchard Ballroom, the 10 pm outdoor curfew at Pasea, and the sound limits at Marbella.
  • Look at the getting-ready spaces. A couple of the bridal suites have no windows (Marbella and Los Coyotes), which is good to know if natural-light getting-ready photos are important to you.
  • Confirm current pricing. Costs vary by season, day of the week, and guest count, so request a personalized quote from each venue you’re considering.

Meet your Orange County Wedding Photographer

The right venue sets the stage, and the right photographer makes sure you can relive every moment of it! I’m an Orange County wedding photographer, and I’d love to hear all about your plans, whether you’ve already chosen one of these venues or you’re still deciding.

I’m Belinda Philleo, an Orange County wedding photographer who photographs weddings throughout Southern California, and I’d love to hear your wedding day vision. Contact me to check availability for your wedding date and receive a personalized photography quote. I can’t wait to hear about your day!

Belinda Philleo an Orange County wedding photographer for couples who want natural, true-to-life color photography.

Wedding Venues