Belinda philleo is an orange county wedding photographer who creates vibrant and authentic imagery of couples and their loved ones. Belinda photographs weddings and engagement sessions throughout southern california.
About Summit House
It was 1989 when Summit House’s founders first fell in love with the beautiful hilltop where their restaurant and venue now sits. The breathtaking, panoramic view of Orange County, the San Bernardino Mountains, and even a peek at the ocean in the direction of Laguna Hills is truly an incredible view. In time, they built an English-style country manor, complete with large floor-to-ceiling windows so guests could enjoy the view even indoors. Summit House Restaurant is certainly one of Orange County’s best restaurants and makes a fantastic choice for a wedding venue.
Wedding Ceremony at Summit House
Directly next to the manor that is Summit House, you’ll find a spacious private park that is aptly called “Vista Park.” It’s in this area that countless couples have hosted their wedding ceremony under the gazebo as guests watch from the amphitheater that’s been built right into the hillside.
Up to 250 guests can fit in this outdoor ceremony space and Summit House will include coordination, chairs, and post-ceremony cleanup in your rental of the park.
Of to one side of the park, you’ll find a patio area with a beautiful fountain that leads right to the Grand Summit Ballroom. This area makes for a great backdrop as you walk down the aisle (as seen in the photo above), and it also makes a fantastic cocktail hour area for your guests to enjoy before the reception is open.
Reception Ballroom & Event Space
The Grand Summit Ballroom is Summit House’s beautiful reception area that fits up to 250 guests. The huge bay windows allow the natural light in during the day and let your guests enjoy the beautiful view as the evening moves along! Wrought iron chandeliers hang from the ceiling for an elegant touch to the room’s decor.
Depending on the size of your event, the room can be expanded to include the adjacent Queen’s Room (a space that’s great for about 60 guests) and allow for a larger reception. Both the Queen’s Room, and The Grand Summit Ballroom have access to the outdoor patios where guests can get some fresh air and enjoy the view of the city lights below at night!
Summit House Catering
Since Summit House is a fantastic restaurant, all the catering is done in-house. The food is amazing! I’ve eaten here both as a wedding vendor and as a restaurant guest for my anniversary and every time the food has been phenomenal, you won’t be disappointed!
While the food and bar services must be provided in-house, you do have the option of bringing in an outside cake/dessert vendor or having Summit House provide the cake for you. I love the flexibility this option offers!
For bar options, Summit House allows you to choose between a hosted bar, a cash bar, or a combination of both depending upon the needs of you and your guests.
One of my favorite things about hosting a wedding at Summit House is that all the packages include a one-year anniversary dinner for you and your spouse at the restaurant!
Bridal Suite
In addition to the beautiful venue, amazing food, and onsite event coordination, Summit House also gives you access to a personal bridal suite during your event. The bridal suite is great if you want to get ready onsite before the ceremony, or if you need a private place to take a break from the party or store a few personal items during your event.
Wedding Photo Opportunities at Summit House
Every inch of Summit House is great for wedding photography! The property is well laid out and beautifully manicured so you’ll have plenty of options for photos!
The panoramic view of OC makes for great environmental imagery during the day and turns into a sparkling scene of city lights below after the sun sets.
The Visa Park ceremony area makes a great spot for your romantics, bridal party, and family photos with it’s lush green grass and a long pathway lined with greenery that leads to the gazebo. The gazebo is nice and big so you can fit a few people inside or in front of it for a photo.
The building itself has great architecture so it makes a pretty backdrop for wedding photos too. The beautiful fountain in the courtyard is also a great bonus for creating romantic images. Pro-tip: take photos near the fountain at night! We love adding a little bit of flash to the fountain and our couples to add a magical “pop” to the photos!
Interested in having my team photograph your wedding? Contact us to request more information!
Costs and Booking
Summit House offers a variety of options for wedding services at their venue. If you’re planning to host your ceremony and reception onsite, you could estimate roughly a $20k starting cost including the catering. All of the options also include on-site coordination, clean up, and a one-year anniversary dinner for you and your spouse.
If you’re looking to simplify some of your planning, you can also book their “Everything But the Ring” package option that includes florals, DJ services, a hosted bar, and more.
To request more information and venue availability, contact the Summit House events team
