I just love spring, don’t you? It’s finally that time of year here in Southern California when you get the perfect combination of cool and cozy mornings but can still enjoy warm and comfortable evenings outdoors. As an Orange County wedding photographer for the last decade, I’ve had the opportunity to work at many of Orange County’s beautiful wedding venues. I thought that given the time of year — plus the need for outdoor wedding venues as couples get back to planning during this unique COVID era — it would be the perfect time to share some of the best outdoor wedding venues in Orange County with all of you! While the options for outdoor wedding venues in Orange County are endless, I’ve collected a variety of popular choices here just to get you started — and I’ll likely add to this list as time goes on!
Let’s get started! Here are some great outdoor wedding venues in Orange County, CA to consider:
Summit House
Summit House Restaurant is a quaint little spot nestled in the heart of Fullerton with amazing food and a great view of the city at night. This venue has a beautiful gazebo area just for weddings, and features amphitheater-style seating so all of your guests get a great view of the action! If you’re hoping for an indoor reception, there are multiple ballrooms to choose from. These options can comfortably fit between 60-250 guests. The multiple patio areas that this venue has are perfect for an outdoor cocktail hour with plenty of great spots to take photos!
Learn more about Summit House Weddings in our venue guide!
Dove Canyon Courtyard
Dove Canyon Courtyard is perfect for intimate weddings and events! Their cobblestone courtyard features a waterfall, a gazebo, and an adorable fountain. The courtyard is also adorned with countless twinkle lights that make the space dreamy for an outdoor reception or evening cocktail hour. This whimsical little venue also features a bridal suite and cottage that are perfect if you’d like to get ready for your big day on-site! In addition to all the beautiful little photo spots within Dove Canyon Courtyard on the premises, there is also a park and nature walk just down the road — so you’ll have plenty of variety for your wedding photos!
Rancho Las Lomas
Nestled in the foothills of Silverado Canyon, the iconic Rancho Las Lomas property is a 32-acre private paradise of beautiful oak and sycamore trees. It features stunning architectural accents, Spanish-style roofs, and is home to a variety of exotic animals. Rancho Las Lomas is definitely one of the most beautiful outdoor wedding venues in Orange County, CA! You and your guests can celebrate under the night sky in the open-air theater that fits up to 400 guests.
La Ventura Event Center
This charming Spanish colonial-style space located in San Clemente is an absolute dream for intimate events! The courtyard features red clay tile, exposed wooden beams, a cozy outdoor fireplace, and beautiful tile artwork. This venue also includes both bride and groom suites that are great for preparations. There is a large indoor space onsite as well. While every inch of La Ventura Event Center is gorgeous and great for photos, it’s also about a half-mile from the beach, which just makes it all that more amazing! Events at this venue include their private chef and bar services to ensure your guests are well taken care of. Other outside vendors are permitted, but they do require a professional planner to be on-site so that your event runs smoothly and you get the most out of your special day. While this beautiful space can comfortably fit 200 guests, the parking is limited so valet services are required for all events hosted here.
Franciscan Gardens
This secluded and rustic-style event space is located in the heart of historic San Juan Capistrano, CA, and is just a short walk away from Mission San Juan Capistrano. The property spans 5,000 square feet and features a stunning outdoor courtyard with cafe lighting, lush greenery all around, and gorgeous wooden doors that are the perfect space for you to make your entrance as you head down the aisle. Franciscan Gardens also features a large indoor space with exposed brick walls, wood flooring, and beautiful crystal chandeliers. There are also two on-site suites with amenities where both you and your bridal party can touch up before the ceremony begins. What’s more, this venue includes 24 Carrots’ incredible signature service that will handle your catering and bar services so that you can rest assured that you and your guests will be both well fed and well cared for. This event space can host between 180 to 350 guests depending on your style of reception.
The Hacienda
This affordable wedding venue in Santa Ana features beautiful Spanish architecture and lush greenery all around. It also offers multiple spaces to choose from so you have options and variety — from a covered chapel area to a beautiful garden courtyard ceremony site and garden reception area. Catering, servers, tables, chairs, glassware, silverware, and china are all included in your package so you’ll save time by avoiding having to find those extra vendors. The Hacienda also has two on-site rooms where both bride and groom can get ready if you chose.
Huntington Bay Club
This Huntington Beach wedding venue is what nautical wedding dreams are made of. Say your “I do’s” on a private white sand beach with a beautiful view of the harbor. Afterward, invite your guests to enjoy cocktails on either the large outdoor terrace or in one of the three available ballrooms that feature panoramic views of the harbor. Since Huntington Bay Club is owned and operated by 24 Carrots, their specialized team handles the event management, gourmet catering, bar service, and rentals to ensure you receive phenomenal service from start to finish.
Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort
If you’re dreaming of that classic California feel for your big day, the Hilton Waterfront Resort in Huntington Beach is a must-see option for your wedding! This spacious venue boasts incredible ocean views from both of their popular ceremony sites, and they can even arrange for you to host your ceremony on the beach so you can say your “I do’s” with your toes in the sand. The stunning Vista Lawn is my personal favorite at this venue It showcases a tiered manicured lawn and a beautiful fountain in addition to its incredible 180-degree view of the Pacific. The other on-site ceremony space makes the resort’s lagoon-style pool AND the oceanfront the backdrop for your ceremony. If you decide to move your reception celebrations indoors, the Hilton Waterfront Resort also features SIX gorgeous ballrooms to choose from so you can truly make your event all your own!
This venue offers both in-house and outside catering so that you have endless options for keeping your guests well fed during your event.
Since this venue is also a Hilton-owned resort, there are plenty of rooms for your out-of-town guests to stay. And plenty to do at the Huntington Beach pier and Main Street located just a short walk from the resort.
Ole Hanson Beach Club
This dreamy Spanish-style villa features a breathtaking 180-degree ocean view, two outdoor terraces, and a large lawn area. There are indoor spaces available as well if you’re looking for an indoor/outdoor combination for your big day. Depending on your reception style, there is space for guest counts ranging from 170-225. Ole Hanson Beach Club features a private, on-site suite that’s perfect for bridal preparations, or even just a quiet moment away during the evening. Since this venue is owned and operated by 24 Carrots Catering, your event management, bar, catering, and rentals will be handled by their expert staff to ensure you get incredible service from start to finish.
Pelican Hill Resort
No list of outdoor wedding venues in Orange County would be complete without mentioning the spectacular Pelican Hill Resort in Newport. This iconic venue is the epitome of luxury and includes wedding services to match that reputation. Weddings at Pelican Hill Resort include a personal wedding concierge, a bridal suite for preparations, and a complimentary wedding night bungalow on site. The authentic Italian architecture and iconic rotunda make for incredible wedding photography opportunities — and that’s not even counting the breathtaking view that this space offers. The spacious outdoor area near the rotunda gives you and your wedding design team the perfect outdoor canvas to truly create the wedding of your dreams.
Marbella Country Club
Tucked away in the hills of San Juan Capistrano, this hidden gem showcases stunning Mediterranean-style architecture and a great view of the golf course. Everywhere you turn there are great spots for photography! Marbella Country Club features two outdoor terrace areas, a banquet room, and an additional dining room that connects to one of the terraces. This indoor-outdoor combo space has a built-in bar area, a large cozy fireplace, and features 10-foot French doors that open to the terrace so that your guests can easily flow in from a cocktail hour or sneak out for some fresh air during the reception. The space also has an incredible view of the golf course and waterfall.
Wanna know more about this venue? Check out our Marbella Country Club wedding guide
Serra Plaza
This beautiful gem of a wedding venue is located in the Los Rios District of San Juan Capistrano and is packed with old-world charm. Serra Plaza is home to an incredible courtyard that can easily host a range of event sizes from the most intimate to a whopping 450 guests — and plenty of parking for them on-site too! The courtyard showcases beautiful architecture, a lovely fountain, and plenty of greenery to add just the right touch to the space. This venue also includes an on-site bridal suite and cozy fireplace area that makes for the perfect place for guests to chill during cocktail hour.
Westminster Rose Center
If you’re looking for a modern-style venue with beautiful grounds and lots of space, the Westminster Rose Center is THE place to host your wedding! This incredible event venue features 10,721 total square feet of space and offers both outdoor and indoor options. The spacious outdoor courtyard includes a tiered stage area that makes a perfect space for your ceremony altar or arch. The courtyard also includes a really pretty stone wall, lots of trees all around, and a “wall” of bamboo that adds lush greenery to the space. The space looks great all on its own but also makes the perfect canvas to customize your decor and make your wedding truly unique.
The Westminster Rose Center is owned and operated by Jays Catering, so they offer all-inclusive packages that come with tables, chairs, serve ware, linens, event staff, beverage services, and delicious catering!
I hope you found this list of outdoor wedding venues in Orange County helpful!
Still looking for the right Southern California wedding venue? Check out our LA and OC wedding venues guide!
Looking for a photographer for your special day? I would love to discuss your photography needs with you. Contact me for a personalized wedding photography quote!
