Thinking about tying the knot in Southern California? According to the Orange County Register, the average cost of a wedding in the LA/OC area is $33,000 and undoubtedly a huge chunk of this will go towards whichever venue you choose for your big day.
Some major things to consider when choosing a wedding venue include the price and the maximum number of guests, as well as what kind of backdrop you want for both your ceremony and reception.Â
But, with so many great outdoor venue options to pick from in Southern California, it may be overwhelming to decide which one is right for you and your beloved.
Maybe you and your fiance are beach lovers and want a classic coastal-style wedding. Or maybe you both love the mountains or the desert. With such a diverse landscape, Southern California has several exciting and fun wedding venue options for you to choose from.
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Here are some of our favorite outdoor wedding venues in Southern California to get you started.
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Japanese Friendship Garden – San Diego, California
Does Japanese culture hold a precious spot in both of your hearts? Japanese Friendship Garden is located in the heart of Balboa Park and would make a gorgeous backdrop for both your ceremony and reception.
This venue features authentic Japanese garden features, including koi ponds, waterfalls, and cherry and Bonsai trees. There are several site options on the grounds meaning you can choose from pavilions, viewing decks, and plazas!
The Inamori Pavilion is one of the larger spots on the property and features a courtyard and a viewing deck that could be used for a cocktail hour.
The Reception Plaza offers open-air space complete with fragrant wisteria blossoms and a deck that can be used as a stage for entertainment.
Why not embrace Japanese culture with authentic Japanese food and decor? How fun!
Bonus: The Garden Paths & Earth Bridge, Koi Pond & Moon Viewing Deck, and Ceremony Gate are stunning locations for wedding photos.
Typical Cost: Starts at $510.
Capacity: Up to 248 seated guests.
Find Japanese Friendship Garden at Japanese Friendship Garden or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Rasta Rita Cantina – Twentynine Palms, California
Rasta Rita Cantina is a fully renovated adobe structure built in 1924 and located just minutes from Joshua Tree National Park.Â
This unique and fun setting has a large outdoor area with a dance floor and fire pits and an inside dining area as well.Â
The total venue is over 4,500 square feet and includes a 12-foot hand-carved bar, tables, chairs, an outdoor shade cover, and space for outdoor food trucks.
And did we mention the tacos and margaritas?Â
Bonus: Rasta Rita Cantina specializes in all-you-can-eat tacos and margarita service! Who doesn’t love tacos?
Typical Cost: Starts at $1,500.
Capacity: Up to 200 seated guests.
Find Rasta Rita Cantina at Rasta Rita Cantina or check out Facebook or Instagram.
deck655 – San Diego, California
Looking for a more intimate, hip urban wedding? deck655 is located in the heart of downtown San Diego between Little Italy and the Marina and Gaslamp Districts.
deck655 has 8,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor space and several venue options for a fun and modern wedding:
The promenade deck has sweeping views from Point Loma to Coronado. There is also outdoor amphitheater-style seating for your ceremony and a spacious indoor game room.Â
Bonus: The indoor game room features Skee-ball machines and other nostalgic games for you and your guests to enjoy. Who doesn’t love games?
Typical Cost: Starts at $6,500.
Capacity: Up to 80 seated guests.
Find deck655 at deck655 or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Lombardi House – Los Angeles, California
Dreaming of an LA wedding with all of the glitz and glamour of old Hollywood? The Lombardi House may be the perfect venue for you.
This historic, Victorian-style farmhouse was built in 1904 and fully restored to its original beauty.
The Lombardi House itself is 7,000 square feet and can sleep up to 28 guests for a true So Cal destination wedding.Â
There are three venue options on the property you can mix and match according to your budget and wedding party size.
The Lombardi House Lawn with its lush gardens is the perfect place to say your vows before you head off to the Lombardi House Barn for cocktail hour. Finally, head out to the Lombardi House Courtyard to dine and dance the night away under the stars.Â
Bonus: This venue would be the perfect spot for a Roaring 20’s Great Gatsby-themed wedding!
Typical Cost: Starts at $5,500.
Capacity: Up to 300 seated guests.
Find Lombardi House at Lombardi House or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Penthouse on Venice Beach – Venice, California
The Penthouse on Venice Beach is the premier spot to tie the knot in Venice! Located four stories above the famous Venice Beach Boardwalk, this luxurious and chic venue offers stunning views of the ocean and beach.Â
Say your vows at sunset on the large open deck complete with chairs and lounge areas. Then maybe head inside the Penthouse for cocktails while the staff converts the deck area into a tropical wonderland for your reception.
Imagine dancing the night away under the stars in matrimonial bliss!
Bonus: The Penthouse on Venice Beach makes wedding planning easy with a list of preferred vendors or you’re welcome to bring your own.Â
Typical Cost: Starts at $10,500.
Capacity: Up to 100 seated guests.
Find The Penthouse on Venice Beach at Venice Beach House or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Rivernook Campground- Kernville, California
Don’t let the word “campground” fool you, Rivernook Campground is a rustic yet elegant and classy wedding venue located in the Sequoia National Park.
Say your “I dos” under a canopy of majestic trees engulfed by the sounds of nature, then head over to The Meadow at Rivernook for a reception surrounded by thousands of outdoor lights and a luxurious fire pit.Â
Included in the cost of the venue is a ceremony stage, a dance floor, a saloon with a bartender, tables, chairs, benches, and decor.
The wedding coordinator at Rivernook Campground can help arrange catering, a photographer, and a DJ for an additional price.Â
Bonus: Guests can camp in the nearby campgrounds for a true destination weekend wedding.
Typical Cost: Starts at $8,000.
Capacity: Up to 250 seated guests.
Find Rivernook Campground at Rivernook Campground or check out Facebook or Instagram.Â
Talega Golf Club- San Clemente, California
Talega Golf Club is a relaxed yet sophisticated and elegant venue. The clubhouse itself has Spanish Colonial-style architecture reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour and the landscape is stunning with lush gardens and manicured lawns.
Talega Golf Club features a beautiful outdoor courtyard for your ceremony, a garden terrace for cocktail hour, and a ballroom with oversized windows for your reception.
The Kitchen and Craft Bar serves up some of the most delicious California cuisine and craft cocktails!
With consistent rave reviews, Talega Golf Club might be the perfect spot for your big day.
Bonus: You and your guests can take the golf carts at Talega Golf Club to different areas on the golf course for some stunning one-of-a-kind wedding photos.
Typical Cost: Starts at $5,000.
Capacity: Up to 200 seated guests.
Find Talega Golf Club at Talega Golf Club or check out Facebook or Instagram.Â
Walnut Grove Weddings- Moorpark- California
Nestled between the cities of Moorpark and Thousand Oaks, Walnut Grove is a spectacular option for your large outdoor Southern California wedding.
Located in a valley with a gentle ocean breeze, this hidden gem is a working ranch located on 1,200 acres. With its shady trees and running creek, you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful outdoor wedding venue.
The Outdoor Grove is the spot to tie the knot; there is a huge stone patio with an outdoor fireplace surrounded by vineyards!
With walnut trees and tons of gorgeous blooming flowers, Walnut Grove Weddings is one of the best wedding venues in Southern California to celebrate your big day!
Bonus: Why not serve wine at your reception with grapes grown by nearby local vineyards?Â
Typical Cost: Starts at $9,500.
Capacity: Up to 300 seated guests.
Find Walnut Grove Weddings at Walnut Grove Weddings or check out Facebook or Instagram.Â
Grey Squirrel Resort- Big Bear Lake, California
Dreaming of a fairy tale destination wedding in a mountain resort by a lake? If so, Grey Squirrel Resort could be your dream come true!
Located on the edge of Big Bear Lake and family-owned since the 1950s, Grey Squirrel Resort sits on three wooded acres and features 19 rustic cabins.
From intimate micro weddings of 14 up to 200 seated guests, Grey Squirrel Resort can accommodate any size party with its large outdoor area with string lights and elegant seating.
You can bring your outside vendors and even your own alcohol to save money. And don’t worry, Grey Squirrel Resort will provide the bartender!
You and your guests can stay in the cabins on the property for a true destination wedding in a romantic, mountain setting.
Bonus: Grey Squirrel Resort is pet friendly so you and your guests can make your furry loved ones a part of your wedding day!
Typical Cost: Starts at $15,500.
Capacity: Up to 200 seated guests.
Find Grey Squirrel Resort at Grey Squirrel Resort or check out Facebook or Instagram.Â
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Los Willows Wedding Estate- Fallbrook, California
Los Willows Wedding Estate is a breathtaking outdoor venue featuring a lake, foothills, and meadows.
With two magical outdoor sites to tie the knot and a newly renovated pavilion, this is truly a fairy tale setting.
The Lakeside Lawn is a lush site, perfect for an outdoor ceremony. Make a grand entrance “down the aisle” by boat or make a romantic exit as you and your new spouse take a boat ride around the lake with champagne and hors d’oeuvres.
 Or consider The Meadows, a charming spot complete with a rustic bridge, large oak trees, a wooden arbor, and fountains.
The newly renovated Pavilion has replaced its plastic tent with a built-in structure including expansive garage door style windows for an outdoor yet indoor vibe.
Bonus: Imagine the amazing pictures your wedding photographer could capture in this stunning setting!Â
Typical Cost: Starts at $5,000.
Capacity: Up to 250 seated guests.
Find Los Willows Wedding Estate at Los Willows or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Affordable Options
Key Takeaways
- Even though SoCal weddings tend to exceed the California average cost, budget-friendly venues like Albertson Wedding Chapel and Aliso Viejo by Wedgewood Weddings provide stunning, cost-effective options.
- These venues accommodate a range of guest capacities and preferences, from intimate gatherings of 44 to large celebrations for up to 280 guests.
- Unique amenities enhance these venues, such as the deluxe photo box at Albertson Chapel and the variety of seven site options at the Japanese Friendship Garden.
Let’s check out the venues!
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Albertson Wedding Chapel- Los Angeles, California
Since 1974, the family-owned Albertson Wedding Chapel is beloved for being one of the best full-service wedding venues in L.A.
Their packages include a wedding officiant, flowers, a photographer, and most conveniently, an instant marriage license filed with the county clerk. Talk about stress-free!
The Main Chapel is 1,800 square feet and the True Love Reception Room is 3,400 square feet of dining and dancing space under chandeliers and a floral canopy.
Bonus: Wedding parties gush about the deluxe photo box feature!
Typical Cost: Starts at $345.
Capacity: Up to 44 seated guests.
Find Albertson Wedding Chapel at Albertson Chapel or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Inn of the Seventh Ray- Topanga, California
The Inn of the Seventh Ray is set in a canyon of gardens and towering trees, with waterfalls and a small creek.
There are several venues available here for all wedding budgets, including the Church Room, adorned with stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings.
The Waterfall Patio has a garden setting for intimate weddings and the Garden Room can be your cocktail reception or main reception space.
Bonus: Onsite catering packages with fresh, locally sourced California cuisine.
Typical Cost: Starts at $300.
Capacity: Up to 240 seated guests.
Find The Inn of the Seventh Ray at Inn of the Seventh Ray or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Whispering Oaks Chapel- Calabasas, California
Whispering Oaks Chapel (near Malibu) is perfectly affordable for micro weddings with its lavender and rose gardens and mature trees.
The wedding chapel is multi-denominational and all-inclusive, and you can marry anywhere on the grounds and nearby beach.
Whispering Oaks Chapel also has reception space onsite or at nearby sister venues.
Bonus: Out-of-town guests can experience the California lifestyle since Whispering Oak Chapel is so close to Malibu’s hotels and restaurants.
Typical Cost: Starts at $500.
Capacity: Up to 60 seated guests.
Find Whispering Oaks Chapel at Whispering Oaks Chapel or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Sidenote at Love & Laughter Studios- Anaheim, California
The Sidenote at Love & Laughter Studios is an outdoor wedding venue behind the Love & Laughter Recording Studio in Anaheim.
Rent the outdoor space and enjoy the patio with a DJ or live music. Or rent the whole recording studio, a 3,000-square-foot space with fantastic acoustics.
Bonus: The Sidenote at Love & Laughter provides additional planning services like event coordination, bartender, catering, flowers, and referrals for live bands!
Typical Cost: Starts at $1,250.
Capacity: Up to 81 seated guests.
Find The Sidenote at Love and Laughter Music Group or check out Facebook or Instagram.Â
Rasta Rita Cantina- Twentynine Palms, California
Romantic, quirky, and historic, Rasta Rita Cantina is an adobe structure built in 1924 near Joshua Tree National Park.
Fully modernized, this venue offers a great outdoor space with a dance floor and fire pits. There is shade cover outdoors and plenty of room for food trucks.
There is also indoor dining, and the total venue measures 4,500 square feet.
Bonus: Rasta Rita Cantina specializes in all-you-can-eat tacos and margarita service!
Typical Cost: Starts at $1,500.
Capacity: Up to 200 seated guests.
Find Rasta Rita Cantina at Rasta Rita Cantina or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Aliso Viejo By Wedgewood Weddings- Aliso Viejo, California
Orange County residents consider the Aliso Viejo by Wedgewood Weddings venue to be a secret gem.
You’ll get views for miles of Saddleback Mountain at this beautiful outdoor wedding venue in Southern California.
The patio features Mediterranean-style architecture, an outdoor fireplace, and fire pits. Indoors, the amazing ballroom has vaulted ceilings and great outdoor views.
Bonus: Aliso Viejo by Wedgewood Weddings has designed three wedding packages to meet your budget.
Typical Cost: Starts at $995.
Capacity: Up to 280 seated guests.
Find Aliso Viejo by Wedgewood Weddings at Wedgewood Weddings or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Japanese Friendship Garden- San Diego, California
You can get married at an authentic Japanese Garden, a gorgeous outdoor garden wedding venue in San Diego.
This ceremony and reception venue includes koi ponds, waterfalls, bonsai and cherry trees, and wisteria blossoms, located in the heart of Balboa Park.
You have seven venue options here to choose from, including the impressive Inamori Pavilion. The Garden Paths & Earth Bridge, Moon Viewing Deck, and Ceremony Gate make stunning photo backdrops.
Bonus: A delicious Japanese cuisine catering package matches the Japanese garden venue perfectly.
Typical Cost: Starts at $510.
Capacity: Up to 248 seated guests.
Find Japanese Friendship Garden at Japanese Friendship Garden or check out Facebook or Instagram.
San Diego Made Factory- San Diego, California
The San Diego Made Factory is a local artist collective in a hip industrial warehouse space.
Two venues here are great for intimate weddings: the light and plant-filled Event Space, with a garage door that raises to let the outside in, and the smaller, Upstairs Event Space for cocktail receptions and suites for the wedding party to get ready.
Bonus: San Diego Made Factory offers AV rental items including projectors, screens, and a colored light package.
Typical Cost: Starts at $1,000.
Capacity: Up to 70 seated guests.
Find San Diego Made Factory at San Diego Made or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation Discovery Center- Carlsbad, California
The Discovery Center at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation is ideal for boutique weddings on the California coast.
There are several outdoor spaces with gardens overlooking a lagoon, featuring wood benches and tree stumps for natural seating areas.
Indoors, the Rotunda Room is a small (634-square-foot) room with chandelier candelabra, wood beam ceilings, and French doors opening to a back patio with amazing sunset views.
Bonus: They offer three affordable wedding packages, and the Native Garden Circle is a lovely place for your private cocktail reception!
Typical Cost: Starts at $1,200.
Capacity: Up to 100 seated guests.
Find Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation Discovery Center at Agua Hedionda or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Longshadow Ranch Vineyard and Winery- Temecula, California
We couldn’t publish a list of affordable wedding venues in Southern California without a winery!
Longshadow Ranch Winery is rustic, elegant, and affordable, surrounded by vineyards, shady trees, and beautiful gardens.
The Grand Lodge has hardwood floors and vaulted ceilings with wooden beams and sliding barn doors that open up to a flagstone patio. Your wedding photos will be amazing!
Bonus: Guests can enjoy wine samples from grapes grown in the vineyard.
Typical Cost: Starts at $1,500.
Capacity: Up to 200 seated guests.
Find Longshadow Ranch Winery at Longshadow Ranch Winery or check out Facebook or Instagram.