Are you imagining saying “I do” amid a beautiful landscape, with the sun shining down and your gown flowing gently in the breeze? Then look no further than Los Angeles, California.
According to a study by Wedding Report, the average wedding in Los Angeles costs $37,619, which can understandably seem daunting. But, have no fear, we will show you the way.
From beachfront ceremonies to rustic ranches to eco-friendly, urban gardens, these 10 best outdoor wedding venues in Los Angeles will make you forget the grand ballrooms and indoor chapels you have seen before!
Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel
With views of the famous Santa Monica Pier, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel is a great choice for a beach wedding in an iconic location on Santa Monica State Beach.
You can say “I do” with your toes in the sand and the Ferris wheel, rollercoaster, and ocean in the background. This is the perfect setting for a sunset or twilight ceremony.
After your outdoor ceremony, you can move to one of the indoor event venues. The hotel is over 30,000 square feet and has lots of space for your reception or rehearsal dinner.
This is also a great destination wedding option. Your guests will love staying in the well-appointed rooms and taking advantage of the amenities. The jacuzzi and ocean-view pool are amazing!
Typical Cost: From $2,500.
Capacity: Up to 150 guests in the beachfront area.
Find Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel at Loews Hotels or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Adamson House
For couples seeking quirky, historical charm and breathtaking ocean views, the Adamson House is the best bet.
The Adamson House is a designated California Historical Landmark constructed in 1928 and an entirely outdoor wedding venue.
With its dazzling tiles, carved doors, and hand-painted frescoes, this Mediterranean-style home will transport you to sunbathed Spanish coasts. The mansion and views of the Malibu Blue Lagoon will serve as backdrops during your special day.
Only the exterior of the house and the five acres of gardens are included in the rental fee, but the lawns with views of the ocean are truly the most beautiful place for your wedding ceremony and reception.
For an additional $500, you can book an inside tour of the Adamson House during your cocktail hour, which will allow your guests to see the incredible tile work within this historical home.
Typical Cost: $7,000 and up.
Capacity: 200 guests.
Find Adamson House at Adamson House or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate Vineyard
Founded in 2003, Malibu Rocky Estate Vineyard features 37 acres of stunning landscape, including acres of vineyards, rocky outcroppings, stunning views, and the Mediterranean climate of the Santa Monica Mountains.
But what sets this venue apart from others is the cobblestone helipad with 360-degree views of Malibu Canyon!
But, don’t worry if you aren’t planning to arrive at your wedding by chopper. The helipad is actually a dramatic spot to host your ceremony that will completely blow your guests away!
Guests can enjoy a reception inside the Tuscan-style mansion and a cocktail hour on the pool patio for added outdoor time.
Typical Cost: From $15,000.
Capacity: 180 seated guests or 400 standing guests.
Find Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate Vineyard at Malibu Rocky Oaks or check out Instagram.
Battleship USS Iowa Museum
If you’re looking to have an absolute blast on your wedding day, the Battleship USS Iowa Museum is the perfect venue.
Since this retired battleship was docked in 2012, it has become one of the premier event venues on the Los Angeles Waterfront.
While there are many venue options with various guest capacities, facilities, and views, the most popular choice is The Fantail.
This outdoor venue can accommodate a reception and a ceremony, offering panoramic views of the ship, harbor, and Palos Verdes. It is easily accessible from the dock and has enough room for dancing, tables and so much more.
Typical Cost: From $2,000.
Capacity: Up to 1,500 standing guests or 800 seated guests in The Fantail area.
Find Battleship USS Iowa Museum at Pacific Battleship or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Dodger Stadium
Take me out to the ballgame! This venue is a dream come true for any Dodgers fan. However, this beloved Los Angeles landmark has so much more to offer and is an incredible outdoor wedding venue.
The happy couple can experience a ceremony at home plate (on non-game days of course) followed by an outdoor reception at the Retired Numbers Plaza or a huge outdoor reception affair at the Stadium Field.
People love working with the staff members and praise the team for their excellent service!
Typical Cost: From $5,000, but it depends greatly on the season and location within the stadium.
Capacity: 400 seated guests at the Stadium Field.
Find Dodger Stadium at Dodger Stadium or check out Facebook or Instagram.
South Park Center
For the urban couple seeking unparalleled views of downtown LA, you won’t find a better venue than South Park Center.
The penthouse includes the outdoor SkyDeck, which is an amazing place to host a chic, twilight reception or ceremony. You can watch the sunset over the ocean and the city lights twinkle to life from this all-inclusive venue.
Couples can also avail themselves of the Helipad, which provides a unique backdrop for photo ops and breathtaking views of downtown LA!
And, if you plan to arrive by helicopter, you can feel secure using South Park Center’s FAA-approved helipad.
Typical Cost: From $9,500.
Capacity: 180 guests outdoors or 250 guests indoors.
Find South Park Center at South Park Center or check out Facebook or Instagram.
SmogShoppe
The eco-conscious couple with a taste for wild greenery and nature will fall in love with SmogShoppe.
Located close to Beverly Hills and Downtown Los Angeles, this whimsical green space was once a smog-check center. However, now it is a 100% solar-powered event space, featuring vertical gardens, desert plants, and carefully curated vintage furniture.
While SmogShoppe has many different reception and ceremony spaces, the 2,000-square-foot courtyard is the most beautiful outdoor space. The courtyard walls are covered in climbing vines and decorated by live succulent beds.
You can rent the Grand Hall in combination with the Courtyard, which will give you more space without losing the outdoor feel.
The Grand Hall notably has 18-foot roll-up glass doors that connect to the courtyard and invite the outdoors inside.
Typical Cost: From $7,000.
Capacity: 150 guests in the Courtyard.
Find SmogShoppe at SmogShoppe or check out Facebook.
Calamigos Ranch
Located in world-famous Malibu, nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, Calamigos Ranch is a great choice for a rustic wedding.
The redwood tree groves, canopies of eucalyptus trees, rushing waterfall, and romantic oaks will completely transport you from the busy streets of LA.
Calamigos Ranch is divided into four “rooms”, but most of these “rooms” are actually outdoor venues.
The Birchwood Room is an ideal choice for an outdoor ceremony, featuring 100-year-old weeping willows and the sound of a lazy waterfall.
The Redwood Room offers views of majestic redwoods as the backdrop for your ceremony.
Typical Cost: $150 per person for up to 150 guests.
Capacity: Up to 500 guests at the Pavilion at North Point and 140 guests in the Birchwood Room.
Find Calamigos Ranch at Calamigos Ranch or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Lodge at Malibou Lake
Located in the picturesque Santa Monica Mountains and surrounded by 5,000 acres of protected land, the Lodge at Malibou Lake can accommodate both outdoor and indoor weddings.
The Lodge is a fully-furnished space that includes a grand ballroom, cozy library, expansive front porch, and lush lawn.
The Great Lawn is an excellent location for your outdoor ceremony or twilight reception. It offers views of the surrounding trees, lush greenery, countryside, and rose gardens. There are many places for romantic photo ops, including the lake and a small boat dock.
When you book this venue, you get the entire place for 11 hours total.
Typical Cost: From $150 per guest.
Capacity: Up to 300 guests.
Find The Lodge at Malibou Lake at Malibou Lake Lodge or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Whispering Oaks Chapel
Overlooking the rolling hills outside of Malibu, Whispering Oaks Chapel provides a quaint, romantic setting with a rustic farm aesthetic.
The venue specializes in multi-denominational weddings and offers a variety of packages, including elopement, micro, and standard-sized weddings.
You can say “I do” beneath towering oak trees or against the backdrop of a vintage barn. The venue offers covered outdoor spaces for your reception, but you can also choose to have a seated reception inside the modern barn.
While the Whispering Oaks Farm location is stunning, you can also choose to have your ceremony at the beach through their venue partners.
Typical Cost: From $55 per person.
Capacity: Up to 150 guests.
Find Whispering Oaks Chapel at Whispering Chapel or check out Facebook or Instagram.
