Are you a Cali bride in the midst of wedding planning? If you didn’t know already, weddings in California tend to be higher than the national average, but there’s also a larger range of venues and locations to choose from!
On average, weddings in Orange County, California cost around $36,000, and if you’re looking to take advantage of everything sunny SoCal has to offer in the way of outdoor weddings, look no farther than this list.
We’ve compiled our favorite outdoor wedding venues in Orange County, California, so read on for all the reasons why we love the rich history, botanicals, and scenic views of these spaces.
Plantaholics will immediately recognize some of these venues, but we have also featured some unique and lesser-known venues that deserve to be toured!
We hope for nothing but sunny skies and a lifetime of love for you and your sweetheart- and have no doubt you’ll find it in one of these charming Orange County wedding venues.
Ebell Club of Santa Ana
The courtyard of the historic Ebell Club of Santa Ana is a garden party dream come true!
This venue features those rust-colored Spanish terra cotta roofing tiles that are so ubiquitous to the Orange County area, along with arched covered walkways and gorgeous greenery. There’s much to love about this courtyard, surrounded by hundred-year-old oak trees.
The Ebell Club is a hidden gem not only because of how picturesque it is but also because of its affordability! Brides on a budget, we know how important this is when it comes to planning.
If you’re looking for a wonderful and affordable wedding venue in Orange County, don’t pass up on checking out this darling and intimate space for your big day.
Price Range: $35-88/person. Please contact the venue for package pricing here.
Capacity: Up to 100 guests outdoors.
Find the Ebell Club of Santa Ana at Ebell Club of Santa Ana or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Sherman Library and Gardens
One of the best things about having an outdoor wedding is that you get to center Mother Nature and let her do what she does best – provide an effortlessly beautiful backdrop for your big day!
The Sherman Library and Gardens is a botanical haven located in Corona Del Mar, with expansive collections in their tropical conservatory.
Guests can explore the koi pond, orchid collection, and succulent garden (just to name a few) while strolling the wide brick walkways on the 2.2-acre property.
As you make your way down the aisle, take in the gorgeous hanging baskets of seasonal flowers. Or maybe you’d rather tie the knot under an 81-year-old California Pepper tree, instead!
Any way you slice it, Sherman Library and Gardens is a slice of green heaven and a great place to get married!
Price Range: Starts at $4,000.
Capacity: 150 guests.
Find the Sherman Library and Gardens at Sherman Gardens Weddings or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Kimpton Shorebreak Resort
Right in the heart of buzzy Huntington Beach, you simply must check out Kimpton Shorebreak if you’re looking for an outdoor California coastal wedding vibe.
With beautiful ocean views and over 10,000 square feet of venue space, this resort would be perfect for an intimate wedding celebration with friends who like to party it up!
Choose from a variety of all-inclusive wedding packages and enjoy the good vibes. Newlyweds can also enjoy a complimentary evening in an oceanview suite with lots of little surprises.
Spend the wedding weekend exploring everything Huntington Beach has to offer, and don’t forget to snag those beachy wedding pics at the Kimpton Shorebreak Resort for some unforgettable memories!
Price Range: Starts at $1,250.
Capacity: Up to 150 guests.
Find the Kimpton Shorebreak Resort at Kimpton Shorebreak Resort or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Gray Matter Museum of Art
Located in the southern part of Orange County, the Gray Matter Museum of Art reaps all the benefits of being located in San Clemente.
Outdoor weddings at this venue feature a panoramic view of the ocean, and the sunset is particularly breathtaking in the evening.
For couples who appreciate art, this space could be yours for an incredible night. Inside, you can take in the stained glass skylight, high vaulted ceilings, and mid-century modern aesthetic furnishings.
Outside, there’s an arbor that stretches almost the length of a city block – imagine having your wedding feast with all your guests at a harvest-style table under warm cafe lighting!
Use your Gray Matter and give this art museum some serious thought as your wedding venue!
Price Range: $500 – $6,000.
Capacity: Up to 300 guests.
Find the Gray Matter Museum of Art at Gray Matter Museum or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Franciscan Gardens
This jewel is tucked away in San Juan Capistrano, and it is not to be missed!
Built in the 1920s, the historic courtyard includes a beautiful garden with vine-wrapped pergolas and cafe lights strewn throughout the space. Swoon. This venue would be perfect for a secluded and intimate wedding celebration!
Love blooms in gardens, and the Franciscan Gardens are no different. Guests can take in the sprawling botanical aesthetics with ample photo opportunities on the property.
If you’re looking for an outdoor wedding in Orange County, start by checking out the Franciscan Gardens. They have a variety of packages to suit your every whim, and you’ll be dazzled by their offerings!
Price Range: $6,000 – $8,000.
Capacity: Up to 250 guests.
Find the Franciscan Gardens at Franciscan Gardens or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Alta Vista Country Club
It wouldn’t be a proper list of outdoor wedding venues if we didn’t include a classic Country Club venue!
We love Alta Vista CC for the gorgeous private gazebo setting for an intimate wedding ceremony. They also offer a golf car ride for the bride, groom, and photographer around the property at sunset for a private photo session! Try not to miss that exquisite stone bridge, either.
They offer three comprehensive packages with plenty of available add-ons and customizations; every detail is thought of so you don’t have to.
With ultimate peace of mind, you and your sweetheart can enjoy saying “I do” in front of your friends and family at Alta Vista Country Club on a beautiful, carefree, Southern California day.
Price Range: Please contact the venue for pricing here.
Capacity: Up to 250 guests.
Find the Alta Vista Country Club at Alta Visa Country Club or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Greenhouse at Plantenders Nursery OC
Getting married at a greenhouse nursery is something plant-obsessed brides can definitely vibe with!
The Greenhouse at Plantenders Nursery won Best New Venue of 2022 from California Wedding Day, so you know they’re doing something right!
Enjoy the mountain ride to Silverado Canyon to this unique wedding venue that features all things natural, growing, and blooming.
The Greenhouse at PNOC is full of relaxed country-chic vibes. You can borrow numerous 5-gallon plants as decor to personalize your wedding aesthetics, too!
Get married under their ancient pepper and olive trees for an unforgettable ceremony, and dance the night away under the twinkling cafe lights throughout the entire property.
The in-house planning team is ready to meet you!
Price Range: Starts at $6,000.
Capacity: Up to 150 guests.
Find The Greenhouse at PNOC at Plantenders or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Christmas House Inn & Gardens
Vintage wedding fans in Orange Country will love the Christmas House Inn & Gardens for the romantic and classic boutique aesthetic.
This charming bed and breakfast offers couples private use of the entire house and gardens for the entirety of the event, a complimentary suite for the newlyweds, and many other customizable options!
Imagine a classy evening with hors d’oeuvres being passed on silver trays, romantic chandeliers lighting the gardens during an alfresco dinner, and dancing the night away on their iconic black and white dance floor.
You can have your fairytale wedding dream come true at the Christmas House Inn & Gardens!
Just a note: they do not host weddings in January or February.
Price Range: From $12,700 to $24,250.
Capacity: Up to 150 guests.
Find the Christmas House Inn & Gardens at Christmas House Inn or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Seven-Degrees
Looking for a sophisticated, modern, outdoor wedding venue? Seven-Degrees is a striking option that offers a beautiful terrace overlooking Laguna Canyon, as well as shaded gardens and a patio space that functions as an outdoor ceremony space!
This venue adores mood lighting, and you’ll get plenty of that in their 25,000-square-foot reception area that can also host an indoor ceremony in case of bad weather.
The views of the canyon from the outdoor terrace are incredible, so if you’re hoping for an unforgettable backdrop for your wedding photos, look no further than Seven-Degrees to host your celebration.
Price Range: Starts at $3,000.
Capacity: Up to 200 guests.
Find Seven-Degrees at Seven-Degrees or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens
Romantica, indeed! This gorgeous, historical venue is located on a bluff top and has insane views of the Pacific Ocean from the San Clemente pier.
Casa Romantica is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and has become one of SoCal’s most beloved cultural centers. Imagine having a magical courtyard dinner with your guests while taking in the classic Spanish architecture and botanical gardens.
Outdoor weddings are super popular here because of the charming courtyard where you can spend your evening dining and dancing under the stars.
Enjoy the sunset views on the Ocean Terrace on your big day for some unforgettable memories at Casa Romantica.
Price Range: $6,000 – $8,000.
Capacity: Up to 150 guests.
Find the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens at Casa Romantica or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Red Horse Barn
Charming, rustic, and country – if you’re planning an outdoor wedding and these themes jumped out at you, you need to call The Red Horse Barn ASAP!
This event center is located at the Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center and features gorgeous landscaping, classic white paddock fences, and broad lawns (for all the yard games!)
There’s also a 10-horse stable full of beautiful horses for the guests to ooh and ahh over!
For the ceremony, you and your sweetheart can choose from the garden and fountain-framed gazebo or the charming back lawn to say “I do.”
If you’re a fan of all things equestrian and want to incorporate country-chic vibes in your outdoor wedding, The Red Horse Barn is what you’re looking for.
PS: Both the bridal and groom suites feature shady porches to lounge and relax before the day picks up!
Price Range: Starts at $4,500.
Capacity: Up to 250 guests.
Find The Red Horse Barn at The Red Horse Barn or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Turnip Rose Promenade & Gardens
The Turnip Rose Promenade took a former Napa Valley-based winery space and turned it into a rose garden and spacious Grand Park, resulting in an elegant piece of garden heaven.
Outdoor weddings at the Grand Park take place nestled between beautiful trees and a Noguchi rock garden, which adds to the zen-like atmosphere.
Rustic wine barrel tables dot the courtyard under twinkling lights. Walk the Promenade as you greet your guests before settling into their delicious dinner service.
They take care of one wedding a day, so you’ll be sure to have their full attention, and their wedding packages include lots of freebies, promotions, and flexible choices.
Price Range: Please check with the venue for pricing here.
Capacity: Up to 240 guests indoors, up to 750 outdoors.
Find Turnip Rose Promenade & Gardens at Turnip Rose or check out Facebook or Instagram.
