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Paper Birch Collective

Oct 19, 202311 min read

The Best Wedding Venues in California

Updated: Sep 27

Featured in The Knot, Wedding Wire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Basic Invite, WedAward, Maharani Weddings, Wedissimo, Style Me Pretty

Hi there and welcome to our blog! We are a team of wedding photographers and videographers who love capturing the dreams and joy in your special moments. We have been lucky to work with many amazing couples and venues across California, and we want to share some of our favorites with you. Your wedding is your special day. Picking the perfect venue to exchange your “I do’s” can be a big decision. Whether you are looking for a rustic, glamorous, or a scenic backdrop, we have got you covered. Here is our list of wedding venues in California that we think you will love too!

The 1909

https://www.the1909.com/weddings

Tucked away in the heart of the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains, The 1909 is a stunning setting for your wedding day. On top of its romantic and vintage ambience, The 1909 is filled with majestic oak trees and vivid greenery, making it a magical place to get married. The 1909 offers the perfect balance of tranquility, timelessness, and harmony. This wedding venue is also complete with 3 event spaces for both indoor and outdoor weddings. Check out this blog if you want to see more from when have captured beautiful wedding memories here.

Diana & Peter's Rustic Wedding at The 1909

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Occasions at Laguna Village

https://occasionsatlagunavillage.com/

Located along Laguna Beach’s coastline, Occasions at Laguna Village offers breathtaking ocean views that will create lifetime memories of your special day. The gorgeous setting here is quite dreamlike with picturesque oceanfront views of Laguna Beach and scenic hillside gardens. There is no doubt that Occasions is the perfect place to exchange your "I do's". If you'd like to see more about weddings we have captured here, check at this blog and this blog.

Marissa + Angelo's Oceanfront Wedding at Occasions at Laguna Village

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Julia + Steven's Summer Wedding at Occasions in Laguna Beach

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Emily & Aaron's California Coastal Wedding at Occasions at Laguna Village

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The Villa

https://www.thevillabanquets.com/

This Spanish-Mediterranean inspired venue is a beautiful hidden gem in Orange County, Westminster, California. It has some of the most stunning indoor and outdoor settings, making it a gorgeous spot for a wedding. The Villa is the perfect blend of classic and modern with its warm home feeling and incredible settings of lush gardens, fountains, and beautiful decor.

From a Vietnamese Tea Ceremony to a Wedding Reception

at The Villa in Westminster, Orange County

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French Estate

https://www.thefrenchestate.com/

The French Estate is a historic location known for its hospitality and celebrations since 1892. This wedding venue is full of authentic vintage charm, love, and beauty. We love how you can feel the warm ambience and joy as soon as you step foot into this location.

Wedgewood Weddings

https://www.wedgewoodweddings.com/

With a variety of spectacular locations across the nation, Wedgewood Weddings is an award-winning and leading host of romantic events. Some of our favorite Wedgewood Weddings venues in Orange County include San Clemente Shore, University Club, and Aliso Viejo.

Imagine saying your vows with the ocean breeze, then taking golden hour romantic portraits on the beach while your loved ones enjoy cocktail hour as the sun goes down. At San Clemente Shore by Wedgewood Weddings, you can count on a stunning outdoor wedding ceremony followed by capturing life-long memories with the most picture-perfect landscape. This scenic country club also offers an indoor ceremony, along with a gorgeous grand hall for reception. The scenic views, open air ceremony, and charming Spanish style architecture certainly make for a dream wedding. Want to read more about a wedding we have captured at San Clemente Shore by Wedgewood Weddings? Check at this blog.

Kirsten + Diego's Beach-side Wedding in San Clemente

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Loved for how easy and stress-free, University Club by Wedgewood Weddings is a tranquil and elegantly modern wedding venue located on the beautiful campus of UCI. Features include expansive windows and natural lighting, luxurious chandeliers, a spacious patio for cocktail hour, a private atmosphere, and a lush courtyard with twinkling lights. The ideal location for both local SoCal couples as well as destination weddings.

Fairy-Tale Wedding at University Club by Wedgewood Weddings

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The Resort at Pelican Hill

https://www.pelicanhill.com/weddings/

There is so much to love about The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach. Inspired by Italian Renaissance roots and known for The Rotunda, the resort is a perfect blend of classic design and modern California sophistication. This exquisite and picturesque resort is the most lavish and unique way to celebrate your love. The unmatched beauty at Pelican Hill along with the extraordinary views of the sky and ocean are just a couple reasons why this location is one of our favorite wedding venues.

Pelican Hill Photoshoot by Paper Birch Collective, Orange County Wedding photography team

Portofino Hotel & Marina

https://www.hotelportofino.com/redondo-beach-weddings/

With beautiful sweeping coastal views, The Portofino Hotel & Marina in Redondo Beach is an elegant and beautiful venue for your wedding. The spectacular views overlooking the Pacific Ocean make for a memorable and romantic way to exchange vows. Not to mention, the elegant and waterfront ballrooms for your wedding reception. Enjoy the beauty of one of LA’s iconic beaches as you surround yourself with some of the best of the South Bay on your special day. If you'd like to read more about a wedding we have documented here, check at this blog.

Stunning Wedding by the Sea in Redondo Beach

at Portofino Hotel & Marina

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Surf & Sand Resort

https://www.surfandsandresort.com/wedding-venues-laguna-beach-ca

If you dream of a beach wedding, then Surf & Sand Resort in Laguna Beach is the perfect place to say I do. Here, you can exchange your vows to the sound of waves crashing and surrounded by panoramic ocean views. What better way to say “I do” than with an unforgettable view? Whether you seek a big or intimate space, your special day will certainly be a dream come true at this venue. With ceremonies on the sand to receptions under the starry sky, Surf & Sand is full of romance and elegance.

Seaside Love: Filming a Wedding at Surf & Sand Resort in Laguna Beach

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A Luxury Beachfront Surprise Proposal at Surf & Sand Resort

in Laguna Beach with The Charming Picnic

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AV

https://avirvine.com/

AV is one of Orange County’s most unique spots to get married. This spacious and fully customizable space makes it the ultimate spot to bring your wedding visions to life. Whatever your style is, the modern and sleekness of the venue is a versatile canvas for creating the wedding of your dreams. There is also state of the art lighting, sound, and video equipment along with fun display add ons such as confetti blasters. At AV, you will be able to celebrate a memorable wedding day like no other.

Magical Wedding Memories at AV Irvine

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Brave and Maiden Estate

https://braveandmaiden.com/

If you seek an elevated and elegant wedding experience, you should check out Brave & Maiden Estate located in the beautiful Santa Barbara Wine Country. The stunning Brave & Maiden Estate is a magical place to get married and make unforgettable memories with your loved ones. The gorgeous vineyard views give the ultimate Italian vibes making your luxurious wedding dreams come true. Such a beautiful and romantic place to celebrate your love.

Quiet Cannon

https://www.quietcannon.com/

Located in Montebello, just 10 minutes from Downtown Los Angeles, Quiet Cannon is a great combination of comfort and ease. This wedding venue is 185-acre and also includes an 18-hole golf course, scenic park greenery, and many picturesque lakes. There are a number of indoor and outdoor spaces here, from a gazebo for open air ceremonies, the Spyglass rooms for cocktail hour, and the beautiful Crystal Ballroom for a reception with up to 1,000 people.

Banquet Halls

There are a number of wonderful wedding banquet halls! Some of our favorites include the following:

Paracel Restaurant
Diamond Seafood Palace (all 3 locations)
Mon Cheri Restaurant
Mon Amour Banquet
Venue by Three Petals
Royal
Turnip Rose

Sunset Cliffs

If your dream is to say your “I do’s” with an epic view, Sunset Cliffs in San Diego might be the location for you. These legendary and grand cliffs overlooking the ocean have some of the best views. Sunset Cliffs is a perfect outdoor space for a small and intimate wedding ceremony. There’s no denying the beauty of Sunset Cliff’s coastal scenery, from greenery, to dramatic cliff formations, and the crashing waves. If you want to read more about a wedding we documented here, check at this blog.

An Intimate Beach Wedding on Sunset Cliffs

in San Diego, California

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Pasadena City Hall

Pasadena City Hall is a stunning location for an intimate elopement or micro wedding, especially if you love architecture. This historic building was designed by architects Bakewell and Brown with a Mediterranean Revival style incorporating elements of Italian Renaissance architecture. Pasadena City Hall is a gorgeous historic building with stunning architecture, rich history, and a beautiful and intimate place to exchange “I do’s”.

An Intimate Elopement at Pasadena City Hall

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Backyard Weddings

Depending on your space of course, a backyard can be the perfect spot to get married. It can be great for those who seek an intimate wedding ceremony and or reception. We have documented a number of beautiful backyard weddings. Your wedding venue doesn't have to be extravagant to create lifelong memories or capture beautiful images. The only thing that matters is if you love where you get married, then everything else can fall into place.

Thank You for Reading! 💛

We hope our list of favorite wedding venues in California has been helpful. We also hope you have enjoyed all of the beautiful wedding photos from each location. Every wedding memory is special and we hope we can help you capture the love and joy in your special moments. There's truly nothing like cherishing important moments with a beautiful gallery of images!

WHY US?

You might be wondering why choose Paper Birch Collective to capture your Wedding, Engagement, or special event. Our team is based in Orange County, California and serving all of SoCal and beyond. We are your friendly neighborhood team of award-winning photographers & videographers. We are addicted to adventure and new experiences, always on the cutting edge of our craft.

Read this blog to see 15 client testimonials, reviewed on The Knot, Wedding Wire, or Yelp. We hope these reviews help you build trust in our work. We deeply appreciate all of our clients who have trusted us with capturing their precious memories. It is a true gift to be a part of so many wonderful peoples' important moments!