Last Updated on February 7, 2026 by Lauren Belzer Sanford
If you’ve spent any time on this blog, you know I’m more of a boutique hotel person than a big, corporate-feeling hotel person. That same mindset guided our wedding venue search in early 2024: smaller, character-filled spaces that felt personal, thoughtful, and so us. And yes, let me tell you, I really did my research…
For our wedding, we opted for a small (to us) destination wedding in Puglia, Italy, because we wanted it to feel like a family-and-friends vacation first, wedding second. Spoiler alert: there were 53 of us, and it was perfect.
But before there was ever a masseria in Puglia, we did our “domestic due diligence” and explored venues across the West Coast—from my roots in the Pacific Northwest to Napa Valley (where we got engaged and spend a lot of time), and, of course, Southern California.
When it came to SoCal, we looked at Los Angeles and San Diego, but spent the most time exploring venues in our own backyard: Orange County. Funny enough, even though we live just nine miles from the beach and love our coastal proximity, I wasn’t particularly drawn to true beachside wedding venues (at least in the “ceremony-near-the-sand” sense). So if that’s your dream, this post might not be your go-to resource, as there are only a few that I’ve chosen to feature.
The OC is full of lovely venues — from San Juan Capistrano and Laguna Beach to Orange and Costa Mesa — each with its own unique style and atmosphere. This list is a curated round-up of what we consider the best wedding venues in Orange County based on our own personal taste, research, and venue visits.
Agápe 1928 – San Clemente
Agápe 1928 is a Spanish Revival-style venue tucked into the hills of San Clemente, known for its romantic courtyard, lush greenery, and intimate garden spaces. The architecture feels historic and warm, with tiled roofs, archways, and textured stone that make it feel like a boutique European property rather than a traditional event venue. The space is ideal for couples who love outdoor ceremonies and receptions, and a cozy, candlelit atmosphere.
The venue is especially appealing for medium-sized weddings, as it feels secluded and private without being overwhelming. Its layout allows for a seamless flow from ceremony to cocktail hour to reception, and it photographs beautifully in both bright mid-day and softer golden-hour light.
Perfect for: Lovers of Spanish architecture, proximity to the beach for couples portraits, and blue accents (especially if that’s your wedding color palette).
What we loved: It felt like a Spanish courtyard hidden in Orange County — romantic, intimate, and full of character. We loved how transportive it felt without needing to leave Southern California.
Franciscan Gardens – San Juan Capistrano
Franciscan Gardens is a beloved San Juan Capistrano venue known for its lush courtyard, bubbling fountains, and classic mission-style architecture. The venue has a timeless, old-California charm that feels romantic and serene, with ivy-covered walls, string lights, and warm stone textures. It’s a favorite for garden weddings and has a reputation for being both beautiful and well-run.
The courtyard setting creates an intimate atmosphere while still accommodating a bigger guest list (up to 200), and the indoor reception space provides a good backup option. It’s ideal for couples who love that iconic Spanish architecture and classic garden venues.
Perfect for: Garden-loving couples who want a timeless, mission-style venue with a romantic courtyard and a well-established event infrastructure.
What we loved: The courtyard felt timeless and romantic, and we loved how effortlessly beautiful it looks in photos. It’s a classic OC venue that still feels elevated and charming.
Grand Gimeno – Orange
Grand Gimeno, while still featuring the iconic Spanish Revival architecture that is so loved in Southern California, is a more contemporary venue with more updated architecture, clean lines, and a modern art-forward aesthetic. It feels more like a design gallery or cultural space than a traditional wedding venue, making it ideal for fashion-forward couples and editorial-style weddings.
The venue’s minimalist design makes it a beautiful blank canvas for modern florals, installations, and creative layouts. It’s especially appealing for couples who love contemporary design
Perfect for: Design-forward couples who love Spanish-meets-modern architecture and editorial-style weddings with a minimalist, contemporary aesthetic.
What we loved: The architecture felt simple yet artistic at the same time! It was a bit too contemporary for our personal style, but we did love how much of a blank canvas it felt like! Plus the olive trees outside…swoon!
Laguna Beach City Hall – Laguna Beach
I know what you’re thinking…city hall? Laguna Beach City Hall is a beautiful option for couples who want a simple, intimate civil ceremony just down the way from Laguna’s iconic Main Beach. The setting is understated but meaningful, making it ideal for elopements, micro-weddings, or legal ceremonies followed by a restaurant reception or private dinner for a small group of family and close friends.
This is actually where Max and I were legally married on a sunny Thursday afternoon in May 2025, ahead of our main Italian wedding celebration, with only our parents as witnesses. It felt intimate and meaningful, and they even gave us the papers with the ceremony script on them as a keepsake (a part of the day that was so sweet and unexpected). We loved pairing it with a small happy hour and dinner celebration afterward!
Perfect for: Elopements, civil ceremonies, and micro-weddings, especially for couples planning a small weekday ceremony followed by a private dinner or intimate reception elsewhere.
What we loved: It was simple, small, and perfect for our tiny legal ceremony ahead of our bigger international celebration!
The Nest on 17th – Costa Mesa
The Nest on 17th (previously known as The Nest at Still) is a modern venue with a garden-courtyard style outdoor space, making it ideal for couples who prioritize design, food, and guest experience. The space is airy, contemporary, and simple, with a strong focus on curated details and elevated hospitality.
It’s a great option for intimate weddings and couples who want a more editorial feel to their big day. I’ve actually been to a business event at this space, and can definitely see the way it can be transformed for all different types of events, including weddings! One of my close friends happened to have hosted her baby shower at The Nest (see photos below).
Perfect for: Intimate, modern weddings focused on guest experience, great food, and a modern-editorial vibe.
What we loved: It’s very unique and kind of off the beaten path. Perfect for design lovers and couples who care deeply about the guest experience and food (they have a killer preferred vendor list).
Rancho Las Lomas – Silverado
Rancho Las Lomas is a beautiful private estate nestled in the hills of Silverado Canyon, featuring lush gardens, Spanish architecture, and multiple event spaces across the property. It’s one of the most immersive venues in Orange County, with varied ceremony and reception sites that feel transportive and nature-filled.
The estate is ideal for larger weddings or couples who want multiple environments throughout their celebration (which was a must for us), from gardens to courtyards to indoor spaces.
Perfect for: Larger guest lists and couples who want a destination-style estate with multiple ceremony and reception spaces immersed in nature.
What we loved: It felt immersive and transportive, like a romantic estate tucked away in nature. Perfect for a bigger guest count (if needed) while still feeling intimate and destination-like.
The Richland – Orange
While we’ve made it clear that I’m not the biggest fan of hotel weddings, we’ve also made it clear that there are exceptions… and that would be boutique hotels full of charm and character, like The Richland in Orange. It is a lovely historic event space with character-filled architecture and a truly special, cinematic atmosphere.
It’s ideal for indoor or outdoor receptions, evening weddings, and couples who love historic, yet somewhat dramatic spaces.
Perfect for: Candlelit evening weddings with a historic, cinematic backdrop—especially for couples who love character-filled interiors and simple yet classic grandeur.
What we loved: The character and architecture felt both cinematic and timeless. It’s perfect for an elegant, moody evening reception with lots of candles and statement florals. It’s also right down the street from where we met at Chapman University!
Serra Plaza – San Juan Capistrano
Serra Plaza is yet another Spanish-style venue with a chic courtyard and elegant indoor spaces, offering a polished yet romantic setting. The architecture is classic and refined, with tiled roofs, archways, and warm stone details that feel timeless and photogenic. Plus, it’s not far from San Juan Capistrano’s most iconic photo spots — perfect for couples and bridal party photos!
The courtyard is especially beautiful for ceremonies and cocktail hours, while the indoor ballroom provides a sophisticated reception option, making it a versatile choice for many wedding styles.
Perfect for: Couples who want classic Spanish architecture with polished, versatile indoor and outdoor spaces that suit both traditional and modern weddings.
What we loved: We loved the mix of romantic architecture and polished spaces — it felt classic but not dated. The courtyard is especially beautiful. It might be my favorite of the Spanish-style venues in OC!
The Swanner House – San Juan Capistrano
The Swanner House is a historic property with a little bit of land to roam and a refined, private-home feel. Unlike some venues, it feels intimate and almost residential — like hosting a wedding at a family home rather than a rented-out property. The grounds provide ample space for outdoor ceremonies and receptions, and the understated elegance makes it ideal for outdoor weddings with curated details.
Perfect for: Outdoor weddings that feel like a private estate celebration, ideal for couples who want more of a rustic elegance vibe than a stuffy hotel ballroom.
What we loved: It felt more home-y and less event space-y — intimate, elegant, and editorial. Perfect for couples who want luxury without a traditional venue vibe!
While there’s a time and place for everything, we’ve addressed that I’m not really a “bigger” hotel person, whether it’s for travel or weddings. Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of beautiful hotels in Orange County, but a hotel-style wedding isn’t my jam, personally. And there’s no shade at all if that’s your preferred wedding vibe. I’ve been to weddings at hotels, and they were absolutely beautiful and magical, but that just isn’t us (but neither is a country club wedding).
That’s the best part about weddings, in my opinion — there’s a venue, a style, a color palette, and an overall experience for everyone — it’s your day, your way! Every wedding I’ve been to has been special and wonderful because it was exactly what the couple wanted for their day.
That said, if I were more of a hotel wedding person, these three Orange County hotels would have been top contenders:
- Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano – San Juan Capistrano
- Lido House Hotel – Newport Beach
- The Ranch at Laguna Beach – Laguna Beach
Ultimately, Orange County has an incredible range of wedding venues — romantic gardens, modern architectural spaces, and elevated coastal properties that feel worlds away from a traditional ballroom. Exploring these venues was such a meaningful part of our planning process, even though we ended up taking our celebration abroad. No matter where you choose to say “I do,” the right venue is the one that feels like you — whether that’s a hidden courtyard in San Juan Capistrano, a modern space in Orange, or, in our case, a masseria in the Italian countryside.