Top 10 Luxury Wedding Venues in Orange County for an Elegant Celebration
- Tie & Veil
- Jul 1
- 8 min read
So you're getting married and want somewhere absolutely gorgeous? I totally understand that feeling! Here are the top 10 wedding venues in Orange County that I genuinely consider luxurious and worth your investment.
I've attended way too many weddings around here over the years. Some were absolutely stunning celebrations. Others? Well, let's just say the venue choice made or broke the entire atmosphere. You definitely don't want to mess this decision up.
Here's the thing about wedding venues in Orange County. There's honestly something beautiful for everyone's taste and style. But not all of them are worth your hard-earned money or will create the experience you're dreaming of. I'm going to give you the real insider scoop on the best luxury spots, including the ones I'd actually recommend to my own friends.
Why Wedding Venues in Orange County Though?
Honestly? The weather alone makes it completely worth considering.
I've genuinely never witnessed a rainy wedding here. Okay, maybe like once in ten years of attending celebrations. The ocean views are absolutely insane, and you're close enough to LA that your out-of-town guests won't feel frustrated about traveling somewhere remote.
Plus, the vendor talent pool here actually knows what they're doing professionally. I've seen photographers and planners in other areas who were, well, let's just say disappointing. Here in Orange County, you've got consistently solid professional options.
The wedding venues in Orange County range from stunning beachfront resorts to hidden romantic gardens. You can literally get married with your toes in the sand or in some fairytale garden setting. Your choice entirely.
The 10 Best Luxury Wedding Venues (That Are Actually Worth It)
Let me dive into the venues I'd genuinely recommend based on what I've experienced.
1. The Resort at Pelican Hill
Website: www.pelicanhill.com
Phone: (888) 352-1873
This place is honestly ridiculous. Beautiful in the best possible way.
The Italian rotunda where they hold ceremonies? It's basically a movie set come to life. Your guests will be taking photos nonstop throughout the entire celebration.
We're talking serious investment money here. But if you've got the budget flexibility, this is the place that makes people say "wow" when they see your photos years later.
The staff treats you like absolute royalty. Just be prepared for the price tag to match that level of service.
Want the inside scoop? Check out our full guide for a Pelican Hill Newport Beach wedding.
2. Montage Laguna Beach
Website: www.montagehotels.com
Phone: (949) 715-6000
The cliffside location is genuinely unreal, like something straight out of a romance movie. When the sun sets during cocktail hour, everyone literally stops their conversations to watch. It's that spectacular.
The food quality was amazing too. I'm usually pretty skeptical of hotel catering, but they absolutely nailed every course. The spa services are a wonderful bonus if you're planning a wedding weekend experience.
Parking can be challenging during busy season. Definitely tell your guests to arrive early to avoid stress.
3. The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Website: www.ritzcarlton.com
Phone: (949) 240-2000
Look, it's the Ritz-Carlton. You know exactly what level of quality you're getting.
The terraces overlooking the Pacific are absolutely gorgeous for ceremonies. I've attended three different weddings here and the golden hour photography is always incredible. The service level is exactly what you'd expect from the brand: flawless.
Here's the honest consideration though. It can feel a bit formal and traditional. If you want something more relaxed and casual, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you want that classic luxury hotel atmosphere, this absolutely delivers.
The ballrooms are stunning spaces. Just don't expect any creative surprises. It's traditional luxury executed really, really well.
Get our full guide to the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel here.
4. The Ranch at Laguna Beach
Website: www.theranchlb.com
Phone: (888) 316-0959
This venue is genuinely special and unique.
t's tucked away in this beautiful little canyon, so it feels completely private and intimate. I love that it's eco-friendly but still maintains luxurious standards. The rustic atmosphere works perfectly if you're not into the super formal resort experience.
The intimate size means your wedding won't feel like you're celebrating in some impersonal conference center. I've witnessed 200-person weddings here that still felt cozy and personal.
Honestly, this is first pick by many couples. It's got authentic character without being weird or gimmicky about it.
5. Franciscan Gardens
Website: www.franciscangardens.com
Address: 31815 Camino Capistrano #7, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Phone: (949) 248-1586
Email: events@franciscangardens.com
Hidden gem alert.
This place is like stumbling into a secret European courtyard. The gardens are gorgeous year round, and the string lights at night create this magical atmosphere. If you go in the spring the flowers are insane.
The brick walls and fountains photograph really well. Plus, you're right next to the San Juan Mission, so you've got built-in photo ops.
It's more affordable than some of the beachfront places, which is nice. The only thing? You can sometimes hear the train, but honestly, most people think it's charming.
6. Rancho Las Lomas
Website: www.rancholaslomas.com
Phone: (949) 888-3080
Email: info@rancholaslomas.com
This venue is absolutely wild in the best way.
They have actual zebras and peacocks wandering around the property. I'm genuinely not kidding about this. It's like getting married at a really fancy wildlife sanctuary, but in the most wonderful way possible.
The Spanish architecture is beautiful, and the whole property feels like you're transported to another world entirely. Kids attending the wedding will absolutely lose their minds over the animals.
It's definitely unique and memorable. Some couples love the quirky, magical vibe, while others think it might be too unconventional. You'll know which category you fall into when you visit.
The drive up there is a bit winding through the canyons, but honestly, it adds to the whole "escape to somewhere magical" feeling.
Need more details? Our in-depth Rancho Las Lomas is here.
7. The Colony House-Wedding Venues in Orange County
Website: www.thecolonyhouse.com
Phone: (714) 576-8989
Email: info@colonyhouseanaheim.com
This venue is genuinely cool and modern.
If you're not into the whole traditional princess ballgown wedding vibe, this might be your perfect spot. The exposed brick and high ceilings give it an urban loft atmosphere that photographs really well.
They have a signature succulent wall feature. It's become like their calling card. The space transforms completely from day to night with the right lighting design.
Plus, you're conveniently close to Disneyland if you want to plan something fun with out-of-town guests. The price point is more reasonable than some of the beachfront luxury options too.
8. Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club
Website: www.waldorfastoriamonarchbeach.com
Phone: (949) 234-3200
Another seriously high-end luxury option.
The clifftop ceremony locations are absolutely stunning, and the ballrooms are elegant without feeling over-the-top or stuffy. The service level is consistently excellent.
It's got that classic luxury resort atmosphere. If you want to feel like you're featured in a fancy travel magazine, this definitely works.
The spa facilities are incredible if you're planning a wedding weekend experience. Just know you're paying Waldorf-level prices for everything.
9. Paséa Hotel & Spa
Website: www.meritagecollection.com
Address: 21080 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Phone: (855) 622-2472
Email: reservations@paseahotel.com
The newest addition to Orange County's luxury wedding scene.
This place has a really sleek, modern aesthetic that's different from the more traditional luxury venues. The rooftop terraces are gorgeous for cocktail hour celebrations.
I appreciate that it's located in Huntington Beach. There's more entertainment and dining around there than some of the other coastal locations. The beach is literally right there if you want to do romantic photos in the sand.
The guest rooms are really nice if you're having people stay overnight. It's definitely got that "cool California hotel" vibe going for it.
10. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens-Wedding Venues in Orange County
Website: casaromantica.org
Phone: (949) 498-2139
Email: info@casaromantica.org
This 1920s estate is absolutely gorgeous and full of character.
The blufftop location provides incredible ocean views, and the Spanish architecture creates a genuinely romantic atmosphere. I love the historical significance. It feels special without being pretentious or stuffy.
The gardens change beautifully with the seasons, so depending on your wedding timing, you'll get different natural backdrops. Spring is particularly stunning here.
It's a bit smaller than some of the resort options, which can be perfect or limiting depending on your guest count. Ideal for more intimate celebrations.
Real Talk About Planning Your Wedding Venues Orange County
Here's what nobody honestly tells you upfront:
Book early. Genuinely really early. The best wedding venues in Orange County get reserved 12 to 18 months in advance. I've seen couples have to settle for their third choice because they waited too long to decide.
Visit in person. Online photos can be misleading. I've toured places that looked amazing on websites and were disappointing in real life. Trust me on this important advice.
Consider weekdays. You can save serious money and get much better vendor availability. Thursday weddings are becoming totally normal and acceptable now.
Budget for parking. Some of these coastal venues charge for valet service or have limited parking spaces. Factor that into your total costs.
Weather backup plan. Even in perfect Orange County, have a realistic plan B. The one rainy wedding I mentioned earlier? They had no backup and it was genuinely stressful for everyone.
Quick Cost Reality Check-Wedding Venues in Orange County
Since everyone's wondering but nobody talks about it:
Resort venues (Pelican Hill, Montage, Ritz): $300-500+ per person
Unique properties (Rancho Las Lomas, Franciscan Gardens): $200-350 per person
Modern venues (Colony House, Paséa): $250-400 per person
These are rough estimates and don't include all the extras. But at least you know what ballpark we're talking about.
Don't Let Your Wedding Video not capture your moments
Look, you're investing substantial money in one of these incredible wedding venues in Orange County. The last thing you want is poor-quality videography that doesn't capture how amazing everything actually looked and felt.
I honestly can't tell you how many couples I know who deeply regret not investing in professional videography. Photos are wonderful and important, but video captures the way your partner looked at you during your vows. The way your dad got emotional during his speech. Your friends celebrating wildly on the dance floor.
Here's the thing about these venues. They're genuinely cinematic. The ocean views, the gardens, the architecture, it all deserves to be captured properly by professionals who understand the setting.
Ready to make sure your Orange County wedding video is as stunning as your venue?
Tie & Veil Films knows exactly how to work with these luxury locations professionally.
Website: www.tieandveil.com
We've filmed at most of these venues and understand precisely how to capture the magic and atmosphere. Don't trust your once-in-a-lifetime celebration to someone who's never worked with California's coastal lighting or doesn't understand how to film in these gorgeous settings.
If you are looking for a Los Angeles wedding videographer (Tie & Veil) click the link to see what makes us different.
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