Over the past 6+ years I’ve photographed at countless wedding venues in and around Southern California as a lead, associate and second shooter photographer. With majority of my bookings come from the OC/SD/Riverside/Temecula areas, a handful of venues I’ve had the opportunity to photograph at more than once! I always LOVE photographing at a new, beautiful venue and receive inquiries for venues all over, but theres something to be said about having a pleasurable experience at a venue as a vendor and through the eyes of my clients: esthetics, how my clients are treated (& how other vendors are treated) and the overall atmosphere for guests. With the new year and new inquiries coming in for 2020-2021, I wanted to share some of my favorite venues from experience, along with some tips and basic information for each of them.

Below I have my CURRENT 10 favorite wedding venues in the Southern California region… in no specific order ;)

1) The Villa, San Juan Capistrano- A beautiful and intimate little Italian garden tucked away in the historic area of San Juan Capistrano. Not a huge venue, but what it doesn’t have for size, it has in beauty and romance! The first time I shot at this venue, I fell in love and even convinced my brother-in-law and sister-in-law to get married here, so I could live vicariously through them. Their in-house coordinators (shout out to JOY N’ COMPANY ) are phenomenal and take care of everything flawlessly!

2) Franciscan Gardens, San Juan Capistrano- Another stunning venue tucked away in the historic district of San Juan Capistrano. With options for either indoor or outdoor reception, you can have both a garden setting and indoor industrial brick backdrop. Photo locations are endless with Los Rios Street and the Mission SJC being a block away.

3) Ethereal Gardens, Escondido- The most recent NEW wedding venue I have photographed at. I fell IN LOVE with it’s romantic, bohemian vibes! With a few different options for ceremony and reception areas, this venue is HUGE! With that being said, it’s tucked away in the mountains of Escondido, so the location itself is intimate. It’s beautiful, with every corner offering a “Kodak Moment” spot. The space and amenities lend itself to have a fun and magazine worthy feel for you and your guests.

4) Serendipity Gardens, Oak Glen- Although I’m not a preferred vendor here (yet!), I photograph at this cute venue atleast 1-2x a year! The property owners are constantly adding to the venue to have more to offer clients and provide a gorgeous setting in the lower mountains of Oak Glen with a backdrop of the mountains (sometimes snowcapped). With the majority of the venue being outdoors, choosing the season to get married here (or upgrading to a tent) would be word to the wise due to drastic weather conditions. The in house DJ and coordinators are super sweet and friendly, adding a personable touch.

5) Casa Romantica, San Clemente- Another tucked away venue providing a, well… romantic feel in on an intimate hillside overlooking San Clemente Beach and pier. Set in a historic building-- the ceremony site has a gorgeous backdrop of the ocean as you two exchange “I Do’s” without sand in your shoes. My kind of beach wedding ;)

6) Rancho Las Lomas, Silverado Canyon- The one wedding I have photographed here it was pouring rain, so unfortunately my clients didn’t get an opportunity to use the outdoor space they offer that is classic and beautiful in such a unique way. With antique tainted tiles and a historic feel to the grounds- the setting is extremely classy and romantic. It doesn’t hurt that they have their own mini zoo to entertain your guests!

7) Galway Downs, Temecula- A part of the Wedgewood Weddings network, this specific venue doesn’t feel like the rest. The first time I photographed here, I was really impressed! Don’t get me wrong, Wedgewoods have been stepping up their game over the past year or two, but in the past they have been known to be very cookie cutter as an “all inclusive” wedding venue network. Galway Downs is in a league of its own with gorgeous vegetation, spacious grounds and a quaint, rustic feel throughout the venue. After attending a wedding here, my husband half jokingly said that we should have our vow renewal there one day, because of how impressed he was as well!

8) The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe- I’ve photographed at this gorgeous, ritzy venue twice and fell in love both times! With lush, green grounds year round, the venue feels like something out of a movie (and has been featured on various network reality shows). Your vows would be exchanged under a large tree canopy and your reception taking place in a luxurious, spacious lawn below the resorts main building.

9) Bella Collina, San Clemente- This might be one of my favorite “golf course” venues. Golf course venues typically all feel the same, but Bella Collina is tucked away in the hills of San Clemente and it’s ceremony site is to die for! With a regal windy road to and from the venue, you once again feel like you’re on a movie set. There isn’t much for a getting ready area (girls are in a windowless yoga studio room and guys are in the golf course restaurant), but otherwise it’s a beautiful place to say I Do.

10) The Hacienda, Santa Ana- A cute Spanish style venue hidden behind a strip mall in Santa Ana. On the outside it might not look like a lot, but the inside takes you away to a romantic, Spanish house with 2 beautiful ceremony sites and killer Mexican food. Being on the preferred vendor list, I couldn’t help to give a little nudge to this affordable hidden gem.

Below are some other awesome wedding venues that I’d LOOOOOOVE to shoot at, so take a peek if you’re in the market for a rad venue:

The Estate On Second- Santa Ana
The 1912- Santa Ana
The Casino- San Clemente
The Loft on Pine- Long Beach
Smogshoppe- Los Angeles
Millwick- Los Angeles
Luce Loft- San Diego
BRICK- San Diego
Ebell Long Beach
Calamigos Ranch- Malibu
Saddlerock Ranch-Malibu
Rimrock Ranch- Pioneer Town
Wolf Feather Honey Farm- Pioneer Town
Avalon Hotel- Palm Springs
Frederick Loewe Estate- Palm Springs
The Ace- Palm Springs
Parker- Palm Springs
Tradition Golf Club- La Quinta

Mary + Roque

Galway Downs, Temecula CA

My Favorite Southern California Venues