California is one of the top states to explore beaches and nature. From vineyards, and mountains to big beautiful cities, you can never go wrong with destination wedding venues here in California. Located in the Pacific Region, the climate doesn't disappoint either, making California a top choice for choosing a wedding venue. Here is a look at our top cities to consider when searching for your wedding venue. As wedding photographers in California we have teamed up with Honey fund to share our favorite locations in California to celebrate your wedding.

Santa Margarita: Santa Margarita is one of the most beautiful areas to consider in the beautiful Central Valley of California. Santa Margarita is a perfect place for an outdoor wedding with one of the standout venues being the Santa Margarita Ranch. It's one of the longest-running cattle ranches, and it features historic architecture and oak-studded meadows with lush gardens providing natural décor.  After the celebration, you and your guests can tour the ranch aboard the private steam train known as the Pacific Coast Railroad. Here is a look at a few favorites.

Oyster Ridge: Another equally excellent venue is the Oyster Ridge with a vintage theme. The winery offers an incredible mixture of sophistication within the peaks and valleys of California, the winery is home to vast rows of grapes that are our favorite for romantics at sunset. 

Riata Ranch: Riata Ranch conveniently serves the Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura areas. The gently rolling hills and trees provide a scenic view of the best backdrop for your wedding photos. The added personality of Corriente cattle and horses are a major highlight from this Central California wedding venue. With a guest capacity of 200 people, the space is best for medium sized weddings, with guests signing your rustic barrel as a wedding guestbook upon entering before the ceremony. 

Laguna Mountains – The mountains of East County San Diego are often untouched, unless you are an avid hiker or into mountain biking. That is why we love going up here for engagement photos and elopements as we have the entire mountain range to ourselves it seems. If you are visiting San Diego and looking for a nature scenery to have your wedding ceremony at, this is a place we highly recommend. As we park our cars, there is a trail that winds through the hills covered with trees, about ¾ of a mile in opens up to a massive wide-open field which is the ideal setting for wedding photos. This is by far one of our favorite hikes and is so easy and peaceful.

Los Angeles: Los Angeles – The staple of Southern California, LA offers so many different areas and ideas to look into. Whether you are looking for a large hall or getting married on the beach, there is a ton of option for getting married in LA. One place that would be incredible is MacArthur Park. This beautiful park sits in the area of Westlake with views overlooking downtown and the lake/pond right in the middle makes this one of the most beautiful spots to get married in LA. Possibly one of the coolest spots is the Smog Shoppe, now I know what your thinking, really a smog shoppe? But check out the photos and you will be stunned. The venue can hold up to 150 guests, the space used to be a smog check engine center in the 80’s and has since been converted to a private event and wedding space which is fully solar powered with tropical and desert plants hanging from the walls. This vintage space is great for creative, artsy couples looking to capture amazing photos in one of the artsiest cities in California.

Beverly Hills: Beverly Hills is a famous travel destination known for its beauty and talent. Besides being a tourist destination there are beautiful nearby hikes in the La hills and a short drive to some of the most iconic beaches in Southern California. For your rehearsal dinner, check out one of our favorites; Lawry’s. The Prime Rib is to die for and offers a unique high-end vibe to celebrate the night before your wedding. The facility is known for its legendary and impeccable dining service. It provides classic elegance and world-class comfort for an unforgettable experience on your big day. The multiple rooms are large enough to offer accommodation for the ceremony and reception.  You can also book for your honeymoon stay as you tour around the city. While in Beverly Hills, you can also check out the Nessah Synagogue for a different experience. The hall is a beautifully designed space endowed with high ceilings and architectural details. The patio area on the backyard is the ideal venue for a wedding reception.  

San Francisco: San Francisco is one of our favorite cities to explore, the vibe and people here are so unique to any other city. With iconic landmarks to hit for your wedding photos like The Golden Gate Bridge and Ocean Beach just south, San Francisco should be on everyone's destination wedding list. The numerous hotels, natural settings, and museums for a rental can be overwhelming when it comes to deciding, here’s a few options to consider. 

San Francisco City Hall: Unlike other city hall characteristics with a more dull atmosphere this one is a Beaux-Arts monument. The marble floors, the grand staircase, and the soaring columns with pomp and color make it a magnificent wedding spot. If you are searching for an affordable wedding option, this serves as a great local venue in the city.

Swedenborgian Church: One of the more iconic churches in the area is Swedenborgian Church, The church is nothing but a source of warmth under the crackle of a roaring fire. The colorful candles add magic to the whole aesthetic and is beautiful for a romantic ceremony setting. A National Historic Landmark, It dates back to 1895 when a group of artists, architects, and spiritual seekers came together to create the concept. 

The Library: Yes, you heard right- The Library. Why would anyone want to hold their wedding in a library? It is home to medical history, and while here, you can make your own discoveries and allows for creativity for a different look for wedding photos inside the high ceiling building. The flexible setting inside the library or at the outdoor garden is ready to serve you everything you need for your big day. It offers a ceremony area, dressing room, reception area, and spaces for both indoor and outdoor events. The capacity is 150 people. 

Take Away: Searching for the best wedding venue is one of the time-consuming elements of planning a wedding. When you have a myriad of sites to choose from, there are several considerations to make for each. California is one place that is endowed with numerous attractive wedding spots up and down the coast. California is one of the most iconic destinations to visit, whichever venue you choose, you can be sure to make the best out of it. Whether you're in San Francisco, Santa Margarita, or Beverly Hills, you're guaranteed to have the best scenery for your wedding ceremony and bridal party.

If you are recently engaged and planning a destination wedding, one essential component is choosing your wedding photographer. When searching for a local California wedding photographer make sure to look for someone that has the same style you have, take a look at the edit style, full galleries of other weddings and reviews. We are local San Diego wedding photographers and have been blessed to travel throughout California to capture wedding days in different cities and venues. We would love to hear about your wedding plans and see if we are a good fit for you to capture your day!