Costa Mesa, California
Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel Wedding Photographer
A boutique Orange County hotel wrapped around a private lake and garden, with a Grand Ballroom and lakeside lawn steps from South Coast Plaza.
About Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa is a boutique Tribute Portfolio hotel in the heart of Orange County's Theatre and Arts District, across from South Coast Plaza and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Its defining feature is a private lake ringed by gardens and waterfalls, which gives weddings an unexpectedly lush, resort-like setting in the middle of the city.
Ceremonies take place on the Lakeside Lawn beside the water, with cocktails along the lake and receptions in the Grand Ballroom. As a full-service hotel, it bundles in-house catering, coordination and on-site lodging, and its central location makes travel easy for out-of-town guests.
Location · 3350 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa, on a private lake
Style · Boutique lakeside hotel with a ballroom and gardens
Capacity · Up to about 250 guests
Ceremony · Lakeside Lawn beside the water
Best season · Spring and fall for mild Orange County weather
Compiled from the hotel's wedding pages, a published photographer's venue guide, and wedding marketplace listings (The Knot, WeddingWire). Capacity and pricing are venue-reported; confirm current numbers directly.
The complete Avenue of the Arts planning guide
Capacity & spaces
Seated dinner · Up to ~218-250 in the Grand Ballroom
Standing/cocktail · ~250 across ballroom and lakeside areas
Ceremony · Up to ~250 on the Lakeside Lawn
Rentable spaces
- Grand Ballroom — high-ceilinged indoor reception room with a mirrored fireplace and controllable lighting.
- Lakeside Lawn / Terrace — waterfront ceremony lawn with lake and waterfall backdrops.
- Garden Retreat — landscaped garden area with waterfalls for ceremonies or cocktails.
- Lakeside cocktail area — open-air space along the water for cocktail hour.
- Deluxe honeymoon suite / bridal getting-ready space on site.
Pricing
Peak Saturday · Average around $24,000; ceremony fee about $5,100
Off-peak · Packages starting around $14,000
What's included · Planning assistance, catering, shuttle service, wedding cake, centerpieces, hotel accommodations and about one month of coordination; bar around $14 per person
Catering & bar
Catering is in-house through the hotel's culinary team, which builds custom menus using locally sourced ingredients. Bar service is hotel-run at roughly $14 per person, and packages commonly fold in a wedding cake and centerpieces. Detailed catering and reception pricing is quoted on request.
Rules & restrictions
- Event end times follow hotel policy, generally wrapping by late evening with quiet hours for hotel guests.
- Alcohol is served through the licensed hotel bar; no outside liquor.
- Open flame is restricted near the ballroom's finishes; enclosed candles are typically allowed — confirm with events staff.
Getting ready, parking & access
Getting ready space · Complimentary deluxe honeymoon suite plus guest rooms on site
Parking · On-site self and valet parking
Load-in · Ground-level vendor access to ballroom and lakeside areas; coordinate with events staff
How to book
Book through the hotel's wedding/events office, typically 10-14 months ahead for peak spring and fall Saturdays. A deposit and signed contract hold the date; ask about room blocks and the included coordination and shuttle services.
Photographing Avenue of the Arts
The private lake is the centerpiece: still water gives clean reflections at cocktail hour, and the surrounding gardens and waterfalls create a tucked-away, resort feel that reads far from the surrounding city. The Lakeside Lawn works beautifully in late-afternoon light, and the waterfalls make a dynamic backdrop for couple portraits.
Indoors, the Grand Ballroom's mirrored fireplace and high ceilings allow controlled, dramatic lighting for evening receptions. Nearby, the Segerstrom Center and South Coast Plaza's modern architecture offer sleek urban options a short walk away.
Engagement sessions at Avenue of the Arts
Engagement sessions make the most of the lake, waterfalls and gardens for a lush look with an urban Orange County backdrop nearby.
Best time · Late afternoon into golden hour for soft light on the water
Permit/fee · n/a for couples arranging through the hotel; nearby public/arts-district areas may vary
Standout spots · Lakeside Lawn, waterfalls and gardens, mirrored ballroom fireplace
Coordinate lakeside and ballroom access with the hotel events team, particularly on active event days.
What couples love
- Private lake with gardens and waterfalls in the middle of the city
- Lakeside ceremony lawn with reflective water backdrops
- Steps from South Coast Plaza and the Segerstrom Center
- All-inclusive-leaning packages with cake, coordination and shuttle
- On-site boutique-hotel lodging and honeymoon suite
Good to know
- Listings quote maximum capacity from about 218 up to 250 — confirm for your layout
- Peak-season averages run high (~$24k) with a separate ceremony fee
- It's a boutique hotel in a busy district; parking and load-in need coordination
- Lakeside ceremonies are weather-dependent — have an indoor backup
- Detailed catering and reception pricing is quote-based, not published
A typical wedding day at Avenue of the Arts
2:00 PM — Getting ready in the suite
4:30 PM — Ceremony on the Lakeside Lawn
5:00 PM — Cocktail hour beside the lake and waterfalls
6:30 PM — Dinner and toasts in the Grand Ballroom
7:30 PM — Golden-hour lakeside portraits, then dancing
Frequently asked questions
Where is Avenue of the Arts?
At 3350 Avenue of the Arts in Costa Mesa, CA 92626, across from South Coast Plaza in Orange County.
What makes the venue distinctive?
A private lake ringed by gardens and waterfalls, giving a resort feel in the middle of the city.
How many guests can it hold?
Up to about 250 guests, with reception capacity commonly cited around 218 in the Grand Ballroom.
Where is the ceremony held?
Typically on the waterfront Lakeside Lawn, with the Grand Ballroom for the reception.
Is catering in-house?
Yes, the hotel's culinary team caters on site with custom, locally sourced menus.
What is included in a package?
Planning assistance, catering, shuttle service, wedding cake, centerpieces, hotel accommodations and about one month of coordination.
How much does a wedding cost?
Packages start around $14,000 with an average near $24,000, plus a ceremony fee around $5,100; bar is about $14 per person.
Is there lodging on site?
Yes — it's a boutique hotel, and couples receive a complimentary deluxe honeymoon suite.
Is parking available?
Yes, both self and valet parking are on site.
What's nearby for guests?
South Coast Plaza and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts are directly across the way.
When should we book?
About 10-14 months ahead for peak spring and fall Saturdays.
What are the best photo spots?
The lakeside lawn and waterfalls at golden hour and the Grand Ballroom's mirrored fireplace.
Getting there & logistics
Address · 3350 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Nearest airport · John Wayne Airport (SNA), about 3 miles
Drive time · ~10 min from John Wayne Airport; ~45 min from LAX
Nearby getting-ready hotels
- The Westin South Coast Plaza
- Costa Mesa Marriott
- Hilton Orange County / Costa Mesa
- Avenue of the Arts (on site)
Similar venues we love
More venues we photograph: Le Méridien Delfina · Pierpont Inn · Greystone Mansion · Belmond El Encanto · Ethereal Gardens.
Planning a wedding at Avenue of the Arts? Reach out to check your date →
