San Juan Capistrano, California
Franciscan Gardens Wedding Photographer
A Spanish-style garden courtyard venue by 24 Carrots, tucked beside Mission San Juan Capistrano with bistro-lit gardens and a brick-and-beam ballroom.
About Franciscan Gardens
Franciscan Gardens is a romantic Spanish-inspired wedding venue in the heart of historic San Juan Capistrano, moments from the landmark mission. Set behind elegant wooden gates, the roughly 5,000-square-foot property pairs a blossoming courtyard strung with cafe lights and fountains with an intimate indoor ballroom, blending rustic charm and modern elegance.
Operated by acclaimed caterer 24 Carrots Catering & Events, the venue is rented in its entirety, giving couples exclusive use of the courtyard, ballroom, and two getting-ready suites. Its walkable Old Town location means historic streets, Mission arches, and Spanish architecture are all just steps away for photos.
Location · 31815 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Style · Spanish courtyard garden with rustic-elegant brick ballroom
Capacity · Up to 200 guests
Ceremony · Outdoor courtyard ceremonies
Best season · Spring and fall for mild Southern California weather
Compiled from the 24 Carrots Franciscan Gardens venue page and published Orange County wedding guides. Pricing is approximate and set by 24 Carrots; confirm current rates and minimums with the venue.
The complete Franciscan Gardens planning guide
Capacity & spaces
Seated dinner · Up to 200 in the courtyard; up to about 180 in the ballroom
Standing/cocktail · Up to 200
Ceremony · Up to 200 in the courtyard
Rentable spaces
- Courtyard — open-air garden with cafe lighting, fountains, and lush greenery for ceremonies and receptions
- Ballroom — indoor space with exposed brick, beamed ceilings, wood floors, and crystal chandeliers
- Getting Ready Suite — bridal room with makeup vanities, lounge furniture, storage, and a mini fridge
- Billiard Room — second suite with leather seating, pool table, TV, and a mini bar
Pricing
Peak Saturday · Venue fee starting around $8,000 for peak-season Saturdays, plus catering minimum
Off-peak · Lower venue fees on off-peak days; contact 24 Carrots for current dates
What's included · Venue rental, catering, bar service, equipment rentals, and staffing through 24 Carrots; all-in Saturday weddings for 80-100 guests typically run about $30,000-$50,000
Catering & bar
Catering is exclusive to in-house partner 24 Carrots Catering & Events, an award-winning Orange County caterer. Full cocktail hour and dinner service runs roughly $44+ per person, with soft bar around $10 per person and hosted house bar from about $28 per person. A 20% service charge and California sales tax apply, and there is no cake-cutting fee. Catering minimums (around $10,000 or more) vary by date and guest count.
Rules & restrictions
- Events permitted until midnight, both indoors and outdoors
- The property is rented in its entirety; individual spaces are not booked separately
- Catering and bar are exclusive to 24 Carrots
- ADA accessible throughout
- Parking is in the adjacent city structure with additional fees
Getting ready, parking & access
Getting ready space · Two on-site suites: a bridal getting-ready room and the billiard room
Parking · Ample parking in the adjacent city parking structure; additional fees apply
Load-in · Vendor load-in through the property gates; coordinate timing with the 24 Carrots event team
How to book
Booking is handled directly through 24 Carrots. Contact the venue to check dates, tour the property, and receive a custom proposal. Popular Saturday dates in spring and fall book far ahead, so inquire early and expect a venue fee plus a catering minimum to secure the date.
Photographing Franciscan Gardens
The courtyard is the visual centerpiece: cafe and bistro lights overhead, bubbling fountains, and layered greenery create a warm, romantic backdrop that photographs beautifully day or night. The ballroom's exposed brick, wood beams, and crystal chandeliers offer a contrasting rustic-elegant interior for candlelit reception images.
Just outside the gates, historic San Juan Capistrano delivers Spanish mission arches, adobe walls, and Old Town streetscapes within walking distance, giving couples a rich range of portrait locations. Golden hour in the courtyard and blue hour under the string lights are especially flattering.
Engagement sessions at Franciscan Gardens
Engagement sessions pair the venue's lit courtyard with the historic streets and mission architecture of surrounding Old Town San Juan Capistrano.
Best time · Golden hour into blue hour to catch the courtyard string lights
Permit/fee · On-site sessions arranged with the venue; nearby mission grounds may require separate admission or permits
Standout spots · Cafe-lit courtyard, brick-and-beam ballroom, Old Town Spanish arches and adobe walls
Book courtyard time through 24 Carrots and plan a short walk to the mission district for additional historic backdrops.
What couples love
- The magical cafe-lit Spanish courtyard with fountains and greenery
- An all-inclusive experience with award-winning 24 Carrots catering
- Two on-site suites for a relaxed getting-ready morning
- Walkable historic San Juan Capistrano and mission photo ops
- Flexible indoor ballroom and outdoor courtyard under one rental
Good to know
- Catering and bar are exclusive to 24 Carrots, so bringing outside caterers is not an option
- The venue is rented whole, with a venue fee plus a catering minimum
- Parking is in a nearby city structure with added fees, not a private lot
- It is an intimate footprint; very large guest counts push toward the 200 maximum
- Popular dates book well in advance
A typical wedding day at Franciscan Gardens
2:00 p.m. — Wedding party arrives and settles into the getting-ready suites
4:30 p.m. — Guests arrive; ceremony seating in the courtyard
5:00 p.m. — Courtyard ceremony
6:00 p.m. — Cocktail hour with bistro lights, then dinner in the courtyard or ballroom
11:30 p.m. — Last dance; event concludes by midnight
Frequently asked questions
Where is Franciscan Gardens located?
At 31815 Camino Capistrano in historic San Juan Capistrano, Orange County, just steps from Mission San Juan Capistrano.
Who owns and operates the venue?
It is owned and operated by 24 Carrots Catering & Events, which provides exclusive in-house catering and coordination.
How many guests can it hold?
Up to 200 guests in the courtyard and up to about 180 seated in the ballroom.
What does a wedding cost?
The venue fee starts around $8,000 for peak Saturdays plus a catering minimum. All-in weddings for 80-100 guests typically fall in the $30,000-$50,000 range.
Can we use our own caterer?
No. Catering and bar service are exclusive to 24 Carrots, though menus are highly customizable.
Can we rent just the courtyard or just the ballroom?
No. Franciscan Gardens is rented in its entirety, so you have exclusive use of the whole property.
What is included in the rental?
Venue access, catering, bar service, equipment rentals, and event staffing through 24 Carrots, plus use of two getting-ready suites.
Is there a getting-ready space?
Yes, two on-site suites: a bridal getting-ready room with vanities and a billiard room lounge.
What time do events end?
Events are permitted until midnight, both indoors and outdoors.
Where do guests park?
In the adjacent city parking structure; additional parking fees apply.
Is the venue accessible?
Yes, the property is ADA accessible throughout.
Are there good photo spots nearby?
Yes. Beyond the lit courtyard and brick ballroom, historic mission arches, adobe walls, and Old Town streets are within walking distance.
Getting there & logistics
Address · 31815 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Nearest airport · John Wayne Airport (SNA), about 15 miles north
Drive time · Roughly 25-30 minutes from John Wayne Airport
Nearby getting-ready hotels
- The Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, Autograph Collection
- Best Western Plus Capistrano Inn
- Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa (Dana Point)
- Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort
The history behind Franciscan Gardens
- The property was originally built in 1920 and sits in the historic core of San Juan Capistrano near the 18th-century mission.
- It operates today as a dedicated garden wedding venue under 24 Carrots Catering & Events.
Similar venues we love
More venues we photograph: The Harper · Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa · Turnip Rose · Adamson House · Cielo Farms.
Planning a wedding at Franciscan Gardens? Reach out to check your date →
