The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
A century-old National Historic Landmark hotel in downtown Riverside where couples wed in Tiffany-windowed chapels and celebrate in European castle-inspired ballrooms and courtyards.
About The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
The Mission Inn is Riverside's storied Spanish-revival hotel, filled with stained glass, gilded altars, and Old World courtyards dating to the early 1900s. Couples can marry in the St. Francis of Assisi Chapel beneath seven Tiffany windows or in an open-air courtyard, then celebrate in one of several ornate ballrooms. On-site rooms, spa, and all-inclusive service make it a full-weekend destination. It offers a genuine historic-landmark grandeur that no purpose-built venue can replicate, with the convenience of on-site lodging and in-house catering handling nearly everything. It suits couples wanting a formal, architecturally dramatic celebration under one roof.
What couples love
Couples consistently describe the European, castle-like architecture as stunning, calling out the Tiffany-glass chapel and historic courtyards as unmatched backdrops. The all-inclusive model, where the hotel handles food, beverage, and rentals, plus on-site rooms and spa, makes it convenient for out-of-town weddings. Several reviewers singled out individual coordinators as responsive and attentive, saying they truly understood the couple's vision.
Good to know
Multiple reviewers cited high staff turnover and disorganization, with some reporting no clear event manager present on the wedding day. Couples reported that quoted pricing didn't always match the packages advertised online, causing budget surprises. As a historic property, some found dated details like peeling paint, and one couple reported a serious booking error with a confirmed suite.
A typical wedding day
Getting ready — On-site hotel suites with historic character for a relaxed morning of prep
Ceremony — St. Francis of Assisi Chapel beneath seven Tiffany stained-glass windows, or a courtyard
Cocktail hour — The Oriental or Atrio courtyard with fountains, arches, and lantern light
Reception — A castle-inspired ballroom or the Grand Parisian Ballroom with Old World detail
Golden hour — The courtyards, arches, and rotunda staircase for dramatic architectural portraits
Photographing The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
Rich, warm, romantic imagery leans on the hotel's stained glass, arches, courtyards, and gilded interiors for a timeless European feel. Evening light through the chapel's Tiffany windows and lantern-lit courtyards creates dramatic, moody portraits.
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Explore more venues we photograph: South Coast Winery · Lake Oak Meadows · Ponte Winery · Galway Downs.
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