Mission Inn Hotel & Spa Wedding Photography

The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is Riverside's crown jewel, a sprawling Spanish Mission Revival landmark filling an entire city block in downtown Riverside since the late 1800s. With its arched courtyards, flying buttresses, domed rotundas, and hand-carved details around every corner, the Mission Inn offers more distinct architectural backdrops than almost any other Southern California wedding venue. As a Riverside wedding photographer, I love the way the hotel's warm stone archways and wrought-iron balconies create a European, old-world feel just an hour from Los Angeles.

Why Couples Love Mission Inn Hotel & Spa

  • A National Historic Landmark spanning an entire city block in downtown Riverside

  • Spanish Mission Revival architecture with arches, domes, and flying buttresses found nowhere else in the region

  • Multiple distinct courtyards and ballrooms, from the Spanish Art Gallery to the Music Room

  • On-site hotel accommodations and spa for a true destination-wedding feel

  • Just over an hour from Los Angeles, making it an easy regional destination

Getting Ready at the Mission Inn

Because the Mission Inn is a full-service hotel, most couples get ready right on-site in one of its historic guest rooms or suites, surrounded by the same hand-carved woodwork and stained glass found throughout the property. It's a rare venue where getting-ready photos, portraits, ceremony, and reception can all happen without ever leaving the building.

Couple's Session Through the Courtyards

The Mission Inn is practically a portrait studio in itself, with the Spanish Patio, the Court of the Orient, and the St. Francis chapel wing each offering a completely different architectural mood. We love moving couples through these connected courtyards, catching the interplay of archways, bougainvillea, and wrought iron along the way.

Wedding Ceremony at the Mission Inn

Couples can exchange vows in the intimate St. Francis Chapel, a domed and stained-glass sanctuary tucked inside the hotel, or in one of the open-air courtyards for a ceremony surrounded by Spanish architecture. Each ceremony space carries its own sense of history, having hosted weddings and dignitaries for well over a century.

Reception at the Mission Inn

From the grand ballroom to the rooftop terrace with sweeping views over downtown Riverside, the Mission Inn offers reception spaces for both intimate dinners and large-scale celebrations. Its in-house catering and event teams have decades of experience producing weddings within this landmark property.

Sample Wedding Day Timeline

1:30 PM — Getting ready in a Mission Inn suite2:30 PM — First look and portraits through the courtyards3:30 PM — Ceremony in the St. Francis Chapel or courtyard4:00 PM — Cocktail hour on the terrace5:00 PM — Reception in the ballroom7:30 PM — Evening portraits under the string lights9:00 PM — Dancing and send-off

Mission Inn Hotel & Spa Wedding Galleries

Planning a Wedding at Mission Inn Hotel & Spa?

Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is a National Historic Landmark filling an entire city block in downtown Riverside, known for its Spanish Mission Revival architecture and hand-carved details — see the galleries on this page and browse more of our work across Southern California. Below are a few common planning questions, plus how to check our availability.

How many guests can Mission Inn Hotel & Spa accommodate?

The Mission Inn offers multiple ballrooms, courtyards, and the St. Francis Chapel, suited to both intimate ceremonies and large-scale receptions. We recommend confirming current capacity and rental packages directly with the hotel's events team.

Does Mission Inn Hotel & Spa allow outside catering or alcohol?

As a full-service historic hotel, the Mission Inn typically handles catering and bar service in-house. We recommend confirming current policies directly with the venue when booking.

Is there a place for the wedding party to get ready on-site?

Yes — as a full-service hotel, most couples get ready in one of the Mission Inn's historic guest rooms or suites before the ceremony.

How do we check your availability?

Inquire availability or schedule a call — we respond within minutes. You can also review rates and collections.

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