Lulan Studio · Venue Guide

Orange Countywedding venues

Orange County packs more than forty miles of coastline, canyon estates and Spanish-Revival ceremony sites into one of the state’s most concentrated wedding regions. Every venue here is one we have photographed, and each links to real galleries from that venue.

160+ weddings photographed across Orange County

23 venues we have photographed

Showing all 23 venues with galleries
Showing 7 venues on the coast — Newport, Huntington, Laguna and Corona del Mar
Showing 16 venues inland — Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, the missions and north OC
Bride and groom walking past hand-painted Portuguese tilework on the grounds of Rancho Las Lomas in the OrangeRancho Las LomasGarden-estate wedding photography at Rancho Las Lomas inAvenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel weddingAvenue of the Arts Costa MesaA contemporary hotel venue across from the Segerstrom CenterBride and groom against a weathered stone wall, her veil streaming out sideways in the windThe Westin South Coast Plaza, Costa MesaA Costa Mesa hotel venue with an intimate Terrace Pavilion andNewlyweds walking the recessional aisle at Turnip Rose Promenade and Gardens as guests applaudTurnip Rose Promenade & GardensA family-owned former winery in Costa Mesa with aClose portrait of a bride and groom beneath her veilThe Harper by Wedgewood WeddingsAn event barn in Costa Mesa with glass garage doors openingGrand interior staircase at the Old Orange County Courthouse, Santa AnaOld Orange County CourthouseSanta Ana's 1901 Old Orange County Courthouse — RomanesqueWedding ceremony in the courtyard at Padua Hills Theatre in ClaremontPadua Hills TheatreSpanish Colonial courtyards, olive trees, and golden foothillSoaring stone arches and gold Grand Retablo altar inside Mission Basilica San Juan CapistranoMission Basilica San Juan CapistranoA historic 1776 Orange County parish with the Serra Chapel andVine-wrapped courtyard ceremony at Franciscan Gardens, San Juan CapistranoFranciscan GardensFranciscan Gardens in San Juan Capistrano — blossomingBotanical garden wedding portrait at Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona del MarSherman Library & GardensSherman Library & Gardens wedding photographerOceanfront wedding portrait at Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington BeachPaséa Hotel & SpaPasea Hotel wedding photographerBallroom wedding reception at Hyatt Regency Orange County in Garden GroveHyatt Regency Orange CountyHyatt Regency Orange County wedding photographerWedding ceremony at St. Martha Catholic Church in MurrietaSt. Martha Catholic ChurchStCouple mid-step across the stone plaza of the Noguchi Garden in Costa MesaNoguchi GardenCalifornia Scenario sculpture garden, Costa MesaBride and groom on the chequered ballroom dance floor at the Renaissance Newport BeachRenaissance Newport BeachSixteen event rooms and a 10,000 sq ft garden courtyard by the airportGroom in a cream sherwani and red safa lifted on shoulders during the baraat at the Hyatt Regency Huntington BeachHyatt Regency Huntington BeachSeventeen acres facing the sunset, with a private bridge to the sandCouple dipping on the rocks at Laguna Beach as the sun drops to the horizonLaguna BeachCoves, bluffs and the strictest ceremony permit on the coastThe Tudor-style front of Five Crowns in Corona del Mar, with a red phone box wrapped in roses and the couple beside itFive CrownsTudor-style Corona del Mar landmark with a red phone boxThe green-wall entrance and sign of Venue by Three Petals in Huntington Beach, with the couple at the doorsVenue by Three PetalsBright white Huntington Beach venue with a floral chandelierFirst dance on the reception floorThe Park ClubA renovated private social club in Costa Mesa's Arts DistrictFirst dance on the reception floorLos Coyotes Country ClubA Mediterranean Buena Park golf club with lakeside lawnsCouple on the steps of the presidential helicopter at the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, black and whiteNixon LibraryPresidential library in Yorba Linda with gardens and groundsCouple at the brick steps of the white Spanish-style cottage at The Hacienda in Santa Ana, at duskThe HaciendaSpanish-style historic house and courtyard in Santa Ana
Planning your day

How wedding days run in Orange County

The venue you choose here largely decides the shape of the day. These three are the ones we see most often across Orange County, drawn from weddings we have photographed, and they are a starting point to adapt with your planner.

Estate, garden or club, all on one property

Canyon estates, mission gardens, golf and country clubs. Getting ready, ceremony and reception share one address.
  • 2:00 PMCoverage begins in the bridal suite. Details, final touches, and portraits of each of you around the grounds.
  • 3:00 PMFirst look and wedding party portraits, or separate sets for each side if you are saving the aisle.
  • 3:45 PMImmediate family portraits, then time tucked away as guests arrive.
  • 4:30 PMCeremony on the lawn, by the lake or in the garden.
  • 5:00 PMCocktail hour. Couple portraits while the light is still warm, and guests move toward the reception space.
  • 6:00 PMGrand entrance and first dance, then parent dances, dinner and speeches.
  • 8:00 PMCake cutting and open dancing.
  • 10:00 PMSparkler send off for some couples, and coverage concludes.

Mission or cathedral, then a separate reception

A Catholic ceremony in the afternoon, with the reception at a hotel, estate or restaurant elsewhere in the county.
  • 11:30 AMCoverage begins with getting ready at home or a hotel, often with a photographer on each side.
  • 1:30 PMFirst look and wedding party portraits at a garden stop such as Noguchi Garden.
  • 3:00 PMCeremony. A nuptial Mass runs about an hour; we confirm photographer positions with the parish in advance.
  • 4:00 PMFamily formals outside the church or in the mission grounds.
  • 4:45 PMTravel to the reception, with couple portraits on arrival before guests come in.
  • 6:30 PMGrand entrance, dinner and toasts.
  • 9:00 PMOpen dancing, and coverage concludes.

Coastal resort, with time on the sand

Oceanfront hotels in Huntington Beach, Newport and Corona del Mar, with the ceremony in a courtyard or on a terrace.
  • 2:00 PMCoverage begins in the hotel suites with details and getting ready.
  • 3:00 PMFirst look and wedding party portraits on the resort grounds.
  • 3:30 PMFamily group photos before the ceremony, so the time afterward can go to the beach.
  • 4:00 PMCeremony in the courtyard or on a terrace facing the water.
  • 4:30 PMCocktail hour. A walk down to the sand for couple portraits.
  • 5:30 PMGrand entrance into the ballroom and first dance, then dinner and toasts.
  • 7:00 PMA few minutes outside for sunset portraits when the light is good.
  • 10:00 PMOpen dancing, and coverage concludes.
Good to know

What shapes a wedding day in Orange County

A few patterns across the Orange County venues we photograph that are worth settling before you book the rest of the day.

Guest countMost Orange County couples we photograph plan for somewhere between about 80 and 165 guests. Each venue will confirm the ceiling for your ceremony and reception setup.
Coverage lengthAbout half of the Orange County weddings we photograph book seven to eight hours. Single property days usually fit inside that; a separate church and reception often need more.
Church ceremoniesAbout 15% of the Orange County weddings we photograph include a church ceremony or Mass. The time between the Mass and the reception is useful for portraits, so plan it into the day rather than leaving it open.
Portrait stopsWhen the ceremony and reception are in different places, couples often add a garden or park stop on the way. Noguchi Garden in Costa Mesa and Huntington Central Park both come up in our timelines.
Sunset portraitsAbout 20% of the Orange County weddings we photograph set aside time for golden hour or sunset portraits. Canyon estates and the coast catch evening light differently, so we check the light at your venue for your date.
When couples marryAbout 25% of the Orange County weddings we photograph are on a Friday. October, August and September are the busiest months, so it is worth holding those dates early.
Every venue, A–Z

All 29 Orange County venues

Avenue of the Arts Costa MesaChrist CathedralFive CrownsFranciscan GardensThe HaciendaHyatt Regency Huntington BeachHyatt Regency Orange CountyLaguna BeachLos Coyotes Country ClubMission Basilica San Juan CapistranoNixon LibraryNoguchi Garden (California Scenario), Costa MesaOld Orange County CourthousePadua Hills TheatrePaséa Hotel & SpaRancho Las LomasRenaissance Newport BeachSherman Library & GardensSt. Martha Catholic ChurchThe Harper by Wedgewood WeddingsThe Park Club CaliforniaVenue by Three PetalsThe Westin South Coast Plaza, Costa MesaTurnip Rose Promenade & Gardens
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