Best Outdoor Wedding Venues in Southern California

Southern California is known for its magnificent mountains, lovely trees and endless sunny days. If you’re planning to get married here, you must take advantage of all the beautiful, outdoor sceneries this state has to offer. Our live.love.create team knows how tricky it can be to find the perfect wedding venue, so fear not, we’ve compiled a list of the 5 best outdoor wedding venues in Southern California to help you out. Enjoy!

Feel free to send us an email if you have any questions. Our live.love.create team is always here to help you plan your special day!

1. Chateau Le Dome at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu

If your idea of a dream wedding is saying your vows overlooking a stunning, mountainous scenery with lots of Southern California sunshine, the Chateau Le Dome at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu is the perfect place to make that dream come to life.

Click here for a detailed look at Kari and George’s beautiful wedding day.

2. Main Lawn at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu

The Main Lawn at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu is the perfect venue for any wedding! The lovely oak trees surrounding the ranch are great for those timeless wedding pictures. The endless rolling green hills in the background provide a beautiful scenery for everyone to enjoy. At night these oak trees light up with thousands of twinkly lights, creating a romantic ambience that is sure to have you and your newlywed feeling like you’re in a real life fairytale.

If you’re wondering what a wedding at the Main Lawn at Saddlerock Ranch looks like, take a peak at Jenny and Mike’s romantic wedding.

3. Walnut Grove at Tierra Rejada Farms

If your dream wedding inspiration is a Disney princess fairytale, then you have to consider Walnut Grove at Tierra Rejada Farms as your wedding venue! The beautiful cascading trees, the bric pathway, and the white picket fence surrounding the farm will have you feeling like you’re in a Snow White sequel. Let’s not forget that lovely Southern California sun beautifully shinning as both you and your forever partner exchange wedding vows. This scenery creates an enchanting and love filled ambience!

Get inspired with Sam and Sandy’s epic wedding at Walnut Grove!

4. Malibou Lake Mountain Club

Malibou Lake Mountain Club is surrounded by sycamore and oak trees, stunning rocky mountains, and a lovely lake. The combination of these elements inspires a romantic and serene ambience perfect for any wedding day in Southern California. It’s rare to find a venue overlooking a lake, so I would definitely consider Malibou Lake Mountain Club if you want gorgeous wedding portraits with a lake as the perfect backdrop.

Our live.love.create team has planned two gorgeous weddings here at Malibou Lake Mountain Club for Jane & James and Julie & John.

5. Calamigos Ranch in Malibu

Another gorgeous outdoor wedding venue in Southern California is Calamigos Ranch in Malibu. The twinkling lights hanging beautifully from the trees will transport you and your life long partner to a real life fairytale. Being surrounded by the beauty of nature can only inspire a calming and romantic ambience that will make this day all the more special. The wooded cabins and rustic flooring compliment the trees perfectly, providing a magnificent backdrop for all those memorable wedding pictures.

If you’re wondering what a fairytale wedding at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu looks like, take a look at Janice & Yong and Kyung and Jerry’s lovely weddings.

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How To Pick The Best Maid of Honor

Choosing your Maid of Honor can be equally exciting and scary. It’s exciting because you’re planning such a monumental event and you want someone by your side who knows how to cheer you on and make you feel better when the wedding planning stress is taking over. However, it can be a scary process because you don’t want anyone’s feelings to get hurt if you didn’t choose them. If you’ve known forever who you want as your Maid of Honor, then you don’t have to read this, but if you’re like most brides who have no idea how or who to choose, then our advice will definitely benefit you!

Before we get started, let’s establish what your Maid of Honor’s responsibilites will be. Your Maid of Honor is in charge of planning your bridal shower and bachelorette party. They’ll also get the rest of the bridesmaids situated with their dresses and accessories, and make sure everyone is getting along. Of course, if your Maid of Honor is willing and you need more help, they can always join in on anything else!

Now that we’ve established your Maid of Honor’s duties, you have to make sure they have the time to plan two big events. Besides time, they also need to be financially well to pay for such events. If you have a Maid of Honor in mind, but know they don’t have the time or financial resources, perhaps sit them down and explain your thoughts. This way they can understand your thought process and won’t be hurt if you choose someone else. Or perhaps you can choose two Maid of Honors and they can split the time and money it takes to plan your bridal shower and bachelorette party. Take a look at some potential candidates we’ve listed to help you choose the best Maid of Honor.

1. SisterS

Choosing a sister as your Maid of Honor is always a great choice. It’s not only someone who’s grown up with you your entire life and knows you extremely well, but your girlfriends can’t get mad since it’s family. If you have more than one sister, it gets a bit trickier, but there are ways to get around the awkward situation of choosing. For example, if one of your sisters is married you can make her your Matron of Honor and your unwed sister can be your Maid of Honor. If you have multiple sister’s and none of them are married, then choose the sister who’s style matches yours the most. This way they can plan events that are totally your style! Make sure to sit all your sisters down so you can discuss your decision so no gets hurt. If you don’t get along with your sisters or don’t have any, no biggie, we have a few more candidates!

2. Your Best Friend Forever

Now, your best friend forever is someone who’s known you your entire life and has been there with you through all the up’s and down’s of life. This person is someone who you consider more of a sister than a best friend. They know you so well so they can accurately plan and decorate just the way you’d like! Not only are they your confidant, but they are super supportive and comforting. Trust us, you’ll need all the support and positive energies you can get as the planning process can get stressful. Most of us don’t have childhood best friends like this, but if you do, you’re very blessed!

3. friends

If you don’t have a sister, get along with your sister/s, or have a best friend forever, then choose a close friend! Look at your friend group and pick the one you’re most closes to. The one who you share secrets with, your go-to adventure buddy, and who embodies what a supportive friend should be like. Even if you haven’t known them a long time, but you know they always manage to brighten up your day whenever you guys hang out, then choose that person.!

Ultimate advice

As we said before, we know choosing a Maid of Honor can be scary because you’re afraid of hurting feelings. However, remember this is YOUR special day! Choose someone who you know will make the entire wedding experience an exciting, adventurous, and epic time! Someone who can plan a great party and is an awesome host! Lastly, choose someone who knows your style and vision well, so that they can perfectly bring it to life!

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Best Beachside Wedding Venues in Southern California

When Southern California comes to mind, instantly the beautiful beaches do too! The gorgeous ocean views, the stunning mountainous trials, the endless sunny days, and the cool evening breeze all come together to create the perfect day for any special occasion. If you have never considered getting married by the beach, think again. There is no better place to exchange wedding vows than overlooking the heavenly scenery that is the ocean and all of natures magical elements. Our live.love.create team has compiled a list of the best beachside wedding venues in Southern California that will surely take your breath away.

Feel free to send us an email if you have any questions. Our live.love.create team is always here to help you plan your special day!

1. Crystal Cove State Park, Laguna Beach

Crystal Cove State Park located in Laguna Beach has the most stunning beachside view in Southern California. The mountainous trials give access to a full panoramic view of Laguna Beach, providing you with a picture perfect backdrop that is sure to look beautiful in all your wedding photos. Exchanging vows surrounded by this scenic view is bound to create an intimate and romantic ambience.

Get inspired with Christine and Kory’s magical wedding ceremony overlooking Laguna Beach.

2. Wayfarers Church, Rancho Palos Verde

The architectural design of Wayfarers Church is breathtaking. The clear glass allows for a full panoramic view of the surrounding forest, mountains, and ocean. The green colored plants compliment the large wooded beams and seating columns perfectly, creating a magical and alluring view for your wedding guests to enjoy.

Hanaya and Darren’s wedding ceremony was truly dreamy here at Wayfarers Church.

3. Hotel Casa Del Mar, Santa Monica

Hotel Casa Del Mar is a luxurious hotel that gives direct access to Santa Monica beach and overlooks the famous Santa Monica Pier. The ballroom is painted a classic white color, so feel free to use any color patterns you’d like without fear of potential color clashing. The stunning chandeliers bring the room together perfectly inspiring an elegant and charming atmosphere. What better way to take beautiful wedding portraits than with the famous Santa Monica Pier in the background?

If you’re wondering what a wedding at Hotel Casa Del Mar looks like, get a detailed glimpse at Hanna and Andrew’s lovely wedding.

How can we help you plan your upcoming wedding?

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