Wedding Blog
Back in my college days (1 month ago 
) I was the type of girl who always made things more difficult than they needed to be. I chose the topics with the least amount of information available, voluntarily took on the heaviest work load of the group, and always went the “perfectionist” extra mile to make sure that my project was not only different, but “me”. Although this was the more difficult route, it also usually turned out to be the most rewarding.
Jump over to our wedding planning, and I’m the exact same way. Except this time- I want it to be “us”. When Mr. Espresso and I started to plan our wedding, we decided that our top 2 goals were to 1) Make our wedding personal, and 2) Have it outdoors. Our budget of $15,000 for 170 guests was also a deciding factor. So for you So Cal Brides looking for a venue- here are some wonderful outdoor locations that we considered, and may be of some help to you.
For the Bride with a much bigger budget than mine, I recommend my first love: Rancho Las Lomas
Rancho Las Lomas is located in Silverado Canyon within the hills of Orange County. The property is gorgeous boasting Portuguese tiles, multiple Spanish style buildings, old oak trees and tigers. That’s right- I said tigers. They have these beautiful Bengal tigers, birds, reptiles, etc… that line a (caged) loop around the property- Perfect for entertaining the young anxious guest… or anybody else not used to seeing tigers at weddings!
For the Bride wanting a Vineyard Wedding: I recommend Ponte Winery
Ponte Winery is located amongst the scattered Temecula wineries. As you can see, the location is absolutely beautiful. The ceremony looks out over the sprawling vineyards and the reception is held in a (permanent) big, white tent. I loved it here. The wedding coordinators on site were incredibly helpful and professional and parking for all of your guests is free. The areas for the bride and groom (that’s right- a place for the groom too) were big, pretty, and had areas for both lounging and showering. Ponte does require that you use their catering but, for those of you looking to get married in January- March 2009, they’re offering a 10- 20% discount on menu selections.
For the Princess Bride: I recommend Kimberly Crest in Redlands.
Kimberly Crest is seriously cool. The heavy tree lined drive up to it, had me at hello. But then there’s the gardens, and the house itself with its towering beauty. What’s also great is that it’s a museum, so all of the money goes towards keeping a local and educational legacy alive. The one con is that they only allow day weddings (a deal breaker for Mr. Espresso and I).
I could post about a lot more places, but I don’t want to scare you away with my lengthy search. So if you have any questions or would like to know about more (or specific) venues in the So Cal region, let me know and I’ll do the best I can to help. Believe me- we researched TONS of venues.
Photos courtesy of Rancho Las Lomas, Ponte Winery, and celiaharp.com
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oh my gawd i had my high school prom at rancho las lomas (more than 10 years ago!) so my memory is a little fuzzy but from what i do remember, it’s a really beautiful estate. it sprawls out everywhere! i can totally imagine a gorgeous outdoor ceremony with guests roaming around during pre-ceremony and reception. i remember there was just so much to look at because the place was huge. i can only imagine how much moolah it would cost to have a wedding there. yikes!
I absolutely love all those venues too! I also had my junior prom at Rancho Las Lomas in ‘95 (which I helped plan) and it was still undergoing remodeling at the time. The place is unique and beautiful at the same time. We lived in Redlands for a few years as well and Kimberly Crest is a great option for inland empire weddings! We live in the high desert now so I really look forward to hearing about your upcoming nuptials in Big Bear!
oh i adore rancho las lomas! way too pricey though. did you ever check out rancho capistrano or franciscan gardens? they are beautiful outdoor venues as well. we are venue searching for an outdoor yet affordable venue and been running into lots of loops!
I wish you were getting married in Boston MA so I could pick your brain!!!
RLL was my first stop as well. but i’m still looking elsewhere. My sights are set on Rancho Sol Del Pacifico in Malibu but that is also pricey but at least allow you to use your own caterer. Check out my blog http://missperfectpeachprincess.blogspot.com/
I’ve got at least 10-15 so cal venues on there as well and I even created an Excel Sheet to help keep me organized. I’d love to tap into your research too.. I’m looking for a venue that accommodates about 200 and allows outside caterers!
If anybody has So Cal info Like Ms. Espresso and is willing to share, i’d love to see it, and also don’t mind sharing my info either
You are so sweet to post this! I’ve been researching SoCal venues for ages, and I hadn’t seen the last two you mentioned. I have a handy excel spreadsheet with tons and tons of places listed. I can’t wait to read more of your posts!
whoa my, that princess place is very princess-ey. holy cow!
@katie: and @Darlene: you are two lucky ladies having your prom there!
@kelsey: We checked out rancho capistrano after I had already fallen in love with the place we’re getting married. Mr. E hadn’t seen it yet so we were just checking out a few more places below the mtn before going up. Let me know if you need info on a certain place and I’ll search through my stash
@amy77jc: That’s so funny! I created an Excel spreadsheet too!
We were a budget couple too (13,000 for 100 people) in Southern California and we LOVED our experience with Rancho Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano. Very old Spanish mission-style and beautiful with a lakeside ceremony option!
We’re a budget couple too. If any one is looking for a winery in So. Cal, I highly recommend Falkner Winery in Temecula. We are getting married there in 44 days (but who’s counting?)….The packages they offer are hard to beat and the setting is beautiful! Their packages are all inclusive when it comes to food, beer, wine, tables, linens, centerpieces, etc. all you have to bring is the cake. everyone there is very nice to wowrk with.
We’re from NYC but we’re getting married at Ponte Winery in Temecula!! Love love love it there! We looked at a few places before in So Cal but since it was a destination wedding for us and most of our friends, we thought we would take advantage of something that the NYC area does not have a lot of …wineries!
Yay for So Cal brides! Please venue bomb us. Frighten us with your search! I’m sure i could match you. I’m in your boat too!
And if you’re still oggling over RLL, I went to a wedding there last year and found some things I didn’t like…small cages for the exotic animals, cook’s corner right around the corner (motorcycles driving by during the ceremony); hardly any natural light in the bridal suite (or any light for that matter; i did the bride’s makeup, and it was a challenge), no AC/heating. Yes, it’s beautiful, but only up until the motorcycle gang drove by during the ceremony.
i’ll share my venue searches too! have found nothing yet…on the search still.
@laura: Hi Laura- I have an excel chart with Boston locations- we were considering getting married there, but I think we are going local to where we live (SoCal). Email me aepproduction @ yahoo and I can send you the info! @litsecretary: Hi- Can you email me and let me know your experiences with Falkner- I am looking at that as a possible venue and would love to hear about your experiences! How many people are you having- outdoors or Pinnacle? aepproduction @ yahoo. Thanks and congrats!!!
SERIOUSLY with the venue bombing. I’m not even engaged (quite) yet and I’m already thinking about how tough it’s going to be to find a place that’s nice, outdoors, and budget-friendly. I squealed a little bit when I saw your post. Please do tell!
if you have any info at all from san diego, i would love to gather what you know! (or is that TOO so-cal? haha 
@reesey: DITTO! I am also a So Cal Bride and would LOVE LOVE LOVE to read more about your search, please tell us more!
here is my blog:
http://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/blogs/reesey625/default.aspx?MsdVisit=1
I’ve written about places I’ve only gone out to see. But I have info on a bunch of places. Chucked those that didn’t fit within budget.
I have been looking and looking and looking for a socal venue for months. My only requirements are outside catering, evening wedding, and within my budget. If anyone has any good leads, PLEASE let me know. It’s so hard to find an affordable place in SoCal.
@reesey: that’s so great to know about RLL!
@Erin: Venue bombing it is I’ll keep going!
@melodicsighs: I didn’t dig too deep into San Diego but I did visit Pala Mesa Resort and Orfila Vineyards. Let me know if you want more info on them
Well Girls- looks like we need more info on venues- I’ll post tomorrow on some of the more budget friendly ones we visited. Get ready!
@Sheriff - check out craven Estate in pasadena. The only bad with Craven is it has to end by 9:30 but its ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. My friend’s friend had a wedding there on a budget and i couldn’t even tell - i thought she splurged.
Historical sites rock b/c they are cheaper than most venues and will allow outside catering.
- Point Vicente interpretive center?
Salt creek beach Dana Point
Puddingstone Resort San Dimas
Crestmore Manor in Riverside
I’m sure i have more… i’m just tired and can’t think right now… PM me, and i’ll shoot you my email - i have an excel sheet. and also, you can check my blog - i posted a lot of my online research on there. http://missperfectpeachprincess.blogspot.com (Make sure to click on wedding venues under categories - so you can avoid reading my other thoughtless ramblings
@Miss Espresso. thanks for that list. i’ll send you mine when i get to work tomorrow.
[...] Ding! Round 2! I enjoyed reading all of your comments from yesterday’s post and couldn’t wait to get started on today’s. So let’s keep the love flowing! Today I’m [...]
oh yes, please. i’d love any information you’ve got!
We held our wedding at Rancho Las Lomas, and it was amazing. We loved the location, but did not like their exclusive caterer.
So we held our wedding on a Thursday in July so we could ring in our own caterer and event production company. 175 people showed up and loved it, they didn’t mind an excuse for a long-weekend in the summer, and the out-of-towners were traveling anyway.
So for those on a budget, consider choosing a non-Saturday for your wedding. It’ll save on every vendor. We saved about 40% by having it on a Thursday evening.
@melodicsighs: I just sent you an e-mail with all of the info
@SoCalBeachGirl: I totally agree about the exclusive caterer. What a great idea to have it on a Thursday and I’m so glad it worked out great!
Hello,
I wanted to issue a warning to any bride planning a wedding in southern ca at the lake arrowhead resort and spa. . while it is beautiful the service I received there as a bride to be was so discouraging. Often times “our coordinator” or the hotels coordinator I should say was unorganized as well as very uninformed. She took weeks to return e-mails and made us feel as though we were the low end of the weddings she was doing because our budget was not above $30,000. I absolutely adore Lake Arrowhead, the town is awesome, the resort and spa beautiful, but despite all of its beauty it may not be worth the heartache, confusion, and frustration.
@Doozer: I can’t believe they treated you like that. Making you two feel special should have been their top priority, no- matter what your budget was. Thanks for help keeping everybody informed
socalbeachgirl: we are considering rll on friday without much of a discount. how much of a discount did they give you for a Thursday? Thanks.
thx for the post, miss espresso!! my fiance & i are considering venues in southern california (where i’m originally from) but i’m starting to feel overwhelmed as we live in nyc now and i don’t know where to start! any more info you have re: other venues would be greatly appreciated! you can email me directly @ joanoriel@gmail.com. THANKS SOOOO MUCH!!!
I’m planning on building an outdoor pavilion to rent out as a wedding venue. The location is in a wooded area and we plan to do lots of landscaping for photo ops, and we plan to have a dressing area and kitchen at the pavilion. There will be a stackstone fireplace. The question is what things are brides looking for, what is important for the venue to offer, etc.
You guys should put all your venues and information into a Google spreadsheet that people can view and add to. It would be a great tool for everyone. I think i have 130 venues in my spreadsheet and still looking for places that will fit 160 outdoors and BYO caterers
EBM That is a great idea… i’d love a look-see at your spreadsheet. My spreadsheet isn’t that thorough, but i’ve found a few outdoors that may fit your wedding… where are you looking?
Have you checked out
PV Pointe vicente Interpretive Center
Malibu West Beach Club
Craven Estates
Wattles Mansion
Vibiana
Saddle Rock Ranch
Red Horse Barn
Salt Creek Beach
LA Rivers and Garden Center
Rancho Del Cielo
Rancho Del Pacifico
Clark Estate
Centenniel Heritage Museum
Puddingstone Resorts
Santa Monica Pier
Crestmore Manor
Red Horse Barn
Camarillo Ranch
Just to name a few?
@amy77jc:
Here is my spreadsheet. I don’t have every place on there, but I have quite a few. Mine may be missing some places but that is because I was compiling with a certain budget in mind (low) and was looking for places for ceremony/reception at the same venue. But feel free to add to it and stuff.
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pIXJMbKDLXgUjZl8CpKH9QA&hl=en
WOW. EBM! THis is awesome. It’s gonna take me some time to look it over… but seriously! WHAT A GREAT RESOURCE! THANK YOU!
I am planning my own wedding for 250 guests and have done tons of research for the LA area. Its difficult because I’m planning from SF area but i’ve compiled a lot of information but not on an excel sheet. Thanks all for sharing what you have so far. I’ll be sure to contribute to this post once I get some more information!
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Mrs. Espresso, Corona/Big Bear
Age and Occupation: 23, Community Services Specialist
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 22, Maintenance Technician
Engagement Date: December 21, 2007
Wedding Date: October, 2008
Blogging Since: June 25, 2008
Venue: Outside a rustic b&b in Big Bear Lake
About Me: I'm a lover of all things good: coffee, music, travel, rain, and of course- my handsome fiance! I'm a full believer in the "Life is Short," mantra - and therefore, eat lots of dark chocolate. I'm a Geographer by degree and nerd by choice. I cook to the sound of French and Portuguese music even though I speak neither. I love road trips, camping, hiking, and capturing life through the lens of my camera. Take me to Anthropologie and I may never leave. I'm a sucker for pretty packaging, bargain finds, and old movies. Mr. Espresso and I are high school sweethearts and I am so blessed to be this amazing man's future wife.
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