Wedding Blog

Ding 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 going to focus on more AFFORDABLE venues in the So Cal region. Also, I’ve realized with many of these affordable venues, rentals are not included- so always make sure and ask. Now- let’s get to it!

Our first stop on the Espresso Bus: Cafe Mozart

Located in San Juan Capistrano, Cafe Mozart is just blocks from the old mission. The Spanish style architecture and fountain are beautiful, and the place really glows at night. The ceremony can either take place in front of the fountain or up in the old bell tower (pictured), with the guests all seated below. The old town surrounding provides a perfect setting for amazing pictures too. Saturday rental fees start around $3,000, but Friday and Sunday weddings are $1500. Use of their catering is required and last time I checked, ran between $28- $46 per person. Their Sunday brunch option is more expensive at $40pp but comes with free flowing champagne.

Although this is a cafe- tables, linens, chairs, and heaters are not provided… which came as somewhat of a shock to me since it was a cafe. So make sure you ask any questions that you have, even if they seem dumb. Believe me - I felt a little silly, sitting at a restaurant and asking if what I was sitting on and at were included. They also require that you use their rental company. However, if you are having a smaller wedding, which can fit inside the restaurant, the rentals are included.

Next stop: California Citrus State Historic Park

The California Citrus State Historic Park is located in Riverside- my old stomping grounds. Growing up here, I fell in love with the smell of orange blossoms. Every spring, the scent dominated the cool night air, and now, I can’t get enough of it. The park here is simple, beautifully landscaped, and, if you marry here in spring, will carry the scent of orange blossoms. yay! I don’t recommend marrying here in the summer months because it can get pretty hot!!

Next stop: San Moritz Lodge

San Moritz is located in Crestline on your way to Lake Arrowhead. It’s a community building for the surrounding local residents. The price is great. The parking is ample, and I’m pretty sure tables and chairs are included (although I may be wrong). My MOH and I went here in heavy snow to check it out. There were huge, death icicles hanging from the roof- which meant standing underneath to peek inside was a little unnerving. But from what we could see it seemed really low key, simple, and nice. The building capacity is 250 and you’re allowed to bring your own catering.

Next… Ole Hanson Beach Club

Ole Hanson Beach Club is located in good ol’ San Clemente. The rates are charged hourly and the ocean view is oh so nice! What’s great about this place is that you can have the ceremony here, on the lawn in front, or down on the beach (requires city permits and rentals).

Final Stop: The Mitten Building

Although I made the trek to Redlands, I never actually made it inside the Mitten Building. I remember when I was searching for venues, I had loved the ceremony picture from here (pictured above) and couldn’t wait to see it. But I made my appointment too late and by the time I got there- they couldn’t see me for another 2 hours. Impatient Miss Espresso decided to go get some coffee (go figure) and check out other sites instead. I highly recommend checking it out though, and if any of you have been to a wedding here, let us know what you thought. You can find more photos on their Flickr page.

Ok so my typing fingers are a little worn out… and I’m now kind of distracted by So You Think You Can Dance. But I hope this helped out some of you. For those of you still on the search, also check out The Ebell Club, Strawberry Farms in Irvine, University of Redlands, The Coffee Depot, Pasadena Museum of California Art, Rancho Capistrano, and the Mission Inn.

Image Credit: Cafe Mozart & San Moritz from HereComestheGuide; Citrus Park, Ol Hanson, & the Mitten Building from their websites linked above.