Hello my Orange County and San Diego bride-to-be’s!! How tired are you of googling a million places in this vast state to find the picture perfect wedding venue? Probs real tired. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the best, coolest, prettiest, cutest, dopest Orange County and San Diego wedding venues that I recommend you visit first! These are fool-proof and gorgeous – sign on their dotted line and call a sista up, because I’m SO there.

If you haven’t seen my LA Wedding Venue List and the Bay Area Wedding Venue List or Palm Springs Wedding Venue List, be sure to check those out if you’re thinking about other parts of California!

Hangar 21 // Fullerton, CA

This place is a super cool white airplane hangar. You can do a helicopter grand entrance!!

Franciscan Gardens // San Juan Capistrano, CA

This little venue is like a French garden smack in the middle of South Orange County.

Rancho Las Lomas // Silverado, CA

Gorgeous Spanish mansion in the foothills of Orange County

Lido House // Newport Beach, CA

Just blocks from the beach & full of modern, nautical vibes.

The Harper // Costa Mesa, CA

I love this all white, natural-light space – so dreamy.

Mission San Juan Capistrano // San Juan Capistrano, CA

There is just so much history here! Such a stunning place to tie the knot.

Huntington Bay Club // Huntington Beach, CA

Beach? Check. Marina? Check. Palm Trees? Check. Need anything else?

The 1912 // Santa Ana, CA

This spot is so cool! There’s amazing natural light & a super cool feature wall.

Studio de la Flor // Carlsbad, CA

This little studio is the perfect spot for an intimate, laidback wedding or elopement dinner party.

Building 177 // San Diego, CA

This place is all the loft vibes and natural light for days!

Puesto at The Headquarters // San Diego, CA

Let’s be real, who doesn’t wanna eat Mexican food at your wedding?

Photo Credit in order from top to bottom:

Hangar 21, Franciscan Gardens, Studio EMP, Lido House, Braedon Flynn, Mission San Juan Capistrano, McCune Photography, Mink Photography, Jessica Rice Co., Gantes Co. and Puesto.

COMING SOON

Best Wedding Venues in Santa Barbara

I get so many questions about the gear I use & what my absolute go-to lenses are! Below you’ll find a comprehensive list of my professional photography gear, what my favorites are and how I use each piece.

disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Essential Gear / My Absolute Go-To’s

I have 2 Canon DSLR bodies & I like to use them simultaneously so that I can have 2 totally different lenses on and switch between the two quickly. I currently use the Canon 5D Mark III DSLR Camera (Body)& will be upgrading soon to the Mark IV or whatever Canon releases next!

Canon 50mm f/1.2 L Lens [aka my baby!]

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L [love this lens]– know that Canon recently released a new version of this one –35mm f/1.4L II

My Favorite Memory Cards [write speed is so fast on these, I love them!]

Go buy this Memory Card Case right now! They have versions that are all CF and ones that are all SD depending on what you like to use, but these babies keep me so organized & they are basically indestructible. To make sure I’m only pulling the cards I haven’t shot on, I have a simple system where I flip the card backwards in the case when it’s full so I have a clear visual cue (you can see that in the photo above). Works like a charm!

Canon 85mm f1.2L Lens– gorgeous for portraits & really useful for the ceremony

Etsy leather harness dual camera system [OBSESSED with these! They are similar to the popular brand name ones, but mine has never failed on me and I like that the straps are a little narrower. They fit my frame much better, plus you get to choose from so many colors & customizations!]

Non-Essential Faves

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro Lens [my newest pal for ring shots!]

Sigma 24mm f/1.4 Art Lens [awesome for HUGE group shots!]

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L Lens [I rarely use this these days, but it was my FIRST non-kit lens and it was the perfect first lens purchase & super helpful if you plan on doing a lot of second shooting!]

3 Canon 580ex II Speedlites [these have been discontinued, so get the new 600ex II‘s!]

Life-Changing Software

I’ve used Honeybook as my CRM (customer relationship management) software for years and it completely changed how I run my business! I can keep inquiries, proposals, contracts and payments all in one convenient place. Use THIS REFERRAL LINK to get 50% off your first year!

Hello my Palm Springs bride-to-be’s!! How tired are you of googling a million places in this perfect desert town to find the picture perfect wedding venue? Probs real tired. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the best, coolest, prettiest, cutest, dopest Palm Springs wedding venues that I recommend you visit first! These are fool-proof and gorgeous – sign on their dotted line and call a sista up, because I’m SO there.

If you haven’t seen my LA Wedding Venue List and the Bay Area Wedding Venue List, be sure to check those out if you’re thinking about other parts of California!

The Pond Estate

Pink Paradise in the desert … need I say more?

Korakia

Want to make all of your Marrakesh daydreams come true? This is your chance!

Colony 29

Yep, this is where Whitney Port got married! SUCH a gorgeous place with alllllll the plants!

Avalon Hotel

Classic Mid-Century Modern design at this perfect hotel – love the black & white of this place.

Ace Hotel & Swim Club

This place brings the party – also has probably the most fun pool scene in the desert.

The Saguaro Palm Springs

Um, hello COLOR!!! I’m convinced this is what the inside of my brain looks like.

Sands Hotel & Spa

PINK + PATTERNS = HAPPY ME

O’Donnell House

I love this spot because you get a view from above, which is really unique in a totally flat desertscape! Also, when the bougainvillea is blooming, the ceremony spot is insanely pretty!

Parker Palm Springs

Truly an iconic entrance! MCM for daysssssss.

The Living Desert

You can get married at the zoo! Giraffes, zebras, basically all the fun & cute animals as your wedding backdrop – cute!!

Frederick Loewe Estate

Again, super authentic Mid-Century Modern design & one of the coolest homes ever.

La Chureya

This place is a hidden gem – I didn’t even know about it until recently and I’m like a desert stalker. It’s like a backyard vibe in the desert, super chill.

Twin Palms Frank Sinatra Estate

Once again, super authentic Mid-Century Modern design coolness! Yes, this was actually Sinatra’s house!

Photo Credit in order from top to bottom:

Pura Soul Photography, Cheers Babe Photo, Hannah Costello Photography, Lauren Scotti, California Weekend Magazine, Cheers Babe Photo, Sands Hotel & Spa, Cheers Babe Photo, Jessica Kettle, Summer Shea Photography, Sarah Falugo, Studio Castillero, and Frank Sinatra Estate.

COMING SOON

Best Wedding Venues in Orange County, San Diego & Santa Barbara

This session is so much more than just a Newport Beach engagement session. You see, Jeanie & I go way back. When I was a junior in college, I spent a semester studying art in New York (yeah – it was awesome!) and when it was time for me to move back to Southern California, I needed an apartment to live in! One of my friends at school needed a roommate in her apartment (where 3 more girls also lived – you know that college hustle!). Of course, we all wanted to make sure I was a good fit, so before I moved back, I FaceTimed my friend from my NY apartment one night after class. This is where Jeanie comes in — it was quickly clear to me that Jeanie was the leader of the pack haha. They even called her “Mama Scott” (Scott is her last name!).

I honestly expected to be on the call for about 30 minutes, but ended up chatting with Jeanie for at least 2 hours that night! I felt like we were instant friends because of her warmth and enthusiasm. Since then, I’ve always been so impressed with how passionately she goes after the things she wants and cares so deeply for the people in her life. This friendship is a constant blessing & I’m so grateful to know this girl!

Now … here’s the fun part. A couple years ago with that same vivacious personality, Jeanie caught the eye of a sweet guy named Costel & he was instantly hooked! His charm wooed a dinner date out of her and the rest is history! The two will tie the knot this May!!

Hello my Bay Area bride-to-be’s!! How tired are you of googling a million places in this vast state to find the picture perfect wedding venue? Probs real tired. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the best, coolest, prettiest, cutest, dopest San Francisco Bay Area wedding venues that I recommend you visit first! These are fool-proof and gorgeous – sign on their dotted line and call a sista up, because I’m SO there.

If you haven’t seen my LA Wedding Venue List, be sure to check those out if you’re thinking about SoCal!

 

SF Proper

The Conservatory of Flowers

Any crazy plant ladies out there? Not only is the outside of the greenhouse structure the perfect white ceremony backdrop, the interior is full of tropical plants! Check out a recent engagement session I photographed there!

The Pearl

A thing of Rooftop Dreams! The indoor reception area is just as cool.

Hotel Vitale

Rooftop views of the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge and walking distance to the piers. Need I say more?

San Francisco Ferry Building

This place is so iconic to SF and right by the water! You can easily see the Bay Bridge from outside and hear the romantic ticking of the train departure sign.

Asian Art Museum

This place has class for daysssss. Gives you that New York Public Library vibe here on the West Coast!

SF Proper Hotel

The best rooftop bar in SF! This boutique hotel was designed by genius, Kelly Wearstler, so obviously it’s freaking amazing! One of my favorite spots to grab a drink at sunset!

Terra Gallery

The perfect white loft & blank canvas – you could seriously pull anything off here!

Wine Country

Kunde Family Winery

Wait, am I in the South of France? Sure feels like it. Also … three words: Wine Cave Reception! I’m photographing a wedding here in July and I cannot wait to share it with you!

Solage Calistoga

Luxe Calistoga spot by the Auberge Hotel group, who always slay. I had the privilege of photographing a wedding here last year (peek it here) and I get to go back for another this Fall! Keep it coming, brides!

Olympia’s Valley Estate

The perfect Petaluma estate complete with barn-style reception space. Yes, that’s lavender lining the walkway to the front door!

Trentadue Winery

Vines, grassy lawn, rose-covered walls, what more could you ask for?

Macarthur Place

The lightness of this place makes me feel like they took the best of Malibu and combined it with the best of Sonoma.

Chateau St. Jean

Literal perfection – everything you’d expect to find in Sonoma (or the south of France for that matter).

East Bay

Oakland Museum of California

This place is perfect for the artistic & creative couple – plus, there’s a great view of Oakland & Lake Merritt from the terrace – bonus!

Wente Vineyards

The East Bay actually has a totally thriving wine country of it’s own! It’s called the Tri-Valley area & Wente is a gorgeous spot right in the heart of Livermore.

Ruth Bancroft Garden

Want a Palm Springs wedding vibe without having to leave the Bay? Here’s your answer!

Temescal Brewing

I’ll be honest – I don’t know if these guys allow weddings for just anyone, but I’ve seen them do at least one. This spot is one of our favorites in our town to grab a cold beer and chill – the interior is cute af and the patio is so relaxing and perfect for a laid-back reception!

Palm Pavillion

Another East Bay wine country spot, but one with a city-loft vibe – best of both worlds!

NorCal Destination Spots

Tahoe Mountain Club

Lake Tahoe is an incredible destination spot! The view from this balcony is insane – plus, you can take a fun gondola ride and if you did a winter wedding, there’d be snow!!

Bear Flag Farm

Iconic lavender fields with the whimsical ferris wheel in the back! It was voted the #1 wedding venue for great service in the American West by BRIDES Magazine and one of the most beautiful wedding venues in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveller.

BLOC Venue

This place is all about TEXTURE! White brick, natural brick, garage doors, it’s just stinkin’ cool.

Photo Credit in order from top to bottom:

Steve Cowell Photo, Anna Wu, This Love of Yours, Melanie Duerkopp, Jose Villa, Cheers Babe Photo, Rebecca Yale, OneLove Photography, Cheers Babe Photo, Duy Ho Photography, KT Merry, Macarthur Place, Koman Photography, OCMA, Cheers Babe Photo, Cheers Babe Photo, Lilouette, Alameda County Fairgrounds, Photography by Monique, Lisa Lefkowitz, and BLOC Venue.

Coming SOON

Best Wedding Venues in Palm Springs, Orange County, San Diego & Santa Barbara

Babes, meet Caitlin! She and I had so much fun running around Pac Heights and Sutro Baths for her entrepreneur session. Caitlin is an AMAZING, uber talented wedding photographer based in Napa Valley – you have to check out her work! When I asked her to describe what her photography business is all about the first word of of her mouth was hospitality. How good is that!? This gal loves to care for her clients well and shows up to serve. I love her heart for her couples! She drinks an iced tea every day – so of course we made sure to capture that so she can share it with her followers. She also loves the ocean and squishing her toes in the sand, so we made sure to hit up the beach at Sutro Baths for some sand & sun. I love those little things about my clients that make them unique!

If you are an entrepreneur or business owner (especially a female one 💪!) and you keep telling yourself, “I need photos for social so bad!”, you are right & I encourage you to book a session! I can’t tell you the difference it’s made in my own business to put myself out there & let people see the face that’s usually behind the camera. It’ll help people get to know you, remember you & want to do business with you. I love doing these kind of sessions, so hit a sista up, anytime. 

If you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner, I’d love to capture you so you can share your story with your followers! Inquire below 🙂

Hello my LA bride-to-be’s!! How tired are you of googling a million places in this vast state to find the picture perfect wedding venue? Probs real tired. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the best, coolest, prettiest, cutest, dopest Los Angeles wedding venues that I recommend you visit first! These are fool-proof and gorgeous – sign on their dotted line and call a sista up, because I’m SO there. 

Row DTLA

Right in LA’s thriving arts district (which has THE best views of the city skyline) is Row DTLA. They have multiple venue options from ground level to rooftop, but the B1 | 777 Rooftop pictured here is the ultimate dreamy wedding spot & can fit a ton of guests!

Festoon LA

Between trendy Venice Beach and growing Culver City you’ll find Festoon LA, the perfect West LA wedding venue. The space is small, but gorgeous – the kitchen was designed by LA design maven, Sarah Sherman Samuel & the dining & lounge areas by 100 Layer Cake! You can fit 60 guests seated – an amazing option for a more intimate wedding or even your rehearsal dinner. It is so instagram-worthy it hurts!

The Fig House

If color is your jam, then The Fig House was literally designed for you (and you are designed for me – ha!). This is another amazing venue with a super-star designer behind it! The owners hired HGTV’s Emily Henderson to design & curate the space. This literally perfect LA wedding venue is nestled in between downtown & Pasadena, right in Highland Park. Love me some East LA!!

Grassroom

Okay, here we begin a series of amazing wedding venues owned by the Marvimon group! They take old buildings & bring them new life with super unique details! This is Grassroom in DTLA, where you’ll find a jungle-like courtyard for the coolest ceremony and insanely cool triangular door openings that lead you to the reception space!

Valentine DTLA

Literally next door to Grassroom is Valentine DTLA! I am obsessed with this geometric door mural they have and the rest of the space is just as special and unique!

Millwick

I feel like the coolest couples in LA get married at Millwick. I don’t know what it is, but this place just oozes cool-factor and has jungle vibes for days! It’s also in the arts district as well & there’s some super cool opportunities around the venue for outdoor portraits with a city view in the back.

The Forge

Okay so The Forge is technically a photo studio (with an impressive installation wall of cow skulls). I know they’ve hosted weddings before & there is just a ton of room for creativity in this space if you or your event designer/stylist is ready to dream up something really cool! If you need help doing that, my wedding florist/event designer has designed a wedding in this space before!

Lombardi House

Over in Hollywood, Lombardi House will give you all the barn-vibes you’ve ever wanted, but in the most modern & cool way (thank you white walls)! Not only are both indoor spots super beautiful, their courtyard spaces are equally breathtaking!

The Ruby Street

Previously a suffragette house, then a civil rights meeting place, and even a progressive church, The Ruby Street in Highland Park is such a unique spot to say your “I do”s and celebrate! I just adore their historic stained glass windows!

Hudson Loft

Ohhhhhh my goodness – where do I even begin with Hudson Loft? Oh right! I GOT MARRIED HERE!! Obviously I am super biased, but this is one of my favorite venues – and it’s more than just sentimental for me. It’s the perfect industrial loft right in the heart of bustling downtown & has so many options. There’s incredible getting ready spaces, prep rooms, a stunning rooftop & view, and even a giant freight elevator that we actually drove our car into & used for our grand exit!

HNYPT

Pronounced “honeypot”, this all white industrial space was actually the runner-up for our wedding. I love that you can open up the garage door at HNYPT and let the natural light in! Also the rafters give you tons of opportunity for some insanely cool hanging decor!

Office Party

Office Party is literally the office of one of LA’s coolest entrepreneurs that you can rent out for your party! There’s this cool space and an outdoor courtyard for cocktail time!

The Surfrider Malibu

Ok wow, gorgeous!! I honestly don’t even know if The Surfrider hotel allows events or not, but if they do, it’d be epic. Their rooms are like, perfect California chic – even if you’re getting married elsewhere in Malibu, this would be an incredible space to get ready in for the day!

The Ebell of Long Beach

One of my dear friends got married here at The Ebell of Long Beach a couple years back. Not only is it like, house plant heaven, the Mediterranean style space (especially the amazing tile floor) is just super dreamy!

The Line Hotel

If you’re looking for something poolside, then The Line Hotel in Koreatown (K-town) is your spot! They actually have like, 5 or 6 different venue spaces within this one hotel & they’re all really amazing! Not to mention, the concrete walls in the rooms makes for really cool getting ready photos (which is why I got ready here the day of my wedding!).

Mr. C Beverly Hills

This place is ALL classic LA glam. There’s poolside space, city view balconies, literally everything you think of when you picture “Old Hollywood”. Mr. C is a hotel in Beverly Hills and it’s ready for your extra-ness, boo.

Saddlerock Ranch

Dang, dude. Saddlerock is so bomb. They have 4 event spaces, 100 acres of wine vines AND zoo animals (zebra, camel, giraffe, llama, alpaca, yak, highland cow, etc.…)!

Greenhouse at PLATFORM

If you’re hoping to get married somewhere near Culver City, Greenhouse at PLATFORM is an amazing option! Platform is basically a trendy boutique shopping center & the Greenhouse sits upstairs onsite. The name speaks for itself – gorgeous glass house! Bonus – one of my favorite murals in LA by Jen Stark is located on the parking structure here!

Tallula’s

Tallulah’s is a super yum Mexican restaurant in Santa Monica – right near the beach! You can rent it out for an intimate wedding or rehearsal dinner & it is so colorful and gorgeous inside! Also, who doesn’t want to serve Mexican food at their wedding/rehearsal dinner?

Beverly Hills Hotel

Pretty sure this icon of a hotel speaks for itself! The Beverly Hills Hotel has been LA’s go-to spot for movie-stars and celebs for over a century. The banana-leaf palm wallpaper in the halls is ridiculously memorable, the gardens are spectacular and their reception hall will make you lose your mind.

Wilshire Loft

Last but not least, the Wilshire Loft is such a cool spot if you’re looking for a rooftop wedding venue that’s RIGHT in the the city – you’re actually surrounded by the downtown high rises, which feels so cool. It’s kind of a blank slate, so you could get really creative with your decor here!

[All images are sourced from google, pinterest, the venue’s websites and the venue report. I reallllly tried to find image credits for each, but it just wasn’t happening!]

 

Are you ready to book one of these amazing Los Angeles wedding venues for your big day? Click the inquire button below so you can have your gorgeous spot & all the mems captured!

After she accidentally friended him on MySpace (when they were 14 years old!) thinking he was a boy she had a crush on, he messaged her like, “do I know you?”. She basically said, “oops! wrong person!”.  Then fate brought them back together their Sophomore year of high school — on the first day of her history class, boom! There was this guy! She was nervous and embarrassed meeting him in person (OMG, I just have to stop right here and say how much I love the irrational minds of teenagers and what makes them nervous 😂). She ended up really warming up to his rambunctious personality and after a year of friendship began dating. Here they are 10 years later & these high school sweethearts are preparing to tie the knot! I am so excited for their wedding celebration in Lake Tahoe this Summer!

This New Years Eve wedding was a banger, babes! First of all, I feel like Erica – the bride – is like a long lost sister of mine or something because she’s the kind of girl that’s so warm & fun when you’re around her which makes you feel like you’ve known her your entire life. And Rob – the groom – is such a sentimental goofball that I just can’t get enough of the two of them!

I feel so lucky to have rung in the new year this year with Erica & Rob and their friends and family. The day was planned so thoughtfully so that every guest (including me & my team!) felt loved, cared for, and ready to dance the night … or should I say year?… away!

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Credits

Photos // Cheers Babe Photo

Second Shooter // Megan Welker

Venue + Coordination // Willow Heights Mansion

Floral // Deluxe Design Decor

HMUA // Charismatic Bride

Invitation // Minted

Paper Goods + Calligraphy // JK Design

Cake // Live Love Leal

Dress // Carolina Herrera

Tux // Knot Standard

Rings // Joe Escobar Diamonds

Bridesmaid Dresses // Brideside