Different types of California destination weddings
- kait27
- Mar 26, 2024
- 5 min read
So you want to get married in California? Now what? Unfortunately, that still isn't very specific! Saying that you want a California destination wedding or a California-based wedding still leaves you with lots to decide! I'm here to help. Here is a list of all the various types of weddings that California's beautiful state could host for you.
1. Beach weddings While this is probably the most obvious California location... did you know that not all beaches are created the same?? Southern California and Northern California offer VERY different types of beaches. One is bright and sunny while the other is foggy with darker sand. You can also choose to get married on the beach directly... or cliffside. There are many spots that have cliff drop offs overlooking the ocean instead of having your feet in the sand directly. All of these options are fantastic... it just depends on what you want. <3
P.S. Go check out my photos from an amazing cliffside beach wedding in Mendocino! Click here:
2. Beach, but make it luxe.
ALSO... there are so many beach front resorts. You can DIY a beach wedding (just get your permits!) and do it all yourself, but you don't have to. If you want to simplify and glam up your big day... there are many many options out there for beach front resorts! They offer on-site coordinators, vendor referrals.. everything!
Here is a great resource for finding the perfect beach front wedding venue: https://www.herecomestheguide.com/wedding-venues/type/beach- ocean/northern-california?type%5B0%5D=Beach%20%2F%20Ocean
3. The redwoods Ahhh yes. This is one that can't be missed. California redwoods are a treasure to behold and STUNNING for your wedding photos. Tall, red trunks... ferns growing everywhere. I LOVE a good redwood wedding.
One of my favorite redwood wedding venues is actually located in the heart of San Fransisco! It is literally right downtown. It's called Trocadero Clubhouse and you would never guess that you are in the heart of SF from how quiet and secluded it is.
Another great resource for finding the right redwood venue was written by Vivian Chen https://www.vivianchen.com/blog/redwood-wedding-venues-california
4. The mountains
I am a TOTAL beach girl... until I drive up to the California mountains and forget all about those sandy beaches. haha. ;) Mountains here can completely take your breath away and make you forget about anything else!
Whether you DIY it or find a cozy resort... you will never regret choosing to plan your wedding around a California mountain. And we have a lot to choose from!
5. The desert
There are a few deserts in California to choose from. Death Valley and the Mojave Desert (Joshua Tree) are both chosen as locations for our favorite movies for a reason! They are SO COOL.
My biggest recommendation for this? Find an amazing Airbnb instead of a formal wedding venue. Joshua Tree is FULL of them. There are so many different ways you could go about planning a wedding here that is epic and amazing. And I am here for it!
6. Palm Springs (because it deserves it's own category) Speaking of Joshua Tree... if we are going for a less organic vibe and for more glam- Palm Springs will NEVER disappoint! That sweet town is right by Joshua Tree, full of fun and eccentric spots (cough windmill farm cough cough), and has so many cool resorts to plan your day!
7. National Parks While these aren't exclusive to California.... a lot of them are in that golden state! SO MANY National (and state) parks are available to get permits and have a CHEAP and stunning wedding venue.
This is the scoop on how to do it: parks.cal.gov
I love a good national park wedding.. surrounded by the glorious nature, bringing all your people out to enjoy it with you-its an amazing experience.
8. In the city.. In contrast to the last location... go into the city! San Fransisco, Los Angelos, Sacramento... the list goes on. There are so really amazing spots to have a city wedding in this beautiful state. You can have that glammed up wedding style and still catch a West Coast sunset which is UNBEATABLE (in my personal opinion).
A few unique and specific locations also include...
9. San Diego is a vibe
This is a city... but like Palm Springs, it is one that has a completely different vibe and deserves it's own spot. Think small-town beach meets big city. It's a clean, glamorous beachy place that has SO many options for beautiful venues. It also has cliffs AND sandy beaches... a little bit of everything!
10. Mt. Shasta On the other end of the state... we have the beautiful Mt. Shasta. I love her. She is even more gorgeous in person. And there are several wedding venues where she is the backdrop! This area is EXTREMELY underrated. It has waterfalls and lakes and several mountain peeks all surrounded by beautiful forest. It's truly amazing and I am obsessed.
Check out an elopement that I did at Mt. Shasta!
11. Yosemite
This particular National Park is worth mentioning by name because... well just look at it! It's an amazing and uniquely beautiful place. Whether you are eloping, or planning an intimate wedding for your friends and family to join in-it's amazing. There are locations both in the valley and all the way up by Glacier Point to hold your ceremony with the very best of backdrops. It does require lots of advance planning so run-don't walk to reserve your spot now!
https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wedloc.htm 12. Lake Tahoe
This beautiful spot is one of the most popular destination wedding locations in the entire state... and it's easy to see why! Mountains meet lakeside beaches in a stunning way. Forests surround the area and it is beautiful at every time of the year.
Top Lake Tahoe Wedding Venues:
13. Mammoth Lakes
I know I keep saying this.. but this location is definitely one of my favorites! It's hard to choose, but Mammoth has such a unique view of the mountain range and I am obsessed. One of my favorite weddings that I photographed last year was at a beautiful resort, where you rode the gondola up to the ceremony site. It was STUNNING. This is a ski town that has so much to offer and I love it. The photo above was taken at that wedding!
The wedding I was at was at McCoy Station and it was AMAZING. However, here is a link to all the cool mountain top spots:
14. Backyard weddings!
Honestly, whatever your budget is... you can make a gorgeous wedding in California work. Backyard weddings are worth mentioning because this entire state is so pretty! Airbnb offers certain rentals for intimate backyard wedding options. It makes it easy to save money and have more control over the final details of your day. The rolling hills, the deep forests... whatever your heart is calling you to do.. You can make it happen! Don't be so quickly discouraged from the idea that you might be able to truly have the wedding you want.
California destination weddings are SO versatile and there are options for every budget! It just depends on what matters to you. Hopefully this list helps you find the specific vision for your day so you can start the real planning process. Different types of California destination weddings are unique to each person!
Still questioning whether a California wedding is right for you? Check out m y pros and cons list here:
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