As a Los Angeles wedding photographer, I’ve had the privilege of shooting at some of SoCal’s best oceanfront wedding venues. Our region is known for its pristine beaches and spectacular sunsets. So, whether you’re local or thinking of jetting off to La La Land for a destination wedding, selecting a seaside venue won’t steer you wrong. Read on to discover the best of the best—just steps from the beach!
Best Oceanfront Wedding Venues in Los Angeles
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
This Laguna Beach resort offers the ultimate in Southern California elegance. Couples seeking a luxurious, modern vibe will love the location atop a seaside bluff and the hotel’s Mediterranean-style architecture. Exchange vows on the oceanfront lawn, then head indoors to one of the opulent ballrooms to dine and dance the night away.
While I haven’t photographed a wedding at this venue, it was the perfect location for Ara’s Paris-inspired baby shower. One of my favorite features was the outdoor cocktail bar overlooking the sparkling Pacific Ocean!
Hotel Casa del Mar
Situated steps from the beach in Santa Monica, this venue is perfect for the couple who appreciates elegance, glamour, and a dash of the dramatic. Picture making your grand entrance via the sweeping staircase and partying with your VIPs in the ballroom beneath the two-story-high ceiling hung with gleaming crystal chandeliers. In short, every detail is gorgeous!
While ideal for an oceanfront wedding, this hotel venue can accommodate any event. For Kyra’s travel-themed Bat Mitzvah, Yvonne Wolf Events made the most of the space by topping several guest tables with towering globe centerpieces atop shimmering gold linens.
Shutters on the Beach
Shutters is another beautiful hotel venue in Santa Monica! It boasts an unmatched ocean view, a polished Grand Salon perfect for large receptions, and delicious on-site catering. You can say your I-dos directly on the sand or the Pacific Terrace for a bird’s-eye view of the waves.
Jemima and Tom’s wedding at Shutters was one to remember! The two opted for a beach ceremony with a tropical-chic feel. Then, we snapped sunset photos, and the couple shared a gourmet meal with their guests inside the hotel.
Adamson House
Malibu’s Adamson House is a unique oceanfront venue for couples drawn to Southern California’s history. The Spanish Colonial Revival-style house features vibrant, intricate tile work. All events at Adamson House take place outdoors, and you can choose from three venue spaces—the sycamore lawn, the front courtyard, and the fountain lawn—to host an outdoor ceremony and al fresco reception.
This fall wedding at Adamson House was pure magic, from the colorful flowers on the tablescapes to the bistro lights strung overhead. The oceanfront scene became even more breathtaking as the couple and their guests took in a classic West Coast sunset!
Bel-Air Bay Club
Bel-Air Bay Club in Pacific Palisades is a coveted wedding venue housed inside a Mediterranean-style mansion built in the 1920s. However, the venue isn’t just gorgeous inside and out; its 180-degree ocean view is one of the best around! Destination wedding couples will love the convenience of the location minutes from Los Angeles International Airport, and all will swoon over the arched grand entrance and elegant formal dining room.
Genesis and Carlos’ wedding at Bel-Air Bay Club showcased the dining room at its best. White florals in a tall glass vase filled with fairy lights graced each guest table, drawing the eye toward the most stunning architectural feature of the space: a vaulted, exposed-beam ceiling hung with wrought-iron chandeliers.
Does one of these oceanfront wedding venues in Los Angeles speak to you? If so, let’s connect! I have experience shooting at each location and would be delighted to tell your love story through one of my signature photography collections. Learn more and reserve your date today!
