11 Affordable Wedding Venues in California That Are Simply Breathtaking

California boasts some truly incredible landscapes—from mountains and valleys to rolling hills and vineyards. This, coupled with its idyllic, sunny weather, makes The Golden State the perfect place to tie the knot. For budget-conscious couples, there are several stunning and affordable wedding venues in California, which are sure to please every type of couple, regardless of their style and preferences. Before you begin scrolling, though, keep in mind that we capped all pricing under $12,800, which, per our Real Wedding Study, was the average venue cost in 2023.

Be it postcard-worthy scenery, ample outdoor event space and/or contemporary-chic interiors, the below affordable wedding venues in California are sure to impress. But, that's not all: For even more inspiration, check out The Knot Vendor Marketplace to comb through dozens—if not hundreds—of affordable venues near you. Moreover, our user-friendly online tool lets couples filter venue options by inexpensive and affordable.

More California Wedding Venues to Explore: Affordable Los Angeles Wedding Venues | Barn | Beach | Fall | Small | Winter

Plus, California Vendors to Know: Premarital Counseling

BRICK in San Diego, California

Photo: BRICK

BRICK is among our favorite affordable wedding venues in San Diego, CA. The industrial-chic space—complete with brick walls, exposed pipes, vaulted ceilings and 100 (!) windows—serves as a blank canvas for couples to decorate to their liking. The Best of Weddings award-winning venue accommodates up to 220 guests and also offers a range of decor and add-on services, including a photo booth and a mylar dance floor. The outdoor lawn is perfect for cocktail hour, too.

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• Price: $4,130
• Guest Capacity: 220
• Reviews: The staff are professional, friendly and on hand to ensure everything runs smoothly throughout the planning process. Couples also note how the venue is completely customizable. "We used BRICK for our wedding venue in February 2024 and I can't say enough good things about the venue or the team. I really liked that we could take the space and customize it exactly how we wanted," one reviewer writes.

Sacred Mountain Julian in Julian, California

Photo: Sacred Mountain Julian

Spanning 61 scenic acres, Sacred Mountain Julian stands out amidst the most incredible affordable wedding reception venues in southern California. Couples can soak up the sun at one of three outdoor event spaces. Say "I do" out on the lush lawn flanked by towering trees before drinking, dining and dancing under twinkling bistro lights.

• Price: $11,000
• Guest Capacity: 150
• Reviews: Couples can't stop raving about how stunning this venue is. "Talk about a dream venue! I never pictured myself having a wedding until I found Sacred Mountain Julian. I promise you, the photos you see will be exactly what you will see. The venue is so breathtaking—all my guests kept asking how I found the venue and complimenting me on how amazing it is. You have so many photo options with the property," one reviewer says.

The Mountain Terrace in Woodside, California

Photo: The Mountain Terrace

The Mountain Terrace is, hands down, one of our favorite affordable wedding venues in the Bay Area. The postcard-worthy setting—including majestic redwoods and grassy meadows—and rustic interiors set the scene for a truly memorable celebration. The Mountain Terrace offers all-inclusive packages to make planning a breeze, giving couples more ways to save on a venue.

• Price: $2,500
• Guest Capacity: 400
• Reviews: While the setting here is absolutely magical, it's the team that makes this venue exceptional. According to one reviewer, "We hosted our wedding reception at The Mountain Terrace and could not have been happier with our experience. The setting alone is absolutely gorgeous, but this venue does not assume its location is enough. Every interaction from the initial intake, the tasting (they have an INCREDIBLY talented on-site chef), the wedding coordination lead-up to the set-up and service for the actual event was OUTSTANDING!"

The Club at Ruby Hill in Pleasanton, California

Photo: The Club at Ruby Hill

Searching for affordable wedding venues in northern California that are just as breathtaking as they are budget-friendly? Look no further than The Club at Ruby Hill, which is flanked by rolling hills and tucked into a private community complete with a gorgeous golf course. The two ceremony sites—one outdoor, one indoors—are equally spectacular. The indoor option boasts a grand staircase and glimmering chandelier, while the outdoor space features Tuscan-inspired pillars dotted with wisteria. Cocktail hours can take place in the charming courtyard terrace and receptions can be held inside the elegant ballroom.

• Price: $8,000
• Guest Capacity: 230
• Reviews: Reviewers note the food is excellent and that the staff is incredibly friendly. "The entire staff is very friendly and polite. The food was so delicious, Chef James did so well and beyond our expectations. Every guest raved about the food. Our overall experience with the venue was excellent," one reviewer remarked.

Eagle Ridge by Wedgewood Weddings in Gilroy, California

Photo: Eagle Ridge by Wedgewood Weddings

Flanked by towing trees and rolling hills, Eagle Ridge by Wedgewood Weddings is chock-full of charm and Instagram-worthy photo ops. Say "I do" alfresco under a gorgeous white pergola before heading inside for cocktail hour inside the lounge, which features a roaring fireplace and a stunning oak bar. From there, it's off to the natural light-filled grand hall with vaulted ceilings and windows. It's also worth noting that the venue offers four customizable all-inclusive packages to help take the hassle out of planning.

• Price: $1,000
• Guest Capacity: 250
• Reviews: The staff at the venue makes wedding planning stress-free and work closely with each couple to ensure expectations are exceeded. "Absolutely amazing! Our wedding was everything we ever dreamed of and so much more. From the planning being so easy and honestly stress-free, to the incredible staff at the venue," one reviewer says.

Willow Heights Mansion in Morgan Hill, California

Photo: Willow Heights Mansion

Spanning 26 scenic acres, Willow Heights Mansion looks like it was plucked straight from a storybook. The estate features a whopping 16,000 square feet to accommodate up to 300 of your nearest and dearest. The outdoor ceremony site offers panoramic views of the surrounding rolling hills, while the mansion itself is nothing short of breathtaking with marble fireplaces and wrought iron staircases. The reception hall exudes elegance with its draped ceilings and polished wood floors.

• Price: $3,000
• Guest Capacity: 300
• Reviews: Not only is this venue absolutely stunning, but it boasts an incredibly helpful in-house team of professionals, all of whom work hand in hand to ensure everything runs smoothly. According to one reviewer, "Willow Heights Mansion is an absolutely beautiful venue and it's even more breathtaking in person. The process of working with WHM made wedding planning so easy because they do a lot of things in-house (coordination, decor, catering, DJ) and it made the process 100,000x less stressful!"

Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Costa Mesa, California

Photo: Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa

With a total of 11 Best of Weddings awards, Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa is by far one of the best affordable wedding venues in Orange County, CA. The venue offers both indoor and outdoor event spaces to choose from, most notably the manicured Lakeside Lawn and the aptly named Grand Ballroom. The venue is able to customize packages according to each couple's style and budget and, as a bonus, couples enjoy complimentary honeymoon suite accommodations with champagne, chocolate-dipped strawberries and breakfast the morning after their nuptials.

• Price: $9,000
• Guest Capacity: 218
• Reviews: Couples rave about every aspect of its venue, from the event spaces to the staff and more. "Our wedding at Avenue of the Arts was wonderful! The staff members are all very professional, and they worked so hard along with us to create a beautiful and amazingly fun event. The lakeside ceremony location is gorgeous and looks great for photos, and we especially appreciated the degree to which we were allowed to customize the timing/structure of the event to suit our traditions!" one reviewer writes.

Spanish Hills Club in Camarillo, California

Photo: Spanish Hills Club

Spanish Hills Club prides itself on its attention to detail, personalized service and inherently romantic ambiance. Outdoor ceremonies take place on the Outdoor Terrace Lawn, which offers mountain and valley views. Post-nuptials, you and your guests will head to the Overlook Terrace—which boasts an idyllic garden setting and twinkling bistro lights—for cocktail hour. The 240-person Camara Room is equally exquisite with Spanish-Mediterranean-inspired design elements, 18-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood and white limestone floors and dazzling chandeliers and pendant lights.

• Price: $8,500
• Guest Capacity: 240
• Reviews: Spanish Hills Club stands out for its scenic indoor and outdoor event spaces. "I can not say enough good things about Spanish Hills Club. It was the first venue on our list of visits and it quickly became our #1 choice. We loved getting married on their beautiful lawn overlooking the mountains and the Camara Room for the reception inside was just perfect," one reviewer remarks.

Evanelle Vineyards in Madera, California

Photo: Evanelle Vineyards

Evanelle Vineyards is a dreamy winery wedding venue for couples planning an affordable wedding in central California. Set amidst sprawling vineyards, the Tuscan-inspired venue provides a rustic-chic setting for to-be-weds looking to say "I do" in style. It offers 5,000 square feet of space for ceremonies and receptions for more than 300 guests. While ceremonies most often take place outside, cocktail hour is best enjoyed on the patio and receptions are held inside the beautiful barn. Open the expansive doors and prepare to be dazzled by the barn's contemporary chic aesthetic complete with natural wood floors, a bespoke bar and a spiral staircase that's prime for photo ops.

• Price: $3,500
• Guest Capacity: 350
• Reviews: Evanelle Vineyards is a fan-favorite for its awe-inspiring event spaces and hands-on team. "Choosing Evanelle as our venue was the best decision we could've made! Besides the venue being absolutely beautiful, the owners and staff are so nice and easy to work with. They made our vision come to life and did such a great job executing even the smallest of detail! Wedding planning is so stressful as is, but they made the process much more manageable."

The Sunset Acres in Fowler, California

Photo: The Sunset Acres

The Sunset Acres offers a handful of indoor and outdoor event spaces that are sure to impress to-be-weds, including a massive 400-person lawn area adorned with market lighting along with a rustic-chic barn complete with exposed wood beams, romantic string lights and elegant draperies. Meanwhile, the covered patio and bar are perfect for cocktail hours.

• Price: $6,200
• Guest Capacity: 350
• Reviews: The Sunset Acres has a distinctly tranquil feel courtesy of its picturesque scenery. "Where do I even start? Sunset Acres truly exceeded all my expectations and provided an unforgettable event that I will cherish forever. First and foremost, the ambiance of The Sunset Acres is simply breathtaking! As you step foot onto The Sunset Acres, there's a sense of peace and serenity that takes over as you're surrounded by beautiful greenery, amazing lighting and space and a modern twist on a rustic look," one reviewer says.

The Cypress Ridge Pavilion in Arroyo Grande, California

Photo: The Cypress Ridge Pavilion

Overlooking several sparkling lakes, The Cypress Ridge Pavilion is perfect for California couples looking for a scenic setting to tie the knot. The ceremony, cocktail hour and reception spaces are nothing short of spectacular. Exchange vows alfresco on any of the on-site lawns against a backdrop of a pond or towing trees. Then, guests can lounge by the fire pit, which features market lighting. The magnificent Main Dining Room, which is equipped with wood beam ceilings and a crackling fireplace, serves as a serene reception space.

• Price: $6,000
• Guest Capacity: 250
• Reviews: This beloved wedding venue boasts a professional staff and naturally breathtaking indoor and outdoor spaces. The delicious food is an added bonus, too. "The wedding team at Cypress Ridge was outstanding. Jodi, our coordinator, was exceptional in her professionalism, reliability and communication and made us feel comfortable that everything would be taken care of as we discussed. The venue itself is naturally gorgeous (inside and out) and the setup was perfect. The in-house caterers prepared an incredible meal—beautiful and delicious—from appetizers to the main course. Everyone raved about the food! We can't say enough about the magical day we had at Cypress Ridge. Highly recommend," one reviewer writes.