Plaza de Magdalena in the heart of San Juan
$10,300 starting price
201 to 250 guests
AWARD WINNER (1X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Sundried Tomato American Bistros & Catering is excited to announce the Grand Opening of our new event venue in the heart of downtown San Juan Capistrano. This picturesque location provides many configurations and options to choose from!
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Pricing details
Couples usually spend $11,450
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Amenities + details
Amenities
Covered Outdoors Space
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Guest Capacity
Up to 250
Settings
Ballroom
Cruise
Restaurant
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks
Food & Catering
Service Staff
Awards and Affiliations
Any questions?
Availability
Reviews
4.8
out of 5.054 reviews
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Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
Plaza de Magdalena is a dream wedding venue with stunning scenery and top-notch service, as praised by multiple reviewers. The staff, especially Patti and team, were highly accommodating and made the planning process seamless. Guests raved about the delectable food, such as the salmon entree and sundried tomato soup, and the beautiful ambiance of the venue. The all-in-one location and affordability added to the positive experience, making it a highly recommended choice for weddings and events.Review photos
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Ana F
4.0
11/15/2024
Plaza De Magdalena was a beautiful venue for our wedding. The reception space was lovely. While the ceremony area and bridal suite were a bit on the smaller side, the venue provided great value overall. The food was amazing, and they included all the tableware and linens, which was a nice perk. The venue coordinator, Patti, could have been more responsive which was the most frustrating part about choosing this venue. However, the rest of team still did a great job making our day special. The groom's dressing area was a bit unconventional, being in a storage room, but they made it look nice. Overall, we're so glad we went with Plaza De Magdalena - it was an affordable option with a beautiful reception space and exactly what we needed.
Andrae B
5.0
10/07/2023
Plaza de Magdalena was the dream venue for our wedding, offering not just a stunning setting but also top-notch service. A special shoutout to Patti, who was incredibly helpful in answering all our questions and making sure everything went smoothly. The food was delectable, the service staff were friendly and diligent, and the overall value was unbeatable. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect experience and highly recommend Plaza de Magdalena for anyone looking to host their wedding or next big event.
Any questions?
Julie T
5.0
8/15/2023
The Plaza de Magdalena staff was wonderful to work with on the day of our wedding. Dawn especially was so helpful and attentive. All the staff members were knowledgeable and friendly. They created a warm atmosphere.
Part of the reason we chose this venue was that everything was in one place - it made the event feel organized without any running around. Parking was a bit confusing for guests but most were able to find it without issue.
Our guests raved about the food, the salmon entree and sundried tomato soup appetizer especially.
Elizabeth M
5.0
7/17/2023
Plaza de Magdalena was an absolute dream for our wedding! The venue itself was beautiful, providing a stunning backdrop for our big day and the food was incredible, impressing all our guests. Plus, when unexpected issues popped up, the venue staff worked with us to find solutions. They were accommodating, ensuring our wedding went off without a hitch. We couldn't have asked for a better experience!
Kate P
5.0
5/17/2023
We had our 145 person wedding at Plaza de Magdalena and couldn't be happier with our decision! Patti and the catering team were great to work with, food was amazing, and the venue was beautiful. They went above and beyond to accommodate our unusual requests, like an eating contest, and the town had so many cute places to take pictures. You can't go wrong with Plaza de Magdalena!
Jennifer V
5.0
1/04/2023
We first found out about this venue through a close friend. As i was doing more research, i found out it was in the heart of the beautiful, historical town of San Juan Capistrano. (Which is a great place for wedding pics.)
Patti was highly professional, as well as highly attentive to our needs and 1,000 questions. When you hire the venue for an event, the rental fee is relatively low; however, it all starts to add up once you start adding the catering costs because you have to use their services. In comparison to other wedding venues, this place is on the more affordable side. Don’t let that fool you, because all of their food is delicious. you have a food testing appointment where you can choose all of the plates that you would like to have at your event. The tomato soup and chicken with white creamy sauce was a big hit at our wedding! The venue includes all of the chairs, tables, linens, tableware, all you have to do is choose the color of the napkin.
The venue has a lot of natural beauty, especially that outdoor courtyard where most wedding ceremonies are held. It doesn’t need a lot of decoration, so you can save some money there. I would also recommend using MAE from their preferred vendor list as your mandatory day of coordination services. They have a well established relationship and MAE knows the venue inside out.
Needless to say, my wedding day was perfect and Plaza De Magdalena did a fantastic job from the waitering staff to quality of food. I wouldn’t want to have it anywhere else!
Chelsea G
5.0
12/29/2022
Plaza de Magdalena is one of the best hidden gems you will come across! We booked this venue for our Nov 2022 wedding and we are still hearing about how amazing the venue, food, and drink were. We had spicy margaritas as our signature drink and HOLY COW they were some of the best spicy margaritas I've ever had.
Patti and her team were so helpful with my million questions and were so accommodating the day of with whatever we needed. The courtyard space was perfect for our wedding and was already so beautifully set up that we needed minimal decor for the space. The reception room fit our 100 guests perfectly (but there was definitely enough room for at least 50 more if needed). Patti and her team also went above and beyond when it came to our guests' dietary restrictions. From gluten-free, vegan, no red meat, dairy-free, and everything in-between. Thank you Plaza de Magdalena for being such an amazing vendor to work with and for making our wedding one to remember!
Abigail J
5.0
12/13/2022
My husband Chris and i got married at Plaza de Magdalena on 11/11/22 and we couldn’t be more happier that we found this venue. We only had 5 months to prepare a wedding and Patti made everything possible for us.
She is very kind and helpful all throughout the process. We communicated via e-mail and text along the way - always answering my questions. On the day of my wedding, Patti even ran inside the restaurant to grab me a napkin right before i walked the down the steps because i suddenly couldn’t stop crying. I’ll never forget that moment with her.
All of our family and friends loved the vibe of the courtyard and raved how delicious all the food were! All of the staff from the people who got the rooms ready, served the food to the bartender were all so very nice and definitely went above and and beyond.
My dream wedding came to life and i will forever be grateful for everyone who made it come to a reality!
Stephen & Emily V
5.0
11/15/2022
We had the most special wedding thanks to this gorgeous venue. Patti was super helpful and kind - very willing to work with us on our requests. The venue staff was helpful and the food is DELICIOUS! We loved how the venue is all connected. They truly made our wedding such a seamless, stunning day! Thank you Plaza de Magdalena team!!
Michelle J
5.0
11/09/2022
First let me say Y’ALL CRUSHED IT! I really wish I was a good writer because this would be an elaborate email but I’ll do my best.
I will talk about the event space first. Everyone has texted or emailed me about the beautiful location. People loved the space, they loved the gorgeous ceremony space and how you guys transformed it into a beautiful and elegant cocktail hour. The ballroom was a wonderful space for a party too! Well done!
Next the food - HOLY COW! THE COMPLIMENTS I AM GETTING ABOUT EVERYTHING PEOPLE ATE! Some highlights, the egg rolls, they were served in a way that were delicious and easy to eat with the sauce included. Most of the time you are trying to balance a drink plus an egg roll and then trying to dip it into the sauce. Almost impossible. The salmon - wow! So many people have asked me how y’all keep the salmon from being too dry. Most of the time at weddings the salmon is so dry you get cotton mouth. Not yours! It was perfect. Three people have asked me about the salad and what was in it. Ten people have said that was the best tomato soup they have ever eaten. I could go on and on but I think you get the point.
The service - buckle up this might be the icing on the cake :-). Somehow you guys did everything and nobody knew y’all were there. Unbelievable! People have been telling me the service was better than a 5 star restaurant. “My water glass was never empty”, was one example. Dawn was talking to my husband and my husband was telling her that he ate like a kindergartener because he is very very picky. Without asking, she brought him out chicken fingers and plain mac and cheese! COME ON who does that!
Greckza M
5.0
11/08/2022
From the moment we accidentally came across this venue we were taken away by its beauty! The venue itself is quite enough to make any couple’s wedding be more than they could ever expect! We truly enjoyed the entire process from walking the venue to the food tasting and all through our special day. Our guests enjoyed what we wanted them to experience. We couldn’t be any more happier with our decision with this venue. The food was amazing! The service excellent!!! You can’t go wrong with making this decision.
Christina A
5.0
8/15/2022
We could not be happier with this beautiful venue. We came upon it and it filled all of our needs! Patti was great in her assistance from food tasting to walk throughs. Our guests could not stop talking about the beauty of the venue (outdoor courtyard and ballroom), the amazing food, and the amazing service. Everyone was so kind and helpful from beginning to end. They made the most memorable day of our lives truly special. Thank you to the Plaza de Magdalena Staff!
anonymous u
5.0
6/17/2022
What a gem! Seriously we could not have been more happy with our experience and were so happy to come across this venue that was not only beautiful but also affordable! You can’t go wrong right in the heart of downtown San Juan Capistrano with so many great things to do and beautiful picture locations! Since we first met Patti, we knew we were in good hands! Our guests repeatedly commented on how beautiful the venue was, how amazing the food was, and how attentive the staff were! There was never a time since we first inquired to the end of the reception, that we did not feel prioritized. Thank you so so much! You truly made our celebration one for us and our guests to remember!
Michaela K
5.0
4/25/2022
I cannot recommend this venue enough! Seriously. Our wedding reception was everything we could have hoped for and more. The space is beautiful and fit our Mediterranean vibe so well! Patti was responsive and very patient as I asked the same questions over and over again lol. The food is amazing. Seriously, we received so many compliments about how surprisingly good the food was. I guess the bar for wedding food is usually pretty low?
On that note: The whole process planning the wedding with here was fairly smooth. The food tasting was a highlight. And walking into the reception and seeing the venue transformed into our vision was more emotional than i ever expected. And, if you're on a budget, your guests will never know :)
Brandon T
5.0
4/03/2022
Quite literally a hidden gem. Although you may be unaware driving or even walking through San Juan Capistrano, this gorgeous venue is most likely rocking some event any weekend evening. My wife and I got married here last weekend and it was incredible. Patti is a seasoned veteran that helped us through the whole process of choosing the venue, ironing out details, getting ready for the big day, and then had Dawn help us throughout our entire wedding day. Both the courtyard and indoor area are amazing, you won't even notice anything going on in the businesses/restaurants above you. We had about 130 people and that was a tight squeeze in the courtyard, so don't invite too many more than that. There was also a small issue with the staff not following our seating charts, so double-check that before you seat your guests. Other than that, it was an incredible evening with amazing food, staff, and ambiance. Thank you Plaza de Magdalena and Sundried Tomato!
Katie R
1.0
11/18/2021
Venue is very pretty, and has lost to offer, but when it comes to communication there is none. Patti is always on vacation and there is no one to fill in for her while she’s gone. She never responds to emails, and when she does it’s weeks later.
For the amount of money we have put into this wedding I feel like we would have better communication to make sure everything looks perfect on our wedding day. As of right now I’m not even sure how a wedding will happen! :(
I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND, STAY AWAY they won’t communicate with you, and other weddings are more important than yours and they will break the contract
Briana H
5.0
11/16/2020
I am still in absolute awe of the incredible wedding we had at Plaza de Magdalena. I had booked our ceremony and reception with them back in June of 2019 for our 10.10.2020 wedding. Little did I know that COVID would arrive and disrupt all of our plans!!!
We worked with Patti through the whole process and she was truly incredible. We settled on holding the ceremony in their courtyard as originally planned and moved the reception to my fathers backyard. They were wonderful enough to use our deposit toward the catering costs. We were able to keep our exact same menu, were still able to get ready in their suites, have our dream wedding in the courtyard and then head to my fathers house for a perfect reception!
We also hired their staff to serve and buss during the entire event. They did a wonderful job setting up all the tables, serving at the buffet, serving wine during dinner, bartending and bussing all the tables all night long. I am beyond grateful for Plaza de Magdalena.
Also, did I mention that the food was truly delicious! Good food was the one request my husband had and wow did they produce. Everyone raved about the menu and many people said we had the best food and appetizers they've ever had at a wedding. All things considered, I feel so very fortunate that I had selected Plaza de Magdalena all that time ago and that we were able to move forward with our wedding despite the craziness of 2020.
I highly recommend this venue. The courtyard and banquet room were beautiful. I'm sad we were not able to use the banquet room for the reception but believe it would have been beautiful. They are reasonably priced considering how crazy expensive California weddings can be and you definitely get your moneys worth. Overall definitely go check their venue out. The best past is that they also have their restaurant, Sun-dried Tomato upstairs so now on our anniversary we can go have a nice dinner and relive our wedding every year <3 Thank you for all your hard work Patti and the rest of the PDM staff, we are truly grateful.
Ali C
5.0
2/07/2020
I absolutely loved having my wedding at this amazing venue. Patti was a wonderful help through the entire process and always very clear about everything that was happening and how everything would work. My husband and I had looked at a number of venues but hadn't had any luck. We were working with a pretty small budget and guest list so we needed a place that not only we could afford but also wouldn't look too empty with our 50 guest count. This venue did not disappoint.
Despite the last minute construction going on outside the venue, everything worked out just fine the day of. I got my dramatic entrance down the stairs for my ceremony, my band sounded awesome set up at the front of the reception hall, the room is beautifully neutral so you can honestly make it look however you want, and with the right accessories and layout the room look plenty full and celebratory even with only 1/5 of the capacity filled up.
All in all, thus us a venue that is beautiful, flexible, and perfect for the bride who wants to make the day her own without breaking the bank. I will always be grateful for them for making my day what it was.
Naomi F
5.0
12/10/2019
Plaza de Magdalena is the perfect place for a wedding! The venue itself is so elegant inside and outside. The staff is amazing to work with and make the night seem less! Patti ( the event coordinator) is the absolute best, she is prompt with reply’s and clears up any questions almost instantly. I absolutely loved the staff and venue and cannot stop bragging about them to friend and family!
Lauren F
5.0
12/10/2019
Plaza de Magdalena is such a beautiful venue! At the beginning of the year my then fiancé (now husband) and I were scouting out different locations in the San Juan Capistrano area for our fall 2019 wedding. We came across Plaza de Magdalena, and we knew this was the place. We could not have found a more perfect venue for both our ceremony and reception of 135 people. The courtyard setting for our wedding ceremony was magical. Patti (the onsite event coordinator) and her team are wonderful to work with. Since, communication is so important to a stressed out bride, I can’t tell you how appreciative I was that Patti would get back to me so fast with the answers to my questions. She was always accommodating to all my ideas, and last minute changes. Sun Dried Tomatoes is the caterer for this venue. All my guests had such great compliments about the delicious food at dinner. In addition, everyone enjoyed the wonderful appetizers and open bar during cocktail hour.
Patti’s staff working our wedding was amazing, and everything on the day of our wedding was flawless. My husband and I highly recommend Plaza de Magdalena for any event!
Megan L
5.0
11/05/2019
Plaza de Magdalena, Patti was great at showcasing what would end up being our dream venue. My husband and I are huge foodies so FOOD was a top priority for us when picking a venue for our wedding date. OC weddings are saturated with the same catering company, being outsourced to every venue. After visiting one venue that was way over our price range and out of Saturday 2019 dates it was an absolute blessing to walk into PDM. Our minimalist vibe was perfect for this venue and it fit our guest count perfectly. Even better… the kitchen was ON SITE. The restaurant Sundried Tomatoes was well reviewed on all yelps, googles, and open table. It was gut feeling that made us book here and a FULL and happy belly that made I thankful for choosing it. Patti was also great with making sure our weird requests were listened to. We actually did our ceremony inside and flipped the room while everyone was in cocktail. There was never a moment that our ideas couldn’t be made a reality.
Christa M
5.0
10/26/2019
I got married here last month and it was amazing! Patti was so great to work with. All of the guests said how beautiful the venue was and how delicious the food was! It really was magical when everything came together. I can't say enough good things about the Plaza. The staff was so friendly and on point. Such a great value! Highly recommend!
Cecily N
5.0
10/20/2019
This venue was a dream. Surrounded by a quaint community and the mission down the street, this was ideal for our guests and a beautiful location. It rained on my wedding day and they accommodated and it looked even better than the original way! The food was also great - my guests really enjoyed dinner and full bar. We catered from restaurant upstairs that is owned by the same company. This was the perfect size for the ceremony and reception to fit my dream wedding.
Monica S
5.0
9/26/2019
Patti was hands down the best!!! She was always very responsive and I can tell that she just loves what she does for a living. She truly does care about her brides and wants them to have the best day possible. The tasting was super fun and the food was GREAT!!! We got alot of comments about how good it was. The chicken and tri tip options were mouthwatering. Make sure you get time to eat because it's definitely worth it. I had a few hiccups, but my coordinator and Patti were there to smooth things over and were very flexible with the timeline the day of my event. The space itself is super cute, charming, quaint, with colonial inspiration. If you're looking for something different that your hotel| golf club|hall - this is a great option and has alot of personality. We had our pictures taken at the Mission right across the street as well as the Los Rios District. Plaza de Magdalena also photographs beautifully....especially at night. We really enjoyed having a cocktail hour in such a beautiful courtyard and the fact that it was available to us all night was a plus. For us, this place really captured everything we wanted in a venue for our special day <3
Veronica H
5.0
9/19/2019
Patti was so accommodating during our entire planning process! The food was also delicious, highly recommend going with the Mexican food menu. Everything turned out beautifully and was a great value for the cost!
Irene C
5.0
5/12/2019
A beautiful venue for our wedding – definitely a hidden gem in San Juan Capistrano. We had our ceremony, cocktail reception, and dinner/dancing there (with 160 guests). The staff was professional to work with and ensured a wonderful outcome.
Before our big day, Patti accommodated last-minute menu changes and provided gracious windows of time for our vendors to set-up. On the day of, everything was set-up to perfection, and the entire Plaza de Magdalena team went above and beyond. Once the ceremony ended, the Plaza de Magdalena team swiftly and seamlessly changed the outside courtyard from ceremony seating to a cocktail reception…quickly opening the bars and passing trays of delicious appetizers. The food was delicious, and the Plaza de Magdalena team did an amazing job making sure our guests’ needs were met. We had children at our wedding, and they plated the children first, knowing our tiny guests would be ready eat.
Another nice touch was a member of the team brought us drinks and appetizers as we waited in the bridal suite before our “grand entrance.” We opted for a buffet for dinner and wow, it flowed better than we expected. Our guests were served quickly, the food was hot, and was just as scrumptious as it was during the menu tasting.
Many of our guests told us what a great time they had, complemented the friendliness of the staff, and how they really enjoyed the food. We are very glad that we had our wedding at this venue. It was like having a wedding in an Italian villa. We certainly recommend Plaza de Magdalena to anyone looking for a beautiful, affordable wedding venue.
Maryia K
5.0
3/15/2019
Amazing, reasonably priced venue, and Patti is incredible. We had such an easy time working with Plaza de Magdalena for the entire planning period and never felt nickel-and-dimed for small requests and changes. Everything was clear and easy - catering is on site, and there were no surprise upcharges. Patti is super responsive and flexible about every question and concern that we had. Patti was able to work with us for one-off requests, helped SO much on the day of, when it started to rain, and was so professional and lovely in general. The catering from Sundried Tomatoes upstairs is absolutely delicious - we highly recommend the brunch option. We did it for dinner! You can't go wrong with Plaza de Magdalena.
Shelby N
5.0
12/05/2018
Patti and her team were so accommodating and easy to work with. They all made the experience so enjoyable and not stressful at all! Her preferred vendors were incredible to work with as well. The layout of the venue accommodated our guest count of 200 perfectly and it didn't seem cramped at all! It was a really hot day, so it was amazing to have the indoor/outdoor option the entire night. I loved the getting ready room where my (now) husband and I hid out during cocktail hour and her staff fed us dinner and brought us drinks! They even made us iced coffee in between the champagne. It was the pick me up we needed to get through the marathon of a day. It was perfect, flawless, and amazing. This venue is the perfect tucked away venue to make your day feel extra special. Thank you Patti!
Holland M
5.0
11/29/2018
Plaza De Magdalena was everything we were looking for in a wedding venue. Working with Patti was such a delight! She was so organized, responsive, and fun! She also was able to recommend great vendors who made our wedding everything we ever dreamed of. The venue itself was beautiful. At first we were slightly concerned about having a ceremony of 140 in the courtyard and flipping to the cocktail hour, but when the day of the wedding came, we didn't even notice the flip. The food was absolutely incredible! Doing the menu tasting was a blast and our only regret was not being able to choose everything! Multiple guests told us that it was the best dinner they had ever had at a wedding. The staff the day of were exceptional. They worked so hard to execute our vision and everything was done beautifully. If you're looking for a unique, charming, special, personalized wedding venue, Plaza De Magdalena is the venue for you!
Lily R
5.0
10/02/2018
I had a vision of a romantic and intimate wedding, and Plaza de Magdalena delivered! Our guests haven't stopped raving about the food and the venue, both were a huge hit! We did the Teafilo Mexican food menu, and guests keep commenting that it's the best wedding food they've had. We totally agree! We couldn't have had a better experience planning our wedding. Everyone at the venue was very easy to work with, and Patti made the whole planning process very easy. It's located in the historic San Juan Capistrano area that adds to its charm. I would highly recommend Plaza de Magdalena for any bride searching for a beautiful venue.
melanie g
5.0
5/29/2018
We had our wedding this past weekend here.
Patti and all the crew were absolutely amazing! Highly recommend. The food is so good and the appetizers are to die for. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to have my wedding at. It was truly a dream come true
Andrea A
5.0
2/28/2018
We had our ceremony and reception here and it was very intimate and beautiful. Patti is so great! We heard from everyone that the wait staff during cocktail hour and reception were just so attentive and nice. Our guests loved the intimate feel of the venue and how it is set back from everything else. If you love Sundried Tomato Bistro like we do then you will love the food because they own/cater this venue and everything is exceptional, they even made our mini desserts. A bonus is the Mission San Juan Capistrano is barely a block away and we took our pictures there.
Madeline A
5.0
2/08/2018
Everything was perfect! The grounds were beautiful, the food was delicious and the staff was so professional and helpful. If I could do it again, I would!
Annie N
5.0
9/09/2017
Patti was an absolute dream to work with! I'm a very type A person, and was emailing & calling her multiple times a week to double check things and update her! In a nutshell, she was accomoding, kind, and made my wedding planning experience a breeze.
Kimberly B
5.0
8/25/2017
We ran into some hiccups planning our wedding. 2 weeks before our wedding date our original venue called us to tell us our venue wasn't going to be done with construction in time to have the wedding. With little notice, we called Patti and she was more then willing to accommodate us. Patti worked above and beyond to ensure my husband and I were happy and made absolutely sure that our day was what we dreamed of. I couldn't be happier with how the day went. Our guest are still talking about how much fun they had and everyone is raving about how good the food was. I couldn't be more impressed with the service that was provided by both Patti and the wait staff. I would highly recommend Plaza de Magdalena to everyone!!
Chris J
4.0
3/23/2017
The quality of food from Plaza de Magdelena put us over the edge when selecting them as our vendor and they certainly delivered at our reception. Guests were very vocal about how wonderful the menu was. The staff was professional and responsive, and they were flexible with our needs. The space is gorgeous and welcoming as well.
We would certainly work with them again, given the opportunity.
Madelynn M
5.0
3/22/2017
What a magical wedding and wonderful venue! The day of team was fantastic to work with. The ceremony courtyard space was transformed into a perfect fairy tale. The entire staff was friendly, and responsive. You will not regret having your big day here. Thanks Patti and team!
Kristen N
5.0
12/05/2016
Our wedding at the Plaza de Magdalena was amazing! It is such a beautiful location that is great for photos itself, but also so close to other great photo ops. The food was amazing and the staff at the wedding was so helpful and friendly. Everyone had such a great time at the wedding, myself and my husband included. We had the ceremony and the reception there and everything flowed very smoothly and made for a great event. I highly recommend this venue.
Lauren C
4.0
10/27/2016
We just had our wedding 10/8/2016 at Plaza De Magdalena. Patti was absolutely fantastic to work with. Her quickness to respond and availability to answer all of my questions throughout the process was very re-assuring. It is a great venue, and very affordable, and allows for many different visions from any style bride!
Kellee G
5.0
10/27/2016
Amazing wedding venue! We had our wedding there in September and couldnt have been happier! Everyone at our wedding couldn't get over how amazing the food was and how intimate the venue was! Patti and the staff there are also great! You won't be disappointed!
Rebecca S
5.0
10/26/2016
My husband and I had the pleasure of holding both our wedding ceremony and reception at Plaza de Magdalena on 10-1-16! Everything was absolutely PERFECT!! Patti and her staff were very helpful from day 1 and made our special day everything we could have ever hoped for. Our cocktail hour and dinner were delicious. Even several weeks after the wedding our guests still tell us how much they loved the food and they had so much fun. THANK YOU PLAZA DE MAGDALENA!! Love Mark and Rebecca
Erika J
4.0
10/23/2016
Ah-mazing! Patti and her team helped us create the most beautiful day ever. They made special accommodations for us and our guests, the price was much more affordable than other venues, and the food was delicious. My husband and I highly recommend this space.
Joelle J
5.0
9/28/2016
Patti Pracht and the entire staff at Sundried Tomato and Plaza Magdalena are simply AMAZING! My wife and I were blown away by the attention to detail and positive attitude that Patti, brought to our big day. Since we booked with them, Patti was in constant contact with us, sending us photos of events that took place there, bouncing decoration ideas off of us, helping us find vendors, and even giving our family members a tour of the venue 4 months before the wedding. Dealing with Patti was like dealing with a friend who sincerely cared about your experience with Plaza Magdalena, and we were just so lucky to have her on our side.
As for the venue itself, you cannot find a more intimate, unique location for a wedding in San Juan Capistrano. Its prime location in the middle of downtown allowed our guests to visit the local restaurants and bars before our wedding and even after. You are definitely blown away as you walk down the grand stair case into the plaza, which has strung lights, a fountain and decorative stone pavers enhancing the old Spanish feeling. Inside, the venue was completely brand new, and accommodated all our 200 guests, without being cramped. We had a head table (with 12 people), 18 round tables, decorative furniture, dance floor, bar and a cake table all inside the venue with room to spare. Outside, we had a photo booth, gift table, bar and cocktail table with all our guests, again without feeling like sardines.
Lastly, one of the biggest hits at our wedding was the FOOD! We kept getting rave reviews from our guests at the quality of food served by the venue. The Sundried Tomato, the restaurant on the 2nd floor, provides excellent gourmet food, hot and fresh from the kitchen. We had the chimichurri steak with the salmon, and everyone was loving it! If you are hesitant about what the food tastes like, just have a dinner or lunch at the restaurant and be blown away at the quality of the food.
Overall, I cannot over emphasize how perfect our wedding day was with the help of Patti and everyone at Plaza Magdalena and Sundried Tomato. If you are on the fence, or are searching for a special venue, THIS IS YOUR PLACE!
THANKS AGAIN FOR EVERYTHING PATTI!
Daniel and Joelle Guerra – Wedding Date 8/13/16
Annie K
1.0
9/20/2016
They gave me a quote and then tried to charge me another $1,000. The quote clearly stated the total fee and what all it included in that fee. Be very careful they are shady.
5.0
7/20/2016
Our wedding day was July 3rd, and we could not be happier with the venue! We stumbled upon it during my internet search, and once we saw the beautiful reception room and tasted the food, it was an easy decision! Patti is wonderful to work with, and she goes above and beyond to make the day run smoothly. She gave us a great list of vendors (as suggestions) and was always very responsive to any emails we sent. On the day of our wedding, we really appreciated the staff and thought they did an amazing job. Our guests thought the venue was great as well and kept asking, "How did you find this place?!" It was perfect for our wedding and reception, and we would highly recommend it!
Michelle C
5.0
6/27/2016
We had our wedding on June 4th and Patti did an amazing job. She went above and beyond to help us with our big day. The venue cost included table cloths, silverware, tables and chairs for the cocktail hour and during the reception. We had a lunch reception and the lighting through the window was perfect for the reception. The venue is also beautiful, inside and outside. I give Plaza de Magdalena a big thumbs up :)
Inge H
5.0
6/14/2016
We are absolutely thrilled with how everything turned out for our wedding day!! Patti worked with us on every customization and made sure we had ample access for our vendors leading up to the event and during the event weekend. The food was fantastic and the catering team was so flexible and worked with us on every logistical detail. The ambience and location is perfect for a good mix of indoor & outdoor elements. The location is also terrific for photos since it's in the heart of downtown San Juan Capistrano. My bridal party got our hair and makeup done 100 yards from PDM and we were all able to get dressed/do final touches together in the bridal suite - there was 12 of us! There was so much room in the bridal suite, it's great. Plus, Patti adds a personal touch by hanging your invitation in the room. It's very sweet of her!
We are so glad we celebrated our big day here and would definitely recommend this venue!
Jennifer F
5.0
6/01/2016
Plaza de Magdalena was the perfect setting for our wedding on 5/22/16. It was the first venue we visited and we knew we didn't need to go anywhere else. It's romantic and cozy, and it fit all of our guests perfectly, with tons of room for more. Patti is warm and inviting and she responds quickly to any email or phone call. She was super easy to work with and her team kept everything moving smoothly. The food is amazing and all our guests raved about it. I had a lot of DIY decor and I was able to bring it on the rehearsal day and set it up. They have a lovely bridal suite with a big bathroom and it was plenty spacious enough for myself, 5 bridesmaids, mothers of the bride/groom, and two photographers! The groom's suite was nice too, it has a foosball table, tv, couches and a fridge. I love the location, it's hidden below the restaurants across from the mission. We took our bridal party photos down in the Los Rios District which is right down the street. I highly recommend this venue to anyone! We absolutely loved it!!
Christie S
5.0
5/02/2016
This is the perfect location for a wedding! I recently coordinated a wedding at Plaza de Magdalena and let me tell you, it's specially designed for weddings and they've thought of everything! The ceremony area has gorgeous bistro lighting to create an enchanting ceremony vibe (option to use their arbor), the reception area has lighting and speakers included, and the venue takes care of all of the tables, linens, napkins, chairs, you name it! This was a stress-free option for the bride as the venue coordinator is exceptional at her job. Patti is a true wedding expert and will make sure you are well taken care of on your wedding day. I would coordinate weddings here every weekend if I could because the staff at the venue are A+ (so helpful, hard working and FRIENDLY!!), the food is insanely good (almost too good to be true) and it comes fully equipped for weddings. Christie Rose Events loves everything about Plaza de Magdalena! True wedding professionals.
Heather S
5.0
5/02/2016
This place is a gem!!! We just had our wedding here 4/30/16, and it was thee most stress-free day of my life. Patti and team were so incredibly helpful and attentive to detail. The Sundried Tomato team were so organized and kind. The courtyard was the perfect place for the ceremony, and the reception couldn't have been nicer. The venue is so clean, and polished, that is looks beautiful without needing any decorations. It was nice that they provided linens, napkins, and they had the table and chairs. The food- OMG- the food was incredible! We had spinach stuffed chicken breasts, tri tip, an amazing gourmet mac n cheese, and the salads were so delicious. Everything was so fresh- we heard many guests saying this was the best wedding food they have had. We could not have imagined our day any other way. It was perfect!!!
5.0
4/20/2016
A "golden" place!! My parents 50th wedding anniversary party was truly beautiful. The venue staff was so helpful with all the planning. The appetizers and luncheon were delish! All our guest kept saying how this felt like a wonderful wedding!! Can't thank you enough Patti and your amazing staff for making my parents party perfect!!
Cherilyn C
5.0
8/10/2015
I truly can't recommend Plaza de Magdalena enough.
My husband and I only had our reception here - but - we had access to the venue for the entire day. This meant that both parties were able to get ready in the beautiful bridal suite and relaxing grooms room before we went to our ceremony site. We had a server that came to our rooms and took our orders (food and beverage), which made it a truly luxurious experience.
When we came back from the ceremony, our guests had tray passed appetizers in the courtyard (which has been totally redone and looks GREAT!), as well as a full beer and wine open bar (spirits were an option, but we opted for beer and wine). The appetizers were smoked salmon on a cucumber with dill sauce, crostini with Brie and cranberries, signature spring rolls, and their signature sundries tomato soup. By the way, the site has been created by restaurant and catering company, SunDried Tomato, therefore, it is catered by SDT which is delicious!
For dinner, we chose salmon with a chardonnay caper sauce and chicken with spinach and marscapone and champagne cream sauce. Our sides were fresh vegetables with an aioli sauce, the 'adult' mac & cheese (amazing), and chopped salad with a cilantro vinaigrette; each table had bread and their delicious sundried tomato butter. The service was impeccable; our guests could not stop raving about the service and food.
It truly was a memorable experience to have our reception here. I cannot fully express how grateful we are to have had a flawless experience of uncompromising quality.
5.0
7/20/2015
I took a tour of Plaza de Magdalena and was so impressed. The venue is so beautiful and the staff there was absolutely incredible. It wasn't available for my wedding day, which I was bummed about, but my experience there was great and I would definitely recommend it to anyone.
5.0
7/14/2015
Can't stop talking about what a great time we had at the reception. Everyone said it was the BEST PARTY they ever went to. A lovely location - fabulous food - and the Plaza de Magdalena staff and catering team were incredible to work with. They took care of every last detail which made it so much easier for us to enjoy ourselves. Wish we could do it all over again!
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