Where to have a barn wedding in Southern California

Love the idea of a romantic, rustic wedding? Southern California is perfect for it — the weather is almost always warm and dry, and there are so many beautiful non-urban areas that have such facilities.

However, if you were hoping to find an actual barn in Los Angeles, I don’t know that you would have much luck. Most of the barns that I found were in Ventura and Orange counties, which makes sense — Los Angeles is known more for its city and ocean views, not so much for its farms. Most of these barns are also under the management of other entities — museums, cities, golf courses — so you don’t have to worry about having to muck out stalls to prep for your wedding.

Probably the closest barn for a wedding you’d find is just up the freeway from me, in Simi Valley.

As I’ve previously written, Strathearn Historical Park and Museum houses a 100-year-old church, a gazebo and a barn — and is probably a deal because it is a venue run by the Rancho Simi Recreation And Park District. Simi Valley is an easy 20-minute drive from most of the San Fernando Valley.

Down south, in Orange County, my friend Lori Anderson has frequently photographed weddings at Newland Barn in Huntington Beach.

(Photo by Lori Anderson)

Photo by Lori Anderson

Newland Barn also happens to be own by a government entity, the city of Huntington Beach, which has posted all the rental prices, fees and other particulars online. If you are looking to have your wedding here, act fast — it appears you can rent this venue for around $1,000 if you plan to serve alcohol at your wedding. What a steal.

Back here in Ventura County, another barn wedding option is Camarillo Ranch.

I love to play tourist and I’ve been meaning to visit Camarillo Ranch, which includes a restored Queen Anne Victorian home originally built in 1892, and the bright red Mule Barn, which was renovated in 2009. Check out more photos on their Barn Renovation page. Having your wedding here would also be quite a deal — Camarillo Ranch’s most expensive wedding & special event package is just $5,000.

Finally, back in Orange County, there is the Big Red Barn at the Strawberry Farms Golf Club in Irvine.

(Facebook photo by Strawberry Farms Club)

Facebook photo by Strawberry Farms Club

Strawberry Farms’ barn is possibly the biggest out of this group, able to accommodate up to 250 guests for just $2,000, not including catering and other amenities. Of course, they have preferred vendors when it comes to hair & makeup, transportation, hotels and bakeries, but that’s not unusual. Check out all the particulars here. (PDF)

The information in this post was accurate when originally published in 2013.

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