Rancho Las Lomas

Average Base Cost: $38,000

Average base cost for a Rancho Las Lomas wedding is calculated by figuring a 125-person guest list for a Saturday ceremony/reception in high season including using the venue’s average catering/beverage costs from 24 carrots (detailed below), including rentals and staffing. Transportation to venue, entertainment, furniture rentals, decorations, DJ, and photography are not included. Average price includes gratuity and state sales tax. Price is rounded up to the nearest thousand.

How it breaks down:

Facility Fee: 

The site fee includes rental of the property for the day, from 11 a.m. to midnight. However, staffing charges begin once guests arrive.

Peak Season (April-December)

• $8,500 for a Saturday night event

Off-Peak Season (January -March)

• Rates range from $2,500 to $7,000 depending on day

Location options include:

 El Teatro: Open-air theatre with a ceremonial stage. Seating for 400

Grand Salon: Indoors with a stone fireplace and french doors. Seating for up to 210

Casa Bella: A bungalow surrounded by private river rock patios and overlooking the Aliso Creek. Seating for 50 guests

What’s Included: Nothing.

Food and Beverage: The venue says on average per person pricing starts at $175/pp, which includes all catering, rentals, and staffing. You must use the in-house catering company, 24 Carrots. For this venue, meal prices range from $34-$59, with additional per person charges for stations, appetizers and desserts. Full bar service ranges from $22-$30 per person. Server charges are extra, such as 1 server per 12-15 guests at $35/hour for plated meals and $35 per hour for each bartender (industry standard is to have 1 bartender per 50 guests). You will also need an Event Captain ($35/hour) and Event Chef ($35/hour) and possibly more staff depending on your event size.

More Stats:

Space Type: Inside/Outside

Size: Up to 500 depending on location

Bridal Suite: Yes

Parking: Valet service required

Food Service Type: Buffet or seated

How Will Grandma Get There? The Ayres Hotel chain in Laguna Woods (approximately 9 miles from the venue) and neighboring areas are a good bet for guests, and there are hotel options in Irvine and further away in Newport Beach as well.

Party On! Outdoor events must end by 10 p.m. while indoor events can end by midnight.

The Report:

Rancho Las Lomas is a private estate sitting on 32 acres in Silverado Canyon amongst the wilderness of the Cleveland National Forest. The property also hosts the Rancho Las Lomas Wildlife Foundation (RLLWF), a non-profit dedicated to “the creation of a crucial link between people, animals, and the preservation of nature.” Animals on the property include an alpaca, bengal tigers, a zebra, exotic birds, and more.

Woman Getting Married Says:

There are pros and cons associated with this venue (and there are with most), however the main cons have to do with price (and that can be good or bad depending on what your budget is). One of the pros is that the venue is on a great piece of property and maintains that old-world, California charm. You also have a ton of flexibility when it comes to your guest count and your indoor/outdoor options (which are so important). The fact that you are the only wedding on the property for the day means you can utilize several of their venue areas, all of which have their own special appeal (and did we mention there are animals?). It’s rare to find a venue with so many options. As for the cons, one of the main ones is that their site rental fee in peak season on a Saturday night is hefty, especially considering it doesn’t including ANYTHING. I would like to see the venue at least throw in some tables and chairs or lounge furniture….something. With that said it’s not the most expensive we’ve seen on this site, and you are getting a ton of property for that price. The other con is that you would most likely want to organize a shuttle to/from your designated hotels for guests as the roads can be a bit dark and windy at night. However, that is typically the case with any venue that is so sprawling, so I’m not too worried about that. If you have the budget and are looking for a unique wedding venue, chances are you’ll love Rancho Las Lomas. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly wedding venue, this is not going to be the place.