When I was looking for a wedding venue, I loved the idea of a wedding venue that felt like a mix between a vacation rental and a hotel that we could have all to ourselves. Unfortunately, it was nearly impossible to find something that a) fit our budget or b) was the right size. Either a hotel was way too large to take over the entire property, or a vacation rental had the right amount of space for guests but wasn’t built for weddings. We’d have to bring in the caterer, furniture rentals, and pay a crazy rental fee on top of that just to use the space. Nothing was turnkey and that was the problem.
A new wedding venue trend we’re so excited to see is pretty much what I was looking for back then: a venue that is the perfect combination of a hotel and vacation rental. And we found FOUR of these unique wedding venues in California that offer EXACTLY that.
Newhall Mansion, 1880 Union, Seven4one, and Britt Scripps Manor are all turnkey wedding venues that give you the amenities, services, and benefits of a boutique luxury hotel with the privacy of a vacation rental, since you and your guests are the only ones staying on the property.
Located throughout California–from San Diego and Laguna Beach to Santa Barbara–each venue offers something completely different when it comes to design. Here’s what we love about each:
Seven4one
As part of downtown Laguna Beach’s landscape since 1940, Seven4one is the gorgeous transformation of the original Eiler’s Hotel. With living greenwalls and reclaimed wood, the eco-contemporary hotel and venue is steps from the beach. It can sleep up to 24 guests and hold up to 140 guests for an event.
1880 Union
Located in downtown Los Alamos, an hour north of Santa Barbara, this hotel and saloon is an exact replica of the original 1880 facade, making it a celebrity favorite for video shoots and other events (Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney and Jon Bon Jovi all filmed videos here. Kate Hudson and dad Kurt Russell even held a wine tasting in the saloon recently). This venue can host up to 20 overnight guests and 300 event guests.
Britt Scripps Manor
A historical landmark built in 1887, the property underwent an extensive renovation in 2006 (worth an estimated $6 million), while still maintaining all the venue’s charm by keeping its original doors, wood windows, and paneling. And you can’t beat the location in Bankers Hill in the heart of downtown San Diego, just minutes to the popular Gaslamp Quarter. At this venue you can host up to 14 overnight guests and 75 event guests.
Newhall Mansion
With oodles of Victorian charm, this historical landmark was built in 1890 and is a couple favorite for its’ ceremony sites and beautiful courtyard that is perfect for receptions. At this venue you can host up to 20 overnight guests and 300 guests for your event.
Each venue offers all-inclusive wedding packages that are highly customizable. For instance, at Britt Scripps Manor their wedding package starts at $11,000, including private, exclusive use of the entire historic manor all weekend, two-nights accommodations for up to 30 guests (a cost that can be deducted from your package if you choose to have guests pay for their rooms), Chiavari chairs, tables, string lighting, a day-of event coordinator and more. Catering packages start at $65/pp.
The beauty of a private hotel wedding venue is that you can set it and forget it, whether you’re planning locally OR out of state. Aside from booking vendors such as your florist, entertainment, and photographer, all you have to do is pick which venue you love and they take care of the rest. Um, we love that!
Reach out to your favorite private hotel venue above and tell them we sent you!
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Completely agree with you. The wedding venue selection has to be perfect. The right size, location… everything. Thanks for sharing this information.