Hi!  I am looking for a venue that will hold 150-200 people in OC that allows me to bring in my own caterer!  We are planning to get married next August so the more coastal the better because of the summer heat and I am open to all kinds of unique places...I am kind of anti-hotel ballroom.  Loved the Historic Cottage in San Clemente but it is already booked and the Ole Hanson Beach Club would be perfect except for the public pool :(.  Any other ideas?

I was actually going to recommend both :( The pool shouldn't be bothersom? What were your thoughts?

Have you looked into a park, community room, that romantic cottage by the SC pier? Promontory point in Newport beach, one of those museums or libraries- there are a few around in Newport and HB. . .

Or what about a cool resturaunt???  That italian one in the Dana point harbor has beautiful wedidngs all the time or tivoli tos in Laguna beach?

Could you change the date for the cottage???

The chlorine from the pool was actually kind of stinky and I felt like it kind of ruined the atmosphere of the place... I am picky :),   We have looked into parks would love if there was a little more infastructure like electricity etc around.  Restaurants are out of the question because we have a friend who is going to cater for us on the cheap so I am working around that.  I am thinking about changing the date for the cottage but I was a little turned off by the 18% tax that you have to pay on every vendor who works your wedding.... Have you heard anything about that?

NO!   What is that all about??? Normally there is a service charge tax for caterers, but not all the other vendors you hire?  Does the cottage make you have certain vendors?  I didn't think it did.  Elaborate for me, b/c this doesn't sound right at all.  If you bring your own caterer in like you mentioned- that suggest apply. I would check into that more- it doesn't sound right?

Did you smell the chlorine from the ceremony/ reception area???  That is weird- never noticed that before.  Seen lots of weddings there too. . . Follow your heart and it will all come together!  Good luck!

~ HMM :)

Dont know if Carlsbad is too far for you, but we are having ours at the Leo Carrillo Ranch... outside catering :)

SC - have you checked out casa romantica? we went to a wedding there during the summer. do you have a caterer in mind, or are you planning to work with one of the preferred vendors?

OK so the historic cottage is now available on our date so I may end up going with that but I am still worried about the 18% tax.  The contract says "All vendors providing services on state property are required to pay the State of California 18% of the gross contract amount before taxes.  The permitee is the responsible party in making sure this money is paid to the state"  I asked Cora716 about it and she said they picked up their rental stuff and avoided the tax but that the venue was a gift so she didn't really know.  I was under the impression that if it was a friend doing the dj thing for free and stuff like that you didn't pay, but otherwise all vendors on premises the day of had to pay.  Does anyone know any other brides married here that I could ask?

The white house event center is the best I am getting married their this november!!!!

Check out my page I am so excited about this venue !!!!!!!!

The OC Sailing Center in Dana Point.  It has a large courtyard (perfect for cocktail hour) and a large "blank slate" room.  One side of room is the harbor, and the other side is the beach.  It's owned by the City, so it's pretty inexpensive. ($194 per hour if you're serving alcohol, $100 if no alcohol).