Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel Weddings
Weddings at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel
Perched above the Pacific Ocean in Dana Point, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel offers one of Southern California’s most cinematic wedding settings. With sweeping ocean and bluff views, luxury resort amenities, and versatile event spaces, this venue is built for refined celebrations that feel both destination-worthy and intimately Californian.
As trusted Orange County wedding photographers and videographers, the team at One Story Weddings has documented weddings here and understands how to harness the light, architecture, and coastline backdrop to create imagery that is elegant, authentic, and timeless.
Planning a Wedding at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
This resort blends five-star service with panoramic Pacific vistas and flexible event spaces—making it an excellent choice for couples seeking both high-end amenities and visual drama. A dedicated wedding team supports each couple with planning, logistics, and vendor coordination. Ritz-Carlton
Key planning details include:
Location: One Ritz-Carlton Dr., Dana Point, CA 92629 — accessible for regional guests and in a stunning seaside setting.
Guest experience: With ocean-view accommodations, spa access, fine dining, and beach proximity, guests are treated to more than just the wedding day—they’re invited to a full weekend retreat.
Service & coordination: The resort’s in-house team manages key elements such as catering, space setup, and room blocks. Tie and Veil+1
When you partner with One Story Weddings, we proactively plan your photography & videography timeline in sync with the venue’s light-patterns, vantage points, and flow of the day—ensuring your story is captured with intentionality and style.
Why Couples Choose The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Ocean-Bluff Drama
Nearly every vantage point offers cinematic ocean views and natural backdrops—ideal for photographers, videographers, and memorable guest experiences.
Flexible Venue Options
From intimate indoor spaces to grand ballroom receptions or outdoor lawns beneath the sky, the resort accommodates a range of guest counts and styles.
Luxury Guest Experience
The full-service resort amenities—spa, accommodations, beach access—make the wedding weekend feel more like a destination retreat, cultivating a richer guest experience.
Photography & Videography Advantage
Because the property features ocean, coastal bluff, garden, and elegant interior settings, we know exactly when and where to schedule key moments—maximizing golden hour portraits, sweeping ceremony-wide shots, and intimate reception coverage.
Explore how we capture Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel’s signature elegance. View our portfolio or Watch wedding films.
Ceremony & Reception Locations
Here are standout spaces at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel where we’ve photographed and filmed weddings—complete with lighting notes and photography tips to help you envision how each space captures in both photo and film.
The Bluff — Outdoor Ceremony
Capacity: Up to 550 guests
Atmosphere: Perched 150 feet above the Pacific Ocean, The Bluff is the resort’s signature ceremony lawn—offering panoramic coastal views that feel cinematic and timeless. The expanse of ocean behind your altar creates a natural infinity backdrop that transforms with the light.
Photography Tip: Schedule your ceremony about 45–60 minutes before sunset for glowing, directional light across the bluff. Late-afternoon ocean breezes can be strong, so plan hair and décor accordingly for a polished look.
Pacific Promenade Lawn — Outdoor Ceremony / Cocktail Space
Capacity: Up to 275 guests
Atmosphere: A lush, palm-framed lawn overlooking the ocean, the Pacific Promenade Lawn feels slightly more sheltered than The Bluff—ideal for ceremonies that transition seamlessly into cocktail hour. The gardens add softness to the setting while still retaining the drama of the coastline.
Photography Tip: Excellent for first looks or pre-ceremony portraits around 3:30–4:30 PM when the light is diffused through the surrounding greenery.
The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom — Indoor Reception
Capacity: Up to 700 seated / 900 standing
Atmosphere: The largest and most formal reception space on property, featuring grand chandeliers, high ceilings, and the flexibility to support large-scale floral and lighting installations. Ideal for luxury design concepts, cultural celebrations, and full weekend galas.
Photography Tip: Coordinate your lighting transitions from dinner to dancing—spotlighting the couple during toasts, then shifting to warmer tones for dancing enhances both photo and video continuity.
The Pacific Promenade Ballroom — Indoor Reception with Ocean Views
Capacity: Up to 275 guests
Atmosphere: The Pacific Promenade Ballroom combines the refinement of a classic Ritz-Carlton ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Pacific. It’s a perfect choice for couples who want the reliability of an indoor setting without losing the ocean connection.
Photography Tip: Begin your reception with doors or curtains open to allow ambient coastal light, then close them gradually as the evening transitions to candlelight for a soft, editorial glow.
Best Light: 4:30–6:00 PM in spring/fall; light reflects off the water through the windows, creating elegant highlights in your imagery.
The Pavilion — Indoor/Outdoor Reception
Capacity: Up to 200 guests
Atmosphere: The Pavilion is an architectural hybrid—an indoor event space that opens to a private terrace framed by coastal breezes and twinkling light. It’s ideal for couples who want indoor comfort with outdoor energy.
Photography Tip: Keep the terrace doors open during your first dance or golden hour portraits—natural light from the west-facing terrace creates luminous, layered tones in both photography and film.
The Plaza Room — Intimate Indoor Celebrations
Capacity: Up to 70 guests
Atmosphere: The Plaza Room offers refined intimacy for micro-weddings, rehearsal dinners, or post-wedding brunches. With rich wood detailing and ocean-facing windows, it feels private yet still distinctly coastal.
Photography Tip: The soft ambient light through the Plaza Room’s windows is ideal for candlelit dinners and smaller gatherings. Use warm accent lighting or tabletop candles to add texture and depth to your imagery.
Cost, Capacity & Timing
A wedding at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort is an investment in excellence — the perfect blend of refined service, coastal beauty, and five-star execution. While each event is custom-tailored, couples can plan with confidence knowing what to expect from this world-class venue.
Investment Overview
Ceremony site fees: Typically $4,000–$6,000, depending on the location and season.
Food & Beverage minimums: For a Friday–Sunday wedding with ~150 guests, expect $80,000–$90,000.
Per-guest averages: Reports suggest ~$700–$750 per guest including catering, bar, venue rental.
Smaller events: Packages for smaller guest counts begin in the $15,000–$18,000 range for rental fees (not inclusive of catering) in off-peak or weekday scenarios.
Timing & Booking Notes
Lead time: Popular Saturdays in peak season often book 12–18 months in advance.
Payment schedule: Initial deposit to reserve space; subsequent deposits at 180 days and 90 days; final payment due 21 days out. Ritz-Carlton
Light & seasonality:
For outdoor lawn ceremonies, ideal timing is ~45 minutes before sunset for golden light.
Coastal wind may influence décor and guest comfort—plan accordingly.
Curfew: Outdoor spaces may have earlier noise or event close-out times—verify with venue event manager.
Guest Experience
A wedding at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is more than an event—it’s a full weekend luxury experience for you and your guests. Every detail—from arrival to farewell—is executed with resort-level polish.
Luxury Accommodations
The resort features ~396 guest rooms and suites with ocean-view terraces, private balconies, and refined design touches. Joining suites and options for wedding-party preparation make this property well suited for weekend celebrations and pre-ceremony coverage.
Spa & Wellness
The Ritz-Carlton Spa offers seaside treatment terraces, steam rooms, and pre-wedding services for bridal parties, family and friends—making for a relaxing and restorative stay. Ritz-Carlton
Dining & Culinary Excellence
The resort’s dining venues—including the ocean-view restaurant Raya—provide elevated cuisine and customizable wedding menus, crafted by seasoned culinary teams. Guests enjoy memorable meals that match the setting’s luxury.
Weekend Celebration Possibilities
The resort naturally lends itself to multi‐day weddings:
Welcome Dinner: The Plaza Room or Sunset Terrace.
Main Ceremony & Reception: The Bluff, Pacific Promenade Lawn, or Ballroom.
After-Party or Lounge: Pavilion terrace or indoor lounge.
Farewell Brunch: Overlooking the coastline.
Guests can enjoy resort amenities like beach walks at Salt Creek Beach, coastal hikes, spa treatments, and more—turning your wedding into a destination weekend without leaving Dana Point.
Group Coordination
The resort’s events team provides dedicated group booking and luxury hospitality for your wedding weekend. At One Story Weddings, we integrate our coverage with this coordination—ensuring photo & video logistics align seamlessly with your venue timeline and guest flow.
Real Weddings at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Couples from around the world have celebrated at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, embracing its ocean-view lawns, elegant ballrooms, and multi-day formats.
Explore more real Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel Weddings on our Orange County wedding photographer gallery page.
Best Times of Year to Get Married at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Each season offers a distinct mood—here’s how we recommend planning with your photography and film in mind:
Spring (March–May)
Fresh blossoms and moderate coastal weather.
Light levels are gentle; golden hour begins around ~6:45 PM.
Slightly cooler early season—but ideal for outdoor lawns.
Summer (June–August)
Long daylight hours and vibrant sunsets.
Early marine layer may linger—plan portrature after ~4:00 PM.
Wedding guests enjoy resort’s beach/sea features.
Fall (September–November)
Some of the clearest skies and richest golden hour light of the year.
Sunset timing ~5:00 PM, making schedule more accommodating for dinner-to-dance transitions.
Warm temperatures and minimal marine layer—excellent for outdoor ceremonies.
Winter (December–February)
Cooler air and earlier sunsets (~4:45-5:00 PM).
Ideal for indoor receptions if you wish to accent architecture and lighting.
Consider holiday décor demands and earlier booking due to resort demand.
Venue Considerations (Logistics & Vendor Info)
Preferred Vendor List: Couples are free to select their own vendors, though the resort maintains a Preferred Partners list
Sound & Curfew: Outdoor ceremonies/lawns can face wind or ambient sound; indoor spaces like ballrooms offer less weather dependency.
Mobility & Terrain: Sloped lawns and bluff-edge locations require accessible planning for older guests or mobility-aids.
Photography & Drone Coverage: Aerial and ground coverage are possible—our team at One Story Weddings coordinates permissions and timing in advance.
Guest Parking & Arrival: The resort offers valet parking; large guest counts may require traffic/arrival coordination. Ritz-Carlton
Learn more about our signature approach as a Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach wedding videographer.
Photography & Videography at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
The resort’s architecture, ocean-cliff positioning, and refined interiors make it ideal for integrated photo and film coverage. At One Story Weddings, our dual-team approach ensures your imagery is cohesive, intentional, and tailored to this venue’s aesthetic.
Our Signature Coverage Includes:
Two lead photographers + two cinematographers
Full-day coverage (10 hours)
800+ edited high-resolution images; 5–7 minute cinematic highlight film
Full ceremony & toast edits
Drone footage (where permitted)
Delivered in six-eight weeks via online gallery
Choosing photo + video together ensures seamless visual storytelling—from broad sweeping vistas to intimate moments—so your wedding story unfolds in both still and motion with premium execution.
Ready to see how your story could unfold here? Watch wedding films captured at The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel.
Why Photo + Video Together
Booking both services with one creative team ensures your imagery feels seamless and cohesive.
Benefits of Combined Coverage
Coordinated angles for both mediums
Consistent editing and color grading
Streamlined planning with a single point of contact
Savings of 15–20% compared to separate vendors
Unified storytelling that blends movement, sound, and still imagery
Discover the difference of integrated artistry — Contact us to inquire about photo + video collections.
Sample Wedding Day Timeline
Here’s a refined sample timeline for a 5:00 PM ceremony on the bluff followed by an indoor reception:
1:00 PM — Getting ready in ocean-view suites; detail shots, candid moments.
2:30 PM — First look on the terrace or lawn; portraits of the couple.
3:15 PM — Wedding party portraits around the grounds and bluff edge.
4:15 PM — Family formals; guests begin arriving at ceremony site.
5:00 PM — Ceremony begins on The Bluff with golden hour light.
5:45 PM — Cocktail hour on terrace or lawn; couple uses this time for sunset portraits.
6:30 PM — Reception begins in The Ballroom or Pavilion: grand entrance, toasts, dinner.
8:00 PM — Dancing begins; lighting transitions to party mood.
10:00 PM — Grand exit (e.g., sparkler send-off on terrace; confirm with venue).
For a deeper look at timing and logistics, see our Wedding Day Timeline Guide.
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel Wedding FAQs
Q: What is the average total cost of a wedding at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel?
A: Pricing varies based on guest count, date, and menu selections. As a guide, ceremony and reception rental fees typically range from $16,000–$18,000, with food and beverage minimums averaging $80,000–$90,000 for weekend weddings. For large-scale celebrations, total investment often exceeds $100,000. We recommend connecting with a Ritz-Carlton Wedding Specialist for a tailored proposal.
Q: What is the guest capacity for each ceremony and reception space?
A: The resort offers multiple ocean-view and ballroom options for every celebration size:
Intimate Weddings (up to 75 guests): Monarch Bay Sunset Terrace for ceremony; Plaza Room for reception.
Mid-Size (up to 275 guests): Pacific Promenade Lawn and Pacific Promenade Ballroom — both with sweeping ocean views.
Large (up to 550 guests): The Bluff for ceremony paired with The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom for a grand reception.
Q: Does the venue provide catering, and can we bring in outside food vendors?
A: All food and beverage services are exclusively provided by the resort’s world-class culinary team. Custom menus are available for diverse cuisines and cultural celebrations, including South Asian weddings. Outside vendors are welcome for services such as photography, floral design, and entertainment — however, all catering must be handled in-house.
Q: Are there on-site accommodations for guests, and do you offer room block discounts?
A: Yes. The resort offers 396 luxury guest rooms and suites, many with private ocean-view terraces. Group room blocks are available at preferred rates, ensuring your guests can stay together for the full weekend experience. Spacious suites are also ideal for getting-ready photos and pre-ceremony preparations.
Q: What happens if the weather changes for an outdoor ceremony?
A: The resort always holds an elegant indoor space as a contingency backup for outdoor ceremonies. While coastal weather is typically mild, we advise accounting for wind and seasonal “June Gloom.” The events team can provide heaters or coordinate smooth transitions indoors if conditions change unexpectedly.
Q: Is the venue exclusive, or can hotel guests view my wedding?
A: Each reserved space is exclusive to your event during your contracted hours. While some outdoor areas like The Bluff are visible from parts of the resort, other venues such as the Pacific Promenade Ballroom or Lawn offer greater privacy. Your Ritz-Carlton Events Manager will review each space with you to ensure your comfort and desired level of exclusivity.
Q: How do we begin the planning process, and who will be our main point of contact?
A: Begin by contacting the Special Events team through the resort’s website or by phone to confirm availability and receive a custom proposal. Once booked, you’ll be paired with a dedicated Ritz-Carlton Special Events Manager who oversees every venue, menu, and logistical detail from start to finish.
Q: Are we required to use the resort’s preferred vendors, and is a wedding planner mandatory?
A: Couples are free to select their own vendors, though the resort maintains a Preferred Partners list of professionals experienced with its layout and standards. While not mandatory, a professional wedding planner is strongly recommended to manage external vendors, design, and personal logistics — allowing the resort team to focus on venue operations and guest experience.
Q: What services and amenities are included in Ritz-Carlton wedding packages?
A: Each package includes:
A dedicated Special Events Manager
Tables, chairs, premium linens, china, glassware, and silver
Custom menu design by the culinary team
Dance floor and ceremony sound system
Bridal Suite and Groom’s Lounge access for preparation
Valet parking for guests (included or preferred-rate options)
Packages are fully customizable based on your guest count, style, and event scope.
Q: Is The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel pet-friendly, and can our dog be in the ceremony?
A: Yes — the resort is pet-friendly and welcomes dogs as part of your celebration. Most outdoor ceremony spaces accommodate pets, though restrictions may vary by area. Overnight stays include a one-time pet fee (typically $350 per stay), and pets must be housed in designated rooms. Your Events Manager will confirm specific guidelines for ceremony inclusion.
Have additional questions? Contact us for personalized guidance.
Begin Your Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel Wedding Journey
Your wedding at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel deserves imagery that matches the beauty and sophistication of the setting. At One Story Weddings, we combine fine-art composition, unobtrusive direction, and refined storytelling for photographs and films that feel as timeless as your vows.
Ready to See More?
Three Ways to Explore Our Work:
Why Couples Choose One Story Weddings for The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Experience That Shows: We’ve captured numerous weddings at luxury Orange County venues including this resort.
True-to-Life Approach: We honour the venue’s architecture and your genuine moments—no filters, no fakery.
Stress-Free Presence: We guide you subtly, capture the authentic moments, and let you be in the story.
Trusted by Venue Staff & Luxury Vendors: We know the timing, logistics, and expectations of a resort of this calibre.
Integrated Photo + Video Service: One team, one vision, seamless narrative—so your images and film feel unified.
Recognition & Experience
California Wedding Day Best of 2023 Videographer Award
4.9/5 stars from 40+ verified couples
Trusted by Luxury Orange County Venues, Wedding Planners and Clients for both photography and video
Established Monarch Beach Resort specialists since 2019
Read Our Reviews →
Get Started: Your Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel Wedding
We suggest securing your date 12–18 months in advance for peak-season Saturdays at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Please contact us to check availability, discuss your vision, and begin planning your visual experience.
Your Ritz-Carlton wedding will be a story of surf, sky, light, and love—captured with elegance and intention. We’d be honored to guide you through it.
Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel
One Ritz Carlton Dr,
Dana Point, CA 92629