From summer through fall, lakeside weddings are hugely popular. Sweeping vistas of sparkling water, forest groves and towering mountain peaks are the ultimate backdrops for unforgettable outdoor nuptials—just as these stunning California lakeside venues offer. So if you’re planning a rustic, woodland, mountain, outdoorsy or boho theme, survey the features that make each location unique. Your ideal lake wedding site might just be among them!
11 Scenic Venues for Lakeside Weddings in California
1 – Pine Rose Cabins, Lake Arrowhead
Ideal for a rustic or woodland-themed ceremony, this venue offers a Log and Branch Gazebo amidst a forest setting featuring pines and brooks, while your wedding party and guests may stay the night at Pine Rose Cabins. Get wedding info here.
2 – Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa
For nature-loving couples, tie the knot at this tranquil lakeside setting at an elevation of 5,200 feet, surrounded by majestic pines and offering breathtaking views of a private lake. Get wedding info here.
3 – Lake Tahoe Country Club
If you prefer the amenities of a country club wedding, this popular venue offers two fabulous ceremony and reception sites right on the southern shore of the lake with amazing views! Get wedding info here.
4 – Gershon Bacchus Vintners, Big Bear Lake
For a European-style vineyard wedding, this stunning ceremony site provides a beautiful stone and iron gazebo with surrounding vineyards and mountains as backdrop. Cocktails are enjoyed at a covered patio, followed by dinner at a Reception Room with access to an outdoor bar. Get wedding info here.
5 – Victory Lodge, June Lake
At this lakefront lodge, you can opt for a wedding social out on a sprawling lawn or a luxe reception in the Chandelier Room, both with incredible views in the distance. Get wedding info here.
6 – Menifee Lakes Country Club, Lake Menifee
Located within a golf course in Temecula Wine Country, this is another ideal venue for a country club wedding. Hold your nuptials beside a flowing fountain or in view of sparkling lakes near a romantic bridge. Then, host your reception in a hall that boasts of vaulted ceilings, a large dancing area, and floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the dazzling view. Get wedding info here.
7 – The Pines Resort, Bass Lake
Dreaming of a woodland wedding? This scenic venue offers both shimmering waters and fragrant pines to grace your special day. Choose an outdoor wedding at the lakefront Garden Gazebo or a more traditional setting in one of the resort’s indoor event spaces. Get wedding info here.
8 – Convict Lake Resort, near Mammoth Lakes
For an unforgettable mountain wedding, this resort provides a majestic venue for an outdoor ceremony, reception, and rehearsal dinner—nestled below towering Mt. Morrison and alongside a 170 acre crystal clear lake. Get wedding info here.
9 – Forest Chapel at Tamarack Lodge, Twin Lakes, Mammoth Mountain
Seeking a romantic forest wedding? This quaint timber chapel is one of the most popular summer wedding sites at Mammoth Mountain. Located in a lakeside clearing across a footbridge over Twin Lakes, it provides a secluded ceremony site under the trees. Get wedding info here.
10 – Leonard Lake Reserve, Mendocino County
For outdoorsy couples, consider this exclusive reserve on Leonard Lake. It sits within 4,000 acres of private property featuring redwood and fir trees, hiking trails, kayaking, bass fishing, and nighttime campfires. Houses and cabins can accommodate 30-50 guests. Get wedding info here.
11 – Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino
This Hyatt complex offers venues not only for a dream lakefront ceremony, but for weddings in an open meadow or a stunning mountain lodge as well. Plus a grand reception in its Lakeside Ballroom. Get wedding info here.
Aren’t these locations just fabulous? Which one has got you dreaming of your own lakeside wedding?