Nestled in the heart of Malibu’s Santa Monica Mountains, Calamigos Ranch is a breathtaking wedding venue that blends rustic charm with timeless elegance. As a California wedding photographer, I’ve had the privilege of capturing countless love stories at this iconic location, and it never fails to inspire. Whether you’re a couple dreaming of a fairytale wedding or a wedding planner seeking the perfect backdrop for your clients, Calamigos Ranch offers an unparalleled setting that’s as photogenic as it is romantic. In this guide, I’ll share why Calamigos Ranch is a top choice for Malibu weddings and offer photography tips to make your special day unforgettable.
What is calamigos ranch all about?
A Photographer’s Guide to the Dreamy Calamigos Ranch Wedding Venue in Malibu
Wedding Photography Guide | Casi Yost Photography
Calamigos Ranch
Why Choose Calamigos Ranch for Your Malibu Wedding?
Calamigos Ranch, located at 327 Latigo Canyon Road, Malibu, CA, spans over 250 acres of lush greenery, vineyards, and cascading waterfalls. Founded in 1937 by the Gerson family, this family-run retreat has evolved into one of Southern California’s premier wedding venues, offering four distinct event spaces, each with its own unique charm. Here’s why couples and planners love it:
- Diverse Venue Options: From the intimate Birchwood Room to the grand Pavilion at North Point, Calamigos Ranch caters to weddings of all sizes, accommodating up to 500 guests. Each space, like the Redwood Room with its historic stone hearth or the Oak Room’s serene pond and waterfall, provides a stunning backdrop for ceremonies and receptions.
- Natural Beauty: The ranch is surrounded by towering oak trees, fragrant jasmine, and vibrant vineyards, creating a storybook setting. Twinkling fairy lights draped across century-old trees and natural stone waterfalls add a magical touch, perfect for romantic portraits.
- On-Site Amenities: Calamigos Ranch offers on-site lodging at the Calamigos Guest Ranch, with luxurious bungalows and private cottages for you and your guests. The venue also provides full-service catering with farm-to-table ingredients, ensuring a seamless experience.
- Photo Opportunities Galore: As a photographer, I can’t get enough of the venue’s whimsical details—like the vintage red carousel, the iconic Ferris wheel, and the charming wooden bridge leading to the Redwood Room. These elements make every shot feel like it’s straight out of a fairytale.
Resources for your research on Calamigos Ranch Weddings:
Choosing between Calamigos Ranch wedding venues:
There are multiple venues to choose from when determining where you want to host your wedding. That is one of the perks to utilizing this space. Here is a short list of the different locations you can choose from:
"Pro Tip for Couples: If you’re envisioning a boho-chic or vintage-inspired wedding, the Birchwood Room’s cozy meadow and ivy-covered deck are ideal. For grand celebrations, the Pavilion’s expansive lawn under a starlit oak tree is unbeatablesono need for a coordinator, as the venue’s experienced team handles every detail, from setup to catering, ensuring your day is stress-free."
- Woman getting married.com
Photography Tips for a Stunning Calamigos Ranch Wedding
Capturing the magic of a Calamigos Ranch wedding requires a photographer who understands the venue’s unique charm. Here are my top tips for couples and planners to ensure your wedding photos are as breathtaking as the venue itself:
Travel time - Calamigos is a Large Venue: It is important to understand that due to the nature of how long it will take to travel from location to location in the venue, prioritizing your top two locations will allow you to get photos in the most ideal locations while balancing the amount of time you have in your timeline for portraits.
Golden Hour Magic: Schedule your couple’s portraits about a half hour before sunset - due to the trees and natural foliage, the sun will dip behind the mature landscaping earlier than normal. This will allow you to have light for golden hour, when the soft, warm light bathes the ranch’s greenery and waterfalls in a dreamy glow. It also will give you the ability to take blue hour portraits in which you have soft even lighting to capture flattering photos.
Embrace the Venue’s Details: Incorporate Calamigos’ iconic features—like the twinkling lights, rustic barns, and vineyard views—into your photos. For example, a candid shot by the Redwood Room’s wooden bridge or a playful moment at the carousel adds a personalized touch.
Real Wedding Inspiration at Calamigos Ranch
One of my favorite weddings at Calamigos was for Michelle and Pradeep. It was beautifully planned by Vanessa Domenich Events and was held in the Redwood Room with a stunning ceremony right outside its doors.
Michelle wore a draped Viviene Westwood gown for her reception and portraits and a traditional gown for the ceremony. My favorite part of the day was getting to pet their sweet pup, Charlie. Because they were staying on-site in one of the beautiful suites, it made getting ready and changing between events a breeze. We were even able to get some fun bathtub shots that Michelle had been envisioning!
Pradeep looked dapper in his tuxedo and prepared personal vows along with a powerpoint presentation to highlight his points! It was the most unique way I have seen someone give personal vows and appreciate how true to him it was.
I scouted the venue ahead of time to determine how long it would take to walk from getting ready for the space for portraits. I do recommend doing this every time based on the couples vision and how much time they have dedicated for portraits. There were so many locations to choose from on-site, but we ultimately chose an open grassy field and a grove of trees with chandeliers to match Michelles vision for photos. It took about 10 minutes to walk from her getting ready location to where the photos were taking place, so pre-planning and utilizing time well was important!
The reception and dancing was lively and there were sweet moments between Michelle and her sister as well as her close friends from med school. I also grew fond of Michelle and Pradeeps parents - they were so kind and welcoming, it made so much sense as to why they both are wonderful humans. I'm forever thankful to have been there to document this beautiful wedding.
What to Know Before Booking Calamigos Ranch
While Calamigos Ranch is a dream venue, here are a few practical considerations for couples and planners:
- Cost: The average base cost for a 125-guest wedding is around $30,000, including catering, bar service, and setup (tables, chairs, linens, etc.). Be prepared for additional costs like flowers, entertainment, and photography, as these are not included in the base package. See Link
- Multiple Weddings: The ranch can host up to four weddings simultaneously across its venues, which may feel less exclusive for some couples. However, the spaces are thoughtfully designed to feel private and secluded. See Link
- Accessibility: Located 36 miles from LAX and 25 miles from Santa Monica, Calamigos Ranch is a bit remote. Consider arranging a shuttle for guests, especially if many are traveling from out of town.
- Curfew: Events must end by 11:30 p.m., with the bar closing at 11 p.m., giving you ample time to celebrate compared to other Malibu venues with stricter 10 p.m. curfews.
- Booking: Typically weddings book out one to one and a half years in advance. If you have a venue that you are hoping to secure, check the date as soon as you can as it could be a popular date and already booked.
Ready to say “I do” at Calamigos Ranch? Contact me today to discuss how we can create a stunning wedding gallery that reflects your unique style and the venue’s enchanting ambiance. Let’s make your Malibu wedding unforgettable!
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