The Best Hotel & Resort Wedding Venues in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

The Best Hotel & Resort Wedding Venues in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

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3 Wedding Venues in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Hotels, inns, resorts
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Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa 

5.0

Monterey, CA
  • Up to 260 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor & outdoor

Fall in love with timeless beauty of the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa. Our historic oceanfront retreat on Cannery Row is a picture-perfect backdrop for weddings and bridal events. Offering sweeping oceanfront views in every direction and warm, personalized service, our classic coastal hotel will captivate your guests with its turn-of-the-century romance and irresistible setting. Let your imagination take flight. From first visit to last dance, allow our professional wedding planners to custom curate your perfect celebration, tapping a trusted team of premier vendors, including photographers, florists, musicians and wedding officiants. We also stand ready to delight your guests with unique-to-Monterey experiences, including wine tasting tours in Carmel Valley, and bike trips along scenic Monterey Bay.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Provides lighting and sound
  • Offers full-service amenities
  • Full catering menu to choose from

Venue considerations

  • No on-site bridal suite
  • Does not allow pets
  • Best for events with big guest lists
Awarded Best of Zola
The Monterey Plaza does such an amazing job at communicating. Very detail oriented. They go above and beyond.
Lorinda Keller, 3 years ago
Monterey Marriott 
Monterey, CA
  • Up to 450 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Indoor
  • Starts at $18,000

Discover the Peninsula from Monterey Marriott. Situated along the waterfront overlooking Monterey Bay, our inviting hotel offers a premier blend of location and services designed to make your stay special. Unwind in peaceful rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the Bay or downtown. Savor fresh, locally-sourced cuisine at our restaurant, relax by our outdoor pool or visit our 24-hour gym. Take advantage of our partnership with the adjacent Monterey Conference Center, where our combined venues boast over 56,000 square feet of exceptional spaces for all of your corporate events and social galas. No matter which venue you select, our hotel's expert team will be there to ensure every detail is exactly as you imagine.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Bridal suite on site
  • Multiple event spaces
  • Provides lighting and sound

Venue considerations

  • Large venue, not ideal for small guest lists
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • No free parking
Hyatt Carmel Highlands Inn 
Carmel, CA
  • Up to 150 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Outdoor & indoor

Envision saying your vows under the setting sun, the fresh sea air caressing your hair as you proclaim your love on our Wedding Deck. Weddings become unforgettable when they take place at Hyatt Carmel Highlands at Big Sur. Our ceremonies take place on an open-air redwood deck, surrounded by glass, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Celebrate your special moments surrounded by a truly picturesque setting.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Flexible event spaces
  • Provides a dedicated team on-site
  • Has a chic vibe

Venue considerations

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • No built-in audiovisual options
  • On-site parking not available

Location flexible? Discover venues near Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

About wedding venues in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Carmel by the Sea stands out as one of California's most sought-after wedding destinations thanks to its stunning coastal beauty, rich artistic heritage, and charming village atmosphere. You'll find an impressive range of venues throughout this special pocket of the Monterey Peninsula; everything from the rustic charm of Holman Ranch's barn settings to Tehama Golf Club's Mediterranean-inspired spaces with breathtaking panoramic views. If you're planning something more intimate, L'Auberge Carmel in downtown offers a boutique hotel setting perfect for celebrations with up to 60 guests.

What Makes Carmel Wedding Venues Uniquely Special?

The wedding venues in Carmel seamlessly combine dramatic natural backdrops with distinctive character you won't find elsewhere. The area's unique microclimate often creates morning fog that burns away just in time for midday ceremonies creating that perfect lighting photographers love. You'll be amazed by places like Folktale Winery where sunset views filter magically through rows of vineyards. La Playa Hotel showcases beautiful Spanish-style grounds while Quail Lodge gives you incredible versatility with rustic barn settings alongside sophisticated ballrooms and meadows all in one location so you can create different moods throughout your celebration.

How Much Should You Budget for a Carmel Wedding?

Weddings in Carmel reflect the premium nature of this gorgeous coastal destination. The costs here run substantially higher than the national average where venues alone typically range from $6,500 to $12,000. For your planning purposes here's what you might expect:

Guest CountEstimated Total Budget
50 guests (small ceremony)$26,449
100 guests$44,123
150 guests$60,734
200 guests$75,572
250 guests$90,410
300 guests (large wedding)$105,248
For a typical 150-guest Carmel wedding your major costs will likely include venue at $10,771 (18% of budget), catering around $8,617 (14%) and florals at approximately $7,899 (13%). Bar services usually run about $6,894 (11%) while photographers and wedding planners each take about 8% at $4,811 and $4,883 respectively. Videography typically costs around $4,352 (7%) with bands or DJs at $1,717 (3%). Hair and makeup services average $606 (1%) and cake/desserts about $826 (1%).

Which Venues in Carmel Offer Exceptional Culinary Experiences?

Folktale Winery creates unforgettable dining experiences by partnering with talented local chefs who can customize your event menu to highlight the region's incredible flavors. You'll love how Carmel Valley Ranch focuses on locally-sourced ingredients throughout their comprehensive packages that showcase the best of California cuisine. For a truly luxurious experience Bernardus Lodge & Spa offers exquisite farm-to-table dining in an elegant setting. If you're drawn to seafood La Playa Carmel specializes in local ocean-to-table cuisine served in a romantic downtown atmosphere that your guests will talk about for years.

When Should You Book Your Carmel by the Sea Wedding?

October sees the highest demand with most couples booking their venues about 16 months (471 days) ahead of time so you'll want to plan accordingly. Summer brings reliable sunshine for your outdoor ceremony but also peak tourist crowds and higher prices. Fall offers that magical golden California light along with lower hotel rates for your guests. Winter can be surprisingly lovely for more intimate weddings with many venues offering heated outdoor spaces or cozy indoor alternatives that still capture Carmel's special charm without the crowds.

What Accessible Wedding Venues Can You Find in Carmel?

The Griffith House features well-designed wheelchair-accessible pathways throughout its beautiful Spanish-style grounds including a private ceremony lawn and separate preparation areas for your wedding party. Holly Farm located nearby offers wheelchair accessibility across its various event spaces perfect for both outdoor ceremonies and receptions. Carmel Fields by Wedgewood Weddings provides serene settings for your special day though you'll want to confirm specific accessibility features directly with them to ensure they meet your needs.

How Can Remote Guests Participate in Your Carmel Wedding?

While Carmel venues primarily focus on creating magical in-person experiences locations like La Playa Hotel and The Quail Lodge can work with specialized AV vendors to create interactive remote experiences that go beyond simple streaming. You might consider platforms like Lovecast or Wedfuly that offer integrated chat and guest engagement features to help everyone feel included. Make sure your photography team knows to capture special moments specifically for virtual guests and consider creating custom welcome packages you can send to remote attendees so they feel part of your celebration regardless of distance.

Carmel by the Sea stands out as one of California's most sought-after wedding destinations thanks to its stunning coastal beauty, rich artistic heritage, and charming village atmosphere. You'll find an impressive range of venues throughout this special pocket of the Monterey Peninsula; everything from the rustic charm of Holman Ranch's barn settings to Tehama Golf Club's Mediterranean-inspired spaces with breathtaking panoramic views. If you're planning something more intimate, L'Auberge Carmel in downtown offers a boutique hotel setting perfect for celebrations with up to 60 guests.

What Makes Carmel Wedding Venues Uniquely Special?

The wedding venues in Carmel seamlessly combine dramatic natural backdrops with distinctive character you won't find elsewhere. The area's unique microclimate often creates morning fog that burns away just in time for midday ceremonies creating that perfect lighting photographers love. You'll be amazed by places like Folktale Winery where sunset views filter magically through rows of vineyards. La Playa Hotel showcases beautiful Spanish-style grounds while Quail Lodge gives you incredible versatility with rustic barn settings alongside sophisticated ballrooms and meadows all in one location so you can create different moods throughout your celebration.

How Much Should You Budget for a Carmel Wedding?

Weddings in Carmel reflect the premium nature of this gorgeous coastal destination. The costs here run substantially higher than the national average where venues alone typically range from $6,500 to $12,000. For your planning purposes here's what you might expect:

Guest CountEstimated Total Budget
50 guests (small ceremony)$26,449
100 guests$44,123
150 guests$60,734
200 guests$75,572
250 guests$90,410
300 guests (large wedding)$105,248
For a typical 150-guest Carmel wedding your major costs will likely include venue at $10,771 (18% of budget), catering around $8,617 (14%) and florals at approximately $7,899 (13%). Bar services usually run about $6,894 (11%) while photographers and wedding planners each take about 8% at $4,811 and $4,883 respectively. Videography typically costs around $4,352 (7%) with bands or DJs at $1,717 (3%). Hair and makeup services average $606 (1%) and cake/desserts about $826 (1%).

Which Venues in Carmel Offer Exceptional Culinary Experiences?

Folktale Winery creates unforgettable dining experiences by partnering with talented local chefs who can customize your event menu to highlight the region's incredible flavors. You'll love how Carmel Valley Ranch focuses on locally-sourced ingredients throughout their comprehensive packages that showcase the best of California cuisine. For a truly luxurious experience Bernardus Lodge & Spa offers exquisite farm-to-table dining in an elegant setting. If you're drawn to seafood La Playa Carmel specializes in local ocean-to-table cuisine served in a romantic downtown atmosphere that your guests will talk about for years.

When Should You Book Your Carmel by the Sea Wedding?

October sees the highest demand with most couples booking their venues about 16 months (471 days) ahead of time so you'll want to plan accordingly. Summer brings reliable sunshine for your outdoor ceremony but also peak tourist crowds and higher prices. Fall offers that magical golden California light along with lower hotel rates for your guests. Winter can be surprisingly lovely for more intimate weddings with many venues offering heated outdoor spaces or cozy indoor alternatives that still capture Carmel's special charm without the crowds.

What Accessible Wedding Venues Can You Find in Carmel?

The Griffith House features well-designed wheelchair-accessible pathways throughout its beautiful Spanish-style grounds including a private ceremony lawn and separate preparation areas for your wedding party. Holly Farm located nearby offers wheelchair accessibility across its various event spaces perfect for both outdoor ceremonies and receptions. Carmel Fields by Wedgewood Weddings provides serene settings for your special day though you'll want to confirm specific accessibility features directly with them to ensure they meet your needs.

How Can Remote Guests Participate in Your Carmel Wedding?

While Carmel venues primarily focus on creating magical in-person experiences locations like La Playa Hotel and The Quail Lodge can work with specialized AV vendors to create interactive remote experiences that go beyond simple streaming. You might consider platforms like Lovecast or Wedfuly that offer integrated chat and guest engagement features to help everyone feel included. Make sure your photography team knows to capture special moments specifically for virtual guests and consider creating custom welcome packages you can send to remote attendees so they feel part of your celebration regardless of distance.

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