The Best Wedding Venues in Big Bear Lake
The San Bernardino Mountains are an ideal setting for a destination wedding in Southern California and whether you’re eloping, doing the small and intimate thing, or going all out with a fully stacked guest list, there are tons of stunning venues and locations to choose from.
Big Bear is truly one of Southern California’s best-kept secrets for weddings, and I’m enthusiastic about highlighting the area as a top wedding destination for couples. I’ve put together a list of my favorite wedding venues in Big Bear so that you can spend less time researching, and more time focusing on other meaningful aspects of your wedding and relationship.
Let’s get to it!
What is the average cost of a wedding venue in Big Bear?
You’ll find that venues are priced based on a number of different factors such as size, location, and the various services they provide. Some venues offer fully inclusive packages and provide everything you need. Some provide a few things like catering, tables, and chairs. Some venues just let you use their space and let you take care of the rest. It’s best to plan on spending anywhere from $5000-$15,000 for your venue or 30%-40% of your total wedding budget.
When Is the best time of year to get married in Big Bear?
Big Bear is one of the few places in Southern California that experiences all four seasons, and each one comes with its own unique beauty and charm. Winters are snowy but without the extremes found in other cold-weather destinations. In spring, the mountains and meadows come alive with wildflower blooms and green grasses. Summers are warm, sunny, and perfect for outdoor celebrations, while Fall transforms the area with vibrant foliage and cooler nights. No matter what season you pick, the odds are in your favor to land a sunny day as Big Bear gets an average of 286 days of blue bird skies per year! I recommend choosing the time of year that resonates most with your vision and budget.
Big Bear wedding venues
Shay Meadows Ranch & ReSORT
This is the most complete wedding venue on my list and also the venue I am likely to refer to couples first. Shay is a personal favorite and it has everything you want and then some. Some of the talking points in their premier package include a rehearsal dinner for 30 guests, two ceremony site options, onsite lodging for up to 42 guests, a tented reception area with farmhouse tables and fruitwood chairs, and amazing bridal and groom suites. They also pay attention to all the little things like providing fire pits, heaters, multiple lounge areas, housekeeping, and day of insurance. To top it off, the staff provides top tier service and will accommodate your every need..
shaymeadowsranchandresort.com
1325 Midway Blvd,
Big Bear, CA 92314
Holcomb Valley Ranch
If you want your wedding to be a bit of an adventure, Holcomb Valley Ranch is the spot. With some of the most beautiful views in the San Bernardino Mountains (or anywhere for that matter), this place will have you wondering if you’re really only 3 hours from LA. From a photography standpoint, Holcomb Valley Ranch might be the most picturesque on this list. It’s got some wild history too. Multiple day options are available here and the venue can accommodate 300+ guests! Keep in mind that you and your guests will need vehicles with extra ground clearance, such as an SUV or truck to access the Holcomb valley.
holcombvalleyranch.com
34300 Holcomb valley rd.
Fawnskin, CA 92333
Big Bear Mountain Resort
The most popular ski resort in Southern California has decided to host weddings in 2025! Bear Mountain now boasts 3 unique ceremony sites, each with a different view and feel. The resort has completed extensive renovations since Alterra’s acquisition in 2017 and I predict both Bear Mountain and Snow Summit will become premier mountain wedding destinations here in So Cal. My hope for the future of weddings at Bear Mountain and Snow Summit is that they offer scenic chairlift rides as an add on for couples and guests as well as opening up ceremony sites at the Skyline Tap house and Hog On The Rocks at the top Snow Summit.
www.bigbearmountainresort.com
PO Box 77
big bear lake, CA 92315
Into the Woods LLC
As their name implies, Into The Woods is a privately owned property in the woods of the San Bernardino National Forest. Secluded, simple, romantic, and pretty much perfect in my opinion. It’s a blank forest canvas for you to create exactly what you want. This location is great for both elopements and smaller weddings.
intothewoodsbb.com
Mayvan Canyon Road at highway 38
big bear city, CA 92314
Apples Bed And BReakfast
Nestled in the pines and conveniently located off of Moonridge Road, Apples is an excellent choice for a number of reasons. This Victorian-style inn is quirky, cozy, fun, and it’s landscaping makes it arguably one of the prettiest and most intimate ceremony/reception spaces in Big Bear. It’s also only 6 minutes away from the best places on the lake to take sunset photos, so remember to factor that into your day.
ApplesBedandbreakfast.com
42430 Moonridge Rd.
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Knickerbocker Mansion
The 100 year old Knickerbocker Mansion is located behind the village in the heart of Big Bear Lake and is a great place for rustic mountain weddings that lean toward the smaller side. The venue can accommodate 75 guests and offers overnight housing for up to 33. I like the classic mountain lodge vibes you get here and they’ve got a handful of options to get the space set up just the way you like.
knickerbocker-mansion.com
869 knickerbocker rd.
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Camp Conrad chinnock
Ever thought about hosting your wedding at a summer camp? This venue is unique in that it offers something completely different than the rest on this list. Bring your entire guest list here(this includes me!)from Thursday through Sunday and everyone gets to bunk up in cabins and participate in fun camp activities like archery, rock climbing, hiking, canoe rides, and swimming. What could be more fun than that? While this venue isn’t in Bear Bear, Angelus Oaks is about 40 minutes closer for your guests coming from in from the Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego areas.
diabetescamping.org
4700 Jenks Lake Rd E
Angelus Oaks, CA 92305
Big Falls Lodge
Another venue that’s not in Big Bear but I feel deserves some attention is the Big Falls Lodge/Gail D. Cox Community Center in Forest Falls, CA. This little spot isn’t your typical wedding venue, but if you’ve got a creative vision like my wife(we had our wedding here), you can have an awesome time at this place. Not many people even know of Forest Falls, but it’s a beautiful mountain town full of wildlife and natural beauty that usually just gets passed by most people making the commute up to Big Bear. There are tons of photo opportunities within 5 minutes from the venue and if you book your wedding here in the fall, you’ll get all the pretty colors and maybe even some snow. The sun sets in the canyon early but if we hit it just right, it’s one of the best places for those rugged mountain portraits you can’t find in many locations in So Cal. To top this one off, it’s a charitable non-profit organization that only requires a $75.00 deposit to hold the date and then they’ll give you a schedule of suggested donation amounts for the use and care of the facilities.
vfcci.org
41303 Valley of the Falls Dr.
Forest Falls, CA 92339
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