Indoor vs Outdoor Weddings: Let’s Hear the PROS & CONS!

So, you’re trying to decide if you want to have an indoor or outdoor wedding or maybe you haven’t considered ALL the factors yet. How do you choose? This is actually one of the biggest decisions you have to make when deciding on a wedding venue.

For continued support on finding your wedding venue, here is Top 10 Things to Consider BEFORE booking your Wedding Venue.

Whether you see yourselves getting married in a lush backyard garden or exquisite ballroom, when it comes down to making hard decision like this…it’s time to pull out a good, old fashioned PROS + CONS list!

Indoor

Pro: Weather worries, no problem!

No matter what season your wedding is, indoor weddings will put your mind at ease about undesirable weather. From a little light breeze to a rainy forecast, indoor venues ensure your festivities will go on and your guests will be comfortable.

Con: Extra Costs

Indoor weddings tend to have a higher price tag than other outdoor locations. This is because there is more space to fill with décor and additional luxuries such as bridal & groom suites, restrooms, and lounge areas — these accommodable features will cost you some extra cash.

Pro: Design Opportunities

Your event design options are seemingly endless as long as you follow your venue's regulations. Indoor venues have lots of blank walls and ceilings tp create the perfect backdrops with cute decorations, and you’ll find some some already furnished! And you definitely don't need to worry about the wind knocking over your centerpieces or blowing our your reception candles.

Con: Photo/Video Lighting

If you choose an indoor wedding venue, then make sure your photographer AND videographer know how to capture an indoor event. Indoor photos generally aren’t bright & airy, like outdoor venues unless your venue has indoor + outdoor selections, so ensure your photographer/videographer has some specialty shooting indoors.

Pro: Intimate & Cozy

Indoor weddings gather all of your guests into one room for a more enclosed, cozy feel. There will be much less external distractions such as overhead airplanes, car horns, etc. to interrupt your ceremony & toasts.

Now that you’ve read our PROS & CONS list for indoor venues, for our more adventurous couples — take a look at the outdoor venue list!

Outdoor

Pro: Gorgeous views & scenery.

You want that bright & airy, open space look for your wedding? Choose an outdoor venue where there’s plenty of natural lighting for photos, cost effective natural beauty, and a pretty backdrop for all your events.

Con: Unpredictable Nature

Remember, an outdoor wedding has beautiful sights, but you can’t control nature. Bugs will inevitably crash your outdoor wedding and although you can’t fully prepare for undesirable weather or nature conditions, you can make preparations in advance! This includes purchasing a tent, heaters, using heavier materials (less paper), LED candles, and any backups you can think of.

Pro: No Space Constraints

More space can prove to be very family friendly to couples who want to invite a larger number of guests. You also have more space to design creatively and create an epic event.

Con: Rental Costs

Generally, outdoor wedding venues come as a clean slate. Yes, there is plenty of natural beauty, but because you want to PREPARE and protect against the natural elements, this can set you back thousands of dollars (tents generally being the costly item). And depending on your venue, you may need to spend extra cash on items such as portable restrooms, a dance floor, tables, chairs, and lighting.

Pro: Family Friendly Atmosphere

While some couples may not choose to invite children, an outdoor setting welcomes these little ones. Children will have plenty of space to run around, which will hopefully maintain their wild energy and keep tantrums to a minimum. And lawn games can be a fun purchase to keep the little ones (and adults!) occupied.

Still unsure?

Ultimately, your decision between an indoor vs. outdoor wedding venue will be control. Scroll back over the two lists. The type A bride who might be reading this will lean towards an indoor venue, because it allows you to hold the reigns on your big day with ease. However, if nature is your second home — an outdoor venue would serve your desires best.

And who knows — after doing a bit of venue searching you may find one you love that has a hybrid (indoor + outdoor spaces for use)!

Taking a Tour of Hummingbird Nest Ranch!

With FOUR incredible main venues on the Hummingbird Nest Ranch property, the Jamison Events team couldn’t pass up the chance to tour this wedding venue site! With Ariel, from Magnolia West Photography, able to capture the incredible tour moments — here’s what we discovered, so you don’t have to.

Hummingbird Nest Ranch is one of Simi Valley’s best kept secrets AND a spectacular site for special events including weddings, private parties, movie/tv and photo shoots…

This extraordinary property has “an exquisite main villa with regal Spanish architecture and décor, a gorgeous array of outdoor spaces perfect for ceremonies, receptions and private events, giving guests a feeling of unsurpassed warmth and luxury.”

We had a full touring day ahead of us, so we took a golf cart around the venue with the welcoming representatives from Hummingbird Nest Ranch. As we visited each of the 4 wedding venue locations, the sales rep was able to show us incredible inspiration photos of how to use each space. Scroll down below to see each of the four sites!

1. The Villas

This venue site is located in front of the main house, with a gorgeous courtyard and rippling fountain in the center. Lush plants fill the empty space and bring life to this location. If you love this location, you can find inspiration photos HERE. This wedding spot is also right by where the couple and guests can book villas for the entire weekend!

2. The Sitting Bull

From the Villas, we took a golf cart to this beautiful Italian courtyard space with olive trees and brick walls. This space reminded me of an Italian piazza, which can perfectly fit a luxurious cocktail hour. You will find lush green bushes and trees as well, with a lovely blue pool for admiring OR a post-wedding dip! Find wedding inspiration photos for the Sitting Bull HERE.

3. The Main Barn

The main barn is a breathtaking, high ceiling space that is perfect for a romantic or country style. We were so impressed by how large the indoor space was; 300 horses could have fit! You can fill this space with a laid-back vibe or elevate the space with drapery and and pops of greenery. While the indoor space is lovely, you can also host a wedding on the outdoor space on the lake & lawn area. Find wedding inspiration photos HERE.

4. Q Vineyards by Hummingbird

Q Vineyards is the all inclusive venue, in conjunction with Command Performance catering. This location has a helicopter pad, and a barn with twinkle lights inside. Keep an eye out in August for a styled shoot COMING SOON, with all wedding inspiration on how to use this event space!

After touring each STUNNING location, here are few things to know if you book the Hummingbird Nest Ranch for your wedding:

Wedding Planning Tips & Things to Know

1. There are some wonderful accommodations such as: 24-hour rental of the event space, bridal party dressing suite, dumpsters on site for vendor trash disposal, restrooms & restroom attendants.

2. You will find the most beautiful onsite villas to rent for guests and/or the bride & groom! You can rent them for the entire weekend, plus, they are affordable! (Q Vineyard does not include overnight stay)

3. Hummingbird Nest offers a list of exclusive catering companies from which events are required to select their catering vendor. They offer many diverse caterers, with many ethnic and Kosher options.

4. If you need wedding transportation, their vendor Performance Limo LA by Scott Rouge (transportation is required at Q Vineyards).

5. This venue requires security and valet (which is always a great addition to your wedding), through exclusive companies, to be contracted separately at an additional cost.

6. Lastly, the cost of this venue is determined specific to each wedding. Everyone has different budgets, but expect to spend a minimum of $70,000 for most Villa or Sitting Bull weddings. For Q Vineyard weddings, expect to spend a minimum of $40,000.

Check out the Hummingbird Nest Ranch website for more info! And follow on insta: @hummingbirdnestevents

Ariel Nuñez

AND This entire blog wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Ariel, at Magnolia West Photography’s stunning photos of the Hummingbird Nest Ranch! She will be joining Jamison Events on quite a few more venue tours adventures this year so look out for that too! You can find her socials, website, and more HERE to learn more about her.

Katie & Ryan - Riviera Mansion Wedding in Santa Barbara

This couple’s wedding was held at one of my favorite venues, the Riviera Mansion! However, when Katie and Ryan booked Jamison Events, they originally had a venue set in Santa Barbara at a private estate. Due to the pandemic, that option fell through, so they had to find a new venue and Riviera Mansion ended up being the perfect option for their big day!

The Riviera Mansion has a historic, castle-like vibe, so the décor & design the couple had Jamison Events help create was a mix of modern set in a charming private estate venue. It translated beautifully.

My favorite part of the décor aspect was the Ghost Chiavari Chairs. Oh gosh—and I personally had not worked with Chiavari Chairs as a ghost chair before, so I was really excited about it!! In searching for these special chairs, I found Three Little Birds Event Rentals and we were a match made in heaven. Such a great company to work with- we now have several weddings in the further together. 

Another fun design idea Katie wanted was a champagne wall — we did a unique spin on a champagne wall, by adding a place card in each glass. This was a nice way to offer a glass of champagne and have guests find their seats. 

One note we did run into- anytime a slight breeze would hit, the cards would fly off. Ha! So we did ALL we could to make sure it looked picture perfect for guests when it was time to reveal the champagne wall. 

Events from the BIG DAY —

Katie and Ryan did something extra special during their first look, they each read their own personal vows to each other. This was an intimate moment with just the two of them and it made it extra special. 

Then Katie and Ryan had their Ceremony on the Lawn, as you can see from these photos below.

And while guests were enjoying Cocktail hour and Dinner, we worked hard to flip the Lawn for the dancing portion of the night!

For the reception & dancing, Katie had a stunning dress-change so she was comfortable to dance the night away. Her caped short dress was literally stunning!!

Jake & Katelyn - A Breathtaking Wedding in Rancho Vista Dedios

Watch this beautiful wedding unfold in the Santa Rosa Valley. Jake and Katelyn were married at this newer venue, Rancho Vista Dios, which is on a mountain overlooking the valley and also filled with beautiful twisting trees that will ensure beautiful wedding photos.

Cred: Michael Anthony Photography

See this gorgeous ceremony view at this home venue below! The homeowner of this venue handmade the door that lead to the Ceremony processional, creating a rustic and traditional scene.

Their wedding colors were blue, gold, and burnt orange with natural brown tones from the trees and wooden signage. See the aisle décor, welcome table, reception area, cake table, etc. + Check out their fun bridal party!

Overall, Jake and Katelyn had a relaxed, romantic design that embraced the fall season. Don’t miss their choice of catering: The Habit Burger Grill! The reception + dinner was such a hit !!

Congratulations Jake & Katelyn! Here are all the vendors involved in this gorgeous wedding:

Venue #ranchovistadedios
Planning @jamisonevents
Food Truck @habitburgergrill
Bar @nationalbartendingto
Video @austinhatchervisuals
Photo @michaelanthonyphotography
DJ @bouquetsound @jasonwesley_
Flowers @staceyspetalsandstems
Rentals @partypleasers
Restrooms @luxflush
Production Assistants-
@coordinationbycasanova
@bffjencreations

Brianna and Hanson's Wedding - Los Robles Greens

Who says your fall wedding has to be fall colored/themed? Brianna and Hanson imagined their wedding day to be full of soft pinks, white, and pops of gold. This romantic, garden setting fit perfectly at Los Robles Greens.

While this venue can accomodate many different styles, the lush green backdrop covered in vines, with a gentle breeze blowing, and the soothing sound of rippling water from a fountain is like no other. Plus, this venue has tons of accomodations such as; customized catering menus, a bridal suite, referrals on other vendors, and more!

We always love working at Los Robles because they truly step up for every event. From small details like, steak knives on the tables to ensuring each of their staff are aware of the important events on the timeline. I want to give a big shoutout to LRG Banquet Captain Ross for always working hard to ensure each event is smooth!

One of my favorite details of this wedding were the soft florals. Could you guess that these florals were actually rented? They were! And yes, you can totally steal this idea for your wedding by the way!

Each piece was beautifully created and the decor was set up by us (Jamison Events). A huge part of our job as wedding planners is packing up at the end of the night, and I have to say all of the rentals we needed to carefully pack away.

It was so special to see how Brianna and Hanson sweetly loved each other with quiet, but joyful matching personalities. Congrats to the newlyweds again and to all of the vendors who helped put this day together!

Venue - @eventslrg

Event Planning - @jamisonevents

Photography - @jenfujphotography

DJ: @bouquetsound & @jasonwesley

Photobooth - @desertlunaphotobooths

Beauty - @beautybybonbon

Brittany and Ned's Wedding - Los Robles Greens

If you are wondering what an upbeat wedding full of surprises, beautiful colors, and dancing looks like, you’ve stumbled upon the most wonderful couple! Brittany and Ned chose Jamison Events to help plan their amazing wedding at Los Robles Greens.

This venue is such accommodable & flexible choice for your wedding, including: customized catering menus, a bridal suite, referrals on other vendors, and more! This venue can adapt to MANY different themes & styles, however one of my favorite aesthetics is the romantic, elegant garden vibe.

With a mix of blues, greens, and white we helped spin this wedding together which helped create a calm, yet fun environment for their guests! Here’s their wedding invites if you’re looking for an inspired, simple looking wedding invite with a FRESH feel.

The most fun part of Brittany and Ned’s wedding was their choreographed surprise dance to the Greatest Showman song. Although the pandemic brought challenges in getting everyone together (since most of their wedding party was out of state) to organize their dance, they were able to practice via Zoom and it turned out amazing! This dance was a complete surprise to their guests AND even went VIRAL on our reels page @JamisonEvents, which we loved seeing!!

Los Robles Greens wedding turned out great for this upbeat couple. Brittany and Ned were some of my favorites to work with and cheers to the amazing vendor team for Brittany & Ned’s Wedding!!

Photography- @maxtepperphoto
Venue- @eventslrg
Planning- @jamisonevents
Video- @luxurylifestylestudiosllc
DJ- @bouquetsound @djdominiq
Hair and Makeup- @janaandcomakeupandhairdesign
Dress- @forlovebridal
Desserts- @nothingbundtcakes

Have a Wonderful Day,

Jamison

Top 10 Things to Consider BEFORE booking your Wedding Venue

(Photo by: Lisa Lorene)

What are the two most challenging decisions you’ll make in your wedding planning process? Your Venue and Wedding Dress. And did you know that there are over 701 Venues in Ventura County alone? That number gets much higher the farther you spread your venue search.

That being said, choosing your venue can be overwhelming with the amount of choices…

Often the experience is more of a love at first sight phenomenon… You walk the venue, fall in love and MAKE it work for your budget, needs and date.

My recommendation is to slow down the process. These will help you narrow down your venue: 

• Narrow down the search online to your top 10 venues you might be interested in.

• Contact each venue and ask for availability and their packages.

• Sit down and create a realistic budget. Your Wedding Planner will help you do this! 

• Plan your guest list. How many guests will you be expecting? On average, 80% of your guest list will attend. So, make sure you are considering this when looking into venue seating. 

• Go visit 3 of those venues in a 1-3 week time frame (take notes on what you love and dont love about each).

• Ask for a full proposal of all of the fees that might be included. Catering, Rentals, Bar, Fees, etc. 

• Repeat the second and third step until you’ve seen all 10. 

• Compare your proposals and notes.

• Make a decision. Have your wedding planner look over the contract.
  

Now that you’ve gotten rid of the overwhelming amount of choices, I recommend that all of my couples ask themselves how practical their venue is.

Here are the “Top 10 things to consider BEFORE booking your Wedding Venue”:

1. Where is the Location? As they say in Real Estate “Location, Location, Location.” Couples are often attracted to venues that offer a unique vibe, but consider the venue from your guests’ perspective. Will they need to book a hotel? Will you need to book transportation? These small considerations will ensure a more comfortable and less stressful experience for your guests. 

2. How has the Inquiry Process been? I’m going to put this frankly, if the booking manager has been slow to respond, rude, or off putting...you’ll have that experience the ENTIRE time. On the other hand, if the booking manager has been kind, responsive and helpful, there’s a good chance that most everyone that works there has the same mentality. Don’t settle for a lack of customer service, because you love the venue aesthetic! 

3. What is your Budget? Will the venue keep you on budget? Often couples opt for a venue where they can bring in their own Catering, Bar, etc. However, I recommend you talk to your planner prior to making this choice. Bringing in all of your own vendors may lead to a higher budget. So truly, run the numbers to ensure the venue will stick to your budget. 

4. Are there Hidden Fees? Things like insurance, taxes, service fees, gratuities can add up. Ensure that you truly understand every fee and that it is within your budget. **Important note- MOST service fees are not considered gratuities and are taxed.** Again, make sure you totally understand the amount you will be charged. 

5. Is Transportation Required? Another big factor in choosing your venue is the parking & transportation needs. Do you need to rent a bus to get guests to the venue? Is their valet or available parking? Is parking on a busy road? 

6. Is it an Accessible Venue?  If you plan to invite an older grandparent or have a family member who is in a wheelchair, then you need to make sure your venue is wheelchair or easily accessible for those who have a hard time walking. Are their stairs, a steep incline or gravel? Make sure you consider all of the accessibility aspects prior to booking. 

7. Time of the Wedding. Does the venue require a certain in and out time? Does music have to be off at a certain time? We typically ask for about 3 hour setup time prior to the invitation time and 1-2 hours of clean-up after the event has ended. 

8. How is the Weather? What happens if it rains and your event is fully outside? Can the space be tented and what is the average cost of a tent?

9. Does the Venue Fit Your Style? I often tell my couples not to settle for style, but I’ll also remind them not to go too far out of their comfort zone as well. For example- let’s say you LOVE a modern vibe but you chose a venue that is Rustic. Will you look back and love your pictures? Will you need to bring in rentals to make the space work for your aesthetic? Does the venue look well kept and in good condition? All this will ensure your style needs are met. 

10. Will there be Multiple Weddings going on that day? Years ago, I attended a wedding as a guest and at the end of the night we were jumping on our provided bus to head back to our hotel. It was only after we left that I realized I was on the wrong bus, for the wrong wedding. While it made for a funny story for my friends, make sure you consider how you’d feel if you weren't the only wedding going on at the same time, at the same venue. 

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All things considered, you are sure to choose the perfect venue!

Check out this free checklist & venue profile below to guide you through the venue choosing process.

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Top 8 Ventura County Wedding Venues

Ventura County has been my home since I was 2 years old, so it holds a special place, in my heart. With so much to offer, from beautiful majestic mountains to it’s incredible beaches, not to mention the idealic weather. Ventura County has become one of the most sot after places to say “I Do” in Southern Califronia. It’s not just a wedding spot for locals, I’m often planning for Couples outside of the State and Country. Nestled between Los Angeles County and Santa Barbara County, Ventura County offers a wide range of experienced vendors, without a top dollar price tag too!

Now, I’ll say this… Choosing my favorite Top 8 Wedding Venues within Ventura County, is not an easy task. There are many to choose from. So, if the below does not resonate, let me know! I have many more options to check out. In choosing our favs, we considered, the overal aesthetic, reasonable cost in regards to service options and food and beverage options! It’s also super important that from the start in working with your venue, you have the best experience and each of these venues will offer just that. From their sales team to their event team, everyone will treat you like your wedding is personal, important and unique! These are the venues we get most excited to work with and there are no cookie cutter weddings here!

Need a custom list of venues to fit your dream wedding? Email me- Jamison@JamisonEvents.com

Photo Credit: Jennifer Jasso Photography

Photo Credit: Lucas Rossi Photography

Nicole & Ryan say "I Do!"

Nicole and Ryan’s beautiful Sherwood Country Club Wedding was nothing short of a dream. With some of the very best vendors, their day was filled with custom special moments. Not only is Nicole one of the sweetest, but she’s also a very talented cookie decorator! We were able to see her special cookies at each table setting and her soft palette of Blush, Burgundy and Gold, accentuated the Ballroom’s aesthetic well.

Amazing Vendors

Photography by Rebecca Theresa Photography - http://rebeccatheresa.com/

Planning by Jamison Events

Venue Sherwood Country Club - https://www.sherwoodcc.com/

Entertainment, Lighting and MCee by Matt Graumann Entertainment - https://mattgraumann.wordpress.com/

Florals by Belle of the Ball - https://www.belleoftheballdesigns.com/

Videography by Tim Fox Weddings - http://timfoxweddings.com/

Cake by Skiffs Cakes - https://www.skiffscakes.com/

Photo Booth by Vox Djs - https://voxdjs.com/

Cookie Favors by The Bride - https://www.instagram.com/nstast/

Hotel Accommodations by Hyatt Regency Westlake Village - https://www.hyatt.com/

Summer Wedding at the Los Robles Greens, Thousand Oaks

Lauren and Winston were the happiest couple I’ve ever met. Their love shinned through on their special day at the Los Robles Greens venue. Their hints of light blue and navy blue went well with the venue and they danced the night away under the beautiful stars.

Vendors-

Venue- Los Robles Greens

Coordination- Jamison Events

DJ- Bouquet Sound- DJ Matt Nasby

Photography- Jenny Rolapp

Video- Erik Werlin

Florals- Unique Floral Designs

Cake- Sweet Art Bake Shop