Things to Know About Planning your Anaheim Wedding from an Orange County Wedding Planner

As you know, California is a big state…and Orange County is a big county with many amazing cities within. Anaheim gets a lot of press from Disneyland lovers, but not nearly enough in the wedding world!  There are some great wedding venues (I shared about Anaheim Wedding Venues here) to choose from, but that’s not the only thing you’ll need to check off your to-do list when you start planning your wedding. 

Anaheim is a great choice for its great weather, versatile venues, and easy guest logistics.

Areas we serve in and around Orange County, aside from Anaheim, include San Diego County, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Maui, HI. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your wedding in Anaheim, or really anywhere else in SoCal! 

Time of Year

Southern California weather is ideal nearly year-round, but spring and fall are the most popular seasons for mild temperatures and golden-hour lighting. Summer can bring heat (and higher hotel rates) while winter offers value and less competition for dates.

Anaheim averages less than 15 inches of rain per year — but it’s still smart to have a backup indoor plan between December and April. As a planner, I’m team plan B year-round, but for certain seasons, it’s a non-negotiable. 

Transportation & Travel Logistics 

Anaheim is relatively easy to traverse. Between the John Wayne Airport and the proximity to LAX, guests arriving from out of town will have no trouble finding flights. Ubers and Lyfts are great, and many hotels offer shuttles.  For wedding weekends, I highly recommend securing private transportation, such as shuttle or party buses, to help transport guests to and from their accommodations and your festivities.  

On-Site Guest Accommodations

A common question is “Where do guests stay near Anaheim venues?” Many of the Anaheim venues I recommend have on-site accommodations and lodging, as they’re hotels & resorts. If keeping things easy is important to you, a hotel or resort will deliver! All of your guests can be close together and you can really capitalize on all of the amenities offered. While AirBnBs, VRBOs and B&Bs are always an option,  they do present a few more logistical challenges. We can help you explore room blocks, which will provide a discounted rate for the volume of rooms you can “guarantee.”  This is super important if you plan to host a Wedding Weekend! Giving your guests a vacation-style experience, even if they’re local. You can even incorporate excursions to Disney, Anaheim Packing District, Angels games and the Brewery scene. 

If you aren’t sure that Anaheim is the right location for you within Orange County,  there are plenty more locations and options to choose from! We love helping couples find the perfect fit. So if the overwhelm is setting in, let’s talk! 

Ready for some more wedding planning resources?  Check out the Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Wedding Venue, What’s Next After You Get Engaged and Why Should I Hire A Wedding Planner.