The Best Malibu Wedding Venues for Intimate Weddings For Couples Who Love Nature

capturing heartfelt love stories

If you’re looking for the perfect mix of beachy and elegant, Malibu should definitely be added to your list of locations to check out! I love the quiet hills, the salty air, not to mention the way golden hour hits the cliffs, making everything feel so peaceful. It’s not just beautiful, but it’s so grounding, and every single wedding has its own unique vibe here. One of my favorite things about Malibu is that it reminds me of Hawaii in the way it slows you down, and it reminds you that your wedding doesn’t have to be rushed or overcomplicated to be unforgettable.

Bride walking beside a convertible as her groom looks at her lovingly during their intimate wedding.

Groom dipping his bride into a kiss beside a vintage car.

Groom helping his bride step toward him during their intimate wedding portraits.

If you’re planning an intimate wedding, Malibu is one of the most stunning and timeless places to do it. You can hear the ocean from almost anywhere, the venues blend right into nature, and every little detail feels like luxury.

Within this blog, I’m going to show you my favorite Malibu wedding venues for couples who love the idea of an elevated but relaxed day surrounded by their people, good food, music, and the kind of views that you won’t forget.

Bride and groom sharing a soft kiss beside their wedding car.

Why Malibu Is Made for Intimate Weddings

If you know me, you know Malibu is one of my favorite places for intimate weddings. Malibu has this effortless way of making every wedding feel personal. The landscape gives you a mix of everything, like ocean views, vineyards, mountains, and greenery, and somehow, it all feels cohesive. You don’t need a ton of decor or over-the-top setups for it be gorgeous. Just having good vendors that you love and being surrounded by nature here does so much!

Bride smiling and leaning on the back of a white convertible with her bouquet nearby.

Bride holding her bouquet while standing beside her groom in front of a vintage car.

Couple embracing beside palm trees during their intimate wedding.

When I photograph intimate weddings, I always notice how much more time couples get to spend with the people they love. The pace feels slower, and nothing is too trendy or rushed. When you’re in a place like Malibu, it all feels a little extra special because of how natural and lowkey it is.

Bride and groom leaning against a vintage white convertible on their wedding day.

When to Get Married in Malibu

Malibu is honestly great, pretty much all year; it doesn’t really have an “off season” weather-wise. But depending on what kind of vibe you’re going for, the season does make a difference!

Spring and early summer are lush and green. Things are blooming, the temps are mild, and the light is super soft and flattering. If you want that fresh, calm look in your photos without sweating through your dress or suit, this is a great choice!

Bride holding her groom close while sitting together in a white convertible during their intimate wedding.

Bride leaning in to kiss her groom through the car window.

Late summer and fall are perfect! The hills turn golden, the sunsets are next level, and it has that slow, glowy feel that’s perfect for outdoor dinners or golden hour portraits. It photographs so well.

Winter can be a bit unpredictable; you might get fog, wind, or some dramatic skies, but honestly, that kind of weather can make for really emotional, moody photos. So if you’re not tied to “sunny and clear,” I wouldn’t rule it out!

And no matter when you’re getting married, golden hour here is everything! I always recommend planning portraits around it because the light on the cliffs is truly unreal. It’s one of those things you don’t want to rush or miss; it changes the whole feel of your photos.

Bride and groom sitting close together in the front seat of a classic convertible.

Top Malibu Wedding Venues Surrounded by Nature

Cielo Farms

Cielo Farms is such a gem! It feels like an escape to Italy with all the stone terraces, olive trees, and vineyards. The ceremony views overlook the valley, and when the sun starts to dip, it turns the whole space golden. It’s perfect for couples who love that Tuscan-inspired look and want their wedding to feel organic and timeless without going too far.

Bride and groom cheering from a white convertible during their intimate wedding celebration.

Groom sitting in a vintage car with the bride beside him.

Saddlerock Ranch

This spot is for couples who want options. There are vineyards, oak trees, open fields, and those long mountain views that make it feel expansive without feeling overwhelming. Each area has its own vibe, so you can really make the day feel like you. It’s a great fit for intimate weddings that still want a touch of luxury, but without losing that down-to-earth energy.

Adamson House

Right on the beach, Adamson House offers ocean views paired with classic Spanish-style design. The tilework, gardens, and historic architecture make it feel so charming and special. It’s one of those places that doesn’t need much, I know I say this a lot, but here it’s true! Literally just a few floral touches, lighting, and the sound of waves in the background is enough! We love a venue that speaks for itself!

Bride sitting in the front seat of a convertable with the door open as the groom grabs her hand to help her out.

Black and white detail photo of the bride and groom holding hands in her lap during their intimate wedding bride and groom portraits

Deer Creek Ridge

This one’s a little more under-the-radar, and that’s part of what makes it so special. It’s a private Airbnb tucked above the coastline, surrounded by open hills and sky. If you’re planning a smaller wedding with people who matter most, and you want full creative freedom to make it your own, this is a spot worth checking out. It’s quiet, natural, and has just the right amount of structure without feeling too polished.

Detail photo of the veil and back of the bride's dress shocasing her tattoo and dress details.

Detail shot through the window of a convertable of the bride and groom sitting in the back seat as he grabs her chin during their intimate wedding bride and groom portraits.

Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate Vineyards

For couples who love editorial-style portraits but still want the day to feel real and rooted in connection, this one’s hard to beat. The venue sits on top of a mountain with full views of the ocean and the vineyards, which is perfect for couples who like a variety of aesthetics. The ceremony site looks like something straight out of a movie, and the property’s design makes it feel modern but also natural! It’s the perfect venue for couples who love those editorial, cinematic photos that still feel real and full of emotion!

For more of my favorites, you can check out my blogs: Exploring Wedding Estate Venues in Northern California: Filoli Estate and Beyond, and How to Plan a Dreamy Coastal Wedding at Sea Ranch Lodge, a Northern California Wedding Venue

A classy black and white image of the bride and groom kissing in the front seat of a convertable through the rear view mirror.

Bride leaning on the seat behind the groom as he sits in the front seat of their convertable during their intimate wedding photos.

Bridal portrait of the bride leaning on a convertable looking off into the distance as she holds her white bridal bouquet.

Design Tips for Your Malibu Wedding

Malibu is all about balance. A lot of the venues have really cool vibes, but the nature all around makes every venue even more beautiful and meaningful! Here are my main tips when shooting at Malibu wedding venues:

Choose a venue with space to move and breathe. It gives you freedom to create cozy corners, unique table designs, and floral setups that feel effortless instead of too overdone.
Let your color palette work with the landscape. If your venue is surrounded by greens, lean into neutrals, soft yellows, or terracotta tones that work seamlessly with nature. Basically, just make your color palette blend in with what you’re venue looks like, plus this makes your planning super easy!
Make golden hour part of the plan. Honestly, this might be the most important part! Golden hour in Malibu is the best, I’m not exaggerating. I definitely recommend scheduling your portraits during that window when everything glows. If you book me as your Malibu wedding photographer, I will help you plan your timeline around this!

Bride leaning on a convertable looking looking at the groom as she holds her white bridal bouquet.

If you love adding a personal touch, J + L’s styled session is the perfect example! They brought in a vintage car, and it instantly elevated the energy of the shoot. It didn’t feel staged, just romantic and classic, like something out of a film.

During J + L’s shoot, I loved how the car became more than just a prop. It reflected that post-wedding happiness, like the joy of finally being married and feeling like you can just be together. We used the car to frame moments from different angles, sometimes shooting through the windows or over a shoulder to make the photos feel immersive. The way they looked at each other, you could tell how in love they were!

If you’re planning an intimate wedding in Malibu, a getaway car can be the perfect final detail to make your photos feel like a movie, something that ties it all together with style and personality.

The groom kissing the brides hand as they sit in the front seat of a convertable during their intimate wedding bride and groom portraits.

Bride and groom leaning over the hood of the convertable holding hands and chatting during their intimate wedding.

Black and white photo shot through the windshield of a convertable of the bride and groom holding hands and laughing together in the front seat.

Vendors Worth Knowing

Working with the right team in Malibu can make your day run smoothly. Each one brings something different to the table, and they all understand how to complement the natural beauty of Malibu without overpowering it! Here are a few creatives I love:

Planner: Bash Boulevard

Creative Director: Anna Pauline Photography

Florals: Stoddard Floral & Co

Tuxedo: Stitch & Tie

Hair and Makeup: Alexia HMUA

Jewelry: Amy O Jewelry

Car Rental: Jenz Benz AZ

The bride and groom standing next to the driver side door of a yellow/cream convertable. The groom softly kissing her cheek from behind as the bride smiles softly with her eyes closed.

Stunning bride and groom portrait in Malibu. The bride and groom are leaning against a yellow classic convertable as he slightly dips her and holds her leg as they share a kiss with the palms behind them.

This wedding was such a fun reminder that even the smallest details can change the energy of your photos. From J’s sleek tux to L’s soft bouquet, everything came together effortlessly. The car gave us depth and creativity, which is something you can’t always find in a typical setup.

It also goes to show how the right creative team can take a simple idea and make it feel high-end. Every vendor brought their own touch, and that collaboration made all the difference!

A detail photo of the bride and groom leaning against a classic convertable from the knees down to showcase their wedding attire from their intimate wedding.

Choosing Your Malibu Wedding Photographer

Malibu weddings are full of energy and movement, like wind in your veil, beautiful lighting through the trees, the ocean sounds, it’s seriously such a cool place for the nature-loving couples out there! Capturing all that takes a photographer who knows when to give direction and when to let things unfold naturally.

As an intimate wedding photographer, I love to focus on storytelling. I want you to look back on your gallery and remember how it felt, not just how it looked. The laughs, the tears, the nerves, the calm right before you walked down the aisle, all of it matters to me, and I know it’s important for you too.

If you’re planning an intimate wedding in Malibu and want someone who values both art and emotion, I’d love to be part of it.

The bride and groom leaning against each other in the back seat of a convertable for some editorial bride and groom portraits during their intimate wedding in Malibu.

Let’s Start Planning Your Malibu Wedding

The best Malibu wedding venues offer more than just a view; they give you a space to breathe, to be present, and to celebrate surrounded by the people who mean the most to you.

If you’re ready to start planning your day, I’d love to help document it in a way that feels honest and true to you. You can reach out here, or explore more of my wedding planning blogs for location ideas and real wedding inspiration below!

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