The Hacienda 1725 College Avenue • Santa Ana • California 92706

As soon as you walk through the front gates of The Hacienda, you travel back in time to a more peaceful and romantic era. Once part of an orange and avocado ranch from the early 1900s, this whitewashed adobe and its charming courtyard is now one of Orange County's most popular wedding locations.

Two settings are available for both ceremonies and receptions. If you'd like to celebrate outdoors, the flagstone courtyard is ideal. Ivy-covered balconies, an abundance of potted flowers, and a three-tiered fountain in the center give the space an Old World atmosphere. Off to one side is a wooden arbor, hung with stained-glass panels and entwined with vines, that serves as an altar for ceremonies. When a couple exchanges vows here, candelabras provide old-fashioned warmth and sparkle. For courtyard weddings, the bride's dressing room is the old master bedroom in the main hacienda, appointed with antiques and giant mirrors. From here she can step out onto her balcony to survey her guests below.

Indoor events are hosted in the Taos Room, a beautiful ballroom in the building adjacent to the main hacienda. It has a Southwest flavor, with its 200-year-old decorative doors carved from Mexican mesquite wood, oversized fireplace, antiques and original artwork. A 20-foot ceiling with skylights and a row of French doors that open to the courtyard provide natural light. At the far end, a flight of Spanish tile stairs—perfect for making a grand entrance—leads up to the bride's dressing room. Large mirrors, lots of space, and roses stenciled above the doors and windows make brides feel quite comfortable.

The Hacienda is owned by June Neptune, an experienced wedding maven with a bride-friendly philosophy. "Weddings should be stress-free and fun," she says. Her all-inclusive packages really simplify the planning process, covering everything from floral decorations and live music for the ceremony, to appetizers, drinks, dinner and even the wedding cake. Another built-in benefit is assistance from June's staff of wedding coordinators, who will help you plan your event and make sure it comes off just as you envisioned it.