About Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz (Spanish for Holy Cross) is a city in Santa Cruz County, California. Lying on the north shore of Monterey Bay, at the foot of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Cruz is about 80 miles south of San Francisco and is known for its moderate climate, natural environment, vast coastline, redwood forests, alternative community lifestyles, and socially liberal leanings. The area’s scenic landscape and mild climate are major attractions, as well as its magnificent list of beaches, which attracts thousands of tourists all year.
Santa Cruz is a spectacular California wedding destination that offers an array of beautiful settings and venues that are sure to make your big day one to remember. The city’s gorgeous redwood forests, warm sandy beaches, and rustic wineries provide amazing wedding possibilities. From an informal outdoor ceremony to a large banquet, the City of Santa Cruz has many different facilities, services, and people that can help make your wedding unforgettable.
- Interesting Fact
Santa Cruz is also home to the University of California, Santa Cruz, as well as the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, an oceanfront amusement park operating continuously since 1907.
Wedding Vendor Options in Santa Cruz, California
- Equipment Rental Companies
There are dozens of Santa Cruz-based rental companies that can provide necessary items like tables, chairs, dinnerware, décor, and more, for your wedding. Similarly, if you’re hosting an outdoor wedding, there are many tent rental companies in the city as well.
- Photographers & Videographers
Santa Cruz is home to many professional photographers and videographers. You can hire one to help you relive your big day after it is all over, providing pictures or video of all your events' best moments.
- Attire Vendors
One of the things that make a wedding gorgeous is the dressing of the couple and their train of friends. In Santa Cruz, you can get all your wedding attire like wedding dresses, tuxedos, and wedding party dresses, among others, from Santa Cruz’s many wedding attire vendors. Whether you want ready-made clothing or something custom-made, you can have it all in Santa Cruz.
- Favor Vendors
All of your wedding guests deserve a heartfelt thank you whether they live in the city or have traveled across the country to grace your occasion. Wedding favors and gifts can be your ‘little’ thank you note to thank your wedding guests for being part of your special day. From edible treats to thoughtful keepsakes, you can get many different types of handcrafted and local favors made and delivered in Santa Cruz, California.
- Officiants
Whether you want a secular or religious wedding, you should get a wedding officiant to perform the kind of ceremony that you want in Santa Cruz, as you’ll find many religious and non-religious officiants throughout the city.
Event Planning Companies in Santa Cruz, CA
- Danzante Events and Design
Danzante Events and Designs Inc. is a premier wedding and event planning company in Santa Cruz, California, specializing in weddings and elopements. With over five years of experience planning and designing weddings in the city, Rebecca Zavaleta and her team have been part of all kinds of weddings, including those for LGBTQ+ partners.
- Wylie Weddings and Events
Wylie Weddings is a one stop shop for all your event planning, design, and production needs! With over a decade of experience, they take pride in working with clients to create custom packages to help design, organize and implement their vision. Their services range from day of coordination to full event management, among other event management services.
- All Occasions Entertainment
For over two decades, All Occasions has been providing bespoke entertainment services to residents of Santa Cruz and the greater Bay Area for everything from weddings to corporate events, and everything in between. With a stellar reputation for their professionalism, their award-winning DJs will collaborate with you to create lifetime memories at your wedding event.
Pros and Cons of Having a Wedding in Santa Cruz
Pros:
- Many activities
There are lots of activities you can engage in when in Santa Cruz. From surfing to enjoying natural views, and so much more.
- Beautiful scenery
Santa Cruz is a beautiful city with a pleasant environment and fascinating landscape.
- Vibrant art community
There is access to a vibrant, unique, and abundant art community in Santa Cruz that art lovers can experience when in the city for a wedding.
- Great weather
Santa Cruz boasts pleasant weather year round, with an adequate amount of sunshine per year.
Cons:
- Small town
Santa Cruz is a small town. There is always a great possibility of running into someone you know.
- High cost of living
The cost of living in Santa Cruz is extremely high.
- Homelessness
There are numerous homeless people begging on the streets of Santa Cruz that you will likely come across wherever your wedding is in the city.
Famous Wedding Venues in Santa Cruz, California
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk & Amusement Park
Go out and have fun at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk when you visit Santa Cruz! The oceanfront amusement park is one of the best attractions in Santa Cruz, California, and is also the city’s oldest surviving amusement park - one of the few seaside parks on the West Coast of the United States.
- Santa Cruz Wharf
Enjoy warm sand, cool surf, hot rides and free entertainment at the Santa Cruz Wharf. Santa Cruz Wharf is another top sight in Santa Cruz, CA, known for its fishing, boat tours, sea lions, and large variety of restaurants, clubs, and gift shops. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon (or evening) with all your wedding party guests.
- Lighthouse Field State Beach
Want some alone time before the big day? You won’t find a better spot than the Lighthouse Field State Beach in Santa Cruz. This 36-acre protected beach is a great spot to relax, walk by the coastline, or surf. It also houses the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, housed in a 1967 lighthouse.