Interested in learning more about Twin Oaks House Weddings? In this complete guide, I'll cover EVERYTHING you need to know, including where the best spots are for photos, how to make the most out of your day at this specific wedding venue, and much more.

I'm a wedding photographer based in SoCal who has shot about 200 weddings at this point, and I have to say Twin Oaks Garden Estate is one of the prettiest wedding venues in California.

To view my wedding photography portfolio, click here.

Steps to Have a Twin Oaks House & Gardens Wedding

STEP 1: Book a Tour

Contact the Twin Oaks House and Garden event team to schedule a private tour of the venue. This will give you the opportunity to explore the picturesque grounds, view the ceremony site, reception pavilion, and other event spaces, as well as discuss your vision with the event staff.

STEP 2: Choose a Date

Select your preferred wedding date and check the availability at Twin Oaks. If your desired date is unavailable, consider alternative dates or inquire about their off-peak season pricing and availability.

STEP 3: Secure the Venue

To confirm your booking, sign the rental agreement and pay the required deposit. This will secure your chosen date and ensure that the Twin Oaks House and Garden is reserved exclusively for your wedding celebration.

STEP 4: Discuss Customizable Packages

Schedule a meeting with the Twin Oaks event planner to discuss the various wedding packages available. Choose the services and features that best align with your preferences and budget, such as catering options, event coordination, and additional event spaces.

STEP 5: Create a Wedding Timeline

Collaborate with your Twin Oaks event planner to develop a detailed wedding timeline. This will include important milestones such as menu tastings, finalizing guest numbers, and coordinating with vendors.

STEP 6: Select Preferred Vendors

Review Twin Oaks' preferred vendor list, which includes a curated selection of trusted professionals in the wedding industry, such as photographers, florists, and entertainment providers. Schedule consultations and book your chosen vendors to ensure they are available on your wedding date.

STEP 7: Coordinate Accommodations

Reserve the on-site bridal suite for your wedding day preparations and book the guest rooms for your out-of-town guests. Twin Oaks can provide assistance with coordinating room blocks and ensuring your guests have a comfortable stay.

STEP 8: Menu Tasting

Attend a menu tasting with Twin Oaks' award-winning culinary team to sample and select the dishes for your wedding menu. Discuss any dietary restrictions or special requests to ensure a seamless dining experience for your guests.

STEP 9: Finalize Seating Arrangements

Work with your Twin Oaks event planner to create a seating chart for your reception. Consider factors such as guest preferences, family dynamics, and accessibility when assigning tables.

STEP 10: Rehearsal Dinner

Plan and host your rehearsal dinner at Twin Oaks, using one of their elegant dining rooms. This intimate gathering will provide an opportunity to practice the ceremony and enjoy quality time with your closest friends and family before the big day.

STEP 11: Wedding Day Coordination

On your wedding day, the Twin Oaks event team will manage every detail, from vendor coordination to timeline execution. This will ensure a stress-free experience, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the joy and love of your special day.

By following these specific steps, you will successfully plan a magical wedding at Twin Oaks House and Garden in San Marcos, tailored to your unique vision and desires.

The Best Timeline for Twin Oaks House Weddings

Below is my recommended wedding day timeline for a wedding at the Twin Oaks House and Garden. Let’s say your ceremony start time is at 5:00 pm. Here’s a timeline for that.

9:00 – 12:30 – Hair/Makeup (This start time will vary depending on how many people will be getting their hair/makeup done; typically, the bride is last). Keep in mind, Twin Oaks House and Garden provided "Getting Ready Rooms" for couples.

12:00 – Photographer(s) Arrive

12:00 – 12:40 – Details (Dress, shoes, rings, etc.)

12:45 – 1:45 – Getting Ready Photos (One photographer is with Partner A & second photographer is with Partner B)

*Note: If you don’t have a second photographer, more time is needed here as the solo photographer will have to take extra time to document Partner A & Partner B.

1:45 – 2:45 – First Look + Couple Portraits

2:45 – 3:15 – Wedding Party Portraits (More time is needed here is there is no second photographer)

3:15 – 3:45 – Family Portraits

3:45 – 4:40 – Buffer Time (Super important to always leave buffer time within the schedule should things run a bit behind schedule. It also allows the couple to just relax more…the day won’t feel rushed.) If the timeline goes exactly to plan, the couple can use this time to relax or take extra photos. ;)

4:40 – Couple Preps for Ceremony / Photographer Documents Ceremony Details

5:00 – 5:30 – Ceremony

5:30 – 6:30 – Cocktail Hour + Couple Portraits

*The cocktail hour typically takes place during the golden hour (best time for photos because of the light), so usually about 30 minutes of couple portraits are taken during this time.)

6:45 – Grand Entrance

6:45 – 10:00 – Reception (First Dance, Parent Dances, Speeches, Open Dancing, Etc.)

Crucial Info About Having a Wedding at Twin Oaks House and Garden

What is the Guest Count Capacity?

Twin Oaks can host up to 300 guests.

How Many Hours Can You Enjoy the Venue For?

You can enjoy the venue for a total of 10.5 hours with the option to add more hours for a fee.

There are:

• 4 hours for getting ready time
• 5.5 hours for the ceremony and reception
• 1 Hour for the grand exit

Usually everything ends at around 11 PM, but music has to be off at 10 PM.

Faqs About Twin Oaks House Weddings

Can we hold both our ceremony and reception at Twin Oaks House and Gardens?

Yes, Twin Oaks House and Gardens offers spaces for both your ceremony and reception. The garden ceremony site, complete with a charming gazebo, is perfect for exchanging vows. The elegant Grand Parlor serves as an ideal setting for your reception, featuring high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and an adjacent dance floor.

How far in advance do we need to book our wedding at Twin Oaks House?

It's recommended to book your wedding at Twin Oaks House at least 12-18 months in advance, as the venue is highly sought after and dates fill up quickly. However, availability may vary, so it's best to reach out to the venue directly to inquire about your preferred date.

Do we need to use the venue's preferred vendors?

Twin Oaks House requires the use of their preferred vendors for services such as catering, DJ, and floral arrangements. This ensures a seamless experience and maintains the high quality of service the venue is known for.

Can we bring our own alcohol to the venue?

Twin Oaks House provides a full-service bar, and all alcohol must be purchased through the venue. They offer customizable bar packages to suit your preferences and budget.

Is there parking available for our guests?

Yes, Twin Oaks House offers on-site parking for your guests. Shuttle services can also be arranged for added convenience.

Are there any restrictions on decorations?

Twin Oaks House allows most types of decorations, with some restrictions on open flames, confetti, and glitter. It's best to consult with the venue's event coordinator to discuss your specific decoration ideas and ensure they adhere to the venue's guidelines.

Can we have a rehearsal at Twin Oaks House?

Yes, a complimentary one-hour rehearsal is included in most wedding packages. The rehearsal is typically scheduled within two weeks of your wedding date, subject to availability.

Is Twin Oaks House wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Twin Oaks House is wheelchair accessible, ensuring all your guests can comfortably enjoy your special day.

What is the backup plan in case of poor weather?

Twin Oaks House has a contingency plan in place for poor weather. The garden ceremony site can be tented or, if necessary, the ceremony can be moved indoors to the Grand Parlor.

Best Photo Spots for Twin Oaks House Wedding Photos

One of the best parts about Twin Oaks House Weddings are the fact that they include a lot of variety when it comes to spaces for photography. It's honestly difficult to take a bad photo at this wedding venue. However, I do have some suggestions when it comes to taking the best Twin Oaks House wedding photos.

Getting Ready Photo Location

For getting ready photos, there is the bridal parlor, which offers a vintage style room. This room is so beautifully furnished. It has tall windows, rich antiques, and beautiful light. I would definitely recommend this space along with the nearby outdoor areas for some candid "getting ready" moments.

Portrait Locations

For portraits, the following all make great options:

• The Ivy Archway: This can be found near the fountain
• The Gardens: The manicured gardens and gazebo provide a stunning backdrop for romantic portraits.
• The Victorian Bridge: This charming bridge offers a unique and whimsical setting for photos.
• The Twin Oaks: These majestic oak trees create a natural frame for unforgettable images.
• The Secret Garden: A secluded spot, ideal for intimate moments and candid shots.
• The Green House: It has beautiful florals and greenery
• The Vintage Bar: Great for candid shots
• Woodland Scenes: With the venue's canopy of majestic trees, this space is perfect for capturing nature

A Tip to Get the Best Photographs at this Venue

The most important aspect when it comes to creating what is considered to be a "good photo"on a technical level...is having good light. One can have the most gorgeous backdrop, but if the light in that space is awful, there is a high probability that the photo won't look that great. With this, it's really important for one's photographer to understand how to leverage light to his or her advantage. In other words, one must be able to be proactive and guide their couples to the areas with the best light or use certain photography techniques to improve areas that don't necessarily have the best light to begin with.

Light will make the biggest impact on the overall look and feel of one's photos. When a photographer leverages light to his or her advantage, there isn't a need for heavy filters or editing or photo manipulation, because the photos naturally look good in camera. With these techniques, the images end up looking more natural.

Twin Oaks House Wedding Cost

Twin Oaks House Weddings range between $15,000 and $40,000. Of course, this will all depend on the guest count, day of the week the wedding is held, season the wedding is held, whether there is an open bar, etc.

What do Twin Oaks House Weddings Include?

Twin Oaks House weddings will include the following with the cost mentioned above:

• The venue and all of it's spaces, including: the getting ready areas, a ceremony space, cocktail hour space, and reception space
• Use of the venue for 10.5 hours (this is very generous as most venues offer up to 6 hours)
• Appetizers
• Dinner
• Some decor (add'l items are available to rend)
• Tables, chairs, silverware, linens napkins (this simplifies things significantly!)
• Non-alcoholic refreshment bar
• Dance Floor
• Full service catering
• Setup and cleanup
• Complimentary cake cutting
• Bistro Lights
• Large complementary parking lot (makes it so easy for guests)

Twin Oaks House and Garden will offer you a list of preferred vendors to choose from as far as specialty vendors go (DJ, florist, guitar player, etc.), but for the most part, this is an all inclusive venue.

Event Spaces at Twin Oaks House and Gardens

Rehearsal Dinner

Gather your closest friends and family for an intimate rehearsal dinner in one of their elegant dining rooms. Their culinary team will create a delicious meal tailored to your preferences, setting the stage for the main event.

Getting Ready Space

The property features beautifully appointed bridal and groom suites, allowing you and your wedding party to prepare in comfort and style.

Ceremony Space

There are so many beautiful spaces to choose from at Twin Oaks Garden Estate, but here's what I would recommend. I recommend having the ceremony in the garden space, among the trees in front of the tree canopy area. There is BEAUTIFUL light in this area.

Cocktail Hour Space

Guests can enjoy the quaint outdoor patio, complete with a bar and lounge seating, perfect for mingling during cocktail hour.

Reception Space

For the reception, I definitely recommend the grand tented pavilion space they offer. The wide tent with chandeliers is so elegant and adds a magical quality, while also managing to be practical. Should there be bad weather, you're completely covered while still feeling like the wedding is outdoors. It's the best of both worlds!

Farewell Brunch

Bid your guests farewell with a delightful brunch in Twin Oaks House' sunlit conservatory. Enjoy a leisurely meal together before departing on your honeymoon adventure.

Best Food Options at Twin Oaks House Weddings

I love that Twin Oaks House Weddings offer farm to table food options. I mean...that's rare and pretty amazing. All their food is great, but some personal favorites I recommend trying are these options:

• 5 Grain Stuffed Bell Pepper
• Garlic Whipped Potatoes
• Shitake Mushroom Risotto Cakes
• Butternut Squash Ravioli
• Local Honey Peaches and Cream
• Baby Heirloom Bruschetta
• Buffalo Chicken Empanadas
• Ripe Fig Prosciutto Crostini
• Roasted Tomato Bisque & Grilled Cheese
• Braised Short Rib

Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Twin Oaks House Wedding Day

Hire a Great Team for Your Wedding

It's so important to hire vendors who are experienced and reliable. In other words, you need to feel like you can completely trust them. This will allow you to completely just relax and soak in the moments on your wedding day. You'll feel secure and comfortable that everything is being handled and taken care of by your vendors, so you two can just ENJOY, be present, and have fun with your loved ones!

Add Buffer Time within Your Timeline

This is SO important because it gives you time to just relax and take it all in! I also highly recommend taking 10 minutes or so after your ceremony to just be with your significant other alone.

Enjoy Moments of Presence with Your Parents

This sounds like common sense, but everything passes by so fast on wedding days, it's easy to let the moments slip away. Wedding days are often so exciting, but also very emotional for parents. It's so beautiful to take a few moments to just BE with them. Hug them. Tell them you love them. If possible, I always recommend a parent first look. Some examples of this include a daughter and dad first look, a daughter and mom first look, a son and mom first look, a son and dad first look, etc. The options are endless, but it's really just about carving some time here and there throughout the day to make space for those special moments and memories.

Pros of Having a Twin Oaks House Wedding

Convenient Location

There are a couple of things that distinguish Twin Oaks House Weddings, but I would say one of the main pros is it's location. Located in San Marcos, there is so much for guests to enjoy in the nearby area. They can enjoy San Diego or Temecula. A day at the beach or day at a winery. This is especially great if you have a lot of guests coming to the wedding from out of town. In this case, your wedding may be a weekend affair, making the prime location of Twin Oaks Garden Estate a major pro.

The Romantic Atmosphere

I briefly mentioned this above, but to put it simply, this estate is gorgeous. With lush greens, twinkling lights, floral gardens, etc, a wedding at Twin Oaks Garden Estate offers much beauty and romance. It has a beautiful secret garden type of atmosphere. Personally, I love that Twin Oaks House Weddings are filled with an element of whimsy and magic.

The Twin Oaks Garden Estate is an All Inclusive Wedding Venue

Their team is nothing short of amazing. What's great about this venue is that they offer everything in one place, making wedding planning a lot easier for couples. Included in the price, you'll get the wedding venue which offers getting ready areas, a ceremony space, and a cocktail hour and reception space, appetizers, dinner, a wedding day coordinator, tables and chairs, and more! Nothing is more stressful than having to bring in every single thing separately on a wedding day (tables, chairs, decor, linens, plates, etc.). Having it all included within the price saves so much time and stress.

Twin Oaks Estate Hosts One Wedding Per Day

After shooting a few weddings at venues that hold multiple weddings per day, I quickly realized that it makes such a difference when one's wedding venue only has one wedding per day. For one thing, it allows the couple to utilize the entire space, allowing them to take photos wherever they'd like. When there are multiple weddings per day at a venue, usually couples and their guests are limited to stay in a much smaller space. So the fact that Twin Oaks Garden Estate holds one wedding per day is a major pro on my book.

How to Ensure Your Guests Have a Great Time

Set Centerpieces that are No Higher Than Your Elbow

The reason I recommend this is that low centerpieces make it easier for your guests to engage in conversation!

Keep Speeches to No More Than 10 Minutes Total

Speeches can be emotional and super beautiful, but too much time on the mic can also significantly bring the energy down in a room.

Have Good Food & Some Cocktails

Let's be real. Guests really enjoy a decent meal and a some cocktail or wine/beer options. Leave it to some food, music, good conversation, wine or cocktails, and lot's of love and laughter to make any event fun and memorable. This is an easy way elevate all Twin Oaks House weddings.

If you'd like to talk about wedding photography or have any questions, feel free to contact me HERE!

Hotels Near Twin Oaks House and Garden: Accommodations for Your Guests

There are several hotels located near Twin Oaks House, providing comfortable accommodations for your guests, including:

• Residence Inn by Marriott San Diego North/San Marcos: A well-appointed hotel offering spacious suites and a complimentary breakfast.
• Hampton Inn San Marcos: A budget-friendly option featuring modern rooms and an outdoor pool.
• Lakehouse Hotel and Resort: A luxurious resort situated on Lake San Marcos, offering golf, spa services, and fine dining.

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