Your COMPLETE GUIDE to a Big Bear Wedding
Are you looking for a Big bear wedding photographer for your Big Bear Wedding? The breathtaking views of the forest, the fresh, crisp air and surrounding nature…what more can a wedding photographer ask for?!
This is why so many people flock to Big Bear for their weddings or elopements. This is an ideal destination for adventurous couples who love a beautiful landscape that has a calming, grounding presence.
Below I include so many tips on planning a Big Bear wedding, including my personal favorite Big Bear Wedding Venues, Big Bear Wedding Rentals, Etc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- How to Get Married in Big Bear
- Big Bear Wedding Venues
- Big Bear Reception Restaurants
- Big Bear AirBNB Wedding Venues
- Things to do in Big Bear
- How to Book Your Vendors
How to Get Married in Big Bear, CA
Big Bear, CA is located in the San Bernardino County. It is about 2 hour drive from Los Angeles. The great thing about a Big Bear wedding is that the landscape is different enough to where it feels like a destination wedding, but 2 hours is a really reasonable drive.
When it comes to planning a Big Bear wedding, there are 3 really great options.
- Get married at one of the many beautiful Big Bear wedding venues (hotel, venue, etc.)
- Have a Big Bear Elopement by having your wedding ceremony in the forest or by the lake and then enjoy a nice dinner at a restaurant or airbnb.
- Secure a Big Bear Wedding Rental and hold your wedding ceremony and reception there.
Options 2 and 3 are recommended for Big Bear elopements or smaller, more intimate weddings.
Also, please keep in mind that any sort of event held at an airbnb WILL need to be disclosed to the owner of the property well in advance. It is not only the ethical thing to do, but it can save you potential legal problems.
Below, I'll cover a few different options of how to plan your Big Bear elopement or wedding.
Big Bear Wedding Venues
This first section is for those going with option #1, which is to get married at a Big Bear wedding venue. This location would host your ceremony and reception.
Pros:
- Easier to plan as most venues come with everything you need
- More organized
Cons:
- Tends to be more expensive
- Less customization possibilities
My Personal Favorite Big Bear WEdding Venues
For more options, please be sure to reach out to your Big Bear wedding photographer or planner as he/she may have a few hidden gems that would be great to check out!
This is a historic lodge with a romantic outdoor, garden setting for your ceremony. It can accommodate up to 120 guests or as little as 50 guests. A Gold Mountain Manor wedding would be absolutely breathtaking!
The Lodge at Big Bear Lake Wedding
They have a grand ballroom or woodlands lobby that is perfect indoor wedding ceremonies and receptions.
This is a favorite amount Big Bear wedding photographers and vendors...and for good reason. It offers the natural forest, babbling brooks, cozy cabins, and much more!
If you're looking to have a Big Bear elopement, they also offer a package specifically for that!
Big Bear Reception Restaurants
The restaurants provided below are great for people aiming to go with Big Bear wedding option #2, a Big Bear Elopement. So, in this case, a couple would have their ceremony in the forest or by the lake and enjoy a nice dinner later at a restaurant.
Please keep in mind that these would also be fantastic options for a rehearsal dinner!
If you're looking to get your rehearsal dinner photographed, please be sure to reach out to your Big Bear wedding photographer. This is a nice event to have covered so that you may remember it well later on!
This restaurant has a warm, casual, and rustic quality. It offers indoor and outdoor seating, as well a s American dishes.
This is my favorite choice for a Big Bear wedding reception or rehearsal dinner. It is elegant and offers delicious food. It has a cozy intimate dining room and an extensive wine list.
If you're looking for your Big Bear wedding reception to have a gorgeous view of the lake, this is the place for you. It also offers delicious food, of course!
Big Bear AirBnbs For Your Wedding
This next series of locations is great for Big Bear wedding option #3 - having a small Big Bear elopement in a Big Bear cabin/airbnb type of situation.
You can also always choose to have your ceremony in the forest (it really is the best backdrop) and then celebrate with cocktails and a nice dinner at the airbnb or cabin afterwards!
If you're looking for a slightly more modern looking cabin, this is a great option for your Big Bear wedding or elopement.
It accommodates up to 10 guests and has a lakefront view. It also has a beautiful kitchen setting and a hot tub! I really think this would be a lovely place to have a small Big Bear wedding reception. A great plus is that this cabin has excellent natural light streaming through it's windows. Any big bear wedding photographer will tell you that great light makes the BIGGEST impact on photos!
Another gorgeous option for a Big Bear elopement or wedding. This cabin has a spacious outdoor area, offering a beautiful location for your Big Bear wedding ceremony! It also includes a large wooden deck with a beautiful view. This would make a great spot for a small cocktail hour or reception dinner.
This is the cutest cabin, perfect for a Big Bear elopement!
This is a beautiful, classic and cozy cabin! It has an AMAZING fireplace and lot's of natural window light! Your Big Bear wedding photographer will be able to capture some amazing photographs here!
Things to Do in Big Bear
Since Big Bear is a place most spend at least 2 days at, it is a good idea to plan a list of activities for your wedding guests! Below are some of my favorites.
Visit Boulder Bay Park
If you're looking for an area for your Big Bear wedding photographer to get some great photos of you and your loved ones at, this is a fantastic option. It's a beautiful lake some interesting boulder formations. It also offers activities, such as hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and more. During the autumn, the lake is covered in beautiful colors by the many maple trees surrounding the area.
Hiking at Pine Knot Trail
This is a well maintained Big Bear trail, which is considered easy to moderate. It's about 6 miles, but it will lead you to enjoy some gorgeous views of Big Bear Lake. This is a very scenic forest trail.
Big Bear Snow Play
If you're having a winter Big Bear wedding, this is a fun place to visit! It's perfect for snow tubing enthusiasts.
Visit Big Bear Brewing Company
This is a fun activity for craft bear enthusiasts! You can enjoy a flight of miniature sized craft beers!
Explore the Downtown Big Bear Area
This is a must! Yes, there are a lot of kitschy shops, but it's all part of the fun! It's super cute and has much to explore!
How to Book Your Big Bear Vendors
While some of your vendors may actually live in Big Bear, most won't. But not to worry! Since Big Bear isn't that far from Los Angeles, most LA vendors will just charge a slight travel fee that is very reasonable. This will expand your options when it comes to wedding day vendors!
My recommendation would be to first book your Big Bear wedding venue. After that, most Big Bear wedding photographers are the first vendors to be booked, usually 8 - 15 months in advance. The sooner you book, the more options you have!