Why Couples Fall in Love with The Christmas House

Front lawn wedding setup at The Christmas House with welcome sign, lounge seating, and cocktail tables

If you’re searching for a garden wedding venue in Southern California, chances are you’re not just looking for a place. You’re looking for a feeling. A sense of ease. A space that feels personal, welcoming, and meaningful.

That’s often when couples discover The Christmas House, a historic Queen Anne Victorian estate in Rancho Cucamonga, California, where weddings are designed to feel unhurried, intentional, and deeply connected.

For more than 120 years, this house has been a place of gathering and celebration. Today, it continues that tradition by hosting intimate weddings and thoughtfully curated wedding weekends for couples who want something a little different.

Bride holding an embroidered handkerchief with a love note to her future spouse during her wedding day

A Historic Garden Wedding Venue That Feels Like Home

One of the first things couples say when they walk through our doors is that The Christmas House doesn’t feel like a traditional wedding venue. It feels warm. Lived in. Comfortable.

That’s because it is both our home and our business.

From greeting guests with a heartfelt “Welcome to the Christmas House” to caring for the gardens and restoring historic details, every part of the experience is approached with intention. Couples often tell us they feel relaxed the moment they arrive, which sets the tone for the entire wedding day.

Outdoor wedding ceremony in the White Garden at The Christmas House with guests using umbrellas for shade

Designed for Intimate and Small Weddings

We specialize in small and intimate weddings because we believe connection matters more than scale. Time matters. Being present matters.

The Christmas House is especially well suited for:

  • Intimate garden wedding ceremonies (up to 150 people)

  • Micro weddings with your closest people (2-30 people)

  • Wedding weekend experiences with overnight stays for the couple and up to 6 additional guests

Rather than rushing from one moment to the next, couples are given the space to slow down and actually experience their celebration.

A day that flows with purpose, without pressure, and always guided by love.

Close-up of a wedding reception table set with rustic cross back chairs at The Christmas House

Historic Charm Without the Stress

Built in 1904, The Christmas House offers the romance and character of a historic wedding venue without the rigidity that sometimes comes with older properties.

Couples appreciate:

  • Natural flow between ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception spaces

  • Built-in beauty that reduces the need for excessive décor

  • A team that understands both logistics and emotion

It’s history that feels welcoming, not intimidating.

Happy couple walking down the aisle during their wedding recessional as guests toss dried flower petals in the White Garden

Weddings That Feel Meaningful, Not Perfect

We believe weddings don’t need to be perfect to be beautiful.

The most memorable celebrations are rooted in real moments. Shared laughter. Quiet pauses. Personal details that reflect who you are, not what a wedding is supposed to look like.

We love working with couples who value experience over performance and authenticity over perfection.

Naked style wedding cake with real fruit displayed on a romantic garden cake table at The Christmas House

Is The Christmas House the Right Wedding Venue for You?

The Christmas House may be a great fit if you’re looking for:

  • A historic wedding venue in Southern California

  • A garden wedding venue with a relaxed atmosphere

  • An intimate or micro wedding setting

  • A place that values hospitality, warmth, and attention to detail

If you’re still exploring what feels right, that’s part of the process. We’re always happy to be one of the places you consider along the way.

Visit The Christmas House

A blog post can share information, but it can’t fully capture what it feels like to walk through the gardens or imagine your people gathered here.

If you’re planning a wedding and want to see if The Christmas House feels like your place, we’d love to welcome you for a tour.

Because at the heart of everything we do is one simple purpose:

To celebrate love in a way that feels real, meaningful, and true to you.