This is the biggest and most complete guide of Malibu rocky oaks wedding location. You are about to look through 300+ images that I’ve done over the past 7 years at this beautiful wedding venue. Let’s go!

Malibu rocky oaks is a very personal place for me. I first got there back in 2013 when I moved to the US and wasn’t established as a wedding photographer in LA. I was doing a small wedding primarily for friends, and one day I met a wedding planner and I asked her if I can be a second shooter on one of her venues. She agreed and probably didn’t expected much.

I did my best to surprise her and she starts sending client from Venue place to me. I can say with confidence that this is one one the venues that lift me as a creative person.

Through the years I’ve seen so many different layouts of the venue and so many different weddings there that at some point I thought I want to put everything together and make a guide for someone who is considering this place for their wedding.

You are about to read the most in-depth guide of the Malibu rocky oaks venue. Let’s go! Whether you drove by or you tried their famous canyon oaks wines this place worth to check out.

How to get there.

Very simple. There are no tricky directions or chances of missing this place. It’s pretty visible from every point. 

Parking

They have a pretty good parking spot slightly lower than the main building and another down the street. There is always a shuttle working on the site for the guests. As a vendor, I have plenty of space and time to unload my equipment, and the catering company seems not to have any problems as well. 

Getting ready place

That is the first place that you will need to start the day, and the venue must have it. For your Malibu rocky oaks wedding you have 2 specious beautiful rooms. The Bride room is quite big and set on the second floor. The great thing about it that you can do everything, not leaving it.

There is plenty of light and space. It can easily fit 15+ people.

There is plenty of space to do the makeup, photograph dresses, take a few shots with the wedding party, it has a small balcony on one side and an enormous one on the other side. Here it is, take a look at this beauty. 

Guys getting a room is on the first floor, so there is no way for the bride to see the groom by accident if they decide not to. Guy’s room is pretty good as well, and it has everything that is needed. TV, bar, nice sofa, access to the pool. Here is the thing, guys usually getting ready in 20-30 min. It takes 4 hours for the girls to get ready (makeup, hair, dresses), and this 3.5-hour gap has to be filled with something. This place has every possible option.

Family pictures and group shots

The other great thing about this layout is that I, as a photographer can take guys outside and go all the groop shots needed if we short on time and then wait for the girls to do the same. We don’t have to hide or snick anywhere. 

The building itself is placed in a way that between 2-5 pm, there is a big shade covering the entire side of the building, and I can place groups up to 30 people there. The background and light are very well matched, so you can’t go wrong with it. Check out photos below, and you’ll see what I’m saying.

Ceremony site.

Probably one of the most famous views out of all the venues in California. At least I’ve seen my photos of Malibu Rocky oaks estate vineyard few times  in random places (and no one asks me to use them btw :))

Originally this place is the helipad. Check the video on Instagram of the CEO of Malibu Rocky oaks how he arrives with style. Very impressive. Not only this round place has an astonishing view is forces you to make layouts in a circle, and it works very well. As you can see, way more people can be closer to the bride and the groom and see what’s going on.

Here are a few most common layouts.

A round setup where the couple literally in the middle of the action. Works very well for bigger ceremonies.

“C” shape with white chairs facing the mountains and sunset. More traditional setup. The advantage is that all guest will be facing a couple from one main side but you can have fewer people in the first raw. About 16-18 people versus 35-40 in the round setup.

Traditional setup with brown chairs. It does blend in more with vineyard and creates more organic lool.

Traditional Malibu Rocky Oaks wedding setup with white chairs. Blend of first 2 setups. You can notice that it has much more colour contrast on photos.

Details shots

There are plenty of options for the details shot at this venue. The vineyard itself, poo, different parts of the interior. Here is just a few of them.

Photo opportunities for the couple shoots.

Unlimited. Like you wouldn’t have enough time to go through everything. And the coolest part is that everything is very close to each other. It’s a very important thing to keep in mind when you considering walking in a big dress with hills 🙂

Rocks

This one is a little tricky. You have to be brave enough and be an advance hiker to do that in the wedding dress. And not every dress would be suitable for that as well. But it so worth trying. I’m pretty sure this photos still one of the favourites for my couple.

Vine field

Just a few feet from the rocks we have vine field. Very easy to access. It’s one on the amazing things of this venue that you have so many photo opportunities one next to each other and you can go thought all of them in less than an hour.

Pool

Classic California views with infinity pool and Malibu hills on the backgrounds. It’s our landmark 🙂 That is as cool as it can get.

Helipad

As the previous view this one rarely can be found somewhere else. Photographer has to be very careful with the timing and the choice of equipment for these shots but if done right the bride and the grom would adore it for a very long time.

Main entrance

Another great spot for couples photo. It works great for me for the first look and a few shots after the ceremony.

Overview of the hills

Located on the right side of the previous location it’s a great alternative for small group shots and individual shots as well.

Garage doors (I know it doesn’t sound fancy, but it’s pretty cool 🙂

Great spot to do few photographs on the way from one place to another.

Balcony and other great spots

Mostly candid shots that I did between the ceremony and grand entrance while couple taking a break upstairs. It’s also a great place to do individual shots while the bride or the groom waiting one another.

Stairway

In my opinion, it was built with photoshoots in mind. It works so well for natural candid shots. The light is always great and it’s pretty easy to do.

First look

Definitely my top location for the first look. Two reasons. First, we have great lighting situation around 11-noon over here and second, it’s a very natural scenario when the groom opening the door and seen his bride for the first time in the dress.

Reception area.

It’s just incredible as the rest of the venue. The very intimate setup reminds me of Italian villas. Usually, it’s one long table where is everyone sitting with everyone and enjoying the dinner. 

For me, as for a photographer, the most important part is that the whole area has excellent shade, and I have incredible lightning though out the evening.

It’s much better to just look at it at the pictures 🙂

Dessert table setup

Next by the reception site you have an excellent place for a sweet hart table with wedding cake and desserts. 

I would say the only slight downside is that it might get pretty chill after the sunset, but it’s expected been on the hill by the ocean.

Cake cutting

About the sunset… No words really…

And few shots of the night time setup

Dance floor.

I’ve seen setups with Dj and Life band here or just a Dj. There is lot’s of space for everyone and parties usually wild and loud. They have a very cool balcony where you can through your bouquet in style and say a few words like a prince in your castle. It’s a great touch to the party, it’s simple like a small thing initially, but it turns out a very memorable part of the party for lots of couples. 

When the party is over, leaving the place is as easy as to get there, and it’s an important aspect of the wedding. All the time I had a pleasure to work there, it was easy and quick.

Summary.

It’s just one of a kind place. Very special, round experience from the beginning to the end. Does malibu rocky oaks wedding price on the higher end? It is but it’s something that you would remember for years.