Hollins House: A Dream Wedding Venue in Santa Cruz!!

A Santa Cruz wedding venue that’s a historic estate + golf course with mountain views, Spanish architecture, and beach vibes all in one?? Ummm, sign me up!! If that sounds like as much of a dream to you as it does to me (your fave Santa Cruz wedding photographer), you won’t want to miss Hollins House, one of my fave NorCal wedding venues!! 

Why I LOVE Hollins House, as a Santa Cruz Wedding Photographer

Okay, there’s honestly so much to love about Hollins House in Santa Cruz, but there are a few standout things that make this wedding venue a real-life dream!!

1. The views are insane. Like, the mountains that make the wedding ceremony backdrop?? It’s something you’d see on Pinterest and say, “Yeah. That’s my dream wedding.” 
2. Every single inch of this place is stunning. There’s no bad lighting. No spots that make you question the owner’s design choices. There’s just beauty, from the ceremony site to the courtyard to the inside of the house!! 
3. Wedding planning is truly SO easy here. I’ve seen the difference in my couples who have planned a Hollins House wedding, and it’s a lot more laidback date nights and a lot less spending your nights stress-dreaming about your never-ending wedding to-do list. 
4. Weddings here flow so smoothly. As a Santa Cruz wedding photographer, the flow of the day is something I always look out for, and I give Hollins House a 10/10, easily!! This is one venue where I never see guests wondering where to go next or standing awkwardly waiting on instruction, and trust me, that makes a huge difference in how your day feels.
5. It has an estate feel to it that makes it totally private, which is such a plus for the couples who want either a destination feel or just… Don’t like performing.  

The Type of Couple That a Hollins House Wedding is a Perfect Match For

Hollins House is so good for a specific type of couple. My couples who say yes to the Santa Cruz wedding venue have a few things in common, liiike: 

• They want a wedding that feels totally effortless

There’s something about Northern California that makes days feel really easy, full of sunshine, and has the vibes of clinking wine glasses with your fave people while the sun goes down. And, yeah. Hollins House brings that energy!! 

• They care about design

Couples who book Hollins House are always the types who spend their time saving wedding inspiration on Pinterest, keeping up with alllll the top wedding trends. And I LOVE that for them!! Hollins House is a space that will hold them all really well. 

• They want their day to feel natural, not performative

There’s something about a wedding that’s totally gorgeous where you can also tell that the couple’s main focus is getting to celebrate their love for each other with all of their favorite people, and that’s exactly the type of day that thrives at Hollins House!! 

How to Plan a Hollins House Wedding

If you’re as obsessed as I am and dying to know some of the details… You know I’ve gotchu!! 

The Quick Overview: Everything to Know About the Santa Cruz Wedding Venue

• Address: 20 Clubhouse Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
• Max guest count: 180 in peak season (May-October), and 100 in off-season (November-April) 
• Getting-ready suites: Yes, and they are too cute! 
• All-inclusive packages: Yes, with things like catering, bar services, drinks, and even setup and breakdown included!! Love that for you. 
• On-site accommodations: Yes, which makes transportation planning easy AF. 
• Indoor and outdoor venue options: Yep, so you’re (literally) covered if it rains. 

The Venue Setup Options at Hollins House

One thing that I LOVEEE about this venue is that they’re so flexible!! You can basically set up the venue however you want, but these are some of the setup options for a wedding day that I absolutely love: 

• A ceremony on the lawn + a cocktail hour on the patio + a reception in the courtyard – this is a combo that gives you views of the mountains, the stunning architecture of the house, AND gives you that late-night summer party feel. 
• A ceremony in the courtyard + a cocktail hour on the lawn + a reception inside – this is my personal favorite setup for intimate weddings, because there’s something about setting up a small dinner table inside that just feels a little cozy and secluded!! 

Hollins House Photo Spots

I might be biased, but my favorite part of the day is taking photos. And as a Santa Cruz wedding photographer, you know I’ve got a list of the best spots at Hollins House!! 

• The lawn for wedding party photos, family photos, AND sunset photos. She’s versatile, and we love her for that!! 
• The courtyard for couples’ portraits, because… That fountain and that architecture?? Yeah. They make for the editorial shots of my DREAMS. 
• The windows that overlook the patios for couples’ portraits, because playing with the light + shadows here is actually everything. 

The Best Time of Year for a Santa Cruz Wedding

Santa Cruz weather is basically gorgeous year-round, but spring and summer weddings here are my jam!! They give you those bright, sunny days, colorful flowers everywhere, and PEAK vibes. Plus, at Hollins House, a colorful palette just makes sense!! 

Sample Hollins House Wedding Day Timeline

9:00 am: Start getting ready

1:00 pm: First look, private vows, + portraits

2:00 pm: Wedding party photos

3:00 pm: Hide away for guest arrivals

4:00 pm: Ceremony! 

4:30 pm: Family photos + cocktail hour

5:30 pm: Reception grand entrance + special dances

6:00 pm: Dinner + toasts

7:00 pm: Dance party

Design Inspiration for a Wedding at Hollins House

As I said… Colorful weddings just make sense here. I love any sort of pastel palette, bright, funky color scheme, or even muted, unique colors for a Hollins House wedding. No matter which color palette you choose, though, luxury floral arrangements are a MUST. This is a California wedding venue that thrives with some flowers, and as a Santa Cruz wedding photographer, trust me when I say there could never be too many. 

Common Questions My Couples Ask Me About Hollins House

Does Hollins House Have a Rain Plan?

Yes! Since you can hold your wedding inside, rain isn’t a worry. And yes, it’s still gorgeous when it rains!! 

Can You Just Have Your Wedding Ceremony at Hollins House? 

Hollins House DOES offer ceremony-only options, which is a great option for couples who have a dream wedding reception venue in mind or even people who want to host a wedding weekend. 

How Far is Hollins House From Santa Cruz? 

If you were worried about being far away from a city, I’m here to offer you the fantastic news that Hollins House is just a 10-minute drive from Santa Cruz. This makes the experience both for you and for your out-of-town guests MUCH easier!! 

Are There Any Accommodation Options Near Hollins House?

Since it is so close to Santa Cruz, there are definitely some good hotel options around. I always recommend the Pacific Blue Inn and the Swell House. 

How Much Does a Wedding at Hollins House Cost? 

Hollins House does a really good job at personalizing packages to your specific wedding, so costs can vary a LOT. The best quote will be directly from the venue, and you can reach out to them right here!! 

Can I Schedule a Professional Photography Session at Hollins House?

If you’re looking for your dream engagement photo location, you can definitely reach out to Hollins House about holding your session there!! Want more ideas? I’ve gotchu covered. See Malibu Beach engagement photos, Half Moon Bay engagement photos, and Cavaignac engagement photos!! 

Is Hollins House Good for Large Weddings?

Since the venue can hold up to 180, it’s perfect for medium-sized weddings! If you’re looking to invite 300+ people, it may not be your fit, but for a wedding where you get to talk to everyone without feeling overwhelmed… It’s in the sweet spot. 

Does Hollins House Have Getting-Ready Suites?

Yep, you can spend the morning sipping mimosas, listening to good music, and getting pampered with your besties right on-site. 

Is Hollins House Good for Intimate Weddings?

This Santa Cruz wedding venue is INCREDIBLE for intimate weddings. Since it does have that faraway, private estate feel, it’s the perfect spot for weddings under 100 guests. 

How Far is Hollins House from San Jose?

If you want to recommend San Jose to your out of town guests, Hollins House is less than an hour away, so it works out perfectly!! 

Grace Thao Photography | Santa Cruz Wedding Photographer

As a Santa Cruz wedding photographer, my goal is all about bringing your vision to life, so whether that’s at Hollins House or another cute AF wedding venue around, I’m there!! Just inquire here, and trust me, we’ll become besties immediately.