Feenstra also recommends "Here Comes the Guide" by Lynn Broadwell and Jan Brenner available for about $25 at area bookstores, which offers lists of reception sites for Orange County and other areas.
On this page begins a sampling of sites throughout the county where couples can celebrate their happily-ever-afters.
Some Romantic Spots for a Perfect Reception
* Balboa Bay Club, 1221 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach. (949) 645-5000. Prime waterfront location; wedding guests can watch boats go by in Newport Harbor while dancing in the main ballroom or dining on gourmet fare prepared by chef Jean Pierre Eigenheer.
* Balboa Pavilion, 400 Main St., Balboa Peninsula. (949) 673-4633. Built in 1905 as a Victorian bathhouse and Pacific Electric terminal, the pavilion has become a recognizable icon and a charming locale for receptions. Harbor views, many food options (seafood, beef, pasta) and great dance floor.
* Bistro 201, 3333 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach. (949) 631-1551. Known for its creative bistro fare, this harbor-side restaurant also has an excellent waterfront view and a deck that's ideal for cocktail receptions.
* Center Club, 650 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. (714) 438-3860. Elegant dining rooms, water and sculpture gardens and private ambience makes the Center Club a unique choice for receptions. Member sponsorship is required, but the club can help make arrangements.
* Discovery Museum of Orange County (original site), 3101 W. Harvard St., Santa Ana. (714) 540-0404. Couples can trade vows in the museum's gazebo, then hold a reception in the rose garden. The historic Kellogg House is available for use by the bride and her entourage. You need to hire a caterer.
* Disneyland Hotel, 1150 W. Cerritos Ave., Anaheim. (714) 956-6527. Through Disney's Fairy-tale Weddings program, couples can arrange to exchange vows on the hotel grounds adorned with Disney's fabled landscaping and gazebos, then adjourn to an elegant banquet hall or formal ballroom where trumpet fanfare can announce the arrival of the newlyweds.
* Eisenhower Park, 3894 N. Tustin Ave., Orange. (714) 744-7274. Ceremonies and receptions can be staged in the park amid rolling hills, a duck pond and streams. However, tables and chairs must have round-bottomed legs to prevent holes in the ground. If that sounds like too much of a hassle, head to nearby Mazatlan restaurant for a reception with a Mexican flair (1615 Lincoln Ave. [714] 529-6666).
* El Adobe de Capistrano, 31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. (949) 493-1163. A historic landmark (parts of the building date back to 1778), El Adobe offers receptions in an outdoor garden setting. Its Palenque room has a retractable ceiling in case of rain. Mexican and American fare offered.
* Four Seasons, 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 759-0808. The place to go for an elegant resort setting. The hotel ballroom is well-suited for formal sit-down affairs. Wedding coordinators have high praise for the food and service.
* Five Crowns, 3801 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. (949) 760-0331. For those who want their reception in an English country home--without traveling to merry olde England; restaurant also features lovely garden and patio. Menu has varied fare, but prime rib is a house specialty.
* Fullerton Arboretum, Associated Road and Yorba Linda Boulevard on Cal State Fullerton campus. (714) 278-3579. A 26-acre botanical garden with several sites for outdoor weddings amid waterfalls, streams and lush vegetation. With weather in mind, weddings are best from April to October.
* Green Parrot Cafe, 2035 N. Main St., Santa Ana. (714) 550-6040. Many people get married at the Bowers Museum and hold the reception across the street in this cafe's pretty outdoor courtyard, featuring fountains and Spanish-style architecture. The cafe offers a varied cuisine, including pastas and Mexican fare, served in its art galleries.
* The Hacienda, 1725 College Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 558-1304. For those who like historical settings, this early California hacienda has an oasis-like courtyard with balconies and fountains. Eclectic menu includes French, American and Italian fare.
* Waterfront Hilton Beach Resort, 21100 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. (714) 960-7873. True to its name, the Waterfront Ballroom offers a great ocean view, as do smaller reception rooms at the hotel. The outdoor Pacific Courtyard features turn-of-the-century gazebo, canvas pavilion and romantic walkways. International fare.
* Historic George Key Ranch, 625 W. Bastanchury Road, Placentia. (714) 528-4260. With its one-acre orange grove, historic ranch house and vintage farm equipment, the ranch offers a bit of Orange County's agricultural past. Receptions are held next to the house beneath a giant oak tree, but alcohol is not allowed. Bring your own caterer.
