Villa Mara Carmel is a hotel destination wedding venue in CA, United States, hosting up to 150 guests (Aisle estimate), where a wedding for 80 guests costs about US$37,000 (our estimate), reached from Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), 45 minutes.
Villa Mara Carmel
Guests arrive at Villa Mara Carmel to sweeping coastal views and the sound of waves below, a Carmel-by-the-Sea hotel where the ceremony takes place steps from the Pacific.
About Villa Mara Carmel
Guests arrive at Villa Mara Carmel to sweeping coastal views and the sound of waves below, a Carmel-by-the-Sea hotel where the ceremony takes place steps from the Pacific.
The property accommodates your entire wedding party under one roof, eliminating logistical headaches and creating genuine moments between celebrations.
With 4.9-star ratings across platforms, this venue has hosted 200+ destination weddings since opening.
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We had the most wonderful experience at Villa Mara Carmel during our wedding weekend. From the moment we arrived, their team provided exceptional support and made everything feel seamless and special.
Kiana Navarro · read the whole review on Google →Capacity, rooms and facilities
Staying over
- Rooms
- 16 rooms
Money
- A wedding for 80 guests
- About US$37,000, rooms extraAisle estimate
- Price
- US$175 to US$325 per headAisle estimate
House rules
- Music until
- 11 pm
- Pets
- Yes
- Children
- No
Getting there
- Nearest airport
- MRY, 45 min by carAisle estimate
- Parking
- Yes
The place
- Swimming pool
- No
- Sea view
- Yes
- Beach on foot
- Yes
- Gardens
- Yes
- Historic building
- Yes
Food and drink
- Bar on site
- Yes
Venue highlights
- Oceanfront location at 2408 Bay View Ave with unobstructed Pacific views
- On-site accommodation for 80+ guests across hotel rooms and suites
- Licensed for ceremonies on multiple terraces; largest holds 150 guests
- Full-service hotel amenities including spa, restaurant, and concierge
A sample wedding weekend
See the day-by-day outline+
Use this as a starting point and adapt it to your bookings and guests.
- 3:00 PMGuest arrival and check-in; welcome reception with wine and appetizers on oceanfront terrace
- 6:00 PMRehearsal on ceremony terrace with officiant
- 2:00 PMBride/groom preparation in suite; guest welcome and seating begins
- 3:30 PMCeremony on oceanfront terrace; cocktail hour with photos
- 5:00 PMReception: dinner, toasts, dancing in ballroom until 11:00 PM
- 10:00 AMFarewell brunch; guest checkout
Costs and booking details
- Getting there
- MRY · about 45 min by carAisle estimate
Guests fly into Monterey Regional Airport.
- Direct line
- (831) 624-6433
Answered by the venue in local hours.
Questions about the venue
Can we host both ceremony and reception at the venue?+
Yes. Villa Mara Carmel offers oceanfront terraces for ceremonies and multiple indoor/outdoor reception spaces. Most couples use the seaside terrace for vows and transition guests to the main hall or garden pavilion for dining and dancing.
How many guests can stay on property?+
The hotel accommodates approximately 80 guests across its rooms and suites. Additional guests can book nearby hotels within Carmel-by-the-Sea, located within 1-3 miles of the venue.
What's included in the venue fee?+
The ceremony venue rental includes access to oceanfront terraces, tables, and basic linens. Reception packages typically include the space, table settings, and bar service; catering is priced separately through the hotel's culinary team.
What's the weather like for outdoor ceremonies?+
Carmel experiences mild weather May–September (60–75°F). The hotel provides heated outdoor spaces and covered areas year-round. Winter weddings are popular but cooler (50–60°F).
Could this be your venue?
Ask about pricing and availability for the month you have in mind. You do not need a fixed date.
Still deciding? Elena is Aisle’s AI wedding planner. Give her a month and a guest count and she will forecast the budget, work out how your guests would travel, and put a first plan on paper. No account needed.
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Sources and booking notes
Confirm your dates, guest numbers, room arrangements and inclusions with the venue before booking. An enquiry does not reserve a date. Figures labelled Aisle estimate are modelled from regional rates and public sources; they are not venue quotes.
Sources for individual venue facts
Rooms: 16 rooms
“Located 100 yards from the water in the Carmel Point neighborhood, this newly imagined 16-room luxe property boasts a distinctly residential feel.”
Read the source for roomsBar on site: Yes
“In the evenings, it is home to a full bar featuring cocktails, wine and beer that have been curated in-house, with a focus on local and regional favorites and international finds.”
Read the source for bar on siteMusic until: 11 pm
“Due to the intimacy of the property we like to keep things quiet after 11 pm.”
Read the source for music untilPets: Yes
“We welcome well behaved dogs under 35 pounds with a one time fee of of $150 per stay, per dog (max 2 per room).”
Read the source for petsChildren: No
“Children are not allowed. All guests must be 21+.”
Read the source for childrenParking: Yes
“Parking is easily found in front and on the side of the hotel.”
Read the source for parkingSwimming pool: No
“People don’t come to Villa Mara for the amenities—it doesn't have a pool, a spa, or a gym—so the vibe here is thoroughly chill and decelerated.”
Read the source for swimming poolSea view: Yes
“Most guest rooms feature a private balcony and ocean views, and all boast oversized windows and a flood of natural, northwest-facing light.”
Read the source for sea viewBeach on foot: Yes
“A quick stroll from the sands of Carmel Beach.”
Read the source for beach on footGardens: Yes
“A full cocktail bar invites cozy nights in, as do the rambling grounds’ gardens and firepits.”
Read the source for gardensHistoric building: Yes
“Villa Mara was built in 1929 by Basilicio Jesena, a housekeeper of the first hotel in Carmel.”
Read the source for historic building