Bridal Shower locations in Orange County, ca

We held daughter's at a Mimi's restaurant (Lake Forest). Most locations have a "garden room" type separate space. We had 25 people all at one long table in the middle of the room, but if we'd utilized the space differently we could have easily fit ~40. They have a range of set menu options. The least expensive would have been brunch (maybe $10-12 pp), but D doesn't like breakfast foods. We went with the "most expensive" lunch option and I think it was $17 pp. Including wine I went into it hoping to stay under $700, and I think we were closer to $500, including tax and tip, so I was pretty happy. (The "guarantee" is something crazy low, like $200.) They only guarantee you the room/space for 2 hours plus 30 minutes set-up time beforehand. We booked for 12-2, on a Sunday. They didn't have a party book before us, and the one after us didn't start until 5, so they let us start setting up at 11 am and we weren't out of there until 3. If we'd been limited to the 2 hrs, I told D she'd just really have to power through present opening. They let me bring in a cake. In all, D was super happy! We decorated some, but it was mostly things like centerpieces and favors, the cake table, and one other table with engagement pics -- it didn't need a ton. They provided white linen tablecloths (at my request) for no charge. Overall, it was super easy for me -- they set everything up except our decorations, service was good, we packed up our stuff and left!

As another option, we did a grad party with at least 40 people on the enclosed patio at a BJ's; the only bad thing was they booked two other parties in the space at the same time. Yes, there was technically room, but it was loud and very irritating. I think for that one, we came in around $700 for 40 people (with a lot more alcohol consumption than the shower at Mimi's). In the past, we've also done private parties at Olive Garden and at Peppino's (several locations in South OC; the patio at the one in Mission Viejo is beautiful, but they cap your group at 30 people for that space). Good luck!

Hey there, Debra!

What type of setting are you thinking? I know a lot of restaurants have banquet rooms that you can rent. I'm not sure how expensive this is (I think it varies by restaurant). OpenTable is really helpful if you like that idea!! You can search directly on their website for the restaurants in your area that offer a banquet room!

Other options could be, as Bailey said, church function rooms, a park (if it's nice outside!), or you could even rent a cool Airbnb for the day and host people there