MADRONA MANOR

ADDRESS: 1001 Westside Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448

WEB SITE: www.madronamanor.com

AL FRESCO FAB: Nestled among the verdant hills of northern California's famed wine country, Madrona Manor is beloved for Victorian garden ceremonies on its sun-drenched grounds, fragrant with flowers, vegetables and citrus — many of which are used in the venue's menus and floral arrangements.

INSIDE LINE: The Manor's circa 1880 mansion accommodates wedding groups of up to 125 in exquisite style and is located between outdoor and interior spaces for easy flow. Catering comes courtesy Madrona's Michelin-starred restaurant.

SPECIAL TOUCH: Let Madrona's on-site pastry chef take care of the wedding cake and a few guest-pleasing petits fours, too — after all, he trained at Paris' legendary epicurean landmark Fauchon.

SURF & SAND RESORT

ADDRESS: 1555 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

WEB SITE: www.surfandsandresort.com

AL FRESCO FAB: Terrace ceremonies take the cake at Surf & Sand, where couples say their vows against a backdrop of pounding surf, brilliant sunsets and a glimpse of Catalina Island.

INSIDE LINE: Three separate reception rooms accommodate groups from 50 to 170, including dance floor. The largest of these — the beach-chic Pelican Room — features an elegant foyer and small outdoor terrace with a view of the resort and the shimmering Pacific Ocean.

SPECIAL TOUCH: Lucky couples may find themselves recipients of a handcrafted glass starfish made by one of Laguna Beach's celebrated local artists — a wedding gift courtesy of the resort.

WAVE HILL GARDENS

ADDRESS: 675 W. 252nd St., Riverdale, NY 10471

WEB SITE: www.wavehill.org

AL FRESCO FAB: On the hills of the Hudson, lush 28-acre Wave Hill estate features the glorious Rose Garden and storybook Aquatic Garden and offers can't-be-beat views of the Hudson River and Palisades — perfect for outdoor sunset ceremonies.

INSIDE LINE: At nightfall, weddings move indoors to Wave Hill House's Romanesque-style Armor Hall, with its vaulted beam ceiling, flagstone flooring and soaring cathedral windows. Air-conditioned for summer comfort, the 1929 hall can accommodate up to 180 for a seated dinner.

SPECIAL TOUCH: Wedding “guru” Porfi Figueroa, of exclusive Wave Hill caterer Great Performances, lavishes each couple — the site hosts only one event per weekend — with personalized attention.