Pacific Hills says it aspires to offer "the luxury of a hotel without the prices," providing the same level of services for 30% or 40% less. With its great word-of-mouth reputation for giving a wide variety of brides what they want, this place has an obvious knack for making good on its promises.

When it opened in 2001, the founders of the Pacific Hills soon realized that their new facility was a much-needed event location. Orange County had become a sophisticated multicultural crossroads, and couples from every walk of life were looking for an elegant, flexible and affordable venue that could accommodate almost any style of wedding reception. Pacific Hills quickly made a reputation for itself, not only among brides who aspire to traditional American-style receptions, but also among those who want to celebrate their weddings according to Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Filipino, Mexican or Persian customs.

While word has gotten out about this site's friendliness and expertise, Pacific Hills also attracts with its size: its 9,000-square-foot space is the seventh largest ballroom in Southern California, couples with large extended families or wide social circles will find more than enough room here. (For smaller groups that want a more intimate feel, the ballroom can easily be divided in two.)

Besides its receptive attitude and ample space, Pacific Hills has other charms. The site creates buzz about itself from the start: Its entrance, a charming Mexican-style patio set between two ordinary storefronts, leads to a formidable arch-shaped wooden door. The door opens to a grand, high-ceilinged foyer, lined with urns and crowned with a dramatic iron chandelier. A left turn takes you into a bright reception room, decorated with yet more imposing chandeliers and boasting substantial columns that separate a bar and gathering space from the ballroom lobby. An ensemble of wrought-iron railings angle their way up and down various ramps and stairs, creating a wonderfully energetic and entertaining visual effect. All this is a prelude to the ballroom, which has crystal-beaded chandeliers, deep carpeting, creamy white wainscoting and eggshell-colored walls. The room, though elegantly set up, deliberately tends to subtle and understated colors - brides are meant to be the centers of attention here. That's why Pacific Hills will host only one wedding reception at a time. Brides "own" the site for that day.

The management here prides itself on "being able to do the whole nine yards," which means taking care of everything from planning, photography and entertainment to decorations, the wedding cake and post-ceremony rituals. Before asking a prospective client to make any decisions, Pacific Hills plays a short video for her that features various table settings and configurations. It's a "show, don't tell" approach that helps a bride choose what will work best for her.