About San Diego, CA
Located on the southern tip of the state along the Pacific coast, San Diego is known as California’s beach town. The weather here is almost always a mild 70 to 75 degrees, and there rarely is rain, so outdoor activities are very popular. It seems like the perfect place for an outdoor wedding ceremony at a picturesque wedding venue located on a beach or in a park.
But do not limit yourself to the outdoors when San Diego has so many spectacular indoor wedding venues, too. Whether you are searching for an event venue along the ocean’s shoreline, a scenic condo, a unique restaurant, or a modern ballroom, San Diego has all of that and then some. You can choose from glass mansions in Sunset Cliffs to rugged country resorts in the Tecolote Canyon or whatever your heart desires.
Wedding Options in San Diego
Once you find the perfect event space in San Diego, it is time to think about the details that will make your big day the one that everyone remembers. From décor to food, you have your pick of the best in San Diego County.
Photography
You will want to remember this day forever, and the best way to do that is to hire the best photographer you can find. This means you do not have to ask Aunt Alice or Uncle Joe to stand behind a camera during the festivities. And you will have those first-rate images you need to share your day with everyone on social media, too.
Decor
From the flowers to the linens, your San Diego wedding venue space needs to be perfect with the colors to complement your wedding party colors and style. No matter whether you are having a rustic country shindig or a romantic Cinderella-style event, the right decoration specialist can make it happen for you.
Catering
You cannot have a wedding without food and San Diego has a plethora of fantastic catering services to pick from. If you want a southern backyard BBQ in the woods or a seaside beach party with lobster and shrimp, you can find the caterer for your fantasy come true. Many San Diego wedding venues even partner with top catering services, making it easier to plan your perfect menu.
Makeup and Hairstyle Experts
You do not have to spend hours doing your makeup and hair on your special day when San Diego has so many hair and makeup artists to choose from. Sit back and sip a glass of wine while the professionals take care of all the details so you can relax and chill out while still coming out looking like a beauty queen.
Wedding Companies in San Diego
Getting married is an important event, so you do not want to worry about all the little issues that can come up during the planning process. Choose someone who does wedding planning for a living to do it all for you.
Simply Elegant Group
The Simply Elegant Group has done over 4,500 weddings since 2010 so they are experienced in how to make your San Diego wedding dreams come true with no stress whatsoever. And they are affordable, so you do not have to worry about taking out a huge loan to start off your new life with your honey. They do it all from invitations to guest seating, so you don’t have to.
Sweet Blossom Wedding Planning and Design
Sweet Blossom Wedding Planning and Design has been planning weddings in sunny San Diego since 2010 as well and does it all with three different wedding packages to choose from. The full-service package gives you expert planning from beginning to end, securing the vendors, and working out the details. The Orange Blossom package lets you be more involved in the planning. And the Pear Blossom package lets you do the planning with their assistance.
Always Flawless Productions
Ashley McHone of Always Flawless Productions loves wedding planning and has been doing it for over a decade. She will take care of you and all of your plans down to the specifics. The team will get to know you and your soon-to-be spouse so they can plan the wedding details that you did not even know you wanted. Whether you are just having a family wedding of 50 or a huge gala of 500, they can do it for you.
Pros and Cons of Weddings in San Diego
Just like any other city, San Diego has its pros and cons, even if it is California’s beach town. Here are some of the considerations to think about before jumping in with both feet.
Advantages
The beach
A beach wedding venue in San Diego Bay can provide a stunning setting for your special day. Having the peaceful and beautiful Pacific Ocean as your backdrop will make all your photos look like they belong in a magazine. And the soft sand will cushion your feet in those heels.
It is always sunny
When they say it is always sunny in San Diego, they mean it literally. It hardly ever rains in this part of the country and because of that, it makes this city one of the most sought-after places for a wedding or any other celebration.
The people are friendly
You will notice right away that people in San Diego are just more friendly than those in other places. Maybe it is all the sunshine and golden sand beaches. People are just more laid-back. Whatever the reason, it makes having your wedding venue in this city a pleasure.
It is full of history
San Diego has more than 1,000 historic landmarks such as buildings and monuments. Many wedding venues in San Diego capitalize on this rich history, providing unique and memorable settings.
The culture
The city boasts theaters, art galleries, museums, and other places to explore for those visitors coming in from out of town. Guests attending your wedding weekend will have plenty of activities to enjoy. Some San Diego wedding venues are located near these cultural hotspots, adding to the convenience for your guests.
Disadvantages
It may not always be 70 degrees
During the summer, it can get hot, and the nights can be cool, but it is rare for the temperatures to go below 45 and over 84, no matter what time of year it is. This is why many couples look for San Diego wedding venues offering both indoor and outdoor space to accommodate any unexpected weather changes.
The high cost of living
Because of the awesome weather and natural beauty, the cost of living and everything else for that matter can be expensive. Wedding venues in exclusive areas like downtown San Diego or Rancho Santa Fe can be particularly pricey.
Parking can be a nightmare
You may notice that a lot of the people who live in San Diego choose bikes or scooters as their transportation and that is because finding a parking spot can be difficult. It may not be as bad as New York City, but you may want to think of a special parking plan for your guests.
Traffic
Just like parking, traffic can also be ridiculous in San Diego. It was in the top 50 on the long list of 1,000 cities with the worst traffic in the country. So, you may want to keep this in mind when browsing San Diego wedding venues.
The lack of rain
Although it is nice to know that the chances it will rain on your outdoor wedding venue are slim in San Diego, it is also important to know that they are forever in drought conditions. From wildfires to the high cost of water, the lack of rain can be a problem as well as a blessing.
Famous Locations in San Diego
San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo has more than 12,000 animals in over 650 species spread out over 100 acres. Since 1916, the zoo has been bringing in thousands of visitors and now has over four million per year on average. With 15 different exhibits such as the Monkey Trail, Urban Jungle, and Gorilla Tropics, you can spend days there without seeing it all.
SeaWorld San Diego
Since 1964, SeaWorld has drawn in over 130 million visitors to see thousands of marine animals from killer whales to polar bears. But it is not just an aquarium, it is also a theme park with six rides, five roller coasters, and dozens of shows to enjoy. They even have a water park called Aquatica with six slides and five pools. Are you a lover of all things sea? Book a modern beach home near SeaWorld to have the sound of the ocean close by for the nuptials.
Balboa Park
This is not just your average park—with more than 1,400 acres of flora and fauna to see. It was built in 1915 for the Panama California Exhibition and many of the buildings still remain. Balboa Park has a zoo, botanical gardens, the Old Globe Theater, a mini railroad, a carousel, and 15 museums including the Museum of Art and Museum of Natural History. Your guests will find plenty of activities to indulge in before or after your big day, and staying at the Handlery Hotel San Diego ensures they are centrally located to enjoy all the park's attractions.
