With year-round sunshine and stunning scenery, San Diego is an obvious choice when it comes to wedding destinations. The only problem is deciding which fabulous location to call your own on that special day. While there are hundreds of amazing venues to select from, a few special spots are certain to dazzle brides and grooms-to-be.
The Grand Del Mar
Those who wish to say “I do” in luxury should look no further than The Grand Del Mar, a Mediterranean-style venue with stunning canyon views. From breathtaking indoor and outdoor wedding grounds and sumptuous suites to fine dining at Addison and relaxing treatments at The Spa at The Grand Del Mar, the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star triple threat possesses all the amenities to make matrimonial dreams come true. The resort never hosts more than one wedding per day, and it prides itself on granting almost every wish of its bridal guests; recently, a live elephant was permitted for use in a traditional Indian wedding at the Aria Lawn and Pavilion — the groom made a grand entrance on the back of a bejeweled pachyderm. Another wedding party brought in Cirque du Soleil performers so guests could enjoy champagne poured by elaborately costumed acrobats suspended from the ceiling. Whether you ask the resort to close its Tom Fazio-designed golf course to arrange a wedding near the gushing waterfall on the 18th green or coordinate a lavish ceremony in the 3,300-square-foot Elizabeth Capella chapel, The Grand Del Mar consistently grants the most extravagant matrimonial whims with magnificent Five-Star flair.
The Lodge at Torrey Pines
For an outdoor ceremony cooled by coastal breezes, consider exchanging vows at The Lodge at Torrey Pines. Located in La Jolla, the resort takes the guesswork out of getting hitched. Simply hire a wedding planner from the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star hotel’s preferred partners list, then select one of several streamlined wedding packages. The Palisades Package lets you tie the knot on the Arroyo Terrace complete with sound system, a cucumber-mint water station and a Lodge Signature Cocktail. Celebrate your newlywed status with an onsite reception featuring five hours of super premium hosted bar service and a selection of six tray-passed hors d’oeuvres, such as asparagus wrapped in crispy prosciutto or smoked salmon on brioche. A full four-course dinner with tableside wine service is included, as is cake-cutting service, an espresso bar and late-night snacks. Once your guests have bid you adieu, retire to your well-appointed ocean-view Palisade room. A two-night stay for the bride and groom is included in the package.
San Diego Zoo
If the two aforementioned locations seem too mild for your taste, go for a wedding on the wild side at the San Diego Zoo. Find your bliss in the savanna-like setting of the Heart of Africa ceremony venue, complete with gazelles, giraffes and rhinos roaming in the distance, then celebrate your nuptials under a soaring ceiling in the semi-open Hunte Nairobi Pavilion. If a tree-lined lake is more your style, get married at the exotic Lagoon Overlook. The adjacent Mombasa Island Pavilion is a convenient pond-side place to host your equally exotic reception. Hosted beverage service, butler-passed hors d’oeuvres, your choice of buffet or plated dinner service and other pleasant perks such as free park admission and parking for guests are included in all wedding packages.
Photos Courtesy of linandjirsa.com, The Grand Del Mar, The Lodge At Torrey Pines and The San Diego Zoo
