Southern California venues for an intimate beach wedding

[*kellis*]

Hey all I just have some questions. We just started our planning and trying to take it one small step at a time. We're planning on going out to California next month and looking at some possible venues. But before we do I want to have some idea of what we're looking for and what we need to do while we're out there.

 

We wanna get married in southern california, preferably within driving distance of phoenix(so probably not any further than orange county), we love the idea of getting married right on the beach, myself barefoot in the sand, but I also would like to find a more private beach.

We've been tossing around some idea's such as getting married at a resort that has a private beach. But I've been under the impression that there aren't too many of those in southern california. Not to mention the ridiculous prices at most places and we want to have an intimate feeling wedding. One idea we had was renting a vacation rental that could accommodate some of our family and we could have the reception there.

 

Honestly I'm not even sure where to start. But I don't want to go out there and end up just driving around blinding trying to find someplace to look at.

[Donie Jordan]

Bacara Resort in Santa Barbara, CA is absolutely gorgeous and very private....rather expensive, but worth looking into.

[starchild]

Technically there are no private beaches in CA so it gets a little tough, but if you are willing to pay you can find some pretty intimate spots.

 

I think renting a beach house would be less expensive than buying out an entire restaurant/hotel on the beach. Some are ridiculous (like $15k/week) but many are a fraction of that. Also in a more residential area you will have less beach-goers than at a state beach area with parking lots where people come to spend the day.

 

If you do look at beachfront rentals, be mindful of how much sand there is from the house to the shore...sometimes there isn't much which can make it hard to set up a wedding. Places like Malibu or Laguna Beach are going to be more expensive than places like Ventura or Sunset Beach, for example, so look a little off the beaten path and you can get more bang for your buck! Happy planning

[sdnative222]

I just found this thread. As a native San Diegan, I'm curious to hear how your scouting trip went. I know of dozens of wonderful venues in San Diego However, I've been living in Huntington Beach for 3 years now. I love it....and have had the pleasure of seeing some gorgeous OC beach weddings, too. If I can offer any suggestions for ya, lemme know.

[*kellis*]

Well, the latest is...

 

I'm not feeling too optimistic about the site. We found a place we loved in Laguna Beach, but the event coordinator has been anything but helpful. There was a ceremony site we wanted but they won't let us have the ceremony there unless we also book the largest ballroom(which is ridiculous, we'll only have 70 people at the most). So she said she'd try to accommodate us and just e-mailed me today saying that we could have that terrace with booking one of the smaller reception sites if we would set our wedding date between January and April, on a friday or sunday. *sigh* Guess we're back at square one, we've already taken two trips out there in a month and neither have been very productive.

[sdnative222]

Oh darlin! I'm so sorry to hear that. You sound so frustrated. Would you consider moving your ceremony to Dana Point? It's a little south of Laguna, but just as picturesque. Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort

 

If it makes you feel any better, I didn't get to have my reception at my first or even second choice venue. I thought I had plenty of time and mailed off my deposit only to get a phone call two days later from my wedding planner that my date was reserved by someone else on the day I mailed my check.

 

In the end, I moved my reception to a much smaller, more intimate restaurant 4 yards from the ocean. I saved money on the food and drinks.....and we didn't feel like we were being milled through a mass-production wedding hall.

[Jess]

I'm pretty sure there are no private beaches to have a wedding at in San Diego...they are all public I believe. I would however recommend:

 

L'Auberge Hotel in Del Mar - amazing!! - breathtaking ocean views and it is private

 

Seagrove Park in Del Mar - grassy area overlooking the ocean - more private and I've seen some beautiful weddings there. Usually people stay away from the area if there is a wedding set up also.

 

Good luck!

[Jess]

P.S. not sure if you are leaning OC so just ignore my info if you are.

[*kellis*]

Great thanks, I'll look into all those. I love the Del Mar area too. Right now we're looking into Santa Barbara but we'll see.

[YaelM]

Yay i heart SB...but Im partial to it since i went to school there and got married there

 

I know that if your day is available The Fes Parker Double Tree and the Monte Mar will allow you to get married on the beach - u just need a permit. If you are seriously considering SB i worked with an AMAZING wedding planner who helped us plan our wedding in SB in under 6 weeks who i HIGHLY recommend. Keep us posted and feel free to PM me if you have any questions on SB