Maybe I’m a little biased, but San Diego is the best spot for your destination wedding. With picturesque beaches and plenty of activities, your weekend is about to be a dream come true. Now, it’s just a matter of figuring out all the details so you can have a perfect wedding. That’s why I’m here! As a San Diego wedding photographer, I spend a lot of time getting to explore the best venues in the city. Here’s a quick guide for your destination wedding in San Diego!
The first thing you need to decide is when to host your wedding. The best thing about the city is the weather. Seriously, it’s sunny and warm year-round, so it would be hard to find a bad date. If you want to avoid tourist season, fall might be your best bet. But trust me, pretty much any season is great!
Beach weddings: With over 70 miles of coastline, a beach wedding gives you tons of options to embrace the sun and sand!
Boat weddings: If you are feeling particularly adventurous, hopping on a yacht is always a good choice. We have several companies that will work with you to plan your seaboard celebration!
Resort weddings: San Diego is full of luxury resorts that will provide you with all the accommodations you could need for your day.
Balboa Park: This park features 1,200 acres with museums, gardens, and even a zoo for your day!
To get your San Diego License, you will need to schedule an appointment with the Office of the Recorder. Appointments are available 7 days a week, but they fill up quickly, so be sure to plan ahead of time! You will both need to appear together with a current government-issued photo ID. Once you have your license, it remains valid for up to 90 days.
While wedding planners are always a great idea, I highly encourage couples to hire one for destination weddings. They are going to know about all the best vendors in town and will help you iron out the details for a seamless day. They will also help you figure out things like location permits and timelines.
If you are trying to figure out how many people to invite, first consider where you want your wedding to take place and look at the capacity. From there, you will need to look at your budget to see how many people you can realistically accommodate.
On average, weddings in San Diego cost about $30,000. This budget includes the venue, your photographer, catering, a videographer, cake and dessert, a florist, entertainment, and professionals to get you ready for the day. In addition to the actual ceremony, keep in mind the accommodations for your guests. Beyond lodging and travel, you will need to schedule activities and food so they can fully enjoy their time!
Last but not least, be sure to find a photographer ready to document your San Diego adventure! I always suggest finding a person who is familiar with the area. There’s a reason why you are choosing this location for your wedding. You want to be sure to find a photographer who knows how to show off the backdrop while keeping you the star of the show! As a San Diego wedding photographer, I adore working with my clients to make sure their day is nothing less than perfect. From sun-filled photos to helping you find different things to do, I would love to be there to support you on this journey!
Hopefully, this guide helps you as you start to make plans for your destination wedding in San Diego! And if you think I might be the photographer for your day, let’s chat! Send me a message today to find out more!