Destination Wedding: Southern California

First in our Destination Wedding Series: Southern California offers a wide range of venues to choose from. It is a great place to be wed; whether or not you live in this region, the options seem endless.

Southern California

From the numerous sun-drenched beaches to a magical wedding at Disneyland, Southern California has it all. Consider these familiar settings and not-so-familiar settings:

Beaches

Southern California has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to beautiful, breathtaking beaches that serve as beautiful and tranquil backdrops to your wedding ceremony. From the smaller communities of La Jolla, Laguna Beach, Malibu, Newport Beach and Oxnard, to the larger communities and beaches of San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Ventura and Santa Barbara, you're sure to find a beach that has what you're looking for - beautiful scenery for your wedding and perfect hotels for your honeymoon.

If you're trying to keep your wedding within a smaller budget, consider having your ceremony at one of the many public beaches. One such public beach is La Jolla Cove, 1100 Coast Boulevard, a very small beach in La Jolla (15 minutes north of downtown San Diego). La Jolla Cove claims to be one of the most photographed beaches in Southern California. (Having been there, I don't doubt it for a moment). For permit information call Coastline Parks at 619-221-8901.

If you have an expanded budget, you might consider the Surf and Sand Hotel in Laguna Beach, 1555 South Coast Highway, a fabulous resort hotel with their own private 500-ft. white sandy beach. Their Grand Pelican Ballroom can host receptions of up to 250 people, or provide an intimate sit down dinner wedding reception with dance floor for up to 160 people. Call 888-869-7569 for reservations.

Disneyland Venues

The Disneyland Hotel
Walk down the aisle amid 800 breathtaking rose bushes that lead to a beautiful gazebo where your prince awaits your arrival. The private setting of The Rose Court Garden is the ultimate in Fairy Tale romance.

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Say "I do" in the secluded outdoor Wedding Garden - a magical setting that captures the majesty, romance and timeless style of the early 20th Century. The magnificent Sequoia Ballroom and the intimate elegance of the Trillium Room also provide enchanting surroundings.

Disneyland Park
Bring little girl dreams to life when you arrive at Sleeping Beauty Castle in Cinderella's coach beneath the twinkling stars. Your imagination is the only limit to the possibilities at this most magic of locations.
You can start now by calling the fine folks at Disneyland's Fairy Tale Weddings at 714-520-7005.

Wine Country

No, not Napa or Sonoma. Southern California has its own wine producing region, and it’s called Temecula, located approximately 85 miles south of Los Angeles, 60 miles north of San Diego and 20 miles inland from the cities of San Juan Capistrano and Oceanside (other great beach wedding locations). Numerous wineries in the area host weddings, including Callaway Vineyard & Winery (800-472-2377) and Falkner Winery (951-676-8231), both with beautiful landscaped grounds.

Look, Up In The Sky…

Say “I do” in an aerial wedding above Palm Springs. Call “Balloon Above the Desert” at 760-776-5785 to inquire about their special wedding package. And, don’t worry, if you wish they can use smaller, more private balloons so you don’t have to share the balloon with strangers.

Whether you get married at the beach, Sleeping Beauty's Castle, or flying high above the desert, a Southern California wedding is truly a memorable one.

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