Last weekend, I visited San Diego with my fiancé Chris to check out some potential wedding locations. We saw six venues in two days, which made for a whirlwind experience. It was so much fun! In fact, I could get used to all of this shopping around, but we need to book our date soon so that guests have nine months to plan for our out-of-state destination wedding.
The trip had extra-special significance to me because we also attended a remembrance ceremony in honor of my late grandmother who passed away one year ago. She lived in La Jolla since 1979 and I would visit her every chance I got. Visiting wedding venues there brought back great memories of walking along the shoreline with her and having gelato. I always told her how much I wanted her to be at my wedding. In true granny style, she would throw up her hands and laugh. "I took too long!" she'd say. Granny, you'll still be there in spirit, looking over us from your ocean-view room.
The author pictured at left with her late grandmother
Check out our venue photo diary, along with some tips we learned along the way!
Venue Option #1: Tom Ham's Lighthouse
Tom Ham’s Lighthouse was GORGEOUS! A good friend of mine in Sacramento told me to check it out because she knew we wanted an ocean view. And at that place, we sure got one. With huge floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown San Diego, Chris and I almost felt as if we were on a boat.
If we got married here, the wedding would take place outside and then guests would be escorted into the actual lighthouse for cocktails, dinner and dancing.
Tom Ham's Lighthouse
Tip: Find out in advance what the minimum and maximum guest count is for each venue. Tom Ham's Lighthouse can accommodate 150 people max, which may not be large enough for our wedding.
Venue Option #2: Hotel Del Coronado
When I asked around, everyone loved Hotel Del Coronado and they said it would be amazing for Chris and I to get married there. We could definitely see why!
We had to use our imagination to envision what the ceremony would look like since it would take place in an area where they currently have an ice skating rink. Our guests would be able to look right out onto the shore as the sun sets.
Hotel del Coronado
Tip: Discuss with your fiancé what your biggest priorities are for your wedding venue. For example, I would love for all of my guests to stay at the same hotel as us. I have this vision of Chris and I running up and down the halls and seeing familiar faces everywhere during our wedding week — kind of like a grown-up version of college dorms! The hotel room rates at Hotel del Coronado were pretty steep, though, so I'm just concerned that our family members and friends might be forced to look elsewhere.
Venue Option #3: Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina
We instantly had a good feeling when we walked into Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina. There were a lot of pros that came with this location. We would be able to have the ceremony right there on the water during sunset, just like we dreamt about, and there are three reception party spots to choose from. The wedding coordinator said we could decorate however we'd like and they would provide the tables, chairs, food, cake cutting, champagne toast, and even child care!
Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina
At the end of the night, Chris and I would get to stay in a free hotel suite. Our guests can stay there for the entire week with a discount under a "Chris and Neda" wedding block.
Tip: If you keep comparing every place to one venue, like we did with the Hyatt, that may be a sign that you've found "The One!"
Venue Option #4: La Jolla Shores Hotel
This charming hotel has sentimental value for me because I spent much of my childhood playing in the ocean there. The wedding coordinator at La Jolla Shores Hotel showed us a picture-perfect spot for the ceremony. Unlike the harbor, we could say our "I dos" with the waves crashing beside us (my groom has always envisioned getting married in a barefoot ceremony).
La Jolla Shores Hotel
Tip: Pay attention to the "flow" of the venue. For example, at La Jolla Shores Hotel, the dancing room seemed a little small for our guest count and it was separated from the dinner area, so I think it might be hard to mingle with all of our guests because we'd have to constantly go from one space to the other.
Venue Option #5: La Valencia Hotel
At La Valencia Hotel, we were blown away by the incredible lawn overlooking the ocean — it was beyond my wildest expectations. (Fun fact: Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson have vacationed here.) The reception area had a very classic feel with large windows overlooking La Jolla.
There was even a suite next door that the coordinator said we could use, so I pictured filling it up with candy and cupcakes for dessert and calling it our "Sweet Suite." The only problem is that we'd have to knock 100 people off our guest list to get married here, so it was on to visiting the next place.
La Valencia Hotel
Tip: The venue visit can be a good indication of the kind of service you'd receive if you decided to get married at this chosen location. A wonderful coordinator at La Valencia Hotel greeted us with champagne, so we were already off to a great start! Chris, my mom, Jen (one of my bridesmaids) and I spent more than an hour laughing and daydreaming about the wedding with him.
Venue Option #6: The Dana Hotel on Mission Bay
This place had a modern feel with that perfect harbor view we love so much. They also offer jet skiing, boat rides and wakeboarding on their hotel grounds. In my opinion, The Dana Hotel on Mission Bay was comparable to the Hyatt, so it's up to Chris and I to decide which one feels more like "us."
Tip: Document the venue search experience and really enjoy yourself! When we got to The Dana Hotel, it started pouring, and the wedding coordinator was kind enough to provide lunch for us so that we could wait for the rain to stop. Jen and I had a flight of wine — we didn't realize how generous they would be with their pours — until a few minutes later, we were giggling away and taking pictures with rainbows. We had a blast.
The Dana Hotel
I think it does help to go to each spot to really get a feel for the beauty and charm each one offers. I can’t imagine making this big decision based off of the internet or phone calls alone. BG brides, is it important for you to visit the wedding location in advance or do you feel comfortable booking from afar? Chris and I have a tough decision when it comes to choosing a winner!
So sweet! We love how happy the bride's mom looks, pictured at left.
Tell us: What other tips would you add to my list? What was your experience like searching for a wedding venue?
— Neda Iranpour
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Neda Iranpour's fiancé, Chris, proposed to her after she ran three marathons in three days around Lake Tahoe. In keeping with the couple's adventurous spirit, they plan to have a four-day destination wedding somewhere in the United States. They can't wait to enjoy a fun-filled wedding experience with their guests, complete with paddleboarding, kayaking, running, dancing, sipping fine wine and drinking craft beer. Chris is a fun-loving, dedicated police officer and Neda is an Emmy-award winning news anchor who loves to share stories, even her own.
