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Unique Wedding Locations
By Site Editor | Published  04/1/2008 | Wedding Locations | Unrated
Unique Wedding Locations
So, you're tired of the standard church weddings and the thought of having your reception in a sterile hotel conference room is so boring! How about something completely different! Here are some fabulous ideas for weddings large and small.

Looking for a nice park for your ceremony or even reception? Well, we have some information here you might be interested in. This is kind of one of those well-kept secrets because reserving a city or county park is very inexpensive and takes full advantage of our beautiful coastal and inland views. This is just a sampling of parks in San Diego, but one of them might be your perfect place!

Just one word of caution about public parks: you can never be sure that helicopters, dogs, bathing suit-clad onlookers, or noisy children might not also be a part of your special day. Just want you to be prepared!

Please Note: While we try to make sure that the information below is correct, this is not an official source. For official information about park weddings, visit the San Diego County Parks web site or contact the agency listed below each park.

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Wild Weddings
Historic Weddings
Up, Up, and Away Nautical I Dos


A Wild Wedding!
Leigh Miller Photography Imagine taking your vows overlooking a vast savanna while herds of rhinos, giraffes, and gazelles roam in the distance. Or perhaps you have envisioned a lush tropical setting on the edge of a lagoon filled with rare birds and incredible plant life. The San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park unique and exotic venues create the perfect backdrop for your celebration. Whatever your dream, they can help make it a reality at the Wild Animal Park.

Let the professional staff assist you in creating an experience you and your guests will never forget. They offer a full array of custom florals, animal print linens, exotic entertainment, and even the occasional furry visitor, not to mention their elegant and sophisticated menu selections. Why follow the herd? They will help make your day as unique as you are.

San Diego Zoo & Wild Animal Park
PO Box 120551
San Diego, CA 92112-0551

D’Anne Morehead
(619) 744-3350
dmorehead@sandiegozoo.org
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Up, up and away!
There are many more possibilities with hot air balloons than you may have thought. What about having the ceremony in the air? Or have the ceremony on the ground but then have the bride and groom get into the balloon and fly away only to reappear a little while later at the reception? They even have a minister who will fly with you and perform your ceremony above the Temecula Valley or the shores of Del Mar. The possibilities are endless and they all end with a champagne toast and some tasty goodies.

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Historic Weddings
Do you like the idea of having your wedding at a venerable building with tons of history and character? Then you might like some of the historic homes in San Diego that are available for special events like weddings.

Junipero Serra Museum
2727 Presidio Dr.
San Diego, CA 92110

The Junipero Serra Museum is located in Presidio Park on the hillside above Old Town San Diego. Built in 1929, this mission revival-style building is perfect for your wedding ceremony and reception. Many receptions are held on the partially covered “loggia," extending from the museum. There is plenty of room for your entertainment and catering needs. The view across the city to the ocean during sunset is spectacular. This location is truly one of a kind

Marston House Museum
3525 7 th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103

This Arts and Crafts style house is located in the northwest corner of beautiful Balboa Park. It has a lovely garden available as a historic and beautiful ceremony site. The Formal Garden was designed and installed in 1927 as a 50th wedding anniversary gift to the Marstons. It is populated with an beautiful array of roses and seasonal flowers and it also has a lawn area.

Museum of San Diego History
1649 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101

The Museum of San Diego History is located in the Casa de Balboa building in San Diego's Balboa Park. This indoor location has plenty of room for formal seated dinners, banquets, a dance floor, live entertainment and more. In the “atrium,” the high vaulted ceilings and Spanish tile give this room a warm and open feel. If you wish, the museum exhibitions may be available for your guests to view.

*All locations
Contact: Tam Joslin
Event Coordinator
San Diego Historical Society
(619) 232-6203 x109 or tam.joslin@sandiegohistory.org


The Darlington House
(858) 454-7625
7441 Olivetas Avenue
La Jolla CA 92037

The Darlington House was built in 1925 and retains the elegance of the period in its unique Mediterranean style architecture. It is just south of the village of La Jolla and is only a block from the beach. This wonderful house now only opens for events and is maintained by the Social Service League of La Jolla who use the profits to help needy senior citizens.

This is an extremely popular site for ceremonies and receptions and comes highly recommended. They have different prices depending upon whether you want to have your ceremony only or ceremony and reception. They have three luxurious patios in which you could have the ceremony in one, appetizers and drinks in another, and the reception on the rose patio. The house is open to all and offers cozy corners for lounging and enjoyment of the guests.

The upstairs is available to the bridal party only and offers dressing rooms-one for the bride and one for the groom. This works great for getting ready for the big moment. Please call directly for current pricing. Prices are usually higher for Saturday weddings than Sundays or Fridays. Prices include a number of hours opf use for the house, patios, library, and large kitchen for use by the caterer. In addition, couples are allowed 1 hour rehearsal time and 2 hours of use of the upstairs suites for dressing and photography prior to the ceremony.

The Darlington House is a wonderful way to take advantage of the San Diego sunshine by having your ceremony and reception outside in beautiful patio gardens with old-time charm.

Times Available: All events must end by 10 pm with all music, bar and food service stopping ½ hour before end of contract time.
Maximum # of guests: 200
Catering: Need your own caterer who must be licensed and approved by the Social Service League.
Entertainment restrictions: The volume of music must not exceed 60 decibels but there are plenty of electrical outlets on the patios.
Liquor allowed? Yes by a licensed caterer. A "no-host" (cash bar) is NEVER permitted.
How soon should I call to reserve it? Need to book a date usually 9 months in advance.


NTC Promenade
2801 Rosecrans Street
San Diego CA 92106
619-573-9300
http://www.ntcpromenade.com

NTC Promenade is located at Liberty Station in Point Loma. The venues are situated on acres of lush landscaping in the heart of the historic district. It offers a slice of San Diego's rich history coupled with spectacular surroundings that will make your wedding an event to remember. Our convenient Point Loma location is just minutes from Downtown and San Diego International Airport, offering hassle-free accessibility and plenty of free parking. The property is formerly known as the Naval Training Center, where over 1.3 million recruits went through training. It is being redeveloped into the "historic" district of Liberty Station which consists of 26 historic buildings on 28 historic acres. The venues were restored during the completion of Phase 1, and the other 20 buildings yet to be restored are funded through the works of the NTC Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

The Venues consist of:
McMillin Event Center- 8,700 square feet of historic grandeur dedicated for receptions with unlimited creative potential.
Legacy Plaza- 13,000 square foot outdoor plaza; surrounded by acres of lush landscaping which is all designed with weddings in mind.
Luce Court- 9,500 square foot venue; surrounds a beautiful 1,700 square foot water fountain with 9 lights and up lighting on palm trees for beautifully lit evening events.
Sybil Stockdale Rose Garden- 5,000 square foot outdoor garden with hundreds of colorful rose bushes, a rippling fountain, and a terrace that creates a natural stage setting for small receptions up to 100 people.
The North Chapel- Stained glass windows, wood-beam vaulted ceilings, and an elegant pipe organ creates a charming setting for any type of ceremony up to 350 people.

Times Available: Call for specifics
Maximum # of guests: 2,000 outdoors, 500 indoors
Catering: Preferred Catering List
Entertainment restrictions: Bands and DJs are allowed
Liquor allowed? Provided by Event Beverage Solutions
How soon should I call to reserve it? Depends on the day of the week or month. Call now to ensure availability!



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Nautical I Dos
One of San Diego's best ways to get married is on a boat with dolphins swimming alongside. Would you be interested in saying I Do on the waves of the Pacific? Getting married on a boat can be extremely romantic with the waves lapping as the sun sets quietly on the horizon. For some, this is the only way to go.

Maritime Museum of San Diego
1492 N. Harbor Drive
San Diego CA 92101
(619) 234-9153 Ext. 102
specialevents@sdmaritime.org
http://weddings.sdmaritime.com

1898 "Berkeley Ferryboat" and 1863 "Star of India"

The lovely 1898 Berkeley Ferryboat graces San Diego Bay with her turn-of-the-century charm. Moored permanently beside the Star of India, she has two open-air decks that offer a choice of gleaming downtown skyline or romantic sunset views. Her large deck and dance floor are crowned with shimmering stained glass windows which are softly backlit after dark. The ferryboat is an excellent site for both weddings and receptions, offering a full array of services for your special day.


Our own majestic Star of India is without question the most unique wedding location in Southern California. The beauty and elegance of her lines belie her age. Built in 1863, she has circled the globe 21 times. Presidents and other dignitaries have strolled her decks, admiring her detailed woodwork and gleaming brasses. Soaring masts and spars support her billowing white sails. Gentle winds blow through her rigging and waves ripple softly against her hull. Your guests will be transported completely to another age; one of true romance.

Times Available: Call for Specifics
Maximum # of guests: 400
Catering: Catering service available through the museum
Entertainment: Multiple services available through the museum



Hornblower Dining Yachts
2825 5th Avenue
San Diego CA 92103
(619) 686-8700 Ext. 812

Hornblower offers a selection of over 25 elegant yachts to choose from for your perfect day. Their wedding coordinator will help you finalize all of the details for your big day from food and drink to music and flowers. Cruise the waters the San Diego bay while sipping champagne with your family and friends. Packages range from a brunch cruise at around $49 per guest to a deluxe seated dinner for $120 per guest. This is a great and unique way to begin your new life together.

Times Available: Call for specifics
Maximum # of guests: 475
Catering: Catering service provided
Entertainment restrictions: Bands and DJs are fine
Liquor allowed? Yes
How soon should I call to reserve it? Need to book 3-6 months in advance.


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