With wedding season in full swing, we are back to shooting each and every weekend at some of our favorite wedding venues in Southern California. From San Diego to Temecula and Orange County to LA we are so thrilled to be back working with our favorite vendors and venues. Here is just a glimpse at a few favorite venues in each city.

When choosing a wedding venue there are so many factors to take into consideration. We have put together a list of the best wedding venues in San Diego based upon their style and location:

Here are some of the top wedding venues in San Diego, spanning beachfront, garden, urban, and resort settings—great options for a variety of styles, guest counts, and budgets:

🌊 Beachfront & Coastal

• L’Auberge Del Mar (Del Mar): Iconic coastal venue with ocean-facing terraces and luxurious indoor/outdoor spaces for up to ~200 guests (herecomestheguide.com, craneweddings.com).
• Hotel del Coronado (Coronado Beach): Historic landmark with Victorian charm, red-roofed grandeur, and event spaces for up to ~1,000 guests—host to many celebrity weddings (craneweddings.com).
• Scripps Seaside Forum (La Jolla): Modern indoor–outdoor space with floor-to-ceiling ocean views—ideal for beachfront ceremonies (nextchapterfilm.com).
• Coasterra (Downtown Bay): Sleek waterfront dining space with San Diego skyline views—stylish for intimate to mid-size weddings (thesimplyelegantgroup.com).

🌿 Garden, Vineyards & Rustic

• San Diego Botanic Garden (Encinitas): 37 acres of lush gardens—ideal for romantic ceremonies and large receptions (craneweddings.com).
• Grand Tradition Estate & Gardens (Fallbrook): Fairytale grounds with waterfall, heart-shaped lake, mansion, seating for ~300 (craneweddings.com).
• Orfila Vineyards & Winery (Escondido): Vineyard landscapes and rustic barrel room—perfect for wine-country enthusiasts (aolani.cc).
• Sacred Mountain Julian (Julian): Mountain-top ranch with panoramic views for intimate outdoor celebrations (~125 guests) (weddingwire.com).
• Rancho Guejito (Escondido): Expansive ranch estate with vineyards and meadows—great for large weddings (sandiegomagazine.com).

🏙️ Urban & Indoor‑Outdoor

• The Prado at Balboa Park: Spanish-Colonial style, picturesque terraces, courtyard ceremonies, capacity ~320 (nextchapterfilm.com).
• The Ultimate Skybox (Downtown): Rooftop venue with sweeping skyline and Petco Park views—up to ~200 guests (nextchapterfilm.com).
• BRICK (Liberty Station): Industrial-chic event space with exposed brick, high ceilings, and creative flexibility (aolani.cc).
• Venue 808 (East Village): Indoor grove of olive trees, chapel, get-ready suites, speakeasy-style bar—hands-off planning appeal (sandiegomagazine.com).

🏨 Resort & Country Club

• San Diego Mission Bay Resort: Beach ceremonies under palms, bayside terrace reception, full-service resort (herecomestheguide.com).
• Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa (Rancho Santa Fe): Mediterranean gardens, intimate lawns, croquet court—luxury event options (nextchapterfilm.com).
• Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa: Spanish-style gardens, hacienda charm, indoor ballrooms, great for micro weddings (nextchapterfilm.com).
• Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines: Pacific/Ocean views plus golf-course garden ceremonies—up to 700 guests (weddingwire.com).
• Maderas Golf Club (Poway): Scenic canyon backdrop, bridal house, waterfall settings—award-winning (aolani.cc).

🎉 Unique & Specialty Venues

• Flagship Cruises: Elegant yacht weddings on San Diego Bay, with catered events and skyline views (sandiegomagazine.com).
• San Diego Zoo & Safari Park: Wildlife-backed ceremonies with conservation appeal and adventure flair (sandiegomagazine.com).
• Museum of Contemporary Art: Chic blank-canvas art museum with ocean-view terrace (sandiegomagazine.com).
• Rosecroft Estate (Point Loma): Historic Italian Renaissance gardens perfect for intimate ceremonies (en.wikipedia.org).

🧭 Choosing the Right Venue

• Guest count: Beach and resort venues cover large groups; estates and vineyards suit 100–300 guests.
• Style & setting: Ocean lovers → beachfront hotels; nature scouts → gardens/vineyards; modern lovers → rooftops or museums.
• Planning support: Resorts and hotels offer full-service; estates and specialty venues may require outside vendors.
• Photo ops: Venues in parks, cliffs, yachts, and museums create stunning backdrops.

At the end of the day you want a photographer that matches your style of your day and venue. Choosing the right wedding photographer to match your wedding venue style is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your planning journey, as it directly impacts how your memories are preserved for decades to come. Your venue sets the tone for the entire aesthetic—whether it’s a sun-soaked vineyard, a beachfront resort, a rustic barn, or an urban rooftop—and your photographer’s eye should be able to complement, enhance, and capture that unique setting with authenticity and artistry. For example, a light-and-airy photographer may be perfect for a garden or coastal venue with natural light and soft backdrops, while a moody, editorial-style photographer could dramatically elevate a historic estate, industrial loft, or downtown rooftop. Photographers who are familiar with your venue or similar environments will understand how to work with the light, layout, and hidden gems of the location—knowing when golden hour hits just right or where to get the best frame with your venue in the background. It’s also important to review full galleries, not just highlight reels, to ensure they consistently handle varied lighting and weather conditions, and that their style aligns with your vision. Ultimately, your photographer should be someone whose artistic approach resonates with your personalities and whose experience gives you confidence they’ll adapt to the venue’s flow, timeline, and lighting challenges. When venue and photography style are in harmony, the result is a deeply cohesive visual story that reflects not just how your wedding looked, but how it felt.