Where can we find a private beach for a wedding in Southern California? Or rent a house for the reception?
We are looking for a place for our wedding sometime next year and could use some help finding a location. Here are some of our wants/needs and specifics.
-We want to get married ON a beach.
-Southern California would be ideal but I also love more northern beach towns such as Monterrey and Half Moon Bay(but the weather isn’t as warm)
-It’ll be a small wedding, less that 50 for sure
-Our first choice would be to get married on a private or secluded beach, not a public one because we want it to feel more intimate and would rather not have strangers doing god knows what in our wedding pictures.
-We do have a flexible budget so private resort beaches are a possibility.
And the second part of this question is our other idea…
We like the idea of having the reception at a vacation rental house, like one of those great homes with the big rooftop or otherwise balcony with the views of the ocean. And again, it is going to be a small wedding so there won’t be that many people. This could also take care of providing our family and/or wedding party with a place to stay.
Also, if we found a place like this that was not near a private beach we’d be willing to get married on a public one.
We are in Arizona so it is possible for us to go out there and check stuff out and do tours before the wedding but right now I have no clue where to start looking!
Any advice would be appreciated.
4 Responses
*Miss_Autumn*
12 Feb 2010
MAcsSNAcs
12 Feb 2010
For the second part of your question, I’d head straight to Owner Direct Vacation Rentals to find a vacation rental in Southern California http://www.ownerdirect.com/accommodation/south-coast-california
I’ve been using their site for several years, and have always found just the right place. They’ve got lots to choose from in that area, so you should find something that you’re looking for.
Their customer service is fantastic, and they can put you right in touch with the owner, so you’ll know exactly what to expect, and be able to clear up any details with them.
Congratulations on your wedding, and have a great time!
Half-Way There!
12 Feb 2010
Although most beaches in California are public, I’ve found people may watch from a distance but REALLY respect the privacy of the wedding party – and then clap when the couple kisses.
Here’s some information: http://www.allcaliforniabeachweddings.com/questions_about_beach_weddings.html (this is not my site and I’ve had no contact with her so know nothing about her quality or prices but the information is there for you to read and consider)
I have performed a couple weddings in San Diego – Carlsbad has a way you can have part of the beach roped off for your ceremony. The one i performed in Carlsbad was simply in a secluded spot on the beach. I KNOW they require permits for parties over a certain size and I have contact info for them…
Also, Hotel Del Coronado has their semi-private beach and they try to shoo off strangers. They have an amazing staff of party planners. BIL & SIL remarraige for probably 50-70 people was close to $10K.
I think one or two of the hotels in Laguna Beach (absolutely amazingly beautiful, by the way) have a private area where you can have your ceremony.
What I’d suggest is decide which communities you’re interested and contact that county’s local parks commission – many counties now issue beach permits instead of the state beach commission.
If you have any specific areas you’re interested in send me a private message and I’ll see what i can find. What part of Arizona are you in? I grew up in Yuma – and left to attend school here in Orange County.
Here are a couple of sources I offer my brides that may give you some ideas:
http://www.eventective.com/
http://www.weddingcompass.com/LocationsLanding.cfm
One of my favorites: http://www.mywedding.com
I hope this has given you the informaiton you need – like I said before if you have any questions send me a private message and I’ll see what I can do to help.
Edit: here are a couple of Laguna Beach hotels: http://www.innatlagunabeach.com/
http://www.surfandsandresort.com/weddings.html
sarah
12 Feb 2010
Google Miranda Gardens Resort.
It’s close to an exculsive beach (Black Sands) and you could go back to the resort for the reception. I stayed there and loved it!
The Malibu Nature Preserve has its own beach and the entire preserve can be rented for a wedding (they also have a house on site you can use but not stay overnight in). Otherwise nearly all the other beaches are open to the public.
You would need to contact them to see if they allow outside catering or if you have to use theirs.
As for vacation homes to rent, you can check out http://www.vrbo.com