Three Reasons to Get Married at the Hotel Del Coronado

The iconic Hotel Del Coronado is near the top of our favorite San Diego Wedding venues! Here are three reasons to consider a Hotel Del Coronado wedding!

Jaw-Dropping Beauty

With the stark red and white exterior and the towering spire atop the Grand Ballroom, the Hotel Del Coronado is a beacon of the San Diego coast. From the first glimpse of the hotel as you cross the Coronado Bridge to the minute you set foot inside this historic structure, there is beauty at every turn.

A Venue for Every Event Size

From the earthy charm of the private Del Beach to the grand elegance of the Crown Room, the Hotel Del Coronado offers a venue for any event of any size!

For more information on the various venues the Hotel Del Coronado can offer for your wedding, click here!

Amazing Views

Situated right on the beach, the Hotel Del Coronado has no shortage of amazing views!

Peer to the west to view the cliffs of Point Loma. A look to the east sees more of San Diego’s iconic coastline. Look straight south and, well, the Pacific Ocean ain’t bad at all ;-)

Hotel Del Coronado Wedding Photos

Over the years, we’ve photographed many gorgeous weddings at the Hotel Del Coronado. Browse the gallery below for some of the best Hotel Del Coronado wedding photos!

Three Reasons to Get Married at the Colony Palms Hotel

Palm Springs has long been a favorite wedding destination. Gorgeous weather, plenty of venues and old Hollywood charm put it high on the lists of couples who want an immersive wedding experience for their guests.

But not all venues are created equal. Some are large resorts with little personality and a lost-amongst-the-weeds feel, while others lack the true mid-century modern vibe that makes Palm Springs famous.

We’ve photographed plenty of Palm Springs weddings, but our favorite venue by far is the Colony Palms Hotel. Read on for why it’s our favorite Palm Springs wedding venue!

Gorgeous Surroundings

Since 1936, the Colony Palms Hotel has been known as one of Palm Springs’ most iconic and luxurious downtown hotels. The property is surrounded by lush vegetation, Spanish-inspired architecture and, of course, amazing views of the surrounding mountains.

The hotel features 57 guest rooms, suites and casitas, brilliantly colored with original mosaic tiles and fabrics, rich woods, and black-and-white vintage photos. Most guest rooms open to a lush central courtyard and lively pool. Each room offers luxurious linens and modern amenities to enhance your stay.

When it comes to dining, the Purple Palm has it all. The Purple Palm's approachable menu of California fare and their cleverly crafted cocktail list serve as reminders of the Colony Palms' colorful and rambunctious past.

Central Location

Located one block off the city’s main design district, the Colony Palms Hotel just steps from shopping, dining and wandering.

Palm Springs is a relatively short drive from every major metropolitan area in Southern California. What’s more, the hotel is a 10-minute drive from Palm Springs airport—perfect if you’re expecting guests flying in from out of town.

Intimate Venue

With 57 guest rooms, suites and casitas, the Colony Palms Hotel is the perfect size for most weddings!

The hotel also offers a full buyout option! So if you’re planning a wedding weekend extravaganza, the Colonly Palms Hotel is the perfect option!

Three Great Reasons to Get Married at Darlington House in La Jolla!

Darlington House in La Jolla has long been one of our favorite San Diego wedding venues. Simplicity, elegance and beauty greet you at every turn. Here are three great reasons to get married at Darlington House!

Sophisticated Yet Unpretentious

From the street, Darlington House is quite unassuming, blending in with the surrounding buildings seamlessly. Once inside, however, you are treated to a breathtaking array of architectural styles from all over the world.

From their site:

“Enter into a foyer with an Italianate chandelier and a romantic sweeping staircase. The warmly decorated living room’s double French doors lead to the Egyptian Patio, which features a beautiful, colorfully tiled fountain surrounded by lush succulents and wispy grasses. A stroll away, the Andalusian Patio is adorned with Roman arches and Azulejo tiles in the style of southern Spain. Another step takes you into the Library, inspired by Moorish architecture and filled with the changing shadows of sunset and the warmth of a Moroccan fireplace. Further on is the Rose Garden’s charming brick patio, surrounded by roses, succulents, camellias, and a bubbling tiled fountain.”

Intimate Grounds

Darlington House was once the seasonal home of Manhattan socialite Sybil Darlington, so it actually feels like a home and not just another wedding venue.

There are six notable areas at Darlington House:

The Andalusian Patio : This Southern Spain-inspired patio features Roman arches and rich Azulejo tile. It seats about 80 people and is perfect for stylish, more intimate wedding.

The Egyptian Patio : A feast for the eyes with a glorious fountain, lush vegetation and red-brick walkways. This area seats about 150 guests, perfect for larger celebrations.

The Rose Garden : This open-air space is filled with the fragrances of roses and azaleas. The largest event space on the property, the Rose Garden seats 200 guests theater style and 200 people at dinner tables.

The Library : The Library features rich wooden bookcases, a gorgeous Moroccan fireplace and a regal staircase. It’s the perfect space for a really intimate wedding ceremony or stylish dinner party. With larger events, the space is commonly utilized as a bar setting.

Living Room and Dining Rooms : Featuring comfortable seating, a cozy fireplace and a stunning dining table, this space is perfect for a small wedding or fabulous dinner party. For most weddings, the space is utilized as a welcome area or overflow for cocktail hour. It’s also a great spot for first-look photos!

Upstairs Suites : These spaces offer a serene and generous space for the entire bridal party to relax before a wedding ceremony. With gorgeous sunlight flooding the wallpapered rooms, the suites are a photographer’s dream.

A Plethora of Amazing Locations for Wedding Photography

As a wedding photographer, my criteria for judging a wedding venue center around good light and unique locations in which to photograph brides and grooms. Darlington House has a plethora of amazing spaces just a few steps out the front door!

Darlington House is situated in a residential area, so the street is relatively quiet, making it the perfect spot for unique bridal party photos and fun portraits! Across the street there’s a peach-colored garage door framed by a dense hedge—a perfect spot for a romantic portrait. A few steps further and you’re at Marine Street Beach, an intimate cove with paradise-inspired vistas.

Darlington House Wedding Photo Gallery

Check out some of our favorite Darlington House wedding photos!

For more information on planning your Darlington House wedding, visit their website!

Four Reasons to Plan a Destination Wedding

Thinking about planning a destination wedding but need to convince yourself that it’s the right fit for you? Check out this post for a little inspiration!

Something Different

Face it: At this point in your life, you’ve probably experienced a handful of hotel weddings, right?

While weddings of any kind are special, perhaps you’d like a different experience for your wedding. Something none of your friends have done. Something that aligns with your sense of adventure!

A destination wedding may be in your future!

Your destination wedding can be as adventurous as you want it to! From an intimate beach ceremony in Mexico to a full-fledged wedding adventure in Belize, your destination is a blank slate for you and your guests!

Turn Your Wedding into an Experience

A destination wedding is a great way to turn your wedding into a multi-day celebration of your love!

If you’re planning a Hawaii destination wedding, treat your guests to a sunset dinner cruise! Planning a destination wedding in Napa? Organize a winery tour for your out-of-town guests!

Keep it Intimate

There are few guarantees in life. One, however, is that your destination wedding will have fewer guests than it would if it were held close to your home.

Travel times and costs are all natural barriers to potential wedding guests. But the guests that WILL attend will be closer and more important to you!

Cost Effectiveness

Surprise! A destination wedding can actually be CHEAPER than a wedding close to home!

First, your guest count will be significantly lower, which means catering costs go down. Also, many resorts in far-flung locales offer all-inclusive packages that cater to your and your guests needs!