How to Plan an Amazing Cal-a-Vie Health Spa Wedding
Welcome to my guide on how to plan a Cal-a-Vie Health Spa wedding!
My name is John Schnack and I’ve been photographing weddings in San Diego for over 20 years. Of the many amazing wedding venues in San Diego, Cal-a-Vie is a level above, literally and figuratively. It’s perch on a rural mountaintop offers vistas rarely seen from a San Diego wedding venue. And, its French-inspired decor and architecture, seclusion, and five-star service and amenities regularly exceed the expectations of the most discerning customers. Cal-a-Vie is truly one of the best wedding venues in San Diego.
If you have questions about planning a Cal-a-Vie wedding or are interested in wedding photography, feel free to schedule a discovery call. Or, simply click the button at the bottom of the page.
I hope you find this guide helpful!
About Cal-a-Vie Health Spa
Cal-a-Vie Health Spa is a five-star wellness retreat located in the hills of Vista, CA, in the northeast corner of San Diego County. Cal-a-Vie Health Spa’s current owners, Terri and John Havens, purchased the property in 2000. Since then the admitted Francophiles have modified the 200-acre property to create a French-inspired oasis that must be seen to be believed.
Cal-a-Vie Health Spa features French antiquities throughout the property. The most prominent is the Chapel, which also serves as the ceremony space for your Cal-a-Vie Health Spa wedding. The Chapel was originally part of a convent in Dijon, France, and was constructed over several hundred years, from the 16th century through 1789. In 1978, the convent was demolished, leaving only the Chapel standing. The Havens purchased the Chapel in 2004 and had the entire Chapel deconstructed and shipped to Cal-a-Vie, where it was put back together stone by stone in its current location.
In addition, Cal-a-Vie also features two more imported French antiquities, The L’Orangerie (circa 1710) and The Parish House (circa 1715). L’Orangerie, where your Cal-a-Vie Health Spa wedding reception will take place, features jaw-dropping design and detailing. The Parish House serves as Cal-a-Vie’s wine room, where you can enjoy a collection of local and imported wine, curated by the property’s on-site sommelier.
How to Get to Cal-a-Vie Health Spa
Cal-a-Vie is located in the hills of Vista, California. The property is about 45 miles northeast of downtown San Diego.
Cal-a-Vie is served by two airports: San Diego International (SAN), about an hour away, offers a wide array of flights, airlines, and rental car options. McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD, CLQ), about 30 minutes away is a public airport specializing in commercial and private aircraft. Both airports are served by Cal-a-Vie’s shuttle service, which is included in your guest fees.
Getting Around Cal-a-Vie Health Spa
Cal-a-Vie is a secluded, self-contained property, so it’s super easy to get around. As you can see from this map, everything on the property is a short walk away.
Your Cal-a-Vie Health Spa Wedding Experience
Cal-a-Vie Health Spa is not your standard wedding venue. Through five-star service (a 5-to-1 staff to guest ratio!), luxurious amenities, and jaw-dropping beauty, it is a venue that delivers an experience unlike any other.
For starters, think of your Cal-a-Vie Health Spa wedding as an entire wedding weekend. In keeping with the resort’s exclusivity and commitment to five-star service, a three-night minimum is required for you and your guests. For guests staying on property, there is a minimum guest count of 28 and a maximum guest count of 64.
Guest Rooms
Guests for your Cal-a-Vie Health Spa wedding can stay in one of the resorts two room types, Suites and Villas.
Both room types feature exquisite decor aligned with the resort’s French inspiration. Each room type includes the following amenities:
- Over 400 square feet of living space
- A sundeck or balcony with chairs
- Spacious bathrooms with luxurious amenities
- Towel warmer
- And more!
Cal-a-Vie Wedding Ceremony Site
Just picture it: Sunlight streaming through antique stained-glass windows. The warm glow of candles inviting your guests down the manicured path and into another century. The doors open and you see your partner waiting breathlessly as you slowly make your way down the Travertine-tiled aisle.
This is your Cal-a-Vie wedding ceremony in the Chapel, a 400-year-old building imported entirely from its original site in Dijon, France.
The Chapel features wooden pews that seat up to 64 guests, perfect for your Cal-a-Vie wedding weekend with your closest family and friends. The Chapel is adjacent to the L’Orangerie, which is where your wedding reception will take place.
For larger ceremonies, the adjacent 8000 sq. ft. lawn is used. This gorgeous, manicured lawn–complete with a centuries-old well–can seat up to 200 guests.
Cal-a-Vie Wedding Reception Site
Your Cal-a-Vie Health Spa wedding reception will take place in the 400-year-old L’Orangerie. Originally built as a greenhouse on the same convent property as the Chapel, L’Orangerie was later transformed into a dining hall and destination for social activities.
Today, its tapestry-covered walls, gorgeous windows, wood-beamed ceiling, antique chandeliers, and Travertine tile make it perhaps the most gorgeous wedding reception venue in San Diego.
How Much Does a Cal-a-Vie Wedding Cost?
The Cal-a-Vie Health Spa wedding package is an all-inclusive package to ensure complete exclusivity for you and your guests. The wedding package consists of three parts: The 3 Night California Plan, which covers food and accommodations for your guests; the wedding venue fee; and reception and dinner pricing.
3 Night California Plan
The 3 Night California Plan costs $5050 per person*. It covers all meals, spa treatments, fitness classes and more for your guests. As mentioned previously, at least 28 overnight guests are required; however, the resort can accommodate up to 64 overnight guests.
Your 3 Night California Plan includes:
- Unlimited use of the resort’s facilities
- Accommodations in a Mediterranean-style villa
- Three amazing meals per day, with nutrition breaks based on dietary needs
- Unlimited access to fitness classes and group activities
- Daily spa treatments
- Cooking classes
- Unlimited access to pool, tennis courts and volleyball courts
- Access to surrounding hiking trails
- Airport transfers to and from San Diego International or McClellan-Palomar airports
- Daily laundry service
*Excludes tax and gratuity
Wedding Venue Fee
In addition, there is a venue fee of $15000 plus tax for use of Cal-a-Vie’s property for your wedding. This fee includes the following:
- Bridal changing room
- Use of the Chapel (up to 100 guests) or the L’Orangerie lawn (up to 150) for your ceremony
- Use of the L’Orangerie inside (up to 120) or the outside lawn (up to 150) for your reception
- 60-inch round banquet tables, votive candles, x-back chairs, linens, dinnerware
- Dedicated event staff
- Valet parking (up to 64 vehicles)
- AV equipment
- Cake cutting and storage
- Dedicated bridal room
Wedding Reception and Dinner
The fee for your Cal-a-Vie Health Spa wedding reception and dinner starts at $250 per person. This fee includes:
- A customized menu prepared by the in-house culinary staff
- Optional tray-passed hors d’oeuvres
- A wide array of hosted bar options with top-shelf liquors, wines, and cocktails
- Exquisite dessert options
Sample Cal-a-Vie Wedding Cost Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of the costs** based on a Cal-a-Vie wedding with 28 guests:
| # of Guests | 3 Night California Plan ($5050/person) | Wedding Venue Fee | Dinner and Reception ($250/person) | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | $141000 | $15000 | $7000 | $163000 |
Cal-a-Vie Health Spa Reviews
At the time of this writing, Cal-a-Vie has an average rating of 4.4 stars over 67 reviews on Google. It is also rated one of the “Ten Best Spas in the World” by Conde Nast.
French-Inspired Wedding Venues Similar to Cal-a-Vie Health Spa
If you’re looking for an option similar to Cal-a-Vie, you may want to consider a Vista Valley Country Club wedding! Vista Valley is the sister property to Cal-a-Vie and offers the same French-inspired decor–most of which dates back to 17th century France–yet has more space for a larger wedding celebration. In addition, VVCC features a Ted Robinson-designed golf course. Use of this course is also available for Cal-a-Vie guests.
Contact Cal-a-Vie Health Spa
To plan your Cal-a-Vie Health Spa wedding, contact their Group Sales Department via email or by phone at 760.945.2466.
