Are You Thinking About a California Beach Wedding?
If you are considering a beach wedding and you live on or near the U.S West Coast, then you will most likely be narrowing down your choice to California beach weddings, somewhere next to the Pacific ocean. On the California Pacific Coast which runs hundred of miles from north of Mendocino, to the south in San Diego, couples will discover many beach wedding locations. Exchanging your vows can go from simple to elaborate, depending on your budget, the specific location you choose and the ambiance that you desire.
Your special wedding at the beach may be by a pier, in a State Historic Park, on a State Park beach or simply on an open stretch of white sand beach. It may also be on a cliff, terrace or lawn above the beach yet overlooking the majestic Pacific. While most beaches in California are public, some beaches are actually private with access restricted to only the owners or guests of the adjacent property. Many of the public beaches do allow weddings by permit.
Packages for a Wedding on the Beach
Instead of getting your permit to be married on a particular public beach and then making all the other arrangements, yourselves, for your perfect ceremony, you may want to consider purchasing a beach wedding, California package.
A beach wedding package will be offered from a wedding planning company that specializes in coordinating beach weddings in California. They will be able to take care of many of the details of your ceremony, from getting the proper permits, hiring a photographer, arranging for an officiant, arches and decor, flowers, etc. to having chairs for guest seating along with chair covers & sashes.
Some Venues for Beach Weddings in Southern California
Your Southern California wedding site on the beach can be by the Huntington Beach Pier or Dana Point, for example. You will need to get a permit. What great spots for your photos!
Paradise Cove in Malibu, just above the Paradise Cove Pier is the location for many movies and can host your wedding on their private beach. They have wonderful food, excellent service and breathtaking views.
At Paradise Point Resort and Spa, a 44 acre private island in San Diego known as “San Diego’s Wedding Island”, you can be married amid lagoons, in the gardens or on the beach at the edge of Mission Bay.
A Central California Coast Beach Wedding
For Monterey-area beach weddings, you may consider Garrapata State Park, Monterey State Beach and Carmel River State Beach. Monterey State Historic Park including Custom House Plaza and Memory Garden is also available for weddings
Some Venues in Northern California for a Beach Wedding
Say your “I dos” at Muir Beach and then have your English-country-inspired reception at the Pelican Inn, just 20 minutes north of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, along the coast.
The Ritz Carlton at Half-Moon Bay, southwest of San Francisco, offers full spa treatments and a great destination for your wedding in an unbelievably romantic setting. Miles of walking trails for your relaxing stay before or after the Big Day! They will help you realize what is only in your mind to create that unique and memorable experience on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific.
Sonoma Coast State Beach has views of the rugged northern coastline and of course, the Pacific Ocean. Your ideal location may be selected from among a number of picturesque sites for weddings along the panoramic coastline from Bodega Head, south of Bodega Bay, all the way north to Salt Point.
After Your Beach Wedding in California Ceremony
You may have booked a full wedding event including your beach ceremony followed by a reception at a resort like the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach or at a Laguna Beach resort or any of the other fine properties in coastal California. Or, your ceremony may be part of a spa vacation for couples at a smaller inn on the coast. If not, then what do you do after your ceremony on the beach? Here are some cool ideas:
- Look into one of the yacht wedding cruises that leave from nearby marinas.
- Have dinner for a few close friends and family members at a local restaurant.
- You can go right on your honeymoon and have your reception later.
Keep in Mind
To get married in California, you must purchase a license in California at any County Clerks Office. This may be used in any California county and is good for 90 days. Most couples will want a Regular Marriage License which is entered into the public record and requires a witness.
If the bride does not have the right attire for a beach wedding, then she may want to buy a California wedding dress. Think cool and light.
