Best San Diego Wedding & Reception Venues
The Best San Diego Wedding Venues. Yep, i’m givin’ you a photographers insight on all my favorite wedding & reception venues in San Diego County. These are the BEST San Diego wedding venues for intimate, lavish, and every kind of event in between. You will usually find me shooting weddings in Palm Springs but if you are looking for a San Diego wedding photographer don’t be shy, holler and let me know how I can help. I’m happy to share full galleries with you so you can see different venue options!
Jaynes Gastro Pub
If you’re wanting a San Diego Intimate Wedding venue then Jaynes is your best bet. I think it can accomodate up to 100 but it would be best for a smaller affair like 25-50. Jayne and her family have the sweetest gastro pub in the heart of Adams Avenue right on 30th. It’s got impeccable design interior but the small back patio is where all the magic is at. They already have market lighting so you’ll save money there. Don’t even get me started on the food and bar menu. WOW. To this day, it’s still one of my favorite venues to shoot at. Check out this Jaynes Gastro Pub Wedding.
The Fire Garden
If you’re anything like me you absolutely loath ballroom weddings! You probably don’t want anything traditional at all. Welp, here you have it. The Fire Garden is the coolest San Diego wedding venue for a festival loving couple or really for anyone who wants a beautiful outdoor space with palm tree views. The venue is ridiculous- Not only does it have fire elements that turn on at night, but it has a “secret garden” kinda vibe for ceremony. I adore it’s space for an San Diego outdoor reception. The property has massive palm trees all over it and it’s completely private from the public. If you want to party, you can even opt to camp on site over night y’all! This is perfect for the all our party people out there. Mom’s might even approve of the space because it’s so pretty! Check out this Fire Garden Wedding.
Leo Carrillo Ranch – Carlsbad Wedding Venue
Leo Carrillo Ranch is the perfect Southern California wedding venue, complete with cacti & peacocks. Yep peacocks! The groomsmen can get ready in a safari style canvas tent/building which is super well lit and masculine. This historical ranch dates back to the 1930’s, there is unique architecture and plenty of white adobe style houses. The vibe of the venue is also very ‘Spanish hacienda’ with beautiful bougainvillea flowers covering the property and tile work throughout. The outdoor ceremony space is perfectly situated right next to the most ideal outdoor reception space. It’s all you need in one property with plenty of parking & southern california written all over it.
Two Sisters Farms – Temecula Wedding Venue
If you’re looking for a outdoor wedding location in Southern California than Two Sisters Farms is your spot! This diverse San Diego wedding venue is a family owned property that offers so much diversity for your event. With different backdrops like meadows, desert, barns, and beautiful landscaping, you can really style your event in many different ways. The property landscaping is well maintained and the pepper trees are abundant. The reception area at night time is so romantic with fire pits & market lighting! Dance under the stars until 10pm with as many 100 of your favorites people. I haven’t had the chance to shoot here but it’s definitely on my bucket list!
Spanish Village – San Diego Reception Space
Right in the middle of Balboa Park is a gorgeous San Diego reception venue- Spanish Village Art Center. If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary and outdoors, this is the perfect reception space! It’s vast space is decorated with colorful cobblestones making it ideal for a Mexican style celebration or an Indian couple who isn’t afraid of color. If your having over 200 guest this space would accommodate all your friends and family easily. With Balboa Park all around you there are plenty of alleyways, parks, museums and photos ops just seconds from your reception. It’s truly a San Diego photographers dream to be able to pull you from your reception and step right into the cities most beautiful landscaping.
Darlington House – La Jolla Ceremony & Reception Venue
This mediterranean-style house is San Diego’s best beach-chic venue. Just minutes from downtown La Jolla, Darlington House is perfect for a chic bride looking to have a romantic style wedding. The owner has incorporated touches of Persian tile and incredible wall paper throughout the property. With the beach being only a 2 min walk, most couples opt to have their sunset portraits by the water. It’s ideal for a wedding with less than 150 guests and the one down side is the curfew is at 9:30pm. However, with La Jolla being so close I recommend opting for an after party at Level 2! Problem solved! Interested? Check out this wedding
Ethereal Gardens
The first time I laid eyes on this property I was pretty taken back. Ethereal Gardens is honestly the most diverse property in San Diego and the getting ready rooms are LEGIT! Choose between 3 or 4 ceremony locations for your San Diego Wedding. Once the ceremony is over, head to the massive white tent and enjoy the California breeze during your reception. If you want a live band you’ll have to take it inside. This venue can be dressed up in many different ways but I think it’s best for a bohemian style event. Please take advantage of the massive lawn with palm tree views!
Building 177
If you’re less traditional and a minimalist I suggest Building 177 for your San Diego Wedding. It’s one of Southern California’s newer venues and it’s a blank slate with a whole lotta white! Many Diego wedding photographers use this space for creative shoots because it’s a blank slate in a great location!
Rancho Las Lomas
Okay so Rancho Las Lomas technically isn’t in San Diego County it’s an Orange County wedding venue. I had to throw it in the mix because if you’re a San Diego bride, it’s not too far out of the way and one of the best Southern California wedding venues IMO. With acres of land, TIGERS, and the perfect outdoor reception/ceremony spot, you’ll likely want to do a walk through of this property. Lets backtrack, Yep, I said Tigers. The property has rescued several large animals and keeps them on property. It’s a huge selling point for the venue but if thats not your thing, don’t worry. You have to go looking for their cages and it doesn’t smell like a farm. In fact, almost every wedding here is pretty luxurious and chic. It can host a large party too!
Martin Johnson House 
The Martin Johnson House is a historical Ocean Front Cottage in La Jolla. The venue is perfect for receptions with killer sunsets and ocean air. I recommend getting ready else where but you can have your ceremony and all fun things to follow right on property.
