Below are some of the best wedding sites in San Diego county. This information is from a professional in the San Diego wedding industry. Although it is hard for one source to completely encompass all of what San Diego has to offer, the below venues are a nice variety of what is around. From the budget minded Bride and Groom to the elegant and extravagant reception in Balboa, you can choose your dream wedding location from this list. These are also some of the most popular sites in San Diego, so bear in mind that there are many affordable alternatives that could use some article acknowledgment.

Please advise that there is no order or ranking system here, these are just my favorites:

Paradise Gardens

This venue has a tropical feel and is sold as a Hawaiian Wedding Garden! It really does have that feel with a waterfall coming down rocks into a pond that has giant lily pads which are a very rare agricultural feature (the venue has been recognized as a reserve for these lily pads). There is a large cement slab on the back of the property that can host tents in the cooler months of the year and protect you from any unwanted or unexpected weather. The more common place to have your reception would be right on the lawn near the waterfall. There is a dance floor that is carved from rock right near the waterfall which makes for a beautiful scene.

The mood lighting is amazing when the sun goes down giving the venue a very unique and moody feel. The on-site coordinators are very helpful and experienced and the catering staff that is on the preferred vendors list is great. Not only are they very comfortable with the wedding venue but they also make some great food! The gazebo hosts the ceremonies and is in a very close location to where the ceremony takes place. In addition to all of this, the bride is escorted in a horse and carriage down a long road around the property and then finally to isle for the wedding ceremony. It is truly like being traveling to Hawaii or a tropical retreat!

Tom Ham's Lighthouse

This is a beautiful place down in mission bay. It hangs out over the water and is built on pylons so when you are on the dance floor in the main room, you almost feel as though you are on a cruise ship! The view is beautiful of not only downtown San Diego but also mission bay. It is right across the street from the Hilton and several other hotels and is convenient for out of town guests being that it is so close to the airport.

The food service is always great (every time I have been there) and the room ambiance is always top notch. The patio on the side of the building is great for getting a break from the dancing or for just taking in the view of the bay and the San Diego skyline. I would recommend this venue to anyone that is looking for elegance close to all!

Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad

This is in North County San Diego. I like this venue because it offers versatility. You can either have your reception in the back of the hotel where there is a nice large room that is newly built with a nice sized dance floor and plenty of seating, elegant restrooms etc. Or you can have your wedding reception right in the center of the hotel where the pool is and such. There is an outdoor fireplace that is the center point of the dance floor and seating.

This is right across the street from beautiful Carlsbad beaches. I would suggest this venue for anyone that was hoping to have sunset photos near the beach and/or is north county based. The beauty of any hotel wedding venue is that you can book hotel rooms for you and your guests and avoid a lot of transportation stress.

Marina Village San Diego

While Marina Village isn't the most elegant place in San Diego to have your wedding reception, it truly is a wonderful place. Why? Because it is an extremely popular place! This gives the catering staff and all of the vendors associated with Marina Village an upper hand. There are a ton of rooms to choose from, some are huge, some are nice and quaint. It depends on what you are looking for. There is also a lawn on the south and north end of the property where you can have your ceremony as well, so you can keep everything in one spot.

It overlooks the bay and is located near Sea World so it isn't too far from the airport. There are many hotels near by which is a bonus and most of all, it is full of experienced vendors so you are going to have a stress free event. Marina Village is also a great place to have a corporate Christmas party or meeting as there are a lot of rooms there.

The Prado

This place has it all! Amazing food, on-site ceremony location, beautiful reception rooms and is close to all! I'd say the only stressful thing about this place would be the parking, but who lives in San Diego and doesn't know how to deal with Balboa Park parking? The large room there is absolutely stunning in the evening with mood lighting, a nice large stage for your entertainment. It's the perfect place to a have a live band or DJ.

Cocktail hour takes place in the courtyard out front which is also very beautiful. It offers variety as you get ready to hit into the room where dinner and dancing takes place. It is based around a large fountain and several restaurants. This place always has a lot of people about, which to my experience adds to the feel of the day making it seems like a BIG event. The opposite end of this would be at a small vineyard in the middle of nowhere where the only people around you are the people you bring. It can seem rather quiet.

Thanks and I hope this helps you in finding your wedding ceremony and reception location!