Even though summer is popular in most areas for weddings, sometimes summer isn’t practical for the bride and groom’s schedule.  If you are planning a wedding in February because it works out the best for you and you live in the Midwest, you are confined to an indoor venue and you pray for a non-snowy day.
San Diego’s temperate climate offers year round possibilities of weddings held outdoors or reception venues that can incorporate some of type of outdoor space, allowing the beauty of nature to be part of the décor. So matter what season the wedding is held, here are some tips for a magical wedding day.

Spring Weddings in San Diego
A perfect time for a Garden Wedding. San Diego has many garden venues with abundant florals. There are a few Botanical Gardens in the area and the Japanese Garden in Balboa Park. Some gardens also can provide a cutting edge background because they have exciting topiaries or maybe a garden of cactus and succulents which when in bloom are amazing! It can get cool after sunset, so you may want to make sure there are propane heaters available, but daytime hours are usually warm and sunny. 

Summer Weddings in San Diego
It is the time for the wedding near or on the beach. Beach weddings can take a casual, tropical feel or have all the formal elements in place at a stately home overlooking the ocean.  Summer days in San Diego are long and having the ceremony at sunset is easy to accomplish. You may have to have parasols or shading when the sun is high in the sky to keep the guests cool, but there is always the treat of the ocean waves coming onto the beach. Remember to get help when planning a beach wedding. There are restrictions and permitting that will apply.

Fall Weddings in San Diego
A perfect season to consider a Winery Wedding (as pictured at Orfila Vineyards & Winery).  Fall is the harvesting time and the wineries are in full swing.  The ambiance and a chance to drink some of California’s greatest wines are just a couple of benefits. October is probably the most ideal weather in the San Diego area. Pleasantly warm days and cool evenings are almost perfect. The beauty of the wineries does not need too much in the way of extra décor and some of them offer a gazebo as the ceremony site. Some of the wineries also have historic buildings where a ceremony can take place.

Winter Weddings in San Diego
The winter months in San Diego can sometimes have temperatures of 75 degrees, but generally it stays cooler. But even when the temperature is in the mid sixties, the sun is shining and the winter months are perfect for daytime weddings.  It is a good time to consider the beach because it is not a busy time and off-season for the tourism industry.  You can get some great values on beachside venues during this time. But there are also many places inland in San Diego County where the days are still very warm. Ranches make great settings for weddings with that western feel. Or consider a golf course where you can get married on the 18th fairway!  In the winter months there is a chance of rain, especially in January.  Here is where the back-up plan has to be in place.  A tent or adjacent indoor venue as “Plan B” is the trick.

Big Blend Radio - Joan Burns was a special co-host and featured guest on Creative Celebrations radio on October 18, 2010. To listen to Joan's interview about San Diego wedding venues, please click here. To listen to the entire show, please click here.