Beach weddings--Laguna Beach, CA?

Question

Does anyone know about having a wedding on the beach, not necessarily coordinated through a resort, hotel or restaurant there? My stepson is recently engaged, and by the time of the wedding they are hoping to already be living in California. Since they probably won't know many people out there by that time and just family will be willing to make the trip, it will most likely be like a very small destination wedding. They want something simple, on a beach.

I checked out beaches in LA county, and they have info about having a wedding on the beach (basically no charge, but a permit is required if you are going to be doing any kind of set up (chairs, arch, pillars, etc.). Orange County doesn't have any detailed info, and just says to call the park district for info.

I personally like Laguna Beach, and it seems a little more removed from the craziness of LA (though I've never been there, so I could be wrong). I found a nice resort with a restaurant on the beach, but they charge up to $5,500 just to rent the ceremony and reception location. Food, beverages, tax and gratuity for (minimum) 50 people would be another $8,000. That's over $13,000 for just the ceremony and reception. Plus I doubt it will even be 30 people, much less 50, so we may not even meet their minimum.

Has anyone had or looked into having a small, informal ceremony on the beach in OC and then dinner at a nice restaurant afterward? If so, what are the rules and regulations in Orange County? And can you recommend any mid to upscale beachfront restaurants in Laguna Beach. The wedding party might want to go clubbing afterward, so if you know if any decent night clubs they could hit after dinner, that would be great, too.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

I would look for an officiant first, then ask them what beaches they've done weddings at and what they recommend.  Most officiants are really experienced with this sort of thing, and what the requirements are at particular beaches in the area where they work.  We found our officiant through the National Association of Wedding Officiants at www.nawoonline.com.

Answer 2

I live in Huntington Beach (Orange County) and I used to live in Laguna.  It's SO expensive.  I also lived in LA for 15 yrs.

My husband originally wanted to get married in Laguna.  I did a ton of research for 50 guests & it was all too much.  They can get married on the sand but they DO NOT allow seating or setups.  They can also do it on the cliff which I believe is called Rock Bench but still no seating.  I went to a wedding at the gazebo overlooking the water & STILL no seating.  Here's a contact for an officiant that does Laguna weddings.  Call her.  I personally didn't like her & I didn't like her vows or views but to each his own.  At least look at the ceremony locations:

http://www.marcyann.com/weddings.htm

The only beach in Orange County that allowed seating was my beach which is Bolsa Chica State Beach but it's a surfer's beach.  Not so great for weddings.  What you have to understand is that Laguna Beach is a tourist town.  All of the hotels are expensive.  The lowest I found for a reception was $120/pp which did not include alcohol.

You can look into Dana Point & do it at a restaurant overlooking the Harbor.  Still a little expensive but not nearly as bad.  I really wanted Cannon's Restaurant.  My date was booked & they could only put us upstairs.  I wanted the patio.  But here's the website:

http://www.cannonsrestaurant.com/sp-even...

I ended up planning mine in Mission Viejo which is South OC.  The restaurant is called Tortilla Flats.  I did this because the restaurant overlooks the Lake.  I still got my water without the huge prices.  It's WAY nicer in person.  The ceremony & reception are both outdoors.  It is upscale Mexican cuisine.  You can view the price list online.  The only thing is that you have to use THEIR vendors or you get charged more for certain things.  With food, champagne toast, DJ for 4 1/2 hrs, cake, florist, all my personal stuff like bubbles, hot sauce favors, etc etc etc I was looking at about $8,000 for 50 guests but it can be done much cheaper.  I was being Bridezilla & that price included my dress, the bridesmaids, everything.  Have a look anyway:

http://tortillaflatsrestaurant.com/banqu...

You just need to decide what is a priority.  If seating is major then don't go with a beach wedding.  Also you need to think of parking.  Valet is anywhere between $10-$20 per person even you're planning a cheaper wedding on the sand.  They all need to park.

As for Los Angeles, it's about the same pricing.  Long Beach Harbor isn't as nice as Dana Point & it was still pricey.  Manhattan Beach, Redondo, Marina Del Rey, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Zuma . . . ALL crazy expensive.  I would stay away from that.

Bottom line is that it won't be cheap.  The best way to do it is to get married in Laguna overlooking the water on the cliff with no seating, pay for parking for everyone, and move the reception to a less expensive area.

With all that said . . . I got so sick of the costs here that I canceled the whole thing.  We went to Maui instead & got married on the beach by ourselves LOL!  And then continued the honeymoon.  It was fabulous.

Feel absolutely free to email me with any questions about the area or specific restaurants.  I hope I didn't completely confuse you with all the info.

Answer 3

All I know is that beach weddings can be unpredictable according to weather. And if there is wind that day, prepare to get sand in your face during the ceremony.  

Answer 4

My SIL got married in a little gazebo overlooking the bluff in Laguna.  The link below shows a photo.  You might want to call Laguna Beach city hall and ask about Heisler Park, that is where it is located, and ask how to rent the gazebo. The second link is for restaurants in Newport Beach not too far up the coast.   You can put in stuff like waterside and how expensive you want it to be.  

Answer 5

I'm a wedding planner in the Inland Empire but was doing research for a bride who wanted to get married on the beach. Here's what I found:

Laguna Beach......

http://www.lagunabeach.com/weddings/#hot...



this one is probably expensive but...... who knows if you beg!

http://www.lagunacliffs.com/weddings/wed...



..... barefoot in the sand:

scroll down to the "simply on the sand" and  "on the cliff" and "in the gazebo" packages..... (these don't have to use their minister)

http://www.marcyann.com/Orange_county_we...



possible restaurants for reception:

Bj's brewery... http://theguide.latimes.com/restaurants/...    



http://www.thecottagerestaurant.com/menu...







San Clemente:

http://www.gatheringguide.com/event_dire...



oooh  I like this one!

http://www.olehansonbeachclub.com/Facili...

check out the ocean view terrace...... look at floor plan.  It's a bring your own catering place. They provide tables and chairs too.

their rates... http://www.olehansonbeachclub.com/PDF/Ra...



If you look at just their "parks" they only rent for $25/hour 2 hour minimum but you have to do it all and still find somewhere to go for reception or rent the park with the picnic tables and have it catered or rent the kitchen too.

best wishes.......................