Where to Get Married in Carlsbad: Top Venue Picks
The path to ‘I do’ is such a fun journey. From dreaming about the future to planning all the details – the joy of wedding planning is all about the process. Ready to explore some of the most sought-after places to say your vows in Carlsbad? Here’s your 2024 list of top places to book if you’re planning a wedding:
Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa
Dreaming of your wedding set in a sprawling paradise? Look no further than the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort. Spread across 200 acres, this enchanting venue offers over 78,000 square feet of versatile indoor and outdoor event space, making it a top contender for unforgettable weddings in San Diego. Whether you're envisioning a lavish affair in the Grand Ballroom or an intimate garden gathering, Park Hyatt Aviara brings wedding dreams to life with style and sophistication.
The resort boasts an array of breathtaking backdrops to match any theme. Exchange vows in The Gardens, a 17,205-square-foot oasis with green landscapes and swaying palms, offering panoramic views of the Pacific Coast and Carlsbad sunsets. For a romantic vibe, the Avalon venue features estate-like charm with French doors opening onto a terrace. The Laviana venue, perfect for smaller outdoor ceremonies, spans over 2,500 square feet and is surrounded by greenery, complete with a fireplace and a serene water feature. The Grand Ballroom, an indoor venue with nearly 12,000 square feet, includes a pre-function foyer ideal for check-ins, small receptions or cocktail hours. The Aviara Salon, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a private courtyard, adds a chic, modern touch to wedding festivities. Each space can be customized to create a unique, personalized experience for your special day.
Beyond the ceremony and reception, the Park Hyatt Aviara offers ultra-luxurious amenities and activities, including custom private poolside cabanas, an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, restaurants that offer an array of locally-inspired cuisine and the Miraval Life in Balance Spa. The resort features three pools: an adults-only pool, a family pool with a water park and a two-story slide, for fun and relaxation for all ages.
The Park Hyatt Aviara's commitment to excellence extends to every detail of the wedding planning process. From custom cakes and cultural traditions to dietary preferences and venue setups, their experienced planners handle everything with precision and care. With 327 redesigned guest rooms and suites featuring plush amenities, couples and guests can enjoy a comfortable, stylish stay.
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
Located on 400 acres of natural beauty, the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa offers a picturesque setting and top-notch service for an unforgettable wedding day. The resort's venues are truly spectacular, catering to both grand celebrations and intimate gatherings.
For outdoor ceremonies, the Valley Promenade, with its backdrop of lakes, fairways and mountains, accommodates up to 350 guests. The Snow in Summer Lane courtyard, adorned with vibrant gardens and a natural aisle of flowers, is perfect for smaller gatherings. For larger celebrations, the 10,000-square-foot Luna Lawn, with its Spanish mission architecture, provides ample space. The Costa de Sol and Costa de la Luna ballrooms, featuring 18-foot ceilings, modern fixtures, and arched windows, can host up to 1,700 guests.
Indoor options include the Veranda, offering impressive golf course views and a seamless transition from cocktail hour to reception and the Poinsettia Ballroom, accommodating up to 375 guests with its extravagant design and sunlit windows. The Iris and Orchid Terraces blend sophistication with indoor and outdoor charm.
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa takes care of every detail, from menus and seating plans to flowers and guest experiences. Guests can enjoy championship golf courses, a world-class spa and dining venues offering freshly prepared cuisines. The resort caters to ethnic and cultural weddings, custom cakes and state-of-the-art technology. Celebrate your California wedding at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, where every moment is perfected amidst Carlsbad's timeless beauty.
Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach
Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach is a premier destination for couples seeking a stylish wedding. The resort's experienced wedding team assists in planning every detail, from pre-wedding activities to customized rehearsal dinners and farewell brunches, so that your celebration aligns perfectly with your vision.
The Shearwater Lawn, a favorite among couples, features a lush, tropical setting with jaw-dropping ocean views. Exchange vows under a garden trellis with classic white garden chairs arranged on a private lawn, creating the perfect backdrop for radiant wedding photos. The Shearwater Lawn ceremony package includes essentials such as wooden gift tables, fruit-infused water displays and a sound system.
For the reception, the Shearwater Ballroom & Terrace offers a sophisticated and versatile space. The terrace cocktail hour features a selection of three butler-passed hors d'oeuvres, while the reception packages include a delicious salad and entrée menu, complemented by a celebratory champagne toast with Cape Rey Bubbly. Enhancements such as a wooden dance floor, silver Chiavari chairs and ballroom uplighting are available.
Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach makes sure your guests are well-fed with a cocktail hour menu featuring a variety of chilled and hot hors d'oeuvres, such as Persian cucumber with smoked salmon crème fraîche and panko-crusted lump blue crab cakes. For the wedding dinner, options include glazed salmon with grilled asparagus and prime tenderloin filet with garlic roasted fingerling potatoes. The resort also offers buffet dinners with diverse and mouth-watering selections to satisfy every palate.
Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach provides a full wedding experience, including pre-wedding golf and spa escapes, celebratory luaus and farewell brunches. The resort's commitment to excellence guarantees your big day will be perfect, with nothing to worry about.
Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa
The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa offers an exquisite setting for couples to exchange their "I do's." With sweeping ocean views and ample event space, this venue perfectly balances natural beauty and luxury, ideal for modern couples. The resort's outdoor locations, complemented by ocean breezes, warm sun and lush lawns, set the scene for a perfect wedding.
The resort features 75,000 square feet of flexible event space, accommodating both intimate ceremonies and large celebrations. With two versatile coastal view ceremony venues, each wedding is unique. Extend your stay for a full weekend experience, starting with a rehearsal dinner on the terrace of 20|Twenty, offering farm-to-table dining and local brews with panoramic Pacific views. On the big day, the bridal party can enjoy luxurious treatments at the Ocean Pearl Spa while the groomsmen relax at The Crossings at Carlsbad golf course. Attention to detail makes each moment extraordinary.
Dining at The Westin Carlsbad is an experience in itself. The 20|Twenty Restaurant provides a casual atmosphere for a post-wedding brunch or farewell breakfast, serving fresh, California-inspired meals with plenty of wine and attentive service. For a laid-back vibe, visit 7 Mile Kitchen for pizza, gelato, and lawn games around the fire pits. From upscale dining to outdoor barbecues, your guests can enjoy a Lobster Bake or a Savory Southern Barbecue-themed rehearsal dinner.
Carlsbad attractions, including Carlsbad State Beach and Carlsbad Village, are a short drive away, allowing guests to explore the area. The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa features 250 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites with signature Westin amenities and private patios or balconies with panoramic views, promising a truly memorable wedding set against one of California's most impressive backdrops.
The Crossings at Carlsbad
The Crossings at Carlsbad offers a striking array of venues for your wedding. The wraparound veranda provides panoramic views of the golf course and ocean, creating a serene atmosphere for your celebration. The stately clubhouse, with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing sunset ocean views, is ideal for both intimate gatherings and galas, accommodating up to 300 guests.
Planning your wedding at The Crossings is stress-free, thanks to their all-inclusive packages and dedicated wedding experts. From the ceremony to the reception, everything is taken care of, including catering, a personal wedding planner and customizable menus crafted by the Executive Chef. Whether you prefer seasonal delights or wish to design your own menu, the culinary offerings will impress your guests. The venue also offers spacious suites for you to get ready, so that every detail is perfect.
The Crossings at Carlsbad is flexible, allowing you to bring in your preferred vendors or choose from their list of recommended pros, including photographers, videographers, florists and entertainment options. The staff assists with all arrangements, from coordinating live music or a DJ to setting up your chosen décor. Vendors can access the space two hours before the event, assuring a smooth setup.
If you prefer planning from home, The Crossings offers an immersive 3D tour of the venue. Explore the Ceremony Lawn, Canyons Ballroom, Roston Room, Fireside Room, Sunset Patio and more from your couch. Detailed descriptions and measurements help you visualize your dream wedding.
Leo Carrillo Ranch
Leo Carrillo Ranch combines rustic charm and historical elegance, creating an unforgettable wedding venue. Built by actor and conservationist Leo Carrillo in 1937, this 27-acre ranch features gardens, vibrant peacocks and picturesque landscapes.
The venue offers multiple magnificent spaces, including two ceremony sites, a reception area by the historic Hacienda and endless photo ops with agave plants, bougainvillea and Birds of Paradise. Accommodating up to 300 guests, the ranch caters to both intimate gatherings and large celebrations. Wedding party dressing areas, beautifully decorated buffet stations, and folding chairs for the ceremony and reception certifies that every detail is covered.
Planning your wedding here is a breeze, thanks to the team at Personal Touch Dining. They coordinate with pre-approved vendors and manage day-of logistics. Their all-inclusive wedding package covers everything: complimentary guest parking, a one-hour rehearsal, a dedicated day-of venue coordinator, use of the grounds for engagement and wedding photos, a five-hour ceremony and reception and an extra hour for vendor cleanup. The staff, including culinary experts and wait staff, provides top-notch service throughout your event.
The all-inclusive dining package includes an appetizer table, a two-entrée buffet and a beverage station with coffee, lemonade, and cucumber-infused water at each table. Upgrade options include seated dinners, small plate stations, BBQ or brunch menus. You can also bring your own beer and wine, expertly served by the ranch staff. Complimentary cake cutting and champagne corkage for toasts are included. Special dietary options ensure all guests are happy and healthy.
Leo Carrillo Ranch is convenient with its pre-approved vendor list, including photographers, florists and entertainment options. The ranch staff, including an event manager, culinary team and wait staff, work tirelessly to make sure that your day is perfect.
The Old Rancho
Built in the 1840s, The Old Rancho in Carlsbad offers enchanting spaces and comprehensive wedding packages for a seamless celebration. You receive an hour-long rehearsal and eight hours on the big day, including two hours for pre-ceremony prep, five hours for the ceremony and reception and one hour for cleanup. Complimentary on-site guest parking and gorgeous scenery provide endless photo opportunities.
The Old Rancho accommodates various event sizes, with the Hacienda Courtyard and Patio seating up to 240 guests and hosting 300 for a reception. The Stable and Corral are perfect for smaller gatherings, seating 135 guests and hosting 200 for a reception. The venue offers a range of rental options, including tables, chairs, linens and other essentials to create the perfect atmosphere.
The catering package at the Old Rancho includes a Chef's Market appetizer table and a choice of buffet or taco bar, with one salad, two entrées and two sides, plus a coffee station. Upgrade options include family-style, seated or station menus, with customizable options for special diets.
Event coordination at the Old Rancho is top-notch. A dedicated day-of venue coordinator confirms everything runs smoothly, from the rehearsal to the reception. They handle all setup, service and cleanup, including decorated buffet stations, fruitwood padded folding chairs and various tables for dining, gifts and place cards. Extras like floor-length linens, color-coordinated napkins, gold charger plates and complimentary cake cutting service are also available.
Lawn games like Jenga, Connect Four and Corn Hole add fun to the cocktail hour and reception. The venue's approved vendor list includes top-notch photographers, entertainers and florists. Located minutes from the freeway, Carlsbad Village and the beach, the Old Rancho combines rural charm with city convenience, making it the perfect wedding destination.
Planning your wedding at the Old Rancho includes a complimentary group tasting, allowing you to sample menu options before finalizing your choices. This planning meeting occurs at least 60 days before your event to ensure every detail is perfect. On your wedding day, you'll have two air-conditioned dressing areas, and the property is pet-friendly, so you can include your furry friends in the ceremony and photos.
The Flower Fields
The Carlsbad Flower Fields offer year-round greenery, vibrant flower gardens and whimsical outdoor settings, making them a one-stop-shop for Southern California weddings.
Choose from three stunning venues at the Flower Fields. The Paul Ecke, Jr. Barn can host up to 1,000 guests outdoors and 200 indoors, ideal for large celebrations. It features market bistro lighting, a catering area and allows bar and music until 11pm for a lively night. The Pavilion is perfect for smaller gatherings, with a garden cocktail area, market lighting and food truck access for up to 100 guests. For intimate ceremonies and receptions, the Mediterranean Garden accommodates up to 50 guests and features a bar and fire pit.
The Flower Fields have a dedicated event design and coordination team. The rental fee includes an experienced event coordinator who assists from booking to the end of your event. They offer vendor recommendations, design and planning, timeline creation, final detail meetings and 12 hours of on-site event management on your big day. Your coordinator handles all vendor communications and setup, for a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Catering at the Flower Fields includes a Chef's Market appetizer table, buffet or taco bar and options to upgrade to family-style, seated, or station menus. Custom menus can be created for special dietary needs, and you can bring your own alcohol, with bartending services provided by preferred vendors. The rental fee includes tables, chairs, belly bars and benches for up to 200 guests.
Choosing the right venue is the first step to creating the wedding of your dreams. In Carlsbad, the options are as diverse and stunning as your love story. From green gardens to sunny beaches, any of these beautiful settings are a fantastic way to start forever.
Here's to finding the perfect place to say "I do" in Carlsbad!
Related Content:
Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa7100 Aviara Resort Drive
Carlsbad, California 92011
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa2100 Costa Del Mar Road
Carlsbad, California 92009
Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach, A Hilton Resort & Spa1 Ponto Road
Carlsbad, California 92011
Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa5480 Grand Pacific Drive
Carlsbad, California 92008
The Crossings Golf Course5800 The Crossings Drive
Carlsbad, California 92008
Leo Carrillo Ranch & Historic Park6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Lane
Carlsbad, California 92009