Lady’s Guide to a Del Mar Wedding in California

Today I want to share my guide to a Del Mar wedding in California with you. This coastal city near San Diego is a great place to get married.

Del Mar Wedding

When I was in college, I spent six months living and studying in San Diego. Actually, I lived in a beach town called Del Mar and studied in a clifftop town called La Jolla.

But that’s the way California works. We have one big city surrounded by lots of little ones, and we call the whole place by a single name. But we shouldn’t.

That’s because not every part of San Diego is the same. The city proper has the Gaslamp Quarter and all the skyscrapers one would expect from such a place.

But the towns along the Pacific Ocean are smaller, more laid back, and have their own unique personalities.

Del Mar

Del Mar, for example, is an upscale beach town, complete with a main street full of boutiques and restaurants. Unlike some other parts of San Diego, it has only a handful of surf shops.

During my sophomore year of college, I ended up living in a four-bedroom house on the beach for pennies in a lucky house-sitting situation. I spent my days walking on Del Mar beach and working at a restaurant.

Where to Stay for a Del Mar Wedding

The restaurant was called Arterra, and it was located in the San Diego Marriott Del Mar. For some reason, in the years since I worked there I’ve never been back to say hello.

Until the other weekend, that is. I was in San Diego for a Del Mar wedding and the hotel offered me two complimentary nights to indulge my desire for a trip down memory lane.

The San Diego Marriott Del Mar itself had undergone a major renovation since I worked there, but most of the elements were largely intact.

The guest rooms were as gorgeous as I remembered, and they offered great amounts of space and elegant decor.

Downstairs I met with the general manager, who took me on a tour of the hotel. Arterra looked similar, although they’d opened up the floor space and given the bar a bit more room.

The restaurant’s concept had also changed from a Bradley Ogden fine-dining establishment to a more casual, laid-back one that catered to a wider audience.

Outside there was a swimming pool and stunning sun deck, complete with cabanas. Just inside from there was the gym, which was packed even on a Saturday morning. Ah, Southern California.

The hotel tour and trip down memory lane complete, I focused my attention on two important aspects of my trip to Del Mar: friends and family.

Del Mar Wedding Rehearsal Dinner

The former revolved around the Del Mar wedding I was in San Diego to attend. It started with a great rehearsal dinner at a restaurant called En Fuego Cantina & Grill.

The wedding party had its own outdoor space, and we spent the evening under a warm sky. Margaritas abounded, as did delicious Mexican food from the buffet tables.

At the end there was a great slide show of the bride and groom with plenty of embarrassing childhood photos.

Del Mar Wedding and Reception

The Del Mar wedding took place the next evening on the city’s dog beach. It was a beautiful ceremony.

Afterwards we all went to the reception across the street at the Brigantine restaurant, which had a garden where we danced the night away.

Del Mar Wedding Brunch

The following morning we were up for a Del Mar wedding brunch at the Hilton San Diego Del Mar. It was located right next to the famous Del Mar race track.

The hotel had set up a great poolside spread for us, and we sat in the sunshine enjoying smoked salmon, bagels, and all kinds of fresh fruit.

I even managed to snag one of the leftover bacon-flavored cupcakes from the wedding the night before. Sacrilicious.

Restaurants in Del Mar

When I wasn’t participating in Del Mar wedding festivities, I spent most of my time pursuing my number one hobby: gluttony. On my first morning in town I went to the best brunch place in Del Mar, Americana.

I sat outside at one of the wooden booths and had a giant plate of huevos rancheros and a latte so pretty the waitress called me “fancypants” for ordering it.

Point Loma

The next day I had brunch at my brother’s house in Point Loma. My mother and a few of my cousins all managed to travel to San Diego for the weekend, so we had a bit of a family reunion in his backyard.

The following day I was at his place again thanks to an unintended flight delay that prevented me from traveling back to London.

Luckily I was able to get re-booked on a direct flight later that night, giving me not only more time with my family, but also a free upgrade to business class. Win.

Taking advantage of our extra time, we took a walk through Point Loma to the beach.

It was as different from Del Mar as San Diego towns get, what with the funky bathtub gardens, cool bars and restaurants, and classic surf culture that pervaded the neighborhood. I wished I had longer to explore it fully.

Del Mar Wedding

Spending time in Point Loma was a great way to end my Del Mar wedding weekend. I have so much nostalgia for San Diego and an ever-growing list of reasons to go back. I don’t think it will be long before another visit is in store.

Besides, there are so many other cities and neighborhoods beyond Del Mar and Point Loma that I could travel back to Southern California every year and never get bored. In fact, I do.

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