San Diego Micro Wedding Guide + Venues

San Diego Micro Wedding Guide + Venues

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With its perfect weather, abundant sunshine, and a coastline that blends rugged cliffs with palm-lined beaches, the relaxed beach towns of San Diego are an ideal setting for your micro wedding! This comprehensive guide offers a wealth of tips, including the most dreamy small wedding venues in San Diego, the best times of year for your micro wedding, and much more!

What you’ll find in this San Diego Micro Wedding Guide: 

• Why Have Your Micro Wedding in San Diego
• Best Time For Your San Diego Micro Wedding
  • Winter
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall
• San Diego Small Micro Wedding Venues
  • San Diego Beaches
  • San Diego Ocean Cliffs & Overlooks
  • San Diego Parks
  • San Diego Small Wedding Venues
  • Portrait Locations & Secret Wild & Free Spots
• San Diego Micro Wedding Venue FAQ
• Why you should have your micro wedding on a weekday
• The Legal Stuff: Wedding Permits, Officiants, and Marriage Licenses 
• Where to stay for your San Diego micro wedding
• Things to do for your San Diego micro wedding
• San Diego Micro Wedding Inspiration  
• Why Have a Wild & Free Micro Wedding?
• Are you ready to have a Wild & Free micro wedding? 

Why Have Your Micro Wedding in San Diego

Wondering if a San Diego micro wedding is the perfect choice for you? Check out these reasons to help you decide!

Wonderful Weather

San Diego boasts idyllic weather throughout the year — your guests will jump at the chance to visit San Diego for your micro wedding no matter the season! Summers are pleasantly warm, with temperatures in the 70s and 80s, while winters rarely drop below 60 degrees. If you’re seeking the ideal winter micro wedding destination, San Diego is the place to be!

Vibrant Flora, Year Round

Throughout the year, San Diego’s beaches, parks, and neighborhoods are adorned with lush greenery and stunning flowers. The vibrant blooms enhance the scenery, while the tropical plants create an exotic atmosphere for you and your guests to enjoy throughout your travels.

Delicious Food

San Diego boasts a rich variety of dining options for you and your group, featuring global cuisines as well as local specialties. Whether you’re in the mood for Asian dishes, fresh seafood, or crave authentic Mexican fare, you’ll find it all here. Plus, with its close proximity to Mexico, you and your guests can even take a quick trip across the border to explore Baja and enjoy some of the region’s best Mexican cuisine.

Beautiful Beaches

Southern California’s beaches are undoubtedly among its main attractions, and San Diego’s are no exception! Here, you’ll discover surfing spots ideal for relaxing with your guests, as well as rocky shores and cliffs perfect for exploration. With their year-round beauty, these beaches are some of the best locations for a San Diego micro wedding. You might even catch a glimpse of charming seals lounging on rocks or frolicking in the water!

Retro Vibes

With that quintessential Southern California feel, San Diego is the dream micro wedding destination for beach babes and free spirits. Whether you’re looking for retro vibes or boho aesthetics, you can find it here! 

Best Time for Your San Diego Micro Wedding

There’s truly no bad time for a micro wedding in San Diego! The weather remains mild throughout the year, with subtle seasonal variations. Here’s a glimpse into each season, based on personal experience:

Winter For Your San Diego Micro Wedding

San Diego never gets frosty – January through March, offering sunny skies while other places are blanketed in snow. If you’re dreaming of a winter micro wedding that doubles as a getaway for you and your guests, San Diego is a fantastic choice!

Temperatures typically hover in the 60s, with the occasional lucky break bringing 75-degree days. However, be mindful of the coastal winds, especially in the mornings and evenings—light layers are recommended to stay comfortable. Don’t miss out on San Diego’s stunning winter sunsets, which are among the most beautiful of the year!

Spring For Your San Diego Micro Wedding

From March through June, San Diego’s parks and beachside cliffs burst with color, thanks to vibrant green succulents and a stunning array of blooming wildflowers. Spring is an ideal time for a micro wedding before the summer crowds arrive, with generally mild weather. While there may be some wind, it can actually add a dramatic touch to your photos!

However, be aware of a local phenomenon known as “May Gray” and “June Gloom.” During late spring and early summer, a marine layer often brings cloudy, overcast days. This fog, which transforms from “May Gray” into “June Gloom” and lingers until mid-June, can create a beautifully moody atmosphere. And if you’re lucky, the fog might even clear just in time for a breathtaking sunset!

Check out this Spring San Diego Micro Wedding:

• Sophie + Eric

Summer For Your San Diego Micro Wedding

Summer is the peak tourist season in San Diego, attracting large crowds and driving up prices for hotels and rentals. While the weather is fantastic, the busy beaches and popular spots can limit your ceremony location options. If you prefer a more serene experience, it’s best to avoid scheduling your micro wedding in July and August unless you’re comfortable with the summer hustle and bustle.

Fall For Your San Diego Micro Wedding

After Labor Day, the summer tourists thin out, but the weather remains warm and sunny. Fall arrives late in San Diego, with temperatures often in the 70s and 80s until mid-November. Since most of our trees are tropical and evergreen, you won’t see the classic fall colors typical of other regions. Keep in mind that September and October are peak months for weddings, so scheduling your micro wedding on a weekday can help you secure your preferred vendors even during this busy period.

Fall is still our favorite time for a San Diego micro wedding because of the warm temperatures without the crowds!

Check out this Fall San Diego Micro Wedding:

• Alana + Dustin

San Diego Micro Wedding Venues:
The Wild & Free Way

The Wild & Free approach to curating San Diego micro wedding venues: 

If the Wild & Free way resonates with you, let us guide you to your dream small wedding venue! 

San Diego Micro Wedding Venues

San Diego Beaches
as Your Micro Wedding Venue

San Diego boasts 70 miles of stunning coastline with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, making it the perfect destination for a toes-in-the-sand micro wedding! The natural beauty and laid-back vibe of a beach micro wedding will create a romantic and truly memorable experience for you and your guests. Plus, watching the sun set over the water adds an extra touch of magic to your special day.

Beach Micro Wedding Venues in San Diego:

• # of ceremony only sites: ~5
• max # of guests allowed: 50
• # ceremony + reception sites: 8
• max # of guests allowed: 150

Ocean Cliffs & Overlooks
as Your Micro Wedding Venue

San Diego’s ocean cliffs and overlooks offer an extraordinary backdrop for micro weddings, combining dramatic views with a sense of awe-inspiring beauty. These venues provide a refreshing ocean breeze and expansive vistas that truly make you feel small in the grand scheme of nature. With all of the San Diego cliff micro wedding venues having a westward facing orientation, you and your guests can enjoy a breathtaking sunset over the ocean, adding an unforgettable touch of romance to your special day.

Ocean Cliff Micro Wedding Venues in San Diego:

• # of ceremony only sites: ~15
• max # of guests allowed: 40-80
• # ceremony + reception sites: ~5
• max # of guests allowed: 80-150

San Diego Parks
as Your Micro Wedding Venue

San Diego’s parks offer a charming and accessible setting for micro weddings, with paved paths ensuring ease of access to the venue’s ceremony sites for all guests. These venues are lush with year-round greenery and feature a vibrant array of plant life, providing a colorful contrast to the more neutral tones of the cliffs and beaches. The diverse and tropical botanical landscape adds a touch of natural beauty and variety, making your micro wedding a stunning and memorable occasion.

Park Micro Wedding Venues in San Diego:

• # of ceremony only sites: ~10
• max # of guests allowed: 20-200
• # ceremony + reception sites: ~5
• max # of guests allowed: 50-150

Small Wedding Venues

San Diego’s small wedding venues are incredibly convenient and accessible for all your guests, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience. These venues often provide personalized service with dedicated venue coordinators and staff to assist you in bringing your wedding day vision to life. Additionally, some venues offer special micro wedding packages for weekday dates, making it easier to plan an intimate celebration while benefiting from exclusive perks and pricing.

Portrait Locations + Secret Wild & Free Spots

While micro wedding ceremonies will take place at designated venue sites, after that, we can go anywhere for your portraits as newlyweds! San Diego offers tons of gorgeous spots for your wedding day photos. As a local, I’m always exploring and adding more locations to the secret Wild & Free spots list for our couples to enjoy!

San Diego Micro Wedding Venue FAQ

Aren’t these venues kinda public?

The beaches, cliff overlooks, and parks in San Diego are public spaces, so you’ll likely encounter other visitors enjoying the scenery. While curious onlookers might catch a glimpse from a distance, you’ll be so immersed in the moment that it might barely register. For a touch more privacy, some park venues offer sites that are slightly removed from the general recreation areas, giving you a more intimate experience.

“There were definitely plenty of people around, some stopped to watch, but we had a couple family members and our photog “claim” (sort of) an outcropping that felt fairly removed and private – and I guess I was just able to forget there were strangers around!” -San Diego Bride

For those concerned about privacy, we recommend booking a privately owned micro wedding venue.

What are the benefits of using a park as our micro wedding venue?

The top 3 benefits are:

• extreme affordability
• gorgeous scenery
• micro wedding friendly

Not all traditional wedding venue are micro wedding friendly. They frequently have high minimums and save prime wedding dates for larger crowds. San Diego’s beach and park micro wedding venues are a great solution for those looking to keep their wedding small!

How much is a park or beach wedding permit in San Diego?

Most wedding permits for San Diego beaches, parks, and cliff overlooks are around $200 for a ceremony site. Most allow setup of chair, arches, and decorations for your ceremony if you wish. Park and beach wedding permits that include reception sites tend to cost more.

Why you should have your micro wedding on a weekday

Pick of Wedding Vendors

Most wedding vendors in California are small business owners with families to support. Because of this, they reserve prime wedding dates, especially Saturdays, for large weddings where they can provide more services. Opting for a Monday-Thursday micro wedding date will ensure you have access to more vendors who would otherwise not be able to serve your small group.

Get the Venue You Want

Privately owned wedding venues often have high minimums for Saturdays and popular dates like Labor Day or Memorial Day weekends, making it challenging for smaller wedding parties to secure bookings. In contrast, micro wedding venues at San Diego’s parks and beaches face intense competition for these key dates, which has led to a lottery system for obtaining permits. Some parks and beaches even block out certain holiday or summer dates to prioritize tourists and prevent overcrowding.

To skip wedding date frustration, be flexible and find your venue before selecting a date.

Cut down on crowds

If privacy is a concern, consider scheduling your micro wedding on an off-season weekday to avoid crowds. Opting for a season like Fall, Spring, or Winter can help you steer clear of San Diego’s peak tourist times. While weekends are busy with locals filling the beaches and parks, choosing a date from Monday to Thursday can offer a more serene experience for your micro wedding.

Make it a Vacation for Everyone

The growing trend of couples opting for small, intimate micro weddings rather than large, chaotic events is driven by desires for togetherness, quality time, and an intimate experience. Here’s an unconventional idea: turn your wedding into a vacation for everyone. Enhance your bonding experience and create lasting memories by spending a week together in San Diego. Enjoy the beaches, savor delicious food, and explore local wineries, all while doubling your wedding memories and maximizing quality time with your loved ones.

The Legal Stuff

Along with all the fun and unforgettable experiences you’ll enjoy, there are also some logistical details to handle—specifically, the legal aspects. Here’s what you need to know to ensure your micro wedding in San Diego is legally official.

San Diego Wedding Permits

San Diego’s parks and beaches provide beautiful options for micro wedding ceremonies, but you’ll need a wedding permit. The specifics of the permit process, including costs and regulations, vary depending on the particular rules of the specific park. Be sure to research the requirements for your chosen location.

Don’t worry, though—if you’re working with Wild & Free, our Location Lookbooks include permit information for each San Diego micro wedding venue, saving you time on extensive research rabbit holes!

San Diego Marriage License

To obtain a marriage license, visit any county clerk’s office in California. If you live in the state, you can choose an office near you. For those incorporating a stop into their travel plans, there are offices in Downtown San Diego and Vista where you can book an appointment online and complete the application process. Both partners must be present at the appointment, and remember to bring your photo IDs. Once you have your marriage license, your ceremony must take place within 90 days. For more details, check out the video!

San Diego Wedding Officiant

To officially wed, you need an ordained officiant to sign your marriage license. There are three ways you can accomplish this:

✦ Hire a Professional Officiant: For those who envision a traditional wedding officiant to perform your ceremony — we have a San Diego Vendor Lookbook with a list of professional officiants you can hire.

✦ Have Friend or Family Member Officiate: Looking for a personalized ceremony crafted by someone who knows you best? Choose a family member for a ceremony full of funny anecdotes and heartfelt congratulations. If your friend or family member isn’t ordained, don’t worry, we can sign the marriage license for you!

✦ Have a Signature Wild & Free Ceremony: For extra small groups, consider this unconventional twist on a micro wedding ceremony — lead your own ceremony! The Signature Wild & Free Ceremony offers couples the ability to design their own ceremony and perform it themselves, ensuring a close knit feel and privacy. We’ll step in for the legal bit and sign your marriage license!

What is a Signature Wild & Free Ceremony?

We’re so glad you asked! The Signature Wild & Free Ceremony is one in which the couple designs and conducts their own ceremony with minimal interference from their dual photographer-officiant. Here’s what that looks like for your San Diego micro wedding:

Sounds pretty rad, right?! Nearly half of our micro wedding couples choose this style of ceremony and love it!

Where to Stay for Your San Diego Micro Wedding

San Diego offers a range of accommodations, from group campsites to luxury resorts. Choose a place that feels like a home away from home, so you and your guests will enjoy returning after a day of exploration.

Share a Big House

Since micro weddings focus on togetherness and quality time with your nearest and dearest, why not enhance the experience by sharing a spacious house? Gathering your favorite people in one space for a long weekend or an entire week can be so much fun! Renting a large house for friends and family provides a private backyard or pool, more opportunities to create memories, and ample time to bond with each guest.

Pick a place that fits your vibe

San Diego has it all, from luxurious hotels and stylish Airbnbs to charming beach bungalows and Airstream glamping. Remember, this location will be a key part of your story and your photo gallery, so it’s important to select one that reflects your personality, style, and vibe. Choose a place that you’ll love looking back on as you relive your special day in the years to come.

Opt for windows

Ahhh, there’s nothing like that ocean breeze! Not only can opting for a place with great windows help you enjoy the lovely coastal air, natural window light can make for some dreamy getting ready photos!

While you’re getting ready, lots of candid and detail photos are being taken to help tell the story of your day. Plus, this is the perfect time to take advantage of fresh hair, makeup, and outfits for stunning window light portraits.

Choose your San Diego micro wedding venue first

It’s crucial to prioritize the key locations for your day: your getting-ready space, micro wedding ceremony venue, portrait spots, and small wedding reception venue. If your ceremony site or portrait locations are your top priorities, consider booking your accommodations after securing your venue. This way, you can ensure your lodging is conveniently located near your San Diego micro wedding venue.

What to Do for Your San Diego Micro Wedding

Get Ready with Family

Getting ready with family and friends before your micro wedding in San Diego is a once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with anticipation and joy that should be savored. As you prepare for your big day, these cherished moments become part of the story. Imagine the excitement as loved ones help you into your dress, the shared laughter while sharing stories, and the heartfelt conversations that set the tone for the day ahead. These intimate interactions create a backdrop of warmth and support, making the preparation not just a step toward your ceremony but a beautiful prelude to the celebration.

Take Family & Group Photos

Your guests may have traveled from near and far to celebrate your special day, so why not capture the moment with a group photo? At Wild & Free, we’re passionate about creating that perfect “ready-to-hang-on-the-wall” portrait, as well as capturing some fun and cuddly shots that truly reflect your personalities. These photos will not only commemorate the occasion but also showcase the unique spirit of your gathering.

Embrace Alternative Reception Ideas

Turns out, receptions don’t have to be stuffy, ballroom affairs. Embrace an alternative style reception to complete your Wild & Free micro wedding vision! Enjoy a sandy beach and boho picnic as the setting for your first dance, parent dances, toasts, and even a casual pizza dinner! This unique approach adds a relaxed and personal touch to your celebration, making it totally unforgettable.

Plan for some “just us” time

If you’ve ever considered eloping just the two of you, even just for a moment, it’s worth finding a way to honor that desire in your celebration. While eloping and having a micro wedding offer distinct experiences, there’s something uniquely special about having an entire day just for the two of you. Integrating elements of that intimate experience into your micro wedding can be a beautiful way to blend both dreams into one unforgettable celebration.

One of the best ways to honor this is by carving out some “just us” time during your wedding. You can achieve this by dedicating a portion of the day solely to the two of you or by planning a two-day celebration. This “just us” time might include:

• exchanging private vows
• having a private first dance
• a quiet meal or picnic together, away from the festivities
• a leisurely stroll or adventure that reflects your shared interests
• trying something new from the bucket list: surfing, skinny dipping, snorkeling, etc.

This personal time allows you to fully savor the day and create cherished memories together.

Plan Group Activities

Planning things to do together surrounding your big day will bring more fun and bonding with your guests! Here are a few ideas:

• Welcome dinner
• Have a movie night on the sand
• Visit an IN-N-OUT together
• Have a costume party
• Go surfing
• Do a group hike
• Hang a piñata
• Do a winery tour
• Plan a raffel
• Go snorkeling
• Bring a karaoke machine
• Do a beach day
• Farewell brunch
• and so much more!

San Diego Micro Wedding Planning Tips

Carefully Craft Your Guest List

Crafting your micro wedding guest list is a delicate balance. Inviting close family brings all the warm and fuzzy feelings you desire, while including a few friends-who-feel-like-family adds an element of fun and joy. To maintain the cozy, personal atmosphere you envision, be mindful of avoiding a snowball effect that could unintentionally expand your guest list beyond your original plan. Carefully curating your list ensures that your micro wedding remains as special and manageable as you intended.

Plan Your Micro Wedding for the Beginning

If you’re traveling to San Diego, schedule your micro wedding toward the beginning of your trip, but not too soon. Having your wedding about two days after your arrival gives you time to acclimate to your new surroundings, prepare thoroughly, and leave a buffer for any travel mishaps. This timing also helps minimize risks like sunburns or unusual tan lines affecting your photos. Once your wedding day is over, you’ll be free to relax and enjoy the remainder of your trip without any added stress.

Avoid Midday Sun

Harsh sunlight can be a challenge for photos, and squinting into the bright light isn’t ideal either! At the beach, where shade is often limited, it’s best to schedule your ceremony for later in the evening. Start your day in a woodsy area for some natural shade and then head to the beach to catch the sunset.

At Wild & Free, we create a custom timeline for each couple to ensure you get the most out of your day, with optimal lighting for every part of your micro wedding.

San Diego Micro Wedding Inspiration

• Travel – Do you need flights or transportation?
• Accommodations – You’ll need somewhere to come back to after your adventure so whether it’s a campground, trendy Airbnb, or an upscale resort, find something that fits your vibe!
• Meals – Don’t forget about food! You can pack a picnic, stop at a local eatery, or even hire a private chef.
• Marriage License – Fees vary by county, but average around $90 across the state.
• Wedding Permit – If you need a permit, depending on the park and area will average between $200-600.
• Wedding Attire – Dresses, suits, or whatever you’ll be wearing when you tie the knot!
• Hair and Makeup – You can totally do your own, but hiring a professional is so worth it and helps ensure things stay put throughout your adventure – this usually ranges from $300 to $1000.
• Florals – Add a bouquet, flower crown, boutonniere, or floral decorations to your day! A professional florist ranges from $300 to $1500.
• Photographer – Relive your memories over and over by investing in a photographer you love! Elopement photographer packages average from $4000 – $20,000

Why Have a Wild & Free Micro Wedding?

Cozy Vibes & Heartfelt Moments

Alternative & Creative

An Unforgettable Experience For Everyone

Ready to have a Wild & Free micro wedding?

We’re dedicated to ensuring your micro wedding is truly exceptional, tailored entirely to your vision. From recommending the perfect San Diego micro wedding venues to crafting a relaxed timeline, we’re here to support you every step of the way!

This is a day you’ll cherish forever, so if you’re ready to celebrate with Wild & Free, explore our San Diego micro wedding packages & get in touch!