The Ultimate all inclusive san diego wedding
San Diego is a hard place to beat for a wedding. You can get married overlooking the Pacific Ocean in La Jolla, drive 20 minutes south, and spend the rest of the night celebrating on a yacht in San Diego Bay. That was the plan for this wedding, and it made for one of the most fun wedding days we have photographed.
The day began at Cuvier Park in La Jolla and finished aboard the Nerissa, a 73-foot private yacht operated by Zolna Yachts. Between the oceanfront ceremony, the San Diego skyline, dinner, drinks, and a packed dance floor, the day felt like two completely different wedding experiences in one.
An Oceanfront Ceremony at Cuvier Park in La Jolla
Cuvier Park, also known as the Wedding Bowl, sits along the La Jolla coastline with a wide-open view of the Pacific. It is one of those ceremony locations that does not need much added to it. The ocean and coastline already do most of the work.
The afternoon started warm and sunny without a cloud in the sky. As the ceremony moved along, the marine layer began rolling in and softened the bright sunlight. It also cooled things down at just the right time, which everyone appreciated after sitting in the sun.
With the ocean behind the couple and their closest family and friends gathered around them, the ceremony felt relaxed and personal. Afterward, we moved quickly through family portraits at the park before everyone headed toward Harbor Island for the reception.
From La Jolla to a San Diego Yacht Reception
The next stop was the Sheraton Hotel & Marina on Harbor Island, just across from San Diego International Airport. This is the primary boarding location for Zolna Yachts and the Nerissa.
Once everyone boarded, guests gathered on the upper deck while the captain went over the safety instructions. As the yacht pulled away from the marina, the reception officially started. Once we were underway, guests were free to move between the decks, grab a drink from either of the two open bars, and take in the view.
Photographing a wedding on San Diego Bay gives you a backdrop that keeps changing. One minute you have the downtown skyline behind the couple, and the next you are looking toward Coronado or passing sailboats in the harbor. It gave us plenty of variety without having to leave the reception.
Dinner, Dancing, and the Coronado Bridge
The couple shared their first dance onboard, followed by the cake cutting and dinner. The Mexican food was excellent and fit the laid-back energy of the night. After dinner, the dance floor opened and everyone got right into it.
The yacht departed at around 7:00 p.m., giving the group roughly two and a half hours to eat, drink, dance, and enjoy the harbor. One of the best parts of the evening was cruising beneath the Coronado Bridge. It is a completely different view of San Diego and a great moment to experience with an entire wedding party.
By the time we returned to the marina at about 9:30 p.m., the couple had managed to fit an oceanfront ceremony, family portraits, a harbor cruise, dinner, cake, and plenty of dancing into one smooth wedding day.
Planning With San Diego Destination Weddings
The day was organized by Jacquelyn Mendoza of San Diego Destination Weddings. Her team specializes in coastal ceremonies and all-inclusive wedding experiences throughout La Jolla, San Diego, Coronado, and the surrounding area.
A wedding with two locations and a firm yacht departure time requires everyone to stay on schedule. Jacquelyn kept the transition from Cuvier Park to Harbor Island moving so the couple and their guests could enjoy the day without feeling rushed.
Aboard the Nerissa With Zolna Yachts
The reception took place aboard the Nerissa with Zolna Yachts, a 73-foot private motor yacht that can host celebrations of up to 49 guests. The yacht has indoor and outdoor areas, multiple decks, bar service, and plenty of space for dinner and dancing while cruising San Diego Bay.
For couples who want something different from a standard ballroom reception, a private yacht is a solid option. The setting changes throughout the night, the group stays together, and the experience feels like a celebration and a San Diego tour rolled into one.
Looking for a San Diego Wedding Photographer?
We are American Portra Weddings, a San Diego wedding photography and videography team serving La Jolla, Temecula, Southern California, and destination weddings. Our approach is relaxed and straightforward. We help with posing when it is needed, stay out of the way when it is not, and document the day as it actually felt.
If you are planning a Cuvier Park ceremony, a San Diego yacht wedding, or a celebration anywhere along the coast, contact American Portra Weddings to learn more about photography and film coverage.
Vendor Team
Wedding planner: Jacquelyn Mendoza — San Diego Destination Weddings
Ceremony venue: Cuvier Park, also known as the Wedding Bowl — La Jolla, California
Yacht and reception venue: Nerissa — Zolna Yachts
Boarding location: Sheraton Hotel & Marina — Harbor Island, San Diego
Photography: American Portra Weddings
