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Where Can I Take Wedding Photographs in San Diego?

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With its incredible year-round weather, astounding nature, and stunning beaches, San Diego is a fantastic place to take wedding photographs. Whether it’s a beachside ceremony or a local winery, San Diego’s got this awesome Southern Californian vibe that can accentuate the candid and natural emotions of wedding photography.

However, with so many options for places to have your wedding, it can be quite challenging to choose a perfect spot for your wedding photoshoot. Don’t worry though, I’ve got you covered! 

Where Can I Take Wedding Photographs in San Diego?

From Coronado to downtown to Scripps Forum, there are several places to take wedding photographs in San Diego. I’ve been to and scouted some of the best places in SD where many brides and grooms have taken photos.

These locations are also perfect for Fall Mini Sessions! I currently have 3 dates for mini sessions in October and November, and spots are limited! Learn more about these shoots and book your session here!

Wedding couple holding hands with downtown San Diego in the distance

Whether you decide to have your entire wedding at these locations or you choose to specifically travel to them for your couple portraits, the following are some of my favorite places to take wedding photos in San Diego (in no particular order).

Liberty Station

Liberty Station is a historical and art hub that has several locations you can choose for your wedding photoshoot. If either of you (or both!) is an art and history lover, this is an excellent place to tie the knot.

Bride and groom posing under the arches at Liberty Station on their wedding day

There are still parts of Liberty Station that were not remodeled, so it has a great mixture of clean, updated buildings intermixed with ones that have a grunge-vibe to them.

Mission Bay

Growing up, my family and I would vacation in San Diego, and we’d always stay at a little hotel steps away from Mission Bay. Because of that, I’ve always had a soft spot for this location.

Couple standing in front of the water at Mission Bay on their wedding day

If you are looking for an outdoor location that encompasses the vibes of San Diego but isn’t the beach, then Mission Bay should be a definite contender on your list. 

Downtown San Diego

This location alone really deserves its own blog post, because there are SO many spots throughout downtown you can take photos at. Downtown is also awesome for engagement sessions due to its versatility.

Couple kissing at the Ultimate Skybox wedding venue with the San Diego skyline behind them

If you have your wedding at the Ultimate Skybox, the views are unreal (and you might even catch the Padres in action!). Personally, I love walking through the streets and finding unique walls and backdrops for photos!

Ramona Grasslands

While I love San Diego, there’s something to be said about the communities surrounding this city. Ramona has so many hidden gems within it, and for couples considering a beach alternative, this is an excellent location. Ramona grasslands cover 3,521 acres; however, not all acres are open to the public.

Fortunately, the accessible areas have several nature trails, ideal for wedding photoshoot sessions. The trails are easy to walk through, and they offer a completely different look than anything you’d get within the city or beach. 

Martin Johnson House

Cute, rustic house plus views of La Jolla? Yes please! This is what you’ll find at the Martin Johnson House. Its rustic and historic charm not only adds more character to your wedding, but it also gives your wedding photos a beautiful backdrop.

Wedding couple stand on the cliffs by the Martin Johnson House in La Jolla

Its grounds and the refurbished cottage also adds a pleasant coastal feeling to your wedding photos!

Old Town San Diego

Old Town San Diego is one of the top attraction sites in San Diego and for good reason. Every building and street is a reflection of its rich history. It’s not some cookie-cutter street where every building looks the same. Intead, there are pops of vibrant colors and textures throughout the town, making for fun and unique photos. 

What I love about Old Town is that you don’t necessarily need to get married at this location to access it for photos. For example, if you get married in the Immaculata at USD, coming to Old Town is a short drive, and it’s a great way to add variety to your images. 

Scripps Forum

Scripps Forum is the perfect blend of modern architecture and incredible ocean views. From the sleek, wooden building to the killer cliff top panoramic view of the water, this location is truly stunning. On top of this, you can easily walk down to the ocean for some amazing sunset photos!

Wedding ceremony at Scripps Forum in La Jolla on a cloudy day
Groom twirling his bride in the walkway at Scripps Forum wedding venue

Because of its prime location and amazing views, Scripps Forum tends to book out weddings pretty far in advance. So, if you’re considering this location, be sure to plan ahead!

La Jolla Cove

La Jolla Cove is a popular wedding location for one specific reason – its landscape. I’ll be honest, shooting at the cove is not my favorite spot, but I felt the need to include it in this post because of how iconic it is. 

While it does have beautiful views, the popularity of this location can pose a challenge in both parking and taking photos with clean backgrounds (I once drove around for 40 MINUTES trying to find a place to park here – no thank you). 

If you do choose La Jolla Cove, this spot does have several landscapes you can use for your photos like cliff tops and sandy beaches. You can also find many hidden paths all around the beach to take stunning wedding photos.

Balboa Park

Balboa Park is a classic wedding photoshoot location thanks to the different locations it has to offer. Similar to La Jolla Cove, it’s not my favorite place to shoot but still worth talking about. From giant trees with roots sticking out of the ground to Spanish-inspired arches there’s a ton of variety when it comes to backdrops here.

Couple walking through the greenery at Balboa Park for their wedding photos

With all the available options in one location, it makes it easy to find a spot that reflects your personal taste and aesthetics. For example, you could have your first look in one of the hallways with the arches spanning the sides, and then do your couple portraits in the Spanish Village.

As a tip, parking here can also be a challenge, especially on the weekend. If you do decide to have your wedding here or travel here for your couple portraits on your wedding day, be sure to leave some buffer time for parking!

Coronado

Like all the above locations, Coronado also offers different shoot locations you can use . Some of the favorites include Del Beach and the Hotel Del Coronado.

Couple kissing on the beach in Coronado during their wedding
Bride looking at her groom at the Del Hotel in Coronado

The two sites provide both outdoor and indoor photoshoot options. The twilight wedding photos from Hotel Del Coronado are also unmatched. 

Conclusion 

Weddings are a special occasion, and your photos need to reflect that. The location you choose plays a significant role in the overall look and feel of your images. If I’m shooting your wedding, just ask me for photo recommendations! I’m more than happy to help you determine the best places to take your photos based on your personal preferences!

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