San Diego is one of the most popular wedding cities in the country. Naturally, being in California weddings here can get expensive. Luckily there are some really great options for couples on a budget. First off, it depends what you mean when you say “budget”. Some couples mean $2,000-5,000 and in that case I would say eloping and having something like a family dinner might be the better option. It can be done but in this post I’m talking more about the $5,000-10,000 range. Here are my 5 favorite venues for weddings under 10k in sunny San Diego, California.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The biggest determining factors in the cost of your wedding venue is your guest count and wedding date. In a popular wedding Destination like San Diego, the best way to save is to consider a smaller guest count and/or choosing an off peak season date.

The Point

The Point is an amazing beach/bay option for smaller weddings, they offer two options for the ceremony. The grass lawn which provides a stunning 180 degree view of Mission Bay. They also have a Mission Beach ceremony option which gives a great view of the beach and the pacific beach pier to the north side and Belmont park to the south. Being a smaller venue they don’t offer a getting ready suite but also being in the vacation rental capital of the city, it isn’t tough to find somewhere to get ready. Although I say small, weddings can still hold up to 120 guests and the prices range from $6,000-10,000.

Riverwalk Golf Club

Located alongside the San Diego River, Riverwalk Golf Club offers a picturesque and unique setting for your wedding day. Surrounded by amidst hills, lush greenery, and the gentle melody of flowing water. Offering a ceremony overlooking the golf course with a romantic wooden bridge, along with an open ended ballroom to continue overlooking the golf course during the reception. Pricing starts at $1,000-2,000 for the rental and $850-127 per person, along with a 22% service fee and 50 guests minimum. Estimating about $8,200 for 50 guests after considering all factors.

Marina Village Conference Center

Marina Village conference center is located along the marina in Mission Bay San Diego. With a stunning view of the waterfront and marina along a variety of options, this venue is a great option for couples planning budget weddings big and small. With a lawn ceremony price of $700 and reception space ranging from $800-3,600 on a weekend, this is a great option for couples wanting to spend their wedding. Tables and chairs are included in the rental fee but you will need to find other food and drink options.

Tom Hams Lighthouse

With one of the best views of the San Diego Skyline in the city, Tom Hams Lighthouse will host your wedding. Keep in mind that they do have minimum spends that vary depending on the time of year, so it's unlikely they will let you plan a Saturday wedding for under 10k, but if you would like a Sunday/Friday or a more off season date this is a good venue to consider. With a ceremony/reception price of $1,000 and per person packages of $80-125 per person leaving you at about ~$6,200 for 50 guests. This venue is worth considering if you want one of the best views of Downtown San Diego for the price!

Triton Charters

This is probably the most unique venue on this list, Triton Charters is a party boat that gives you a romantic ceremony on the water with a loop through the San Diego bay with a constantly changing view of Downtown San Diego and Coronado Island. Their wedding packages range from $1,600-4,800 that includes 2-4 hours of ride time, floral, food and bar options.

Honorable Mentions

There are plenty of ways to go about planning a budget wedding, if none of these options are appealing to you there's also the Wedgewood Weddings which give discounts for off peak and weekday events but they do have a minimum spend depending on the venue: Carlsbad Windmill, Canopy Grove, Fallbrook Estates, Galway Downs, Cuvier Club and La Jolla Rooftop. Converted Airbnbs like Dragonpoint Villa, Stone Chapel Vineyards, and Grand Blanc. As well as public parks like Sunset Cliffs, Rancho Guajome Adobe, Cabrillo National Park or Torrey Pines paired with your favorite restaurant are great options.