ROOMS WITH A VIEW

With such varied scenery throughout San Diego County, couples searching for a reception room with a view have a multitude of options. From vineyard view to oceanfront, cityscape to golf course, here's a selection of wedding sites that will leave any spectator satisfied:

  • L'Auberge Del Mar: Having recently undergone a multimillion-dollar renovation, L'Auberge has emerged as a modern marvel in coastal Del Mar. The resort's "director of romance" can help arrange an oceanfront wedding on the sand or on the luxurious hotel's property. 1540 Camino del Mar, 858-259-1515; laubergedelmar.com.
  • Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego: Overlooking the famous "Wedding Bowl," otherwise known as Cuvier Park, and the sharp cliffs off La Jolla's Coast Boulevard, the museum offers the perfect palette for a creative couple seeking an oceanfront wedding. Its Axline Court, Coast Room, Miles Terrace and Edwards Sculpture Garden are all available for modern-art-inspired matrimony. 700 Prospect Street, 858-454-3541; www.mcasd.org.
  • Thornton Winery: Luckily for wine lovers, the beach isn't San Diego's only desirable destination. The region's proximity to the Temecula Valley means oenophiles have abundant options for a wine-country wedding. Thornton Winery, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2008, offers couples the opportunity to celebrate "I do" in the intimate Champagne Caves, its Vineyard View Room or outdoors on its Fountain Terrace, overlooking the valley and its vineyards. 32575 Rancho California Road, Temecula, 951-699-0099; www.thorntonwine.com.
  • Hard Rock Hotel San Diego: City folk can party like rock stars at Woodstock, Hard Rock Hotel San Diego's 9,000-square-foot outdoor event venue overlooking the Gaslamp Quarter. With reception space for 650 and banquet space for 400, the fourth-floor open-air patio provides the perfect urban setting for cutting-edge couples. 207 Fifth Avenue, 866-751-7625; www.hardrockhotelsd.com.
  • The Grand Del Mar: Going green takes on a completely different connotation at this luxurious golf resort and spa surrounded by the Las Penasquitos Canyon Preserve. Have your ceremony indoors with a view of the spectacular architecture in the resort's Elizabeth Capella chapel or alfresco on the Aria Lawn overlooking the greens of the golf course and the canyon preserve, or take in the opulence and grandeur of the resort's 10,000-square-foot Elizabeth Ballroom. 5300 Grand Del Mar Court, Del Mar, 858-314-2000; www.thegranddelmar.com.
    
 
 
   
   


THE ROCK OF LOVE

You may have more sense than the characters in the new romantic comedy Bride Wars, starring Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway, so you won't "accidentally" plan your wedding for the same day as your best friend's, but there's no reason you can't share one similar-and extraordinary-feature from the film: the 5-carat Tiffany Novo engagement ring. Available at the San Diego location of Tiffany & Co., the newest sparkly stunner is inspired by the famous 128.54-carat Tiffany Diamond. For more information, visit the store at 7007 Friars Road in Fashion Valley Mall or online at www.tiffany.com.

    
     
   


FINISHING TOUCHES:
POSTAL PROCLAMATIONS

Your invitations are signed and sealed, but there's just one final touch needed before they're ready to be delivered: a personalized postage stamp. Whether you want it to say "I do" before you do, depict your future monogram or display a smiling photograph of the happy couple, Zazzle.com can help you customize your own stamp, letting neither rain nor snow nor dark of night delay the good news of your upcoming nuptials. For more information, visit www.zazzle.com/wedding+stamps.