Balboa Park Wedding

Balboa Park sits on 1200 acres of San Diego’s most sought-after land. With many lush outdoor gardens, museums, restaurants, a charming carousel, and even the famed San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park is one of the most iconic venues south of Orange County.  The park has been placed in reserve since 1935, making it one of the oldest designated recreational spaces in the entire United States. With so many diverse options for wedding venues, you’re sure to create the Balboa Park wedding of your dreams.

San Diego Museum of Art

Among the various locales for your ceremony and celebration, the San Diego Museum of Art, with its plateresque Spanish architecture, is an elegant choice. On the museum’s grounds, the May S. Marcy Sculpture Garden is a gorgeous spot for wedding photography, as in the photos of the bride and groom below. The large lawn, the 19th- and 20th-century sculptures, and the views of the California Tower allow for otherworldy sunset photos. We at Lin and Jirsa would be honored to capture all of the moments of your precious day. Click here to learn why you should hire one company to meet all of your photography and videography needs.

Inside Balboa Park’s San Diego Museum of Art

You’ll enter through the museum’s larger-than-life ornate door that was inspired by a doorway at the University of Salamanca in Spain. Once inside, you’ll find yourselves transported to another world across the sea. Architects William Templeton Johnson and Robert W. Snyder drew inspiration for the building’s interior from the Santa Cruz Hospital in Toledo, Spain. In the John M. and Sally B. Thornton Rotunda, the grand marble staircase with carved stone newels and balusters, a bronze chandelier, and iron-mullioned windows all set the stage for an unforgettable wedding that celebrates the art and culture of San Diego. 

The museum’s exterior architecture is an exquisite space to photograph your wedding party.

The plateresque architecture of those grand doors exudes historical beauty like nothing else in San Diego.

Your San Diego Museum of Art at Balboa Park Wedding Reception

The May S. Marcy Sculpture Garden is an excellent spot for a memorable wedding ceremony. The year-round temperate San Diego air ensures that guests will be comfortable as you tie the knot with the stunning California Tower in the background.

Rows of sumptuous florals around the altar give your ceremony and photography a fairy tale quality.

Balboa Park Wedding Reception

At the San Diego Museum of Art, you can choose to host your wedding reception in the elegant John M. and Sally B. Thornton Rotunda or in the James S. Copley Auditorium (pictured below) adjacent to the sculpture garden. The spacious auditorium allows for a large celebration. It’s a blank canvas on which you can paint your personal touches as you design the wedding reception of your dreams.

Nighttime Photography at the San Diego Museum of Art

Balboa Park’s many fountains and water features, with abundant Spanish architecture in the background, are the perfect spot for some magical nighttime wedding photos.

FAQ

Q: How much time will we be allowed to use the venue?

The museum allows you to use the facilities for five hours, excluding setup and cleanup time. Additional hours can be purchased for $1000 per hour.

Q: Can I play music outdoors?

The museum allows amplified music at both the indoor and outdoor venues. All music must end at 12 AM.

Q: Does the museum have an in-house caterer?

The museum has no official caterer, but it will provide you with a list of approved caterers to choose from.

San Diego Museum of Art is located in Balboa Park at 1450 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92102

About Lin & Jirsa Photography

Lin & Jirsa Photography specializes in San Diego wedding photography, serving couples throughout Southern California. Contact us to learn more about our award-winning team..