If you’ve ever strolled along the San Diego Bay, you’ve probably noticed the Marriott Marquis San Diego standing tall with its twin towers overlooking the marina. It’s hard to miss, and even harder not to picture an lovely wedding there. With palm trees swaying, sailboats drifting by, and the skyline just steps away, this hotel gives you the best of what San Diego has to offer in one spot. A Marriott Marquis San Diego wedding means convenience, luxury, and that unbeatable waterfront backdrop.
Wedding Preparation – Getting Ready
One of the biggest perks of choosing a hotel wedding? You don’t have to run around town on the morning of your big day. At the Marriott Marquis, you can book a suite and have everything you need right upstairs. The Hospitality and Deluxe Suites are especially great for prep — plenty of space for hair and makeup teams, tons of natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows, and balconies that overlook the bay (yes, those views calm the nerves instantly).
Photography at the Marriott Marquis
From a photographer’s perspective, this venue is a dream. Every direction you turn, there’s a shot waiting to happen — the marina filled with boats, the outdoor terraces, the modern hotel lines against the bay. Couples portraits here always feel cinematic, especially at sunset when the sky goes from gold to pink to deep blue.
Even inside, the spaces are designed with weddings in mind. Ballrooms can be transformed into elegant backdrops, and the pavilions give you that indoor-outdoor feel photographers love to play with. If gorgeous wedding photos are at the top of your list (and let’s be real, they usually are), this hotel delivers. In this section, we’ll cover some of our favorite moments on a wedding day at Marriott Marquis San Diego.
First Look and Couples Session
The hotel’s balconies and outdoor pavilions provide spectacular vistas to capture the precious moments between the bride and groom. Your photography at a Marriott Marquis San Diego wedding will be otherworldly. To learn more about what questions to ask to choose the right photographer for you, click here.
Wedding Ceremony
This hotel gives you plenty of options for the wedding ceremony that meets your unique needs. The Coronado Terrace is a lovely spot for an outdoor ceremony with panoramic views of the San Diego Bay and Coronado Island. Since San Diego’s weather is lovely year-round, you can set up an outdoor tent on the terrace and dance the night away under the stars at your reception. Or if you want a more stately, lavish affair, you can choose for the San Diego or Marina Ballrooms for your ceremony, and set up tables and a dance floor afterward for your reception. If you want an indoor-outdoor experience, the Bayside Pavilion has panoramic views of the bay and the Temecula Room allows guests to move freely between the event room and the pool patio.
The venue will work with you to create the ceremony and festivities that meet your needs, traditions, and heritage, filled with tender moments and elegant touches.
Reception
Here’s where the party kicks in. Receptions can take place indoors, outdoors, or a mix of both. Inside, the ballrooms are blank slates ready to transform into whatever vision you have — glamorous, modern, romantic, you name it. Outdoors, you can dine under the stars on the Coronado Terrace, then dance the night away with the bay glittering in the background.
Indian Weddings at Marriott Marquis San Diego Wedding
The Marriott Marquis is especially well-suited for South Asian and Indian weddings, which often include multiple days of celebrations, large guest counts, and vibrant traditions. With its spacious ballrooms, waterfront terraces, and flexible event spaces, the hotel can seamlessly host everything from an intimate mehndi to a grand sangeet, baraat, ceremony, and reception.
Outdoor spaces like the Coronado Terrace or Bayside Pavilion provide a dramatic backdrop for a baraat or open-air ceremony, while the San Diego and Marina Ballrooms easily transform into lavish reception halls for hundreds of guests. The venue’s culinary team is experienced in customizing menus for Indian weddings, and many couples choose to incorporate traditional Indian cuisine alongside contemporary dishes.
Marriott Marquis San Diego FAQ
How much time will we have to use the venue?
Booking one of the hotel’s venues allows you seven hours of use, including setup and cleanup. Booking a suite allows you additional time to prepare for your day at the hotel (and the hotel also provides a complimentary bridal suite).
Can we choose our own caterer or bring our own alcohol?
The Marriott Marquis San Diego requires the use of its in-house caterer and you must use the alcohol provided by the venue.
Does the hotel offer wi-fi?
Complimentary wi-fi is available throughout the facilities.
Address:
The Marriott Marquis San Diego is located at 333 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, a Marriott Marquis San Diego wedding combines everything couples love about the city — waterfront views, endless sunshine, and the convenience of hosting it all in one location. You can get ready, say “I do,” and celebrate well into the night without ever leaving the property.
From a photographer’s lens, it’s the perfect mix of natural beauty and modern design. And from a couple’s perspective, it’s a venue that makes planning easier while still giving you that wow factor.
If you’re dreaming of a San Diego wedding that feels both timeless and uniquely yours, the Marriott Marquis is worth a serious look.