We’re lucky in Southern California to have several venues for Indian weddings that overlook the water. Up and down the coast from San Diego to Santa Barbara there are lots of venues to select from. It’s just a matter of finding the one that suites your needs, which is what my team does at ShaadiShop.
What I want to share with you in this article are a few Indian friendly Wedding Venues, that are waterfront, NOT oceanfront), that won’t cost you your life savings.
{Waterfront vs. Oceanfront Wedding Venues}
First, let’s define waterfront. Waterfront is different than oceanfront. Waterfront means venues with views of the Bay and/or a marina. Oceanfront venues have views of the beach and/or the deep blue.
Oceanfront venues are gorgeous and naturally they tend to be more expensive too. For couples seeking something in the middle, we’re going to cover a few venues in detail. You can also refer to our website for more photos and details about them or contact me for special ShaadiShop packages at each of these venues too.
Three great waterfront venues for Indian weddings in Southern California are the Hotel Maya, a Doubletree by Hilton in Long Beach and Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach and the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay & Marina in San Diego. I wanted to point out these three as they are spread out across the California coast from Long Beach to Orange County – all the way to San Diego. All three are fully Indian wedding friendly – allow outside catering, baraat, consumption bar packages, and ceremony fire.
{When to Get Married in Southern California}
The spring and summer are very popular for obvious reasons. Just keep in mind that in May and June you still get some overcast mornings and it usually burns off by the afternoon. July and August are full blown summer in Southern California with hot, sunny days. But the fact is we enjoy great weather year-round. This year we experienced summery weather until mid-October and last year even into November! It was bright, sunny out and ideal for an outdoor ceremony!
The fact is, Indian weddings are now year round. While there is a wedding season during summer and September through Thanksgiving, this year we booked Indian weddings for the first week of December and even New Years Eve!
A few weeks ago I booked two outdoor December weddings – one in Anaheim and another in Long Beach.
But I will say that for any outdoor wedding, you want to make sure that there’s a backup option in your contract in case of inclement weather.
{Hotel Maya in Long Beach}
Hotel Maya is located next to the famous Queen Mary, in the bay. The newly built Pavilion seats 400 guests for a reception and has views overlooking the Bay and the Long Beach skyline. The last time I visited, I ate lunch facing the bay and a couple of seals were frolicking around – super unexpected and fun!
{Features We Particularly Love at This Venue}
The baraat path hugs the water, as you can see in the photo below. We highly suggest getting the drone package with your select cinematographer, as you will love the footage with your baraat and the water in the background. By the way, if the groom wants, he can arrive to the baraat by boat! Hotel Maya has their own dock and they can help you arrange a boat for the groom and groomsmen to arrive at the dock and then get on a horse or dance their way to join the rest of the baraat! How fun!
Another feature we love about the Maya is that the views don’t end at night. At most other venues with water or ocean views at night, once it’s dark, the views are gone. At the Hotel Maya, the Pavilion overlooks the Long Beach skyline which lights the water in the Bay so your guests can enjoy the view into the late hours of the wedding reception.
Check out an Indian wedding at the Hotel Maya that we featured on the ShaadiShop blog. You’ll find photos, wedding details and a venue testimonial.
Indian Wedding at Hotel Maya; cinematography by Robles Video Productions
{How South Asian Wedding Friendly is Hotel Maya?}
see for yourself:
The most popular ceremony venue at Hotel Maya is Vista del Mar which seats 300 guests. This popular ceremony venue overlooks the Bay and it’s super convenient as they have a built-in structure that can be decorated for your mandap or altar.
Their staff is very experienced in and understands Indian weddings. And what I appreciate is their willingness to work with ShaadiShop clients.
One time I had a request from a couple to start their baraat at 7am. Because of the muhurat (auspicious wedding time) given by their pandit (officiant) they would have had to start the baraat that early. In the end it was too early as the baraat path is close to the hotel rooms but I loved that their team rallied and tried to see if there was a way to make it work.
I’ve worked with them to arrange things like breakfast by the ceremony to reduce costs and discounted pricing.
Speaking of pricing, let’s talk about that.
{Hotel Maya’s Indian Wedding Pricing}
- about $6200 for the ceremony
- about $40 per person for outside catered lunch (including service charge and tax)
- about $60 per person for outside catered dinner (including service charge and tax)
These are ballpark numbers but every wedding is different. Pricing depends on date, time, day of the week, and a few other variables.
You can see what amenities come with this pricing on our website.
If you haven’t already, I recommend reading our detailed guide on How Venue Fees Work for an Indian Wedding.
{About Hotel Maya}
Hotel Maya sits on 11 acres with over 400 palm trees. It’s reminiscent of a…you guessed it coastal Mayan village…but a modern Mayan village, perfect for anyone looking to make a resort escape for their wedding. It’s right next to the famous Queen Mary and
{Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach}
The Balboa Bay Resort is a waterfront property in the marina. They recently started allowing outside catered events at the resort opening their doors to Indian weddings.
{Features We Particularly Love at This Venue}
Their newly remodeled lobby is open and spacious and the color scheme is unique compared to a lot of other venues.
Even their indoor event spaces have marina views.
Being new to the Indian wedding scene, it’s exciting for couples to be among the first to get married at a venue that people have not been to before. Pictured below, a deck overlooking the marina. Below that, ShaadiShop mascot and dashing groom, Kuljit, standing at the entrance of Balboa Bay’s ceremony space, overlooking the marina.
{How South Asian Wedding Friendly is the Balboa Bay Resort?}
see for yourself:
Some couples like venues that don’t have a gazebo or pre-existing structure for the mandap/altar, as that enables them to get really creative.
{Balboa Bay Resort’s Indian Wedding Pricing}
- about $5000-$6000 for the ceremony
- about $60 per person for outside catered lunch (including service charge and tax)
- about $87 per person for outside catered dinner (including service charge and tax)
These are ballpark numbers but every wedding is different. Pricing depends on date, time, day of the week, and a few other variables.
You can see what amenities come with this pricing on our website.
{Hyatt Regency Mission Bay & Marina}
The Hyatt Regency Mission Bay & Marina is somewhat new to the Indian wedding scene. In case you’re not sure where they’re located, they’re right near SeaWorld.
{Features We Particularly Love at This Venue}
You can have an outdoor cocktail hour.
There’s something unique and different about having your reception in a Pavilion vs. a ballroom.
{How South Asian Wedding Friendly is the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay?}
see for yourself:
views of the Bay await!
{Hyatt Regency Mission Bay’s Indian Wedding Pricing}
- about $2550 for the ceremony
- about $60 per person for outside catered lunch (including service charge and tax)
- about $73 per person for outside catered dinner (including service charge and tax)
These are ballpark numbers but every wedding is different. Pricing depends on date, time, day of the week, and a few other variables.
You can see what amenities come with this pricing on our website.
We work with a couple of oceanfront venues as well. Naturally they cost more than waterfront venues. We have setup special ShaadiShop outside catering packages at each of these venues that offer our clients special amenities. Contact me if you’re interested in any of these venues and we can talk you through pricing, comparisons and our packages.
{Take Aways}
- Waterfront and oceanfront venues are two different things.
- These are three waterfront venues spread out from Long Beach to Orange County to San Diego that are super Indian Wedding friendly.
- It’s possible to have a beautiful waterfront wedding and still have monies leftover to buy a house and pay off college loans! Download ShaadiShop’s free Indian Wedding Budget Infographic.
- Don’t forget to check out our guide on understanding venue fees for an Indian Wedding.
- And since this article is all about outdoor weddings, make sure you have a back up plan if it rains or it’s super windy. Check out our guide on that too.
- You might be working with your officiant on getting an auspicious date for your wedding. Well, these guides might help you as well. These are our 2018 and 2019 South Asian Social Calendars showing you important South Asian dates such as Eid, Diwali, Vaisakhi, and Paryushan, because you might want to avoid having your wedding on some of those dates.
Did this article help you? Let me know in the comments. I love hearing from our readers! And follow ShaadiShop on Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram so you can see our latest guides and tips.
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! 🙂
South Asian-friendly Wedding Venues
ShaadiShop is a free service to help couples, planning an Indian or any South Asian wedding, find their wedding venue. We walk you through the whole process from discovery to booking. And, venues extend better pricing and amenities to our clients. Visit our main website or contact me to start your venue search today!
Cover image: Lin & Jirsa