CORONADO

Attractive boutiques, old-fashioned homes and intimate restaurants line the spotless, manicured streets of this small city almost surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay.

Named for the Spanish word coronado, “the crowned one,” Crown City attracts visitors from all over the world, and tourism is big business here. Coronado collects an 8% hotel tax. In 2004, that amounted to nearly $7.9 million.

An uncomplicated ceremony on the sand, some floral arrangements here and there: beach weddings are often informal affairs.

But a Gala Award-nominated 260-guest wedding reception coordinated by Coronado, Calif.-based Coronado Weddings last year was no ordinary beach wedding....[more]

The “del” demonstrated romantic potential even before it opened its doors in 1888. While still under construction in 1887, the resort celebrated its first wedding, when the daughter and son of two supervising engineers exchanged vows in the ballroom. With a variety of public settings and 42 public rooms, the Del can host weddings from small and intimate to large and grand.....[more]