Celebrant Bethel Nathan’s Favorite San Diego Wedding Venues

Celebrant Bethel Nathan shares some of her most memorable San Diego wedding venues, plus a few stops on her officiant bucket list! 

 

Looking for a unique venue for your San Diego wedding? There aren't many people who know the region’s most magical wedding venues better than celebrant Bethel Nathan. From oceanfront aquariums to wild safaris, she’s seen it all, and is sharing her favorite spots below (plus a few stops on her bucket list)!

 

Any professional wedding officiant will tell you that visiting the coolest wedding venues in the country is one of the best perks of the job. You might perform a wedding at a state park on Tuesday, help a couple exchange vows at a rock concert on Friday, then head into the weekend with behind-the-scenes privileges at an upscale private estate, aquarium, or theme park. A creative location is part of what makes officiating weddings a great career, and what makes every wedding a unique adventure.

 

As experts begin predicting the top wedding destination ideas and trends of 2026, we thought it’d be fun to ask one of the most established officiants in the industry, Humanist Celebrant Bethel Nathan, about her favorite Southern California wedding venues – plus the spots she can’t wait to visit for a wedding.

 

Whether you're planning a destination wedding in 2026, or starting a wedding officiant business of your own, you'll want to see the incredible locations on Bethel's list! 

 

• Related: How to Get Married in California - Planning a Wedding in The Golden State

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(Above, Bethel peforms a ceremony at one of her favorite California wedding venues, San Deigo Zoo Safari Park! Photographed by the incredible Bob Hoffman Video & Photography)

 

 

Celebrant Bethel Nathan’s Favorite Wedding Venues in Southern California – Plus Her Venue ‘Bucket List’! 

 

Memorable San Diego Wedding Venues:

San Diego Natural History Museum, Birch Aquarium (at Scripps Institution of Oceanography), San Diego Zoo and Safari Park

 

Bethel says: “I’ve [officiated] weddings at the Natural History Museum (dinosaurs!), the Scripps Aquarium (fish and octopus and seahorses and penguins!!), along with my beloved San Diego Zoo (near the gorillas!) and San Diego Zoo Safari Park (right above the rhinos and giraffes or next to the cheetahs!), which all fill my animal-loving and/or scuba-diving heart...I feel really lucky to have already done those, and to continue to do them.” 

 

 

• San Diego Natural History Museum (Balboa Park)

 

From the venue: "Our historic site presents stunning architecture inside and out. Elements showcasing our nature’s past and present create a memorable atmosphere, all with splashes of your style mirrored through decor of your choice. From twinkling market lights to rustic farm tables, we assist in paving the way from concept to execution. We’ll customize our exclusive, dreamlike venue based on your needs."  (Read more at SDNHM: Weddings at the Nat)

 

 

(San Diego Natural History Museum rooftop wedding venue, photo via SDNHM.org)

 

 

• Birch Aquarium (at Scripps Institution of Oceanography)

 

From the venue: "Located high on a bluff with dramatic ocean views, Birch Aquarium at Scripps is a unique and engaging venue for any event. Our one-of-a-kind facility includes more than 60 diverse marine habitats and features a two-story Giant Kelp Tank where guests feel surrounded by the ocean world.  The rental provides a unique opportunity for you and your guests to enjoy exhibits and panoramic views at your leisure. Birch Aquarium is the public outreach center for the renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego. You and your guests will dive deeper into the cutting-edge research being done to understand, protect, and preserve the planet." (Read more at Aquarium.UCSD Weddings)

 

(Three of the seven beautiful locations available for a wedding at Birch Aquarium at Scripps facility! Photos via Aquarium.UCSD.edu)
 

 

• San Diego Zoo and San Diego Safari Park

 

From the venue: Wild Weddings! "Our unique and exotic venues and wild inhabitants create the perfect combination for your celebration. No two couples are alike, and we believe that no two weddings should be alike! Let us make your dream a reality at the San Diego Zoo or San Diego Zoo Safari Park." (Read more at Weddings.SanDiegoZoo)

 

 

(There are many beautiful ceremony locations and wedding reception venues at the San Diego Zoo and SD Safari Park, each with different views to ensure your wedding is uniquely you! Photo via Weddings.SanDiegoZoo) 

 

 

Bethel’s ‘bucket list’ wedding venues, near & far:

A baseball wedding at Petco Park or Angels Stadium, a redwood forest wedding, Yosemite wedding, or a destination wedding in the Grand Tetons or Yellowstone

 

Bethel says: “I would 1000% love to do a wedding in a ballpark, especially if it was my own Petco Park, home of my San Diego Padres! I would be on Cloud 9 the entire time, no doubt. Dodger Stadium, well, it would still be an awe-inspiring moment to be doing so in a ballpark, but less awesome to be doing it in our rival’s space instead. 😉 So, better to be in Angels Stadium, if not in my own Petco Park, than in Dodgers Stadium.😂 
 
...Being a nature lover, and a supporter of both National Parks and California State Parks, I would absolutely love to do an intimate wedding amongst one of the redwood forests, or at one of the lookouts in Yosemite. Or, out of state – since I can officiate in other states – [a ceremony] in the Grand Tetons or in Yellowstone (without having to hike!) would also be a dream.”

 

 

• Petco Park 

 

A wedding at Petco Park is an investment, with a minimum fee of $20,000 to host a private event. With 33 unique venues on the grounds to choose from, the possibilities for a unique and unforgettable ballpark wedding are endless. Read more at PetcoParkEvents)

 

 

Petco Park offers wedding venues throughout the facility, including on the field, in the auditorium, and even in the parking lots - for a tailgate themed wedding! Photo via PetcoParkEvents)

 

 

• Angels Stadium

 

From the venue: "Angel Stadium offers a collection of venues, facilities and amenities that will make both your engagement photos and wedding reception unforgettable. Suggested Event Venues: Field, Lexus Diamond Club, Don Julio Club." (Read more at MLB Angels Ballpark Weddings)

 

 

(Weddings at Angels Ballpark are all one of a kind, with a variety of venues throughout the stadium to choose from. Photos via MLB.com)

 

 

• Redwood National and State Parks

 

There are a variety of gorgeous, pre-approved wedding sites within Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park to choose from, including Templeman Grove and Prairie Creek Amphitheater. These sites generally require a special events permit, and are perfect for small weddings (20 people or less) and let you celebrate your love surrounded by towering ancient trees and natural beauty. Or get married in Redwood National Park at Crescent Beach, High Bluff Overlook, and other stunning sites. (Read more at NPS Weddings and Events Redwoods)

 

 

(Get married in one of the most beautiful places in the country in a redwood forest wedding! This photo is taken by David Walker, via NPS.org)

 

 

• Yosemite National Park

 

Dreaming of a Yosemite wedding? The park offers special permits for weddings and commitment ceremonies at approved sites throughout the park, including wedding services inside the Yosemite Chapel, at the Cascades Picnic Area, Cathedral Beach Picnic Area, Bridalveil Fall, and more. Many of these sites are also wheelchair accessible, making them a great choice for couples and guests with mobility limitations. Read more at NPS Weddings and Events Yosemite.

 

 

The Yosemite Valley Chapel is a unique wedding venue within the park, built in 1879 and surrounded by natural beauty. Photo by Almonroth, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

 

 

• Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park

 

These stunning national parks in Wyoming (with some areas extending into Montana and Idaho, keep this in mind when applying for your marriage license!) are excellent choices for an unforgettable adventure elopement or destination wedding. The park offers special permits for weddings, vow renewals, and commitment ceremonies in several pre-approved locations, as well as comfortable lodges and chapels. Read more at NPS Weddings and Events Grand Teton.

 

 

Rustic charm and stunning views set the stage for an unforgettable wedding in these national parks. The Chapel of Transfiguration, above, is just one unique venue to choose from in Grand Teton National Park. Photo by Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons 

 

 

Wedding Venues Set the Stage for Love

 

Which of these incredible wedding destination ideas fit you and your style the best? If you're leaning towards an adventure elopement or destination wedding in California, consider one of these unique venues and start planning now with a professional officiant, or ask a close friend or relative to get ordained online to perform your wedding!

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For professional officiants like Bethel Nathan, officiating a wedding is more than just saying a few words and signing a marriage license. It’s also about showing up where they’re needed, and helping to craft a ceremony that really captures the magic of the surroundings – whether that’s exchanging wedding vows at a ballpark or state park, a quiet courtyard, or on the steps of the local courthouse. 

 

And if you’re new to officiating, trying out a side gig, or building a new career, the chance to travel to incredible venues and experience new places is one of the best unexpected perks of the profession – with the opportunity to turn every wedding into both a celebration of love and an adventure. 

 

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More unique wedding venue ideas & destination wedding planning advice from AMM

 

• A Road Trip Wedding is a Destination Wedding on the GO!
   
• Can you use a marriage license in another state?
   
• A Wedding Officiant's Guide to Performing Destination and Cruise Ship Weddings

 

• 10 Unusual & Unique Places to Get Married in the U.S.

 

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About the Officiant:

 

Bethel Nathan is a wedding celebrant and business elevation coach based in sunny San Diego, California, where she’s been performing weddings since 2009. 

 

She runs Ceremonies by Bethel, an inclusive wedding service that specializes in creating authentic custom ceremonies, and Elevate by Bethel, a coaching service that helps small business owners succeed by building companies they love. (Photograph courtesy of Bethel Nathan.)

 

She’s also Vice President of the International Association of Professional Wedding Officiants (IAPWO), and is a frequent guest speaker at wedding conferences across the country, including IAPRWO and AMM's Officiant Accelerator training seminiars.

 

In the words of one of her happy couples, “Bethel is amazing, kind, patient, has an amazing way with words and a truly beautiful speaking voice.” 

 

Take Elevate by Bethel's Business of Officiating Course

 

Connect with Bethel: Instagram / Facebook / WeddingWire / The Knot
 

 

(Photo by @sarafrance, courtesy of @bethelnathan on Instagram)

 

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Ask a Friend to Officiate Your Wedding Ceremony! 

Good things happen when friends and relatives help out at the wedding ceremony! Having a friend officiate your wedding or elopement is a great way to ensure the wedding day is as intimate and personal as it can be. When a loved one officiates, every moment means more! 

Ask a friend or family member to officiate your wedding with free online ordination through American Marriage Ministries (AMM). 

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Why AMM? American Marriage Ministries is an inclusive nondenominational internet church that ordains and trains ministers to officiate marriage ceremonies. We are a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit church, and help people from all backgrounds and beliefs become ordained ministers for weddings. Our online ordination is free, accessible, and never expires.

Click the link above to get started! 

 

 

Become an ordained minister online with American Marriage Ministries and officiate wedding for friends and relatives. (Photo cropped: O_Lypa / iStock)

 

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