How to Plan a DIY Wedding in San Diego: The Laid-Back Bride’s Guide

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Some cities just get weddings. San Diego is one of them. You've got the coastline, the cactus-dotted canyons, golden sunsets, ocean breezes, and a whole lot of easygoing charm.

Add to that a massive network of wedding vendors and year-round gorgeous weather, and you’ve got a DIY wedding paradise.

This isn’t about Pinterest-perfection or making your big day look like someone else’s. It’s about creating a meaningful, stylish, and fun experience that actually feels like YOU. Here's how to do it—from finding the right space to lighting up the dance floor—with a little help from WedBnB.

🏡 Step 1: Find a Venue That Feels Like Home (But Cooler)

Forget traditional venues with rigid timelines and generic layouts. You want:

  • A backyard with views for days
  • A coastal villa with space to host your crew
  • A desert estate that turns golden at sunset
  • A tucked-away property with privacy and soul

Where WedBnB Comes In:

WedBnB curates beautiful, event-friendly properties all across San Diego—from the coast to the canyons. No ballrooms here. Just places that already feel magical before you add a single string light.

Bonus? Most have:

  • Flexible check-in/out
  • Space to host 20–100+ people
  • Built-in overnight stays for your wedding weekend

🎨 Step 2: Pick a Vibe, Not a Theme

San Diego’s natural beauty does a lot of the work for you. But knowing your vibe helps with every other decision.

Vibe Elements
Coastal Cool Blue + neutral palette, shell details, barefoot ceremony
Desert Boho Terracotta tones, pampas grass, rattan furniture
Garden Party Wildflowers, colorful linens, Aperol spritz bar
Clean & Chic Monochrome palette, minimal decor, sleek tables

Choose 2-3 anchor elements and design around those. Let nature do the rest.

📋 Step 3: DIY the Right Things

You don’t have to do everything yourself. You just need to know where to focus.

Here’s what San Diego couples are loving:

  • Florals: Local markets + dried flowers = beauty + budget
  • Decor: Use what your venue already offers + thrifted or rented pieces
  • Stationery: Canva + a local print shop = custom on a budget
  • Music: Curated playlist + a Bluetooth speaker (or splurge on a small band)

Skip the stress and outsource:

  • Photography 📸
  • Coordination (at least day-of!)
  • Food (unless you’re down for tacos & trays)

🌮 Step 4: Feed People Well & Casually

San Diego knows how to do casual luxe food. Here’s how to make it DIY-friendly:

Option Why It Works
Taco Cart Local, affordable, universally loved
Grazing Table Gorgeous and easy to refill
Brunch Wedding Bagels, mimosas, chill vibe
Food Trucks No kitchen needed, fun for guests

Don’t forget drinks! Set up a:

  • Self-serve bar cart
  • Signature cocktail station
  • Sparkling water + soda bar with cute signage

💡 Step 5: Set the Mood with Lighting

Lighting = the secret sauce of a great DIY wedding. Easy to set up, totally transformative.

Must-haves:

  • Twinkle lights or café string lights
  • LED candles everywhere
  • Real candles in hurricanes if your venue allows
  • Outdoor lanterns or pathway lights

Need power? Rent a small generator or use solar-powered options for outdoor setups.

🛋️ Step 6: Create Cozy Corners

Think beyond tables and chairs. Use the venue’s natural flow to create zones:

  • Lounge areas with pillows and poufs
  • Cocktail areas with standing tables
  • A ceremony nook with a view
  • A dance area with plenty of room to move

Most WedBnB-style properties already have built-in charm. Layer in texture with rugs, throws, and low lighting for the ultimate vibe.

🎶 Step 7: Curate the Soundtrack

Whether it’s a playlist or a local band, music makes the mood.

Plan key moments:

  • Processional + Recessional
  • First dance (or no dance at all!)
  • Dinner background music
  • Party playlist (or silent disco to keep it neighbor-friendly)

💌 Step 8: Ditch the Drama Invitations

Digital invites are totally acceptable—and environmentally friendly.

Options:

  • Create a wedding website with RSVPs + details
  • Use Canva to design printables if you want physical invites
  • Add a map or parking instructions if the venue is remote

Use group texts and email updates to keep guests informed leading up to the day.

📸 Step 9: Plan the Moments, Not the Timeline

You don’t need to squeeze your day into a six-hour window.

With a WedBnB-style property, you can:

  • Wake up slow
  • Get ready with friends on-site
  • Choose your ceremony time based on golden hour
  • Eat when you’re hungry
  • Party until the candles burn low

Plan a few meaningful moments, like:

  • A private vow reading
  • Champagne tower or toast
  • A kitchen dance party at midnight

Everything else? Let it flow.

💍 Step 10: Soak It In

San Diego gives you the perfect backdrop. Your venue gives you the canvas. And you? You’re creating a day that doesn’t need to be perfect to be unforgettable.

This is what DIY looks like when done right—personal, soulful, joyful, and relaxed.

WedBnB has your back with wedding-friendly homes that welcome your big day without restrictions or awkward venue rules.

We’re here to support you from dream to dance party. And if you need help sourcing the perfect property in San Diego—or across the U.S.—we’ve got you.

Now go ahead. Let the breeze catch your veil, let the tacos be messy, and make this day yours.

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