Ah the rooftop… if you’re planning a wedding in San Diego, chances are you’ve already considered, thought of, or dreamt about having it on a rooftop. Why? Well, because San Diego offers some of the most stunning views and sunsets for rooftop weddings around. Why wouldn’t you want this surrounding beauty included in your wedding? Especially since you’ve already done the hard parts which were looking through hundreds of engagement rings to find the perfect one and actually asking your soulmate to be with you forever!

Rooftop weddings are magical. Symbolically, they suggest that the sky is the limit for your future together! However, there are some things you will want to keep in mind to ensure your rooftop wedding is everything you are dreaming of.

Styling a Rooftop Wedding

Planning a wedding may seem overwhelming at first. After all, there is so much that goes into it. Of course, you likely want every detail to be perfect. Much of the wedding planning stress and overwhelm comes from the details. It may be a wise choice to hire a wedding planner for this, especially if you feel yourself becoming stressed about every little detail. Wedding planners have gone to things like wedding planning school, for example, and they have had previous experience in this area, so they eat, sleep, and breathe weddings.

The thought of choosing a theme, a color scheme, centerpieces, flowers, and ALL the details can be a lot. Rooftop weddings, especially those that offer stunning views of the skyline, water, and sunset are much easier to plan because you don’t need a ton of extra décor. Of course, you’ll want to bring in some décor to reflect your own personal style, but the view alone creates a natural ambiance.

Rooftop weddings in San Diego offer gorgeous views of:

• San Diego’s beautiful Downtown skyline
• The whimsical and romantic boats docked in San Diego Bay
• Stunning views of Coronado Island

When you’re planning your rooftop wedding, make sure to choose a venue that has the type of view that goes along with your theme and personal taste.

Make the Skyline Your Focal Point

One of the dreamiest elements of having a wedding on a rooftop is the view. As such, you should try and draw as much attention to it as possible. When you are styling your wedding and thinking about décor, why not make the skyline your focal point? And, when planning the seating, it is a great idea to make sure your guests are facing the skyline. You can also place belly bars and cocktail tables in strategic places to create the best photo ops for your guests. This way, the majority of your photos will incorporate the beautiful skyline in the background.

Lighting for Rooftop Weddings

If you’re choosing a rooftop for the sunset, make sure to take the lighting into account. Your wedding coordinator should be able to help you with this, as candlelight and strung white lights add a romantic soft touch that goes great with rooftops and skylines. You can make use of the many Westminster electrical services, or others that are close by, and have them install lights the way you desire, to make the evening all the more memorable.

Don’t Underestimate Wind

We are blessed with amazing weather most of the year in San Diego. However, rooftops can get a little windy and chilly. This is especially true after the sun goes down. Because of this, make sure to inquire about heat lamps and plan for wind just in case. Some other things to consider are keeping napkins or other paper products at a minimum or away from the edge of the roof.

Prepare Your Guests

Your guests will want to know your wedding is on a rooftop. So, keep their needs in mind. Let them know the wedding will be outdoors. This way, they can plan accordingly with the appropriate attire. For example, if you are having a daytime wedding, your guests may want to wear sunscreen and sunglasses. If your wedding is in the evening or nighttime, they may want to bring extra layers. This will be helpful after the sun goes down. Prepping your guests will ensure they are all comfortable and have the best time!

Use the View as Your Backdrop

The views offered by most San Diego rooftops are stunning. After all, this is probably why you are choosing a rooftop venue! To make the most of the rooftop ambiance, it may help to keep your décor simple and minimal. Instead of an elaborate setup, use the view as the main focal point/backdrop. Otherwise, it can get too distracting.

Of course, you will want to add personal touches to make the venue your own. After all, this is your chance to reflect your unique vision! You may consider going with a couple simple décor items like small floral centerpieces and maybe one main focal point like a huppah.

Rooftop Cocktail Hour

Rooftop weddings are perfect for tray passed appetizers and cocktails. The idea of a rooftop is very chic, modern and romantic, all at the same time. There are so many things you can do to create the most spellbinding wedding that your guests will rave about for years to come. Your wedding coordinator will be able to bring your vision to life and create an event you will never forget.

Rooftop Wedding Tips for a Bride

Every bride wants to look and feel their best on the wedding day. Here are a few tips that can help you prepare for your wedding day if you are having it on a rooftop:

• Make sure you have a “getting ready” area that is close enough to the rooftop. As needed, you can access it during the reception to fix your hair or makeup. Who knows, you might need to fix your eyeliner or put some more brow enhancing serum (which you might have purchased after digging a lot on the internet and reading something like BHMD Brow Enhancing Serum reviews) at the last moment.
• Prepare your hair for wind and/or ocean dampness. We all know what wind or the dampness from the ocean air can do to hair. Make sure that your hairstylist takes this into consideration when styling your hair for the evening. Just in case, consider having hairspray and extra bobby pins on hand the day-of.
• Take pictures as early as possible. If your wedding is rooftop, you may consider taking formal portraits before the ceremony. This way, your hair and makeup will be fresh.
• Think about having a second dress for the reception. While you’ll likely want to wear your dream wedding dress for the ceremony, it may be too hot or heavy for a rooftop reception. If so, you may consider changing into a more comfortable dress for the reception. After all, who doesn’t want two wedding dresses?!

Schedule an Appointment with a Professional

If you’ve been dreaming about a rooftop wedding, we would love to speak with you about our venue and team. Our staff is highly experienced in creating weddings and we understand each couple is special, with a unique story to tell. We would love to discuss the options available with our venue and rooftop bar setup, and talk over the details of your exciting day.