Our Wedding Venue

We are getting married on November 7, 2009 at the Don Room at the El Cortez in San Diego, CA. My fiance is from San Diego originally, and we want to share our love of the city with our friends and family. Kathi Skillman, Director Sales, Marketing & Events for the Don Room is amazing to work with and really helped me since I live across the country! We looked at 16 venues in 4 days during a vacation to San Diego in July, but when we moved towards a contract we decided that we still hadn't found the right venue. I called and spoke with Kathi and in only a few weeks I felt comfortable enough with her and the beautiful venue to sign a contract without ever having seen the venue (something that, as a planner, makes me inherently nervous).

The El Cortez opened as a hotel in 1927 and has been one of San Diego's finest landmarks ever since. At its opening, it was the first high rise in the city. The hotel was known for its Sky Room and the "Starlight Express" he chic exterior glass elevator that transported guests to the top of the building. The ballroom is octagonal and has a 24 karat gold ceiling. It was so amazing that it hosted the weddings of San Diego's most prominent families and dinners for visiting dignitaries.

We love it because of its originality. I love the octagonal shape of the room with a dance floor in the center - it makes the entire reception feel more intimate. The 10,000 square foot terrace will be where we have our ceremony. There is plenty of space for the ceremony and to transition into cocktail hour and a lounge after dinner. They have a fountain and a big fire place to add to the ambiance.

Learn more about the Don Room at the El Cortez at www.donroom.com