Welcome to Marina Del Rey

Everyone knows the first rule for fabulous weddings and partnership ceremonies: location, location, location. With gardens, gazebos and water-water everywhere, it’s no wonder Marina del Rey is one of L.A.’s hottest spots to get hitched. In the Marina, hip hotels, intimate yacht clubs and harborside restaurants are the perfect places to make those big day dreams come true. Here, nothing says romance like exchanging vows while riding into the sunset aboard an elegant yacht, or sealing it with a kiss in a spectacular penthouse ballroom with the twinkling lights and endless views of the marina and sea. For rehearsal dinners, parties and day-after brunches, the Marina’s sleek restaurants and sexy new lounges are the places to be and be seen. Along with a host of picture-perfect venues, the Marina’s six hotels offer an array of accommodations to suit the needs of all of your guests. There’s simply no better place to make those once in a lifetime memories than in the Marina.

Hornblower Cruises & Events (Fisherman’s Village, 13755 Fiji Way, 866-548-9563; Hornblower.com) has a fleet of four Marina-docked yachts that can be chartered to accommodate parties of any size, from 50 to 575. The company’s on-site wedding planner takes the stress out of orchestrating that special event at sea. A new favorite is the company’s streamlined luxury yacht Dream On, which holds 300 people and features a built-in dance floor and a private bride’s cabin next to the ceremony area. The three-level Marina Hornblower, reminiscent of a Mississippi steamboat, is suited to large galas of 200 with a full galley and two bars. For smaller affairs, rehearsal dinners and other occasions, the vintage Zumbrota lends a distinguished feel to events for 150 people and Lady Hornblower is a Marina classic for parties of 75 or fewer.

FantaSea Yachts & Yacht Club (4215 Admiralty Way, 310-827-2220; fantaseayachts.com) boasts three large yachts complete with dance floors, sound systems and open-air decks. The Dandeana, Regentsea and FantaSea One can accommodate groups from 150 people to 400 people, plus the company’s land-based yacht club holds another 300. With a full-service event staff, in-house catering and decoration services, FantaSea boasts a range of options for weddings and myriad social occasions. The company also offers its own packages for weddings, bar mitzvahs and quinceaneras that include everything from tablecloths to a captain who will perform the wedding ceremony. The flagship Dandeana has been completely upgraded with new interiors and amenities.

Marina del Rey Marriott (4100 Admiralty Way, 310-301-3000, 800-228-9290; marriott.com/laxmb) For weddings, this hotel features signature services with certified wedding planners, along with customized wedding packages. Whether you want an event on the beach or in a ballroom with stunning 270 degree views, the Marina del Rey Marriott is your place. The hotel’s penthouse Bayview Ballroom and outdoor Bayview Terrace offer panoramic Marina, beach and mountain views and facilities to host 240 banquet guests. If the beach is your dream site, the hotel also arranges for ceremonies on the sands of the sheltered Mother’s Beach, located just across the street. Receptions, rehearsal dinners and special occasions can be held in any of the property’s event spaces, which total 18,000 square feet. Host a bachelorette party at “Glow,” the hotel’s slinky new outdoor lounge that comes complete with fire pits, cushy couches and a two-story crushed glass water wall.

The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey, (4375 Admiralty Way, 310-823-1700, 800-241-3333; ritzcarlton.com) This five-diamond waterfront property located directly on the Marina’s Waterfront Walk offers comprehensive wedding services and has an array of beautiful settings from a lush outdoor rose garden, to ocean view ball rooms, to venues perfect for rehearsal dinners, bridal showers and bachelor parties. Ritz-Carlton’s award-winning Jer-ne Restaurant + Bar and its private dining room are great venues for smaller family celebrations, while the hotel’s 18,000 square feet of event space can play host to any size occasion.

California Yacht Club (4469 Admiralty Way, 310-823-4567; calyachtclub.com) specializes in weddings on the water with spectacular sunsets and a panoramic view of the harbor. The club offers custom designed menus and personal service for every size event. The building itself features glass-walled water views and a sweeping atrium staircase for dramatic entrances. Indoor weddings are held in two locations: the Fireside Epicurean Room, which features a brick fireplace, water views and is capable of seating up to 175 people, and the Gallery Room, which accommodates 40. Outdoors, the club’s waterfront lawn is popular for ceremonies and a tented outdoor area on manicured grounds caters up to 350.

Marina City Club (4333 Admiralty Way, 310-822-0611 x232) Located in an exclusive condominium complex on the harbor’s edge, the Marina City Club offers event spaces available to rent to the public with unbeatable views. The third floor of the Center Tower is the hub for special events here, with two rooms that accommodate groups from 20 to 300. The larger Nautilus Room has harbor views, a bar and seating capacity for 300. The smaller Galaxy Room also has Marina views along with a band platform and space for 150 guests. The Topside room holds 80 banquet guests or 120 reception guests.

Cafe del Rey (4451 Admiralty Way, 310-823-6395) Marina views, sophisticated ambiance and top-notch modern fusion cuisine with Pacific Rim accents make this restaurant a favorite for special occasions. While the dining room can be rented out for large weddings and celebrations, Cafe del Rey specializes in small private functions which are held in the Regatta Room (for ceremonies up to 100 people and receptions up to 85 people). The restaurant also offers catering and event coordination.

Shanghai Red’s (13813 Fiji Way, 310-823-4522) California cuisine served in a tranquil tropical setting with Victorian and Polynesian decor have made this restaurant a popular choice for weddings, rehearsal dinners and large social occasions. The restaurant features several rooms and two patios with unobstructed harbor views that seat groups from 30 people to 100 people. Shanghai Red’s Garden Patio is also popular for small ceremonies and celebrations with its tropical bougainvillea, koi pond view, and tall trees decorated with twinkling lights.

Burton W. Chace Park is a 12-acre park located in the heart of Marina del Rey. The lush green grounds here offer several lush locations for outdoor weddings – North Pergola, South Pergola and the Bridge. Park services can provide chairs and tables for a fee, and a permit must be purchased for all events. Visit the Department of Beaches & Harbors website at labeaches.info for more information.

Marina Del Rey boasts more than a dozen waterfront eateries located in close proximity to the area’s hotels, and they’re all experienced in handling private parties and social occasions. A number of Marina del Rey restaurants also offer pre-set menus and feature covered, heated decks and patios for alfresco dining year-round.

Casa Escobar (14160 Palawan Way, 310-822-2199; casaescobar.com) is a sexy salsa venue that will heat up any party with fine Mexican cuisine and music. For private parties, the restaurant’s banquet room seats 40 and there’s a patio that can fit 150 people.

The Cheesecake Factory (4142 Via Marina, 310-306-3344; thecheesecakefactory.com) is a California favorite with an array of appetizers, salads and entrées. Special events can be hosted in the restaurant’s private dining room with bar and patio on the lower beach level for parties up to 150. A patio on the second level accommodates another 60 guests.

Sapori Italian Restaurant (13723 Fiji Way, 310-821-1740; sapori-mdr.com), with it’s warmly colored walls and terra cotta floors, stepping inside this restaurant will make you feel like you’ve just arrived at a bistro on the Mediterranean. Sapori turns out sophisticated Italian fare in an elegant dockside atmosphere, with a dining room for 90. The more casual heated patio seats 45.

Tony P’s Dockside Grill (4445 Admiralty Way, 310-823-4534; tonyps.com) is an affordable, casual spot right on the water. Part nautical dining room, part upscale sports tavern, Tony P’s is known for generous portions of steak, seafood and pasta, and is great for groups of any size. Just about any part of the restaurant can be rented or reserved from the window-lined Dockside Room, which offers a private setting for up to 40, to the 70-seat main dining room, to the 75-seat sports tavern.

The Warehouse Restaurant (4499 Admiralty Way, 310-823-5451; thewarehousemdr.com) serves up top-notch steaks, chops and fresh fish in a casual, kitschy Polynesian-themed setting with nautical décor, The restaurant’s large open loft upstairs is perfect for private parties of up to 170 people.

Tiki Mermaid (310-306-0020; tikimermaid.com) Say aloha to this casual “Trader Vic” style Polynesian-themed party boat that can carry up to 75 guests on two floors with two outdoor decks, a bar and a dance floor. With menus created by the ship’s master chef, rehearsal dinners, engagement parties and other events are a delight on this venue.

Planning a destination celebration? Just putting up the parents? Either way, the Marina’s six hotels feature 1,030 rooms at a range of price points. Whether you’re getting married at the Marriott or exchanging vows at sea, the Marina’s larger hotels offer room blocks. Honeymoon packages are also available at The Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey, Marina del Rey Marriott and the Marina del Rey Hotel.

The Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey – 304 rooms; 18,000 sq. ft. of event space
Marina del Rey Marriott – 370 rooms; 15,000 sq. ft. of event space
Marina del Rey Hotel – 150 rooms; 10,000 sq. ft. of event space
Marina International Hotel and Bungalows – 134 rooms
Best Western Jamaica Bay Inn – 42 rooms
Foghorn Harbor Inn – 23 rooms