CEREMONY/RECEPTION

The Prado at Balboa Park

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San Diego Wedding Venue
1549 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
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Contact: Catering Department
Phone: 619/557-9441 x201
www.balboaparkweddings.com

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Why We Like This Place

What would you build if you wanted to wow the world?

For the organizers of the 1915–16 Panama-California Exposition in Balboa Park, it was a flamboyant group of Spanish Renaissance-style structures, whose elaborate design captured the fancy of cosmopolitan travelers. The centerpiece is the magnificent House of Hospitality, with intricate scrollwork that trims its sand-colored walls, tower and arched windows and doors just like frosting on a wedding cake.

Now a National Historic Landmark, the House of Hospitality was carefully rebuilt in 1997. Hand-stenciled doors, ceilings, and beams in Spanish motif were scrupulously restored or reproduced. In fact, each room had more than 4,000 historical features, and the love and attention that went into preserving and replicating them seems to radiate in every direction. But although the building looks the way it did a century ago, it meets modern building standards and is 100% handicapped accessible.

A new chapter in the House of Hospitality’s history was written in 2000, when it became the home of The Prado, a gourmet restaurant from San Diego’s best-known and perhaps most decorated family of restaurateurs, the Cohn Restaurant Group. The Cohns have been named Restaurateurs of the Year both city- and statewide.

There’s no more picturesque setting for a ceremony than the Casa del Rey Moro Gardens, a reproduction of the grounds of a Moorish king’s home in southern Spain. Exchange vows by the wishing well with a lush canyon behind you, a reflecting pool before you, and as many as 300 smiling faces looking on from semicircular terraces around you.

After cocktails in an elegant courtyard centered around “Women of Tehuantepec,” a famous limestone sculpture and tiled fountain, larger parties meet in the Grand Ballroom. Skylights set in 27-foot hand-stenciled ceilings warm the space. Custom bronze chandeliers provide night lighting, and optional “pin spotlights” highlight table centerpieces. The band plays your song from the theatrical stage, as you and your new spouse glide across the gleaming hardwood floor for your first dance.

After cocktails on adjoining rooftop terraces, medium-sized parties often dine in the Loggia, a charming second-floor space featuring vaulted ceilings, colorful beams, French doors, and many windows. More intimate gatherings can celebrate on the covered balcony overlooking Casa del Rey Moro Gardens, before settling in the cozy Alhambra room for lunch or dinner.

The award-winning food is stylishly presented with synchronized service: All the guests at a table are served simultaneously, making for a “voila!” moment that not only delights diners, but prevents food from going cold as everyone waits for that last plate to arrive.

As it has for decades, a wedding at The Prado will surely wow everyone in your world.

Capacity

Ceremony

Reception/Special Events

Meetings

Max. Seated Indoors: 0
Max. Seated Outdoors: 300

Max. Seated Indoors: 300
Max. Seated Outdoors: 120
Max. Standing Indoors: 500
Max. Standing Outdoors: 300

Max. Seated: 300

CEREMONY CAPACITY: For ceremonies, the site holds 300 seated outdoors.

EVENT/RECEPTION CAPACITY: The various rooms can accommodate 30–300 seated or 500 standing guests indoors, and 120 seated or 300 standing outdoors.

MEETING CAPACITY: Meeting spaces hold up to 300 seated guests.

Fees & Deposits

25% of the estimated event total is required to reserve your date. The balance is due 3 business days before the event. Wedding packages start at $105/person and include 1 hour of Silver Level Brand Bar, tray-passed hors d’oeuvres with White Glove Service, luncheon or dinner menu designed by our award-winning culinary team, wedding cake provided by Flour Power, formal Champagne Toast, professional staff-synchronized service, full length table linens and porcelain china and gold Chiavari chairs.

The Casa del Rey Moro Gardens for Ceremony Site package is $1250 and includes: white outdoor chairs, gift and guest book tables, bridal changing room, scheduled rehearsal time, outdoor sound system for officiant.

Availability

Year-round, daily.

Catering

Provided

Alcohol

Provided

Location Uses

Ceremonies
Wedding Receptions
Special Events, Parties
Business Functions/Meetings
Rehearsal Dinners

Services/Amenities

Catering: provided
Kitchen Facilities: n/a
Tables & Chairs: provided
Linens, Silver, etc.: provided
Restrooms: wheelchair accessible
Dance Floor: portable provided
Bride’s & Groom’s Dressing Area: yes
Meeting Equipment: some provided
Parking: large lot, valet available
Accommodations: no guestrooms
Telephone: pay phone
Outdoor Night Lighting: available
Outdoor Cooking Facilities: no
Cleanup: provided
View: canyon, cityscape, fountain, garden patio, landscaped grounds, park
Other: Chiavari chairs, wedding cake provided

Amplified Music

Indoors
Outdoors

Wheelchair Access

Wheelchair Accessible

Site Views

Canyon
Cityscape
Fountain/Water Feature
Garden
Garden Patio/Courtyard
Landscaped Grounds
Park

Venue Type

Ballroom
Banquet Hall/Events Facility
Garden
Historic/Landmark Building
Restaurant

Restrictions

Alcohol: provided
Smoking: not allowed
Music: amplified OK
Wheelchair Access: yes
Insurance: liability requred

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