Hotel del Coronado 1500 Orange Avenue • Coronado • CA 92118

More than a hundred years after its gala opening, The Del, as it’s affectionately called, still reigns as the Grande Dame of the California coast. A National Historic Landmark, The Del’s stunning Victorian architecture commands 28 oceanfront acres. Over the years the resort has garnered an impressive array of awards and a legion of distinguished fans, including presidents, movie stars, and numerous celebrities. With such a stellar heritage, it’s not surprising that The Del also has its share of romantic history.

Legend has it that the century’s most famous love affair began in The Del’s Ballroom. In 1920, the visiting Prince of Wales was honored by the locals with appropriate pomp and circumstance. Wallis Simpson, then a Coronado resident, may have been among the many who welcomed him. 20 years later, the Prince would give up his throne to marry the charming divorcée. Their love story inspired the names for many of the resort’s restaurants and event spaces.

One of them is the Windsor Lawn. This premier setting for weddings has landscaped walkways and seasonal gardens stretching to the Pacific. If your desire is a beach wedding, The Del’s catering staff can arrange ceremonies right on the sand, as well.

Another lovely ceremony site is the Garden Patio, a lush landscaped courtyard with a large gazebo. Or get married in the Vista Walk Garden, located near the resort’s signature red-roofed turret, and overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

The Del offers so many reception options you’re sure to find a space that complements the style of your wedding. The Ballroom captures panoramic views of the Pacific, while ornate ceiling moldings and multitiered crystal chandeliers bestow a turn-of-the-century elegance. One of the most distinctive event spaces is the magnificent Crown Room, recently restored and refurnished. With its 33-foot-high, rib-vaulted ceiling of golden sugar pine, this richly paneled room evokes the magic of yesteryear. Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum designed the room’s unique chandeliers in the shape of crowns, which bathe the vintage furnishings and décor in a soft amber light.

Once you stroll through The Del’s quaint Victorian salons and well-tended gardens, you might not want to leave its nostalgic embrace. Enticed by The Del’s sun-drenched beaches and moonlit ocean views, many newlyweds stay on for their honeymoon. With a bouquet of seductive amenities to choose from, including his-and-her massages and breakfast in bed, couples often return for their anniversary or a second honeymoon.

To design your event, take advantage of the Catering Department’s wide range of talents. Whether you plan an intimate soirée or a formal gala, the staff will create a one-of-a-kind occasion, impressing your guests with impeccable service and award-winning cuisine.

H.L. Story and Elisha Babcock, The Del’s founders, envisioned a resort that would be “the talk of the Western world.” It’s been more than a century since the hotel opened, and people everywhere are still praising its charms.