Text by Armella Stepan
Images courtesy of ETC Hotels

Spring is in full bloom and the wedding industry is gearing up for the busiest year yet. Forbes.com is estimating 2.6 million weddings will take place in 2022. Countless nuptials fell victim to ‘pandemic postponement’ and couples everywhere, armed with social media vision boards, are athirst to live out their dream wedding.

The wisest of beach wedding planners have Hotel Casa del Mar and Shutters on the Beach at the top of their list of venues to peruse. Aside from their picture-perfect surroundings of sandy beach and sparkling blue Pacific, these iconic properties possess a colorful spectrum of unique locations to choose from.

“We have a lot of famous couples who celebrate their big day with us.” confides Bruce Hochberger, Director of Catering at ETC Hotels. “But what I find the most telling is that some of the most influential celebrity stylists from around the world have chosen us for weddings or receptions. They love that there are both indoor and al fresco spaces, allowing them to tailor their very own fantastical wedding wonderland.”

Weddings already on the books at these beachside beauties are diverse in theme — from coastal to regencycore (thanks, “Bridgerton”) to bohemian. Some are intimate casual dinners and others are extravagant black-tie events, defining no clear trend this year as to the optimal size for guest lists or dress code.

“There are no ‘rules’ anymore, but couples are still looking for flawless service, great food, and a memorable event. Also carrying out their creative vision is key,” Hochberger explains. “The range of ideas is incredible yet between Shutters and Casa, we have the ideal location for whatever they can imagine.”