Is the Montage Laguna Beach Your I Do Destination?

Imagine a destination wedding with a ceremony overlooking the ocean, surrounded by lush plants, a warm breeze in the air. Then there’s a reception filled with gourmet food, dancing to music from the DJ, and the sounds of the waves breaking. Finally, you retreat to your ocean-view suite for one last glass of champagne and the start of a relaxing beach honeymoon.

It’s not hard to picture an amazing wedding like this, but what is a little harder to comprehend is just how close this destination is. Rather than jetting off to a distant island you can drive or take a domestic flight to Laguna Beach, California.

There you’ll find the Montage Laguna Beach, a stunning oceanfront resort along the Pacific Coast Highway. Even though it’s in the heart of Orange County you’ll think you’re worlds away as you stroll through the grounds filled with tropical trees and flowers and take in the amazing views of the Pacific.

The Montage was made for a relaxing honeymoon or weekend retreat, but the resort also has plenty to offer a destination wedding party.

Before the walk down the aisle, couples can take advantage of the “Wedding Surrender” spa package. The resort will work with you to decide what wedding prep you need—from a simple massage and a facial to months-long skin and body-care prep, whatever it takes to get you looking your best on your big day. On the day of your wedding you can take advantage of the ocean-view manicure/pedicure chairs and the Kim Vō salon for your hair and makeup.

Even better? The jewelry perk. Available only at Montage Laguna Beach, brides getting married at the resort can borrow a piece of jewelry from Lugano Diamonds (there’s a store on the property and another in town) worth up to $100,000. Imagine how amazing it would be to have a stunning diamond bracelet or chandelier earrings in your wedding photos. The only hard part would be giving the jewelry back the next day!

On the day of your wedding you can relax knowing all the attention is focused on you, as the Montage only puts on one wedding a day at the property. Or, if you really want to go all out, you can book “The Ultimate Beach Wedding Weekend” and ensure your wedding is the only event happening during your three-day stay. With this package the resort will create a custom itinerary for you with a welcome reception the day before and a send-off brunch for your guests the day after. The price varies depending on the number of guests, dates, and the details of your events, but the package begins at $200,000 (smaller and one-day weddings generally begin at $50,000).

Another detail that’s perfect for destination weddings? The Montage’s kid’s club will babysit during the ceremony and reception (and even stay open late if needed) in case you want an adults-only party but family members also want to travel with their little ones.

The ceremony and reception options at Montage offer something for everyone, from massive ballrooms that can seat 450 people to the intimate Studio restaurant, which is perfect for smaller affairs. And of course, you can have your ceremony on one of the grassy spaces with a view of the Pacific Ocean.

It’s basically all the good things about a beach wedding—beautiful view, salty air, crashing waves—with none of the messy sand in your shoes. However, if you do want photos of you frolicking in the surf you can get a ride down to the ocean in a golf cart and get your feet cleaned up before you return to the reception. Now that’s service.

Ready to Start Planning?

• In order to book a wedding at Montage Laguna Beach you must also work with an outside wedding coordinator; there’s no DIYing it here.
• The best months, weather-wise, to get married here are July and August.
• The Montage Laguna Beach can host weddings from two to 450 people, so it’s great no matter what size wedding you have in mind.
• If you’re interested in learning more about a destination wedding at Montage Laguna Beach, contact Cynthia M. Dolbee at (949) 715-6113.