With same-sex marriage now a reality in California, many in the LGBT community are turning their minds to planning their weddings. Just like any event the most important factors in planning this most special day are location, location and location. Get the location right and the rest just falls into place. Here in San Diego, with the beautiful weather and gorgeous scenery, it would appear we are spoilt for choice in choosing the ideal spot to hold a wedding. One venue though, stands out as one of San Diego’s most romantic and breathtaking locations and that is the actual birthplace of California itself – the San Diego History Center’s Junípero Serra Museum in Presidio Park.
The Junípero Serra Museum is credited as the site where California began in that in 1769 a Spanish Franciscan missionary, Father Junípero Serra, with a group of soldiers led by Gaspar de Portolá, established Alta California’s first mission and fort.
Writing in the San Diego Historical Society Quarterly, Gregg R. Hennessey describes the Junípero Serra Museum as “… the finest example of Mission style architecture in San Diego. A truly beautiful structure with an appealing simplicity of design and resolute character, it reflects the strong cultural sense of Spanish colonials who had a firm understanding of their place in the world and their duty in life.” Designed by William Templeton Johnson, a leading local architect the museum was built in 1929. Writes Hennessey, “Johnson considered it his finest achievement in the Spanish Colonial style, and architectural historians since have repeatedly agreed with his judgment.”
Nov. 10 the Junípero Serra Museum will be debuting this unique wedding location to the LGBT community with their first ever LGBT Wedding Party. San Diego LGBT Weekly caught up with Matt Schiff, marketing director and Nicole George, events coordinator to find out what the Party was all about and why the museum is the perfect location for your LGBT wedding.
Matt Schiff: The idea itself originated almost like any good relationship – timing and coincidence. Internally, we were brainstorming ideas for how to grow our revenue for the site and we’d determined a number of demographics to target, with the LGBT community being one that we were going to make a pitch to. Almost the same day, John Rutherford paid me a call regarding advertising the site so we set a meeting. Nicole and I met with John and by the end of our 30 minute meeting; we’d determined that there was a real opportunity to do more than just advertise, we needed to make a personal connection. We decided on showcasing the museum site and all of our preferred vendors and host a celebration of the legislative progress we’ve seen in the state.
We are introducing ourselves and our museum, The Junípero Serra Museum, to the LGBT community. Guests should expect a celebration of the recent legislation legalizing same-sex marriage as well. We have invited our partners across the entire spectrum of wedding services. Really this is designed more as a celebratory event rather than a traditional wedding faire. Guests will also be immersed in the expansive views and a location steeped in rich history.
At present, we have around ten confirmed sponsors from: catering, music, lighting, photography, floral, and of course, libations. Everyone there will be showcasing the very best they have to offer.
This location, we think, will appeal greatly to the LGBT community for the following reasons: 1) It’s a central location to the LGBT community. A mile or two from the heart of Hillcrest, it’s also a central location in the city being close to downtown lodging or beach amenities; 2) We are an affordable, niche wedding venue perfect for more intimate ceremonies and our views are the best in the city. Where else can you see from Mexico to La Jolla? 3) The museum sits on an historic site in the city so why not have another historic sight … the first same-sex wedding at the museum?
We couldn’t even venture a guess but what we hope is that we establish a good connection with the community that earns us a reputation as a unique venue for one of life’s most-special moments. We hope to inspire a word-of-mouth following that represents our dedication to a stress-free planning process and quality service.
Nicole George: Planning a wedding is just as much fun as the wedding day itself! From the initial contact and walkthrough, to the planning process and timeline, the events team and I are available for support and unlimited correspondence with the client and their vendors. Down to the final walkthrough, rehearsal and wedding day, the events manager is present so that our clients feel comfortable, taken care of and, most importantly, so that all communication in the prior planning months comes to fruition on the wedding day.
We try to put the least amount of stress on the client as possible, so coordinating vendors is a necessity to make sure that their vision comes to life. In coordinating with the client and vendors, there is unlimited correspondence and support during the planning process. We are involved with gathering timelines, scheduling vendors and the final walkthrough as well as assistance with vendor selection, rehearsals and, most importantly, making sure that all vendors are on the same page prior to the wedding day. It is important for consistent communication throughout the planning process between the venue, client and vendors to ensure a successful event.
The Junípero Serra Museum offers many inclusions with a rental of the facility. Some highlights of our inclusions are security personnel, event team, white folding chairs for your ceremony, outdoor terraces and patios, tables and linens, free parking, access to our museum galleries and tower and, memorably, the ability to host your wedding at a historic site! With the Serra’s stunning location, guests also get the benefit of a beautiful ocean view, Sea World fireworks, and easy access to major freeways, Old Town, Mission Hills and Hotel Circle.
The Serra provides a preferred partners list of quality vendors that are familiar with our museum and our policies, which includes catering, bar-service, DJs, lighting, photography and floral. The use of a preferred caterer is required to be used for your wedding. That catering list includes seven different caterers with a variety of cuisine options, backgrounds and price-points.
sandiegohistory.org/ lgbtweddingparty
