Say "I do" to Marina del Rey

2013 is here and with it comes a flood of squealing “yeses!” for every bottle of champagne that was popped over the holidays. Happy couples everywhere are over the moon basking in the glow of their love. Tears of joy and cheers of excitement have filled the air from Christmas Eve ‘till New Years’ Day and now that the festivities are winding down (this can measured by the sudden decline of automated e-mail replies), the real fun begins. Ah, yes…the wedding planning (sans Jennifer Lopez).

Take your nuptials and its sibling celebrations (e.g. rehearsal dinners and engagement parties) to Marina del Rey. Every year, more than 500 couples tie-the-knot amongst the glistening waters of Los Angeles’ seaside community…and with good reason. Luxury yachts elegantly sail off in the sunset for an unforgettable ceremony. Restaurants play host to a merry-go-round of wedding events with private dining rooms, outdoor terraces and customized menus. Hotel ballrooms boast sweeping panoramic city and ocean views while yacht clubs shine with sparkling chandeliers and exclusive event space. Not to mention, the Marina offers a range of affordable waterfront accommodations that would even please Uncle Frank (Home Alone fans rejoice). Oh, and let’s not forget that guests can spend an extra day or two to play on the water or enjoy a scenic stroll amidst a year-round climate of sunshine and blue skies.

But who knows more about special venues in the Marina than the wedding gurus themselves? I decided to ask the experts for important tips and advice about what makes wedding celebrations in the Marina truly unique.  Read on for their special insight!