Weddings at St. Paul's
Welcome!
Filled with translucent light from shimmering stained glass windows and sheltered near the palm trees of Balboa Park, St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral is one of San Diego’s most precious gems. As a “Cathedral for the City,” St. Paul’s is a house of prayer for all people where city leaders, former Governors, and even the British royal family have come together from time to time for common worship and prayer. Steeped in prayer and tradition, the Cathedral creates a memorable, sacred space to share your most solemn vows with family and friends.
Venues and Scheduling
The Cathedral can comfortably hold up to 400 guests, and the Lady Chapel (50 people) can be used for more intimate celebrations. Our historic Great Organ can also be made available to create a majestic sound for your wedding procession in either venue. Weddings are normally scheduled for Saturdays and are not available on Sundays, during Lent and Holy Week or in the month of December.
Officiants and assistors
Cathedral clergy officiate under normal circumstance, though Clergy of other dioceses may request to officiate by letter to the Dean. Clergy of other denominations or faiths are welcome to assist the Episcopal priest at a wedding. In addition to clergy, vergers, acolytes, choirs and thurifers are available to ensure this is one of the most memorable days of your life.
Planning and preparation
St. Paul’s features its own Wedding Coordinator to work with you (as well as your own wedding coordinator), to make sure you are both freed from all the stress and detail required for a flawless ceremony. Special planning of the space, the liturgy, music and flowers are part of the services of St. Paul’s. Many couples realize the work in planning a wedding ceremony needs to be balanced with a commitment to prepare for the relationship itself. St. Paul’s offers trained marriage counselors who use the Prepare Enrich Program to identify your strengths and areas of growth in your relationship. New ways of communicating and listening to each other begin with this program. This is a required program and has been used by religious and secular counselors alike and has been affirmed by the thousands of couples who have used its format for nearly 40 years.
Reception facilities
The Great Hall was built in 1928 and, designed like a medieval banqueting hall, can accommodate 130 dinner guests for any special occasion. St. Paul’s can recommend caterers, florists, photographers or disc jockeys to ensure your event is well planned and professionally managed. An exterior courtyard, opened by Queen Elizabeth II following her visit to St. Paul’s, is also available for use by celebrating guests of the Cathedral. With ample parking nearby (we are adjacent to Balboa Park in the heart of downtown San Diego), the Cathedral, Great Hall and Queen’s Courtyard provide our community with one of the most magical venues in the city.
Getting Started
If you would like to schedule a wedding or want to know more how St. Paul’s Cathedral can help you with your marriage planning, please contact our Wedding Coordinator, Christie Fleming at 619.322.9098
Wedding Photos courtesy of Nick Abadilla Photography
Great Hall Photos courtesy of Brant Bender Photography
