Press for time

[paliquito]

I''m in the military and based in Texas, my girlfriend lives in SoCal (where i''m originally from). I''ll be deployed to Iraq in about 4 months(May or June), and I''m planning on proposing to her in Feb. and marry her thru the court, for now. I plan on doing the whole ceremony thing when i get back from the sand. Her daughter''s B-Day is going to be celebrated on the 25th of Feb. I''ll be visiting from 23 Feb- 5 March. Do you have any ideas to what places in CA would be memoriable for a proposal? (prefablly at the beaches) Restaurants?

 

[ellewoods]

Where is she in So-Cal?

I''d highly reccomend Santa Barbara....there''s a million romantic proposal spots, from secluded beaches, to nice restaurants with a ocean view, etc. Some that come to mind are the Biltmore (Four Seasons), which is a Four Seasons hotel with a couple beautiful restaurants overlooking the ocean. There is also a beautiful beach right there called "Butterfly Beach." You could go for a walk there and propose, then go to the hotel for a celebratory drink or meal.

Also there is the Bacara Hotel....check out their website. Right on an ocean cliff and very romantic and elegant. There''s also the very romantic hotel/restaurant El Encanto. It''s up in the hills of Santa Barbara so you have an amazing view of the ocean but also the entire resort town. JFK and Jackie Kennedy spent their honeymoon there. Gweneth Paltrow was married there. Etc. It''s very secluded and romantic.

Also, one more thing about Santa Barbara. They have simple wedding ceremonies at their courthouse, and its very beautiful. The courthouse is a historical landmark I beleive, done in a very elegant old-style California mission-spanish style. It''s a very popular spot for ceremonies, and quite simple to get married there. It''s probably one of the most (if not) the most nicest courthouses to get married in. http://www.santabarbaracourthouse.org/sbch/
http://www.santabarbara.com/points_of_interest/courthouse/

Feel free to PM me if you need any more SB info. I lived there for a few years.

I''d also reccomend Laguna Beach -- same thing as far as very romantic, beautiful views, beautiful beaches. A elegant, luxurious resort town feel. There''s an amazing resort in Laguna called the Montage, check out their website.

 

[paliquito]

You rock ellewoods!

I definitely will look into SB, although I am not familiar with the area I''ll look into it. The problem is I think it is pretty far. My home of address is in the Inland Empire, and Laguana Beach seems closer. Do they have a similiar type of ceremonies thru the courts down there as they do like SB?

 

[ellewoods]

Hi again.

No problem, I''d love to help.

Here''s some info about marriage licenses in Orange County. It says they have civil ceremonies throughout the day at the old Courthouse, but I don''t know what the Courthouse is like, and I doubt it''s as picturesque as the one in SB.

http://www.ocgov.com/recorder/Marlicen.htm

Here''s another great link, it''s to a company that has a marriage officiant and they do all sorts of weddings -- giant, small, just the 2 of you....any location you want. This page from them has tons of suggestions for ceremony sites, most in Orange County. Beaches, parks, etc. http://www.marcyann.com/Orange_county_weddings.htm