If you’re planning a wedding at Scripps Seaside Forum in La Jolla, California, you already know the feeling: modern architecture, salty air, and a wide open horizon over the ocean. This venue is equal parts classy and coastal. Made for couples who want an elevated day that still feels effortless.

I’m Teresa LoJacono, a documentary-style wedding photographer based in San Diego. I photograph in a candid, storytelling way, blending digital + film for true-to-color images that feel like memory. If you’re a 2026 bride or 2027 bride building a day around atmosphere (not a photoshoot), here’s what to know about weddings at Scripps Seaside Forum in La Jolla.

To check availability / inquire: Visit My Main Site

Why Scripps Seaside Forum is Perfect for a Wedding

Scripps Seaside Forum sits on the Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus, right along the coastline of La Jolla, California. The venue is known for its warm wood interiors and a floor-to-ceiling glass wall that frames the ocean.

It’s also a strong match for documentary style wedding photography because the space offers natural movement paths: guests flowing from patio to lawn, guests drifting through the lobby, and those quiet “in-between” moments that happen when no one is performing and just lounging on the lawn with a cocktail.

What spaces do you actually get? The Forum is much like a “blank canvas” venue, and your rental includes the auditorium, front patio, lawn, and side patio.

Planning a Wedding at Scripps Seaside Forum

Best Time of Year for Photos

La Jolla’s light can be bright and reflective, especially near the water. So, the best photo windows usually come down to light direction and wind more than temperature.

In general:

• Late spring through early fall brings longer evenings and glowing golden hour.
• Winter can be beautifully soft and moody, plus you often get clearer air after rain.

Because weather shifts fast on the coast, plan a timeline that works even if it’s overcast or breezy. Your gallery will still feel luminous here, thanks to the venue’s glass and open sky.

Photography Tips for Scripps Seaside Forum

A few tips that consistently lead to more candid wedding photography:

1) Build “breathing room” into the timeline.
This venue shines when you’re not sprinting. Add 10–15 minute buffers before the ceremony, after family photos, and before entrances. Those gaps are where the real story shows up.

2) Use the lawn + patios for movement, not posing.
Instead of locking into stiff directions, I’ll guide you with simple cues: walk to the edge of the lawn, pause, look out, come back in close. It keeps everything natural and unforced.

3) Family photos: choose one clean, consistent spot.
Pick a location with even light and minimal background clutter (often the lawn edge or a patio wall). Then we move quickly and keep everyone comfortable.

A simple couple “story” example (timeline approach):
One of my favorite flows here is a slightly earlier ceremony, then 12 minutes alone for the two of you right after recessional, just enough time to exhale, take in the view, and let guests drift to cocktail hour. It creates honest, unguarded photos without adding a big production.

Is Scripps Seaside Forum the Right Venue for You?

This venue is a fit if you want:

• elegance + ease (modern, coastal, not overly ornate)
• a day that feels like you, not a staged set
• timeless, true-to-color images with real emotion
• a location that’s convenient for guests staying in or near La Jolla, California

It’s especially ideal for couples who value a storytelling wedding photography approach—where your gallery reflects how it felt, not just how it looked.

If you’re currently searching for a California wedding photographer (and you care about film as much as digital), Scripps is one of those venues that supports both: clean architecture, textured light, and a natural pace.

Get in touch to check availability → Inquire Here

Scripps Seaside Forum Wedding Cost

Venue fees and vendor pricing can change year to year, so always confirm directly with the venue. That said, Scripps’ own wedding handbook outlines current baseline numbers:

• Site rental fee: $5,500
• Standard event time: 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Optional extension to 11:00 p.m.: +$1,000
• Deposit: 25%, non-refundable and non-transferable

Catering + bar notes (important)

• You’ll need to choose from the venue’s approved caterers list (outside caterers are not allowed).
• You may purchase your own alcohol, but service must be handled by the venue’s required provider (Giuseppe Bar Services).

Per-guest expectations (range guidance)

Because catering varies by menu style, staffing, rentals, and upgrades, the most accurate step is getting proposals from approved caterers first (the venue recommends this before contracting).

As a starting point for budgeting, couples commonly report catering proposals beginning around $100+ per guest, with bar staffing/service sometimes landing in the low-thousands depending on guest count and package choices—then climbing based on selections and rentals. Treat these as anecdotal and confirm with your caterer + bar quotes.

Scripps Seaside Forum Venue: At a Glance

• Location: La Jolla, California
• Address: 8610 Kennel Way (formerly Discovery Way), La Jolla, CA 92037
• Phone: (858) 534-5604
• Website
• Capacity: Maximum 220 (confirm your layout with the venue)
• Venue Spaces: auditorium + patios + lawn; conference rooms may be added for a fee
• Catering: approved caterers list required
• Bar/Alcohol: BYO allowed, but service required through Giuseppe Bar Services
• Parking: limited; permits required; consider a shuttle (confirm current logistics)
• Accessibility: Confirm with the venue for the most accurate guidance.

My Approach to Photographing at Scripps Seaside Forum

My work is documentary at the core: candid, calm, and observant. I’ll step in when you need direction, then step back so the day can breathe.

What that looks like here:

• I use the venue’s clean architecture as a frame, not a backdrop.
• I follow the light (especially on the patios and lawn).
• I blend digital + weddings on film so your gallery feels both crisp and tactile.

Scripps Seaside Forum supports that approach naturally, because the space encourages real flow—guests moving, wind lifting fabric, sun shifting across glass.

More San Diego Venues You’ll Love for Storytelling Photography

• Explore Tivoli Wedding Photography
• Read about The San Diego Yacht Club
• Looking for more inspiration? Visit THE BLOG for more info

Meet Your Scripps Seaside Forum Wedding Photographer

Hi there!! I’m Teresa LoJacono. A photographer based in San Diego, California.
I photograph weddings across San Diego, La Jolla, California, and the Central Coast (including Paso Robles wedding photography). If you want an honest, artful record of your day—true-to-color, film-meets-digital, and deeply human—I’d love to connect.

Hit the contact form → Inquire Here! I cant wait to connect!

FAQ

What’s the best time of year for wedding photos at Scripps Seaside Forum?

Spring through fall gives you longer evenings, while winter can bring soft skies and cleaner air. Either way, build flexibility for coastal wind and changing marine layer.

What should we wear for portraits near the ocean in La Jolla?

Choose fabrics that move well (silk, satin, lighter layers). Also, bring a warm layer for later in the evening, even in summer.

What if it’s overcast or rainy?

Overcast can be stunning here—clean, even light. For rain plans and indoor flow, confirm options with the venue and your planner.

Where do family photos work best at Scripps Seaside Forum?

Pick one spot with even light (often near the lawn/patio edge). Then keep it consistent so the list moves quickly and everyone stays comfortable.

Do you shoot film and digital?

Yes. I blend both so you get the reliability of digital plus the texture and emotion that film holds so well.