There aren't many places in San Diego County with an oceanfront setting quite like Alila Marea Beach Resort. Perched above the coastline in Encinitas, the resort combines incredible Pacific Ocean views with a modern, relaxed style that feels perfectly at home in coastal North County.
We had the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at Alila Marea during a Weddings of Distinction luncheon, including a tour of the property and its wedding and event spaces with the resort's events team. It's one of those venues that makes an impression pretty quickly.
The ocean is obviously the star of the show. Alila Marea's location above the coastline creates a beautiful backdrop for a wedding ceremony, especially for couples looking for something that feels distinctly Southern California without sacrificing the amenities and service of a luxury resort.
The property itself has a clean, contemporary design that complements the setting rather than competing with it. There are options for both intimate celebrations and larger weddings, with spaces that allow the day to flow naturally from the ceremony into cocktail hour and the reception.
Live Wedding Music at Alila Marea
From our perspective as musicians, Alila Marea is especially exciting because of the possibilities for live music throughout the day. A wind quintet can create an elegant atmosphere for guest arrival and the ceremony while offering couples far more musical variety than they may expect. Our repertoire ranges from classical wedding music to jazz, Broadway, Disney, movie soundtracks, pop favorites, and plenty of music that doesn't normally show up on a traditional wedding playlist.
That means the music can change along with the celebration: something beautiful and understated as guests arrive, meaningful selections for the ceremony itself, and then something completely different as everyone heads into cocktail hour. And with the Pacific Ocean in the background, you really don't need much else. We'd love the opportunity to perform for you at Alila Marea and work with couples planning weddings and celebrations at this beautiful Encinitas resort. If you're getting married here and are considering live music for your ceremony, cocktail hour, or both, we'd be happy to help you put together music that fits the setting and feels like you.