1948

Peter & Andrea

Andrea worked at La Playa filling a myriad of roles from switchboard operator to front desk registration. Developing a friendship with the hotel chef, Andrea was promised that someday, when she married, he would bake her a beautiful cake. On April 4, 1948 she was married to Peter Thatcher, a former Carmel High School friend, and that promise of a very special cake was fulfilled. Featuring satin ribbons of spun sugar, Andrea’s cake matched her gown. Her headpiece was fashioned from a piece of her grandmother’s lace. A resident of Carmel today, Andrea frequently visits the hotel.

1986

Leroy & Pam

“We chose this spot because we loved the quaintness of the area, the beauty of the hotel, the flowers in the garden, and the way the fog rolled in every morning. We lived in Orange County then and have lived in Virginia for the past 22 years but this has not kept us from spending every anniversary for the past 28 years at the La Playa Hotel overlooking our special spot.”

1986

John & Hilary

“Walking with my new husband and many of our guests, just as we arrived at La Playa, the sun began to shine. Having attended school back East, my husband had many guests who were unfamiliar with Carmel, but fell in love with it, just as we have. The staff at La Playa could not have handled our reception better and it was a perfect day at a perfect venue.”

1988

Tim & Maureen

“We had a wonderful wedding day with our families. Our ceremony was in the gazebo followed by dinner in a room overlooking the garden. Everyone at the hotel was great and we have come back to Carmel and La Playa for our anniversary many times.”

1990

Jerry & Kim

Jerry and Kim have been celebrating special occasions together at La Playa for nearly 32 years. In the early 2000s they would rent an Executive Suite for a week at Christmas, bringing 25 of their own poinsettias to decorate with as well as Christmas pajamas and hot chocolate. This year, we welcome them back to celebrate 25 years of marriage and Kim’s 55th birthday!

1990

Peter & Anne

“We had a wonderful few days of hikes and parties and lots of time spent with our families getting acquainted. 25 years later, family still talk about the magic of our La Playa wedding. Between the amazing weather (no fog that day!)… the lovely gardens and quaint Mediterranean feel of the La Playa…it was a wedding to remember!”

1990

Jonathan & Diana

Jonathan & Diana McClean were married almost 25 years ago at the Carmel Mission followed by a reception at La Playa. The first daughter of seven children to get married, Diana wanted traditional and classy, thus the La Playa Hotel.

1993

Mark & Natalie

“We chose La Playa for its lush Garden. Mark and I were married in April; it was a spectacular week of eighty-degree weather, and on the day of our wedding, it rained buckets! We exchanged vows in a French doorway overlooking the garden, hoping the rain would bring us good luck. The photos of our wedding day capture the beauty of La Playa.”

1999

Paul & Kathy

“Many guests booked rooms at La Playa knowing of its history, beauty, and charm. This proved to be the perfect locale for a Carmel “destination” wedding. We return yearly to have lunch and tour the grounds, especially the “bird cage” where we recited our vows. Carmel continues to be our most favorite getaway spot as we create more memories..”

2004

Greg & Alpa

Married July 9, 2004 in San Francisco, Greg and Alpa have enjoyed an amazing 10 year journey of love, discovery and companionship. They loved celebrating their 10 year anniversary at La Playa in 2014, along with their 5-year old daughter, and look forward to returning this year!

2005

Matt & Kim

“My husband Matt and I are celebrating our 10-year anniversary this October and had the pleasure of getting married at La Playa. My parents attended a wedding there when I was a young girl and my mom always imagined me getting married in the courtyard, so for her, it really was a dream come true. The day was perfect and we’ve come back several times since as my husband thinks they make the best gin and tonic!”

2010

Jonathan & Courtney

“Growing up in Carmel, my father would take me to La Playa for Sunday brunch. My father passed away in 2002, so when it came time to find a wedding venue I knew I wanted to be someplace that felt like he was part of it as well. When we arrived for our tour and I stood at the top of the stairs looking down towards the gazebo, I knew right away this is where we were going to get married. Getting married outside in July was very risky, but on the day of our wedding the fog stayed out, and it was a beautiful 72 degrees- I like to think it was my dad shining down on us to make our day perfect.”

2014

John & Rachel

“We knew instantly that we wanted to bring all of our family and friends back to Carmel for our wedding, and La Playa was taken over by Texas that second weekend of November, 2014. We had our rehearsal dinner at Mission Ranch, and then the most beautiful wedding, cocktail hour, and reception imaginable at La Playa. We were so blessed to be able to take advantage of the beautiful garden and ballroom, and the weather could not have been more perfect. We can’t wait to return to Carmel, and La Playa, for many years to come!”

2015

Aron & Jennifer

“We chose La Playa because of the close vicinity to the beach, the large amount of space for the outdoor cocktail hour and the overall beautiful scenery from the reception rooms. The atmosphere at La Playa is heavenly and so relaxing, how could anyone not smile, fall in love with it and celebrate special occasions there?!”