How Catalina Island Influenced my Dream Wedding
“I pictured that view: a sunny day, beautiful blue waters with waves crashing along the shore …I also knew it would be an interesting wedding to plan because there was another twist: I wanted a Sikh wedding.
The trip that started it all…
The dream began when I was about 15 years old and we took a family trip to Catalina Island – a little island off the coast of California. I fell in love.
The ferry ride was thrilling; it was my first time on a boat and I had never been to an island before. The wind blew against my face as I excitedly looked out to the blue ocean – mesmerized by it’s beauty. Watching the Long Beach port fade into the distance, I was off to an unknown place. A place that will forever hold a special memory in my life.
As we approached Avalon Bay, I was stunned by the allure of the island that lay in front of me. It had so much charm and character, even from afar. I’ve always been drawn to small, quaint communities. I don’t know what it is about them that makes me feel so at peace. Is it just me?
On the Island…
We spent that day exploring (maybe two days – a part of me thinks we spent the night there, but I can’t remember since it was so long ago). And the one thing that caught my eye (and probably everyone that goes there): the Catalina Island Casino. Aside from our little submarine excursion, what I remember the most is sneaking peeks at the big beautiful building the entire time.
We walked up to it and I was awestruck. I turned to my cousin and told her: I wanna get married here.
As the trip came to an end and life went on, every time I thought about my future wedding, I pictured Catalina Island and that view: a sunny day, beautiful blue waters with waves crashing along the shore as the backdrop to my big day. It was during that trip I made the decision: I was going to have a destination wedding. And nobody was ever going to change my mind.
Over Time…
As I got older and was exposed to more beauty around the world, I knew my wedding wasn’t going to take place in the United States – I envisioned a gorgeous wedding on a private beach in Bali, surrounded by remote jungle. I also knew it would be an interesting wedding to plan because there was another twist: I wanted to have a Sikh wedding.
Back then, destination weddings weren’t popular. And I always like to go against the grain a little bit. I thought it was so cool that my wedding would be one of the first-known Sikh destination weddings to me, at the time at least.
Present Day…
Fast forward over 15 years to today, I am planning my dream wedding. It’ll take place in the Mexican Rivera Maya (not Bali, unfortunately – we had to compromise for my fiancé’s family). We’ll still be overlooking the ocean throughout the entire the ceremony. We’ll see waves in the distance and be surrounded by jungle – with jaguars and all! Don’t worry the jaguars don’t come out much, plus they aren’t at the resorts.
We’ll have 3 days of wedding festivities there with our closest friends and family. The reception will take place on a sky deck, as long as weather allows. And my fiancé and I are super excited to celebrate with everyone. And the best part about it is that we’re getting married during such a special year for me! We just hope coronavirus doesn’t get in the way.
To this day I don’t think my family knows how much of an impression that one trip left on me. Not only did it give me a vision that I would one day bring to life, but also stirred a passion for travel inside me. And I will forever cherish those memories.
Want to plan your own trip to Catalina Island?
Click here to see a map of the area, places to stay, and fun experiences nearby!