How to Plan a Micro Wedding or Intimate Reception in San Diego

Not every couple wants the big ballroom, 200-guest wedding, or months of stress. If you’re dreaming of something more personal, more meaningful — and way more you — then a micro wedding might be your perfect fit.

At Joya Kitchen, we specialize in intimate wedding celebrations that are just as beautiful and thoughtful as large-scale events — but with more room for creativity, connection, and intention.

Here’s everything you need to know about planning a micro wedding or intimate reception in San Diego, and why Joya might be the venue you didn’t know you needed.

What Is a Micro Wedding?

A micro wedding is typically a celebration with 10–50 guests — often blending the best parts of a traditional ceremony with a more relaxed, scaled-down vibe.

Benefits of going micro:

More quality time with your favorite people
Lower stress, lower budget
More flexibility in design, menu, and flow
Easier planning + quicker turnaround
Perfect for second marriages, elopement-style celebrations, or vow renewals

At Joya, micro weddings are treated with the same level of care and style as larger events — just with more intimacy and less overwhelm.

Why Joya Kitchen Is the Perfect Micro Wedding Venue

With its natural light, greenery, and airy indoor-outdoor design, Joya offers a stylish blank canvas that you can personalize without needing major rentals or over-the-top décor.

What makes it perfect:

Indoor dining space with clean, modern design
Shaded outdoor patio with lounge-style or dining setups
Ideal for 15–75 guests
Built-in AV, sound, and mic setup
Full-service event team and customizable catering packages

Whether you're hosting a ceremony and reception, or just gathering post-“I do” for dinner and toasts, Joya gives you the freedom to make it feel like your day.

Food That Reflects Your Taste & Lifestyle

Your guests will talk about the food — and at Joya, they’ll remember it for all the right reasons.

We offer chef-crafted, California-inspired catering made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Our menus are designed to accommodate all diets and lifestyles.

Popular wedding menu options:

Passed appetizers and grazing boards
Plated or buffet-style seasonal entrées
Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes
Champagne service, wine, and wellness mocktails
Mini dessert bars or coffee stations

Want a personalized cocktail or custom cake display? We’re happy to coordinate with your vendors or create something custom.

Easy Planning + Flexible Packages

Micro weddings shouldn’t come with major logistics. We keep things simple, elegant, and easy to book.

All packages include:

Private use of the venue
Furniture, staffing, and setup/cleanup
Basic AV + lighting
On-site event coordinator
Custom food + beverage package options

Need recommendations for florals, photography, or DJs? We’ll share our trusted list of San Diego vendors we love wSan Diego Eventsorking with.

Planning Your Wedding Weekend in San Diego?

Pair your Joya celebration with other La Jolla and San Diego experiences to make it a full weekend.

Host your rehearsal dinner at Joya
Plan a welcome brunch nearby or a spa day in La Jolla
Celebrate your afterparty or honeymoon kickoff with dinner at Lionfish or dancing at Oxford Social Club
Explore other weekend events via San Diego Events

Small Wedding. Big Energy. All Love.

📍 Joya Kitchen
📍 10275 Science Center Dr, San Diego, CA 92121
📩 Inquire about micro wedding packages
📸 See real events + inspiration on Instagram

If you’re looking for an intimate, unforgettable place to say “I do” — we’d be honored to host your love story.