Susan and LeGrand

Approximate Date of the Photo
06/27/1970

Where in Balboa Park was this photo taken
The Stage of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion

Share your Love Story
It was 1970 and I was living in NYC, my fiance in Chicago and my parents in San Diego.

My Mom and I walked through Balboa Park on a beautiful February morning. As we passed the Spreckels Organ Pavilion I asked about a wedding on the stage - a beautiful setting, historical, yet personal. We contacted the Park offices and they said, "Well, Spreckels daughter was married on the stage in the 1930's, and the Park Commissioner's daughter was married there in the 1950's but we've never had just a regular person do it. I don't see why not. We'll have to charge you to clean it up and put up chairs for your guests. Is $25 alright? "

We set the June date hoping for sunshine (not June gloom) and a minimal amount of airplane noise. Then I asked about the organist. "You'll have to use our organist because we can't let just anyone play this organ,” he said. I asked how much he would charge and he asked if $25 was okay.

The day was perfect, no airplanes, fantastic music, and I recall looking out beyond our guests to see bicyclists and folks pushing strollers all stopping to watch the ceremony, just as I'd hoped. Afterward we went to the Hotel del Coronado for the reception ... and it wasn't $25! We’re still married after 44 years.