FI and I are just having a small beach wedding with a few of our closest family members and then heading to dinner afterwards. Any reccomendations for a really nice restaurant?? There will be about 15 people including ourselves and we are hoping to keep it around $1,500-$2,000. An ocean view would be GREAT, but not necessary.

I Heart Laguna Beach!  One of my BM's lives there...let me see what I can find out. 

http://www.stregismb.com/dine.aspx

http://www.hushrestaurant.com/

http://cedarcreekinn.com/niguelphoto.html

I would spend a day down there & look around for yourselves.  It's so quaint & lovely there!!!!

I would LOVE to spend a day out there...but I live in Ohio ;) FI and I were actually out there a couple of weeks ago to meet with some officiants and photographers and to pick out the ceremony location. We stopped at "Studio" at the Montage and LOVED it, but now the restaurant mgr. is saying that they can't seat us in the general dining room and a private room would have a $3,500 minimum. $3,500 is a LOT for 15 people!!! 

Tivoli to's ???? crap I can't spell it- but they also have weddings there. . .

The Ritz Carlton in Dana Point. It's gorgeous there!

Cannon's is in Dana but has a great view of the harbor! The mahi is awesome and the plates range from $25-$40

French 75

1464 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Did you also check out the Loft at the Montage?  It's supposed to be still pricey but more affordable thant the Studio. 

French 75 is amazing!  Plus they play live music on the weekends