San Francisco Bay Area wedding venues -

San Francisco and Bay Area's wedding venues

A wedding venue for you! San Francisco and, especially, the Bay Area. The Bay Area offers an amazing variety of wedding venues.

Here’s a sampling of some of the Bay Area venues where I’ve shot weddings. I hope that you’ll see the sort of venue that will be perfect for your special day.

§ From fairytale mansions to magical venues designed specifically for weddings.

§ From earthy winery and vineyard settings to country clubs old and new.

§ From stately San Francisco City Hall to posh historic hotels around the Bay Area.

Casa Real at Ruby Hill, Livermore

Casa Real at Ruby Hill in the Tri-Valley Livermore wine country is a royal setting for a wedding, as its name implies. This 20,000 square foot villa is set among acres of vineyards and landscaped drives. The Mediterranean-style fountain makes a dramatic backdrop for memorable arrivals and departures.

In addition to the jaw-dropping Entrance Hall with a 32-foot ceiling, there are five more rooms off the main Hall. The Amber Room is large enough for a sizeable indoor ceremony. A twelve-foot hand-carved limestone fireplace is a dramatic background for your vows.

The 9,000 square foot Grand Salon is ideal for a magnificent reception with its mahogany bar and soaring, expansive windows. Twenty massive half-moon chandeliers set the mood. A large Italian tile floor invites dancing.

A spacious, posh chamber serves as a lounge for the bride and her attendants.

For outdoor ceremonies, the Sun Garden’s terrace, walkways, limestone fountains and plants provide an idyllic setting. Views of the vineyards and rolling East Bay Hills abound. Orange and magnolia trees surround the central lawn.

The Ruby Hill Winery right next door is an inviting spot for your rehearsal dinner.

Have a peek at Rachel and Shane’s wedding at Ruby Hill.

St. Regis Hotel, San Francisco

Entering The St. Regis San Francisco feels a little like waltzing into the Manhattan townhouse of a good friend with impeccable taste, an unlimited budget, and a penchant for art and design. Here, sumptuous Italian furniture meets hand-blown light fixtures and a world-class art collection.

For those looking to throw an epic celebration, three floors dedicated to events offer options galore.

Level Two has two large rooms that feature seventeen-foot ceilings with custom-made glass light fixtures that resemble intricate clusters of vines embedded with glittering purple flowers. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto Yerba Buena Gardens, and gray-purple carpet and walls make a cool backdrop for your festivities. Receptions are accommodated here with ease, as are dancing and cake-cutting. Right outside the two rooms (which can be combined for large parties), guests flow into a glass atrium with a continuing view of thriving Third Street below.

Up on level four, the Yerba Buena Terrace provides an enormous, luscious spot for ceremonies and receptions. Bamboo plantings, gold Jerusalem marble, and modular teak furniture set the stage for an outdoor fête that overlooks treetops and the urban scene beyond

Adjacent to the Terrace are three smaller event rooms called the Modernist, Impressionist and Conservatory Suites. Featuring linen-covered walls and aubergine carpets, they further reflect the integration of art and design that distinguishes The St. Regis.

The St. Regis was designed by people who have mastered the art of lavish comfort and impeccable service. The positively serene Remède Spa pampers brides and grooms, and if that’s not enough, the hotel’s butler service assures that your stay approaches perfection. Wedding menus are also exceptional: They focus on inventive customized cuisine made predominantly from organic local foods. For a wedding that’s inspired on every level, The St. Regis San Francisco doesn’t disappoint. Here, you can have a celebration that truly reflects your taste for the finer things in life.

Your ceremony can seat 225 indoors and 275 outdoors.

Reception can seat 275 indoors and 300 outdoors.

Here is a little bit of video of a wedding at the St. Regis.

Pasadera Country Club, Monterey

When the moment arrives to plan for that special event, Pasadera Country Club’s unique Spanish-style property footprint provides the ambience for a one-of-a kind wedding. Accoutrements and décor can be tailored to complement the theme and spirit of your special occasion.

The grounds at Pasadera Country Club breathe of serenity and tranquility, those qualities which foster the perfect environment to celebrate one of the truly special moments in one’s lifetime. Whether the event is a small, intimate group or a larger affair, options abound for a gathering that will bring memories and fulfillment for all.

For your reception, the Country Club features a spectacular 38,000 square foot Clubhouse complete with a formal main dining area. The traditional Spanish décor provides warmth and tranquility throughout the various areas.

The Club’s culinary talents are showcased in any sort of experience or situation you choose. Seasonal delicacies are a specialty to complete your wedding day.

Holbrook Palmer Park, Atherton

Holbrook Palmer Park is an old estate, complete with historic buildings, mature oak trees and an 1870 water tower. The park occupies 22 acres of open space in exclusive residential Atherton.

The Main House rests in the center of the property and has wide, gracious steps that lead from the main reception room down to a spacious patio framed by large trees. The patio is perfect for an outdoor ceremony and has a lovely wedding arbor.

Nearby is the Jennings Pavilion, a modern structure which can accommodate large events. Outside the Pavilion is another patio which is appropriate for outdoor seated functions. Additionally, the 1896 Carriage House is available for special parties and can be rented in conjunction with a large meadow area.

Although you might think that a facility in prestigious Atherton would require formality, just the opposite is true: the feeling here is relaxed and informal.

The Main House, with outdoor seating, can accommodate 100 guests; the Jennings Pavilion holds 200 guests including outside seating; the Carriage House seats 80 guests.

Meadowood, St. Helena

Driving into the exclusive Meadowood Napa Valley is indeed a pleasure. You follow a narrow tree-shaded lane, flanked by immaculately tended vineyards and forested hillsides, to the sophisticated resort complex, which includes a wine school, executive conference center and first-rate recreational facilities. The superbly designed buildings are reminiscent of New England during the early 1900s, with white balconies, gabled roofs and gray clapboard siding. This property is secluded on 250 acres of densely wooded Napa Valley countryside.

The sprawling, multi-tiered clubhouse accommodates private parties. It’s set on high ground, overlooking lush green fairways and manicured lawns. The large Vintners’ Room and Woodside Room are available for receptions. The Vintners’ Room is fabulous, with high ceilings and a stone fireplace, decks with umbrella-shaded tables and outstanding views. The nearby lawn slopes down to steps adjacent to a dry creek bed planted with willows, leading to a footbridge that crosses over to golf fairways.

For outdoor celebrations, Meadowood arranges tables and tents on the lawns next to the Vintners’ Room. There is something very special about this facility. It provides award-winning cuisine, deluxe accommodations and an environment to match.

For your ceremony, 250 people can be seated outdoors. For your reception, 150 can be seated indoors, or 250 outdoors.

This is truly exceptional property.

Marines’ Memorial Club, San Francisco

The Marines’ Memorial Club is a hidden jewel in the heart of San Francisco’s Union Square. This Beaux-Arts beauty was built in 1926. The landmark is a nonprofit club for veterans and their families—and also a fine hotel and special event facility.

The Club’s rich architectural heritage, first-class food and service, and nostalgically elegant décor bring extra dimensions to any celebration. The entire 10th and 11th floors of the building are fitted out with wonderful banquet spaces. Weddings on the 11th floor might begin with a ceremony in the exquisite, take-your-breath-away Crystal Ballroom. A vaulted hand-painted ceiling holds three massive crystal chandeliers. Their ornate prisms shimmer over the gleaming parquet floor, and the ballroom’s oval shape lends a soft intimacy to the magnificent space. For ceremonies, the staff sets up a raised dais and an archway or chuppah.

After the service, guests retire to the Crystal Lounge, connected to the Ballroom by a foyer. Everyone toasts the happy couple, while taking in the sweeping city view from the Lounge’s wall of vaulted windows. Tear your eyes away from the luminous cityscape for a moment, and admire the Lounge’s gold-leafed and frescoed ceiling. When it is time to dine, guests return to the Crystal Ballroom, which has been transformed with white linens and silver candelabra centerpieces. The Ballroom also has a built-in dance floor that runs the length of the room, so everyone has plenty of space to dance the night away.

An equally impressive option awaits on the 10th floor. There’s a stately majesty about the Commandant’s Ballroom, thanks to a 22-foot-high intricately painted and coffered ceiling, wood detailing, and striking iron chandeliers with matching sconces. Enhancing the Ballroom’s splendor are vaulted east-facing windows that capture a sparkling city vista. Just as with the Crystal Ballroom, the Commandant’s serves as the setting for both ceremonies and lavish receptions. During the cocktail hour, the nearby Heritage and Regimental Rooms, which are connected by an adjoining foyer, are set for cocktail service. Guests can get their beverages from bars set up in either room, then relax at cocktail tables holding flickering votive candles. The Regimental Room looks out toward Nob Hill, and its mahogany paneling make it a special, warm place. A built-in bar comes in handy during a cocktail hour or rehearsal dinner, and a working fireplace adds to the cozy atmosphere. The Heritage Room enjoys views of Nob Hill and downtown, and Art-Deco chandeliers convey a bit of whimsy. Returning to the Commandant’s Ballroom for the reception and dancing completes the evening’s revelry.

Weddings at the Club are catered in-house, and feature gourmet contemporary American cuisine. Renovated guestrooms and suites provide a comfortable overnight stay. Newlyweds love Suite #403’s oversized tub-for-two; its spacious living room and wall of mirrors are great for pre-wedding primping. The Leatherneck Steakhouse on the 12th floor showcases a stunning panorama with glimpses of the bay over towering skyscrapers. It’s perfect spot for a rehearsal dinner!

At the Marine’s Memorial, 270 people can be seated indoors for you ceremony and for your reception.

Hyatt Regency, Santa Clara

Choices, choices, choices. That’s what you get at the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara. Want an outdoor ceremony? How about in front of a waterfall? In a courtyard? In a ballroom? Small and intimate? Huge with an orchestra? All of these possibilities can come true here.

The Hyatt Regency Santa Clara is connected to the Santa Clara Convention Center and within walking distance of Great America (if you’re still a kid at heart, why not make a trip to Great America part of your event?). There are plenty of rooms for the wedding party and out-of-towners, and the ample parking is complimentary.

The staff at the Hyatt Regency really understands how to put on events. The hotel probably has everything you’ll need, and if they don’t, they’ll get it. And their wedding packages are all-inclusive, so there won’t be any surprise charges.

Your ceremony options abound: Tie the knot in front of a granite waterfall in the Terra Courtyard, conveniently located by the pool patio, which would also make a pleasant place for evening cocktails before the reception. Stage a small, private ceremony amid the potted palms and jasmine of the Tresca Courtyard, a triangular atrium with a Tuscan feel. You could also use the Tresca Courtyard as overflow from the Grand Ballroom Foyer if you choose to have hors d’oeuvres and cocktails in this larger space. The contemporary Grand Ballroom Foyer is a long, vaulted area with glass doors opening out into the Tresca Courtyard…which leads us to the Grand Ballroom itself, with room for 1,400 guests—and yes, the Hyatt Regency has handled weddings this large!

For smaller receptions you can take your pick of several banquet rooms, each featuring clean, modern décor and sparked with colorful artwork. Host a quiet affair in the polygonal Magnolia Room, with its original prints and art deco glass panels. Or rock out in the large Santa Clara Ballroom under high ceilings lit with gigantic alabaster chandeliers. If you choose one of the hotel’s many event rooms on the second floor, your guests can enjoy pre-banquet hors d’oeuvres and cocktails on the mezzanine overlooking the two-story-high, cherry-paneled lobby.

Cuisine at the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara is continental. Catering offers a variety of menu selections, but again, their goal is to accommodate your wishes and create the reception dinner you envision.

So if having lots of choices is important to you, check out the Hyatt Regency’s many options and its well-thought-through and inclusive wedding packages. And if you don’t see what you want—just ask.

In this large venue, you can seat 1,300 indoors, and 200 outdoors for your ceremony. For your reception, again it’s 1,300 indoors and 200 outdoors.

Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club, Palo Alto

Nestled high in the foothills above Silicon Valley, the facility offers serenity, panoramic views and topnotch services. And, although this is one of the most prestigious private clubs in the United States, you don’t have to be a member to host a special event here.

Your experience begins under the awning in front of the clubhouse entrance, where you turn around to take in the sweeping view of San Francisco Bay and the rolling East Bay hills. Then, as you step through the etched-glass front doors and into the lobby, you start to fully appreciate the refined décor, which includes a cherry wood fireplace and a luxuriously oversized bouquet of fresh flowers. Much effort (and expense) has gone into creating this elegant setting.

Across the lobby, a wide set of stairs leads to the back doors and out to the landscaped terrace, adjacent to the golf course. This is an ideal setting for a ceremony and cocktails, with a view as breathtaking as the one at the Club’s entrance: Majestic redwoods, tall pines, and oaks border the fairways (redesigned in 1999 by famed architect Robert Muir Graves). A tiered waterfall cascades over boulders at the nearby 18th green (a fabulous backdrop for wedding ceremonies and photos

Just off the terrace is the ballroom, a beautiful room with its own marble-topped bar. A recently completed multi-million dollar renovation has made this one of the loveliest spaces on the Peninsula. Windows on three sides of the Ballroom showcase the golf course, waterfall and hillsides, while glass doors enable guests to flow easily from the Ballroom to the heated Terrace. For smaller gatherings, reserve the sophisticated Members Dining Room, whose warm cherry wood walls are crisscrossed with a distinctive pattern of brass inlay. In the evening, add a romantic glow with candles on the tables, or simply enjoy the view, a blanket of city lights sparkling against the night sky.

Palo Alto Hills’ kitchen is headed up by award-winning Executive Chef, Orlin Marcus, previously the Chef de Cuisine at the renowned Beach and Tennis Club in Pebble Beach.

Marcus and his culinary team create a multi-course meal for a gala reception. The food is prepared from scratch, using only the finest and freshest ingredients.

Impeccable service is the top priority here, and you’ll be impressed with the entire staff, from the valet parking attendants to the professional event coordinator, who will help you personalize your festivities

For both your ceremony and reception, there is seating indoors for 300 and outdoors for 300 as well.

Martinelli Event Center, Garré Winery, Livermore Valley

Garré Winery is a bit like a small village—a charming Italian wine country village surrounded by grapevines. This pleasant collection of picturesque cottages and lawns has become a popular place to hold almost any event, especially weddings.

That popularity has increased even more with Garré‘s newest addition: the Martinelli Event Center, a private facility located just up the hill from the winery. Set on an elevated vineyard, it’s a grand Hacienda-style venue with wrought-iron gates, an imposing tower, and soaring palm trees at the entrance. The ballroom, which has been designed for both beauty and versatility, features a vaulted beamed ceiling, wood wainscoting and accents, high windows, and elaborate chandeliers. There are three built-in, remote-controlled projection screens (for that slide show of the bride and groom). The building’s stone-paved inner courtyard with fireplace and fountain is ideal for a bar setup and appetizers, or for a reception under the stars. A nearby ceremony site is not only surrounded by vines, but also offers views of vineyard-laced rolling hills. The entire facility—including an enormous patio and lawn, an exquisite bridal suite, and a comfortable groom’s dressing area—is laid out in a way that allows for seamless transitions from ceremony to hors d’oeuvres to dining and dancing.

Back down the hill on the winery property is the Grand Pavilion and Oak Staging Area, another gorgeous wedding site. Old-fashioned 19th-century street lamps line the paths and illuminate the area at night. One walkway leads up to a small stage beneath the property’s centuries-old oak tree. Bordered by flowerbeds and Italian cypress and backed by rows of cabernet vines, this is a dignified spot for a ceremony. Across the grass, an elegant white pavilion provides 6,000 square feet of banquet and dance space for large parties. During the summer, the walls of the “big white tent” can come down, revealing the surrounding vineyards and gardens and connecting the ceremony area with the reception site

Masterful chef, Ty Turner, puts together exceptional pairings of food and wine.

Two full-size bocce ball courts that are lit at night offer a before- and after-dinner diversion, adding to the Old World ambiance.

The Martinelli Event Center seat up to 250 guests, and the Pavilion seats up to 400 guests.

Immaculate Conception Church, San Francisco

A truly special place for your Catholic wedding. Immaculate Conception Church is adorned inside with stunning works of art, and rich, warm wood. It’s grand and intimate at the same time.

See how beautiful your wedding can be at Immaculate Conception Church [link]

Hans Fahden Vinyards, Calistoga

High in the mountains between Santa Rosa and Calistoga, the Hans Fahden family has created an incredible setting with outdoor sites elegant enough for satin gowns and tuxedos, and a marvelous indoor facility with some extraordinary features.
Your special event may start in the Teahouse, a quaint wooden structure covered with wisteria, grapevines and red climbing roses. Small gatherings can use the Teahouse for ceremonies or receptions, but larger groups mingle there before descending into the gardens below. The gardens are an exquisite combination of French country style and wildlife habitat, and they remind you of an Impressionist painting, As you travel the path down to the pond, your senses are tantalized by the sights and smells of roses, irises, petunias, pansies, cornflowers, poppies, ornamental grasses and native shrubs. The garden has been cleverly planted so that something different blooms each month, creating one wave of color after another.

Midway between the Teahouse and pond, a terraced lawn bordered by a volcanic-ash rock wall and beds of pink evening primroses, lavender, roses and California poppies serves as a ceremony site for large weddings. The covered bridge spanning the lily pond can also be used for weddings.

After exchanging vows, join your guests in the winery building, a long graceful structure whose mellow wood exterior and peaked, sage-green roof blend with the rugged mountainside behind it. Inside, a gray slate floor, high beamed ceiling of grooved pine and redwood, and cream walls give the room a simple beauty that complements the glory of the gardens viewed through French doors. In one corner, a grand piano provides background music as your guests nibble appetizers and sip champagne. The 400-pound Douglas fir doors at one end of the room open to reveal a wine cave containing candlelit tables set for dinner. This space is gorgeous, surprising and utterly unique. Formed of volcanic ash rock, the T-shaped cave’s walls are lined with wine barrels; metal fixtures with grape-leaf cutouts and twinkle-light-wrapped poles provide subtle lighting. Magical doesn’t even begin to describe an event here—as you sit down to dinner, surrounded by flowers, flickering shadows and the piquant smell of aging wine, you’ll feel as if you’re part of a breathtaking fairy tale. And, unlike limestone caves, this cave’s volcanic-ash rock adjusts to body temperature when occupied, so there is no concern about being cold.

For your ceremony, 50 can be seated indoors, and 120 outdoors. For your reception 120 can be seated indoors, and 100 outdoors.

City Hall, San Francisco

We would be foolish to underestimate the beauty of a San Francisco City Hall marriage ceremony. You can have a gorgeous, memorable ceremony there and beautiful videography to remember your wedding day.

San Francisco is fortunate to have one of the great city halls in the country. A big plus is that it’s been recently restored and brought back to its former grace and glory; the marble is shining, the gold leaf is sparking. There are a number of places within city hall to be married. Each has a different look and different light.

The Rotunda offers a breathtaking marble staircase that is the focal point of any event. The Second Floor balcony areas are available for Rotunda events. The elegant Fourth Floor galleries provide architecturally stunning venues The North Light Court is City Hall's most versatile room. The South Light Court is an exceptional room with a permanent art exhibit.

St. Ignatius Church, San Francisco

St. Ignatius Church is a stunning landmark high in the Western Addition. The double-spired neoclassical building sits on the campus of the University of San Francisco. The interior of the church is a beautiful example of neoclassicism, all pristine and shining with gold.

This church is arranged with a long center aisle which can be the setting for a memorable processional and joyful recessional.

If you’re having a Catholic wedding, this church is simply gorgeous.

Palm Event Center, Livermore

The ambiance here is purely palatial or maybe “palazzo,” since the feeling you’ll get is that you’ve stepped into the Italian countryside.

The facilities are surrounded by vineyards and enjoy views of Mt. Hamilton and Ruby Hill. Guests arrive via a graceful palm-lined approach to find themselves in front of an imposing winery with its roots in the past. The atmosphere is one of privacy and refinement. The adjacent Palm Event Center, which is where your event will take place, has been built using antique brick recycled from an old historic winery. Carefully designed in a manner that combines Early California and Italian Romanesque styles, it is a majestic edifice that bespeaks both taste and means.

The enchantment continues when you step into the Ballroom through the Palm’s massive redwood doors. They’re made from wine barrels that were aged over 50 years. Inside, a twenty-foot-high ceiling and stone-colored Italian-tile floor define the grand scale of this spacious room. High Roman windows connect you with the outdoors: Look through them and you can see the tops of the palms. Bigger-than-life appointments include French oak barrels and two 800-pound king’s tables ideal for presenting cakes or escort cards in royal style. Handsome portable screens can partition off any area, including the sleek tan-and-black granite bar. And the magnificent catering kitchen enables an all-star staff to turn out delicious contemporary cuisine, guaranteed to dazzle your palate. The sky is the limit on lighting, but even better than the stars, this heaven of dual pin spots is on adjustable dimmers. Even the seating is exquisite: Italian designer chairs are ultra-comfy and welcoming after a mad whirl (or two or three) around the ballroom.

On the eastern wall, huge floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors open onto a sizeable, two-tiered patio, which can also be accessed from a trellis- and trumpet-vine-bordered walkway on the side of the building. Floored in tasteful gray stone and attractively lit, it’s perfect for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres or for after-dinner drinks under the stars. The well-manicured lawn is another lovely gathering place, perhaps for a ceremony beneath the eastern-influenced arch, or for a convivial chat.

The cavernous Estate Room, lined with wine barrels and glittering tealights, provides more space and is a beautiful setting for an indoor ceremony. Clean, crisp and cool, it’s full of wine-cave romance and the fragrance of ripening vintages.

This is the place for a really large wedding. For your ceremony, 400 guests can be seated indoors, 350 guests can be seated outdoors. For your reception, 450 can be seated indoors.

Casa de la Vista, Treasure Island, San Francisco

This city-owned facility has just about the best views of San Francisco you’re likely to find anywhere, and it offers a number of other attractions (starting with plenty of parking and flexibility) that make it well worth the visit.

Casa de la Vista itself has hosted all types of events. Formerly an officer’s club built in 1944, the newly renovated facility is an unpretentious, U-shaped building with a gloriously unobstructed view of downtown San Francisco, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate and Bay bridges. Events are held in the one large room, with a three-sided, brass-trimmed bar located at one end. The façade of windows and the high, beamed ceiling give the space a light, open feeling. Windows along the back side of the room look out onto a lovely courtyard, enclosed on three sides by the building. All around, mature pines, eucalyptus, palms and olive trees provide shade and a restful backdrop. Weather permitting, you can use the patio for cocktails and appetizers, or perhaps for your ceremony. Wine Valley Catering, the exclusive caterer for this site, can help you with all your food and beverage needs.

Just a few steps away is another ceremony possibility: the wooden chapel. This redwood-paneled sanctuary is non-denominational and minimally ornamented, aside from two stained-glass windows (one of which depicts Jesus). However, during the warmer months, you might want to take full advantage of the magnificent views by saying your vows on the Great Lawn—a sweeping expanse of grass as close to shore as you can get—or in one of several tree-sheltered areas. And if you’d like to have your entire event outside but want to create an “indoor-outdoor” experience, tent one of the lawn areas—you’ll be sheltered from the elements without sacrificing the dramatic bay views.

For larger celebrations the beautiful Art Deco lobby of the historic Building One.
Perfectly positioned between the East Bay and San Francisco, Treasure Island’s venues balance a relaxed, pastoral feeling with the glamour of city lights.

180 guests can be seated indoors for your ceremony, 500 can be seated outdoors. The capacity for your reception is the same.

Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco

This extraordinary landmark hotel continues to be a mecca for guests from all over the world.

A recent $85 million restoration not only brought back architect Julia Morgan’s stunning turn-of-the-century interior, it added all the modern amenities you’d expect in a world-class hotel.

The lobby is now both larger and lighter in tone, and is splendidly understated with rich plum and gold hues. The original white-and-gray marble floor (lifted out slab by slab, cleaned and meticulously replaced) has been given a high sheen. The gold leaf on the 26-foot-high ceilings has been enhanced, and the ornate moldings have been cleaned and restored. Multiple pilasters and columns, painted in a trompe l’oeil marble finish, are highlighted with gold leaf accents. Informal clusters of period-style furniture, rich in detail with lots of tassels and trim, dot the lobby.

Two of the most grand and glamorous spaces in the Fairmont are the Venetian and Gold Ballrooms. Both are light and airy, with elaborately ornamented vaulted ceilings, gold leaf detailing, and crystal chandeliers. The Pavilion Room has picture windows that overlook The Fairmont’s rooftop garden, a sublime spot for exchanging vows. The Crown Room, named for its spectacular location on the top floor of the Fairmont Tower, is a soothing environment in soft celadon, sage, pale violet and gold highlights. The room’s most remarkable feature, however, is the view. Tall wraparound windows reveal a sweeping 270-degree panorama of the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, Coit Tower, Alcatraz, Downtown and the Twin Peaks

The ultimate place to hold your event may be the 6,000-square-foot Penthouse, a palatial residence spanning the entire eighth floor of the main building. This extraordinary suite features a living room with a grand piano, a formal dining room that seats 50, a two-story circular library, a billiard room, a breathtaking terrace with sweeping views of the San Francisco skyline and bay, and three oversized bedrooms. When you reserve the Penthouse, you and your guests have exclusive use of it and are free to flow from one space to another throughout the celebration.

If your event is on a more intimate scale, the Fairmont has many beautiful smaller banquet rooms from which to choose. For a more casual rehearsal dinner or post-wedding gathering, the Tonga Room consistently receives awards for hosting San Francisco’s best happy hour and offers exceptional Pacific Rim Asian Cuisine in a tropical setting.

This is one historic hotel that’s also quite forward thinking. Their Green Weddings program includes hundreds of options from organic, locally produced foods and biodynamic wines to recyclable favors and confetti.

For your ceremony, the Fairmont can seat 500 guests indoors, and 150 outdoors. For your reception, 900 can be seated indoors.

Wine and Roses, Lodi

Here’s a venue that has it all. Charm, intimacy, a variety of unique spaces, wonderful service, excellent food.

The Ballroom is a breathtaking Tuscany-style with an open beam ceiling, stone fireplace, beverage bar, and its own private garden of white birch trees. Neutral colors and natural materials will enhance any theme or style to make it your own unique event.

The Cellar Room and Patio is a romantic setting featuring tall ceilings, a stone fireplace and large French doors that open to a private patio gardens.

The Pavilion offers a covered, outdoor space with lighting for dining, cocktails or socializing. A great spot for your cocktail hour.

Wine and Roses and an intimate and private location for a small ceremony in its Wedding Garden. It’s gorgeous spot for an outdoor ceremony. The garden is filled with beautiful botanical flowers and plants and is surrounded by majestic deodar trees

A spacious and nicely decorated Bride’s Changing Room is a private space just off the Garden Ballroom.

A fairly large wedding is possible here: the Ballroom will seat 350 guests.

Palace Hotel, San Francisco

The Palace, San Francisco’s premier historic hotel, was originally inspired by the most luxurious European hotels of the Gilded Age at the turn of the century.

The Palace’s wedding specialists serve as “discovery ambassadors,” helping couples explore the variety of event options available at this magnificent location. Every celebration is customized according to each couple’s vision, whether it’s a classic gala or a contemporary soirée.

Many choose to host a spectacular reception in the world-renowned Garden Court, one of the most exquisite rooms anywhere in the world. The magnificent domed ceiling of pale yellow leaded glass floods the restaurant with warm natural light, and the original crystal chandeliers add old-world sparkle. The Ralston Room is versatile enough to accommodate either a ceremony or reception. Reminiscent of a Gothic cathedral, this room soothes with its cream, gold and jewel tones.

For large wedding receptions, the Grand Ballroom lives up to its name. English classical in style, its charm comes from unique lace plasterwork and shimmering chandeliers decorated with carved crystal pears and apples. The Gold Ballroom is the most popular reception site. Once the Hotel’s music room, it has the feel of a ballroom in a manor house. Tall draped windows highlight the intricate lattice plasterwork and gold leaf detailing throughout. An antique orchestra balcony, stately fireplace, and rich blue-and-gold carpet complete the lovely décor.

For more intimate ceremonies or receptions, the French Parlor features stained-glass skylights, crystal chandeliers, marble fireplaces and a bird’s-eye view of the Garden Court ceiling. For a more modern ambiance, the Sunset Court accommodates gatherings and ceremonies beneath an arched glass dome.

For your ceremony, the Palace can seat 500 indoors. Your reception seating can seat up to 600 guests.

Crystal Springs, Burlingame (Wedgewood Banquet Center at Burlingame Country Club)

One of the most picturesque wedding sites in the Bay Area has something very few people ever have the privilege of seeing: a bird’s-eye view of the protected land around Crystal Springs Reservoir.

But if you wed outdoors at Crystal Springs Golf Course, you are among the rare outsiders who get to enjoy this vista, and with it comes much more than simple bragging rights. The ceremony site, a city-owned meadow at the southern end of the golf club, has a gazebo that stands on a grassy knoll overlooking the reservoir. The view from here is sensational, with glistening reservoir waters below and tree-covered ridges behind it. In the distance, high hills slope toward the bay. There are no houses in sight, and deer often graze nearby. The backdrop is so spectacular that the gazebo needs little adornment—put some flowers in front or over the entry, and voilà. There’s plenty of room for a limo to drop off the bride, and if she wants to add a little more pizzazz to the moment, she can arrive in a horse-drawn carriage. A well-tamped earthen aisle cuts through a beautifully tended lawn to the gazebo, where the couple exchanges vows.

The reception takes place up a tree- and greens-lined road at the Wedgewood Banquet Center. The club’s main building, painted creamy white with gray-green trim, is set at the edge of gentle terraces that drop toward the reservoir. To reach its two banquet rooms and deck, you walk along a red-carpeted terrace that has a sweeping view down to the golf course.

The Wedgewood’s Vista Room is the primary dining-reception area. The entire west wall, which faces the Vista Deck, is glass windows and doors, with airy, white sheers framing the view outside. If you reserve this space, you also get the adjoining Vista Deck, a large glassed-in area shaded by a canopy.

The elements for a fine, fine day are here in splendid array: the gazebo in its unforgettable setting; a personable, attentive staff; good food; fresh, sea-kissed air (the ocean is only a few ridges away); and nature’s intense blues and greens.

You’ll be able to seat 275 guests indoors and 400 outdoors.

Villa Montalvo (Montalvo Arts Center)

Nestled against a wooded slope in the private and secluded Saratoga hills is Montalvo Arts Center, a lovely complex with a variety of venues for weddings. For weddings, the focal point of this estate is its beautiful Mediterranean-style mansion, Villa Montalvo. Built in 1912 as the private summer residence of Senator James Duval Phelan, this National Register Historic Landmark is now home to an arboretum and a nonprofit center for the arts.

An inviting one-way road leads up to Villa Montalvo. As you round the last turn, you get your first glimpse of the estate’s expansive manicured lawns and colorful gardens, as well as the mansion’s terracotta-tile roof, light stucco walls and wide veranda. To your left, you’ll also see the Love Temple, one of two ceremony sites on the grounds; it’s an open-air, white-columned pavilion set at the end of a wide brick path featuring historic marble statues. Couples get married on its steps, with a view of the surrounding Mediterranean garden and the Villa and woods in the background.

Directly behind the Villa, the Oval Garden offers a lush garden setting complete with classical statues and wisteria-covered pergolas. This open-air courtyard is an intimate and delightful place for a ceremony; a brick pathway serves as the center aisle, and a column-supported arcade is the backdrop for taking vows.

The Villa’s first floor and outdoor patios are available for receptions. Guests can mingle on the veranda, sipping champagne and sampling hors d’oeuvres while enjoying splendid views of the estate’s lawns and gardens.

For your ceremony outdoors, you will be able to seat 200 guests. Your indoor reception will be able to seat 160, and an outdoor reception can accommodate 300 guests.

Nestledown, Saratoga

Nestled in the redwoods on acres of lushly landscaped property, this exceptional retreat is located just minutes away from the heart of the Silicon Valley. Gorgeous views, rustic elegance, and unique amenities come together to provide a stunning environment that will always be remembered. Lush gardens, two large ponds, and waterfalls provide a stunning location to spend some time.

In amongst the 100+ acres are a myriad of hidden "toys" and activity area, plus areas for reflection and quiet. From the train, to the horses, to the foxglove meadow with its 3 volleyball courts, bocce ball, paint ball (target only), to the fantasy garden and cottage. There are acres of walking trails and the outdoor "chapel" for a quite retreat or a picture-perfect natural setting for a wedding ceremony.
This private retreat is nestled among the redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains and surrounded by acres of carefully tended flower gardens and orchards. Nestldown is an especially beautiful escape from the everyday world. Nestldown has over seven acres of landscaped lawns and gardens, as well as 35 acres of working orchards producing peaches, apples, kiwis and other fruits. The grounds also offer a full tennis court and baseball field. Children will delight in the Fantasy Garden and Cottage, a furnished children's playhouse that is guarded by topiary sculptures and carrousel animals.

The reception is an almost rustic building, all wood and large windows with views onto the property.

Galleria at the San Francisco Design Center, San Francisco

The exterior of the Galleria building at the San Francisco Design Center gives you no clue as to what’s inside—all you see is sky and trees, reflected in a gleaming, four-story façade of more than 700 individual glass panes. Walk through the front doors, however, and you see the world as it would be if top designers were in charge.

The main event space is directly ahead of you, and it becomes immediately clear that the building’s architects have made excellent use of the four stories they had to play with. They’ve created a soaring atrium with a retractable skylight that literally brings the outdoors inside: On nice days, real air and sunshine flood in. The whole space radiates warmth and contemporary sophistication with its open, airy feel, Italian tile floor and exposed brick walls.

The polished light maple hardwood floor in the center can be used for dining or dancing; the elevated stage is right for presentations, a performance or a band, and there’s a built-in beverage bar as well. Rising on all sides are three levels of balconies, where tête-à-tête tables provide an intimate setting for cocktails and conversation.

There are so many pluses to this unique space, you can do almost anything with it! Entertain an intimate gathering of 100, or throw a bash for 1,600. Take advantage of the full-scale sound system, which allows a band or DJ to hook right in, or experiment with the theatrical lighting to make a dramatic statement on the dance floor and stage. For some truly festive sparkle, set the Tivoli lights on “chasing.” Guests can mingle with the crowd on the main floor, or steal away to an upper tier for a quiet conversation, and still feel part of the event.

The Galleria has the resources, the space and, above all, the style for nearly any wedding you can imagine.

The Galleria can seat 400 for your ceremony and 1,000 for your reception.

Kunde Winery, Kenwood

Beautiful Kunde Estate Winery has four unique sites for your wedding.

Boot Hill is perched high above Sonoma Valley on the steps of the Mayacamas Mountains. Boot Hill boasts 360-degree views of our family’s 1,850-acre winegrowing estate. During the day, a towering grove of Valley Oaks provides shade and comfort. In the evening, you’ll experience brilliant sunsets and starlit nights. The stunning and secluded site includes an outdoor stone kitchen complete with gas barbeque, bar area and restroom facilities, and is the perfect setting for a casual barbeque or a spectacular wine country wedding.

Boot Hill’s capacity is 250 guests.

Dunfillan Ruins

One of the most unique venues in all of wine country, the stone ruins of the Dunfillan Winery are set in a beautiful, secluded five-acre meadow surrounded by scenic vineyards, mountain views, and majestic oak trees. Built in the late 1800’s by winemaking pioneer John Drummond, the Dunfillan Winery site is where California’s first varietally labeled Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted and bottled. Perfect for large events, the interior of the ruins can be transformed into a dramatic dining experience, while the surrounding meadow makes a stunning setting for additional entertainment.

Dunfillan Ruins’ capacity is 250 people

Vineyard Terrace

Our Tasting Room opens onto a lovely garden terrace with a reflecting pool and fountains rising against the scenic backdrop of Sonoma Valley. Surrounded by Chardonnay vineyards and shaded by a canopy of valley oaks, the Vineyard Terrace presents two poolside-dining areas plus a large manicured lawn where seasonal flowers abound. The fountains and extended patio offer a relaxing, pleasant atmosphere for seasonal dining and special events.

The Vineyard Terrace has a capacity of 150 guests.

Wine Aging Caves – VIP Dining Room

The wine aging caves at Kunde Family Estate offer you and your guests the unparalleled opportunity to be enveloped by the romance and tradition of winemaking. Imagine the unforgettable experience of dining 175 feet below the surface of a Chardonnay vineyard amidst the aromas of fine wine aging in oak barrels. Encased in five million year old volcanic rock, the VIP Dining Room is graced by a volcanic rock stage and elegant redwood tables. The dining room is the ideal setting for rehearsal dinners, with modern amenities allowing for slide presentations and live musical performances.

The VIP Dining Room’s capacity is 36 guests at existing redwood table, 50 people at round tables.

Jacuzzi Family Vineyards, Sonoma

Jacuzzi Family Vineyards 18,000 square foot winery building, a replica of the family home in the Fruili region in Italy, houses Jacuzzi wines and winemaking facility. Under magnificent pieces of Italian art, Venetian-style glass chandeliers and handmade furnishings, the winery provides a dramatic and awe-inspiring backdrop for weddings.

Our wedding clients enjoy the exclusive use of three venues: our Vineyard Vista, overlooking the estate vines complete with a marble fountain imported from Italy; our Grand Piazza with magnificent stone work, pillars, and old world charm of a town square; and our cathedral-like Barrel Room with Romanesque statues, baroque art, apse and exposed wood beams. Valleriano’s Court is a smaller room perfect for a rehearsal diner.

For a day that will stay in the hearts and minds of your friends and loved ones forever, Jacuzzi is the place to make your wedding dreams come true.

Viansa Winery, Sonoma

Set atop a hill overlooking the Valley of the Moon and resembling a Tuscan Villa, Viansa embraces you with Italian hospitality and satisfies all your senses.

The Villa (also known as the winery building), with its tiled roof, terracotta walls and shuttered windows is your first taste of Tuscany. A series of French doors along the left wing opens onto a circular courtyard, flanked by olive trees and grapevines; colorful flowerpots encircle the fountain in the center and mark the perimeter.

To the right of the Villa a stone-walled staircase takes you past the thriving grapevines on either side up to a huge bronze door at the top. As you pass through the doorway, you enter a thoroughly enchanting hilltop “village.” To one side is an intimate fountain courtyard, enclosed by ivy-clad walls and shaded by silvery olive trees; to the other is Le Mura, the fully enclosed, tented reception pavilion. A few steps further is the expansive Main Lawn, a picnic area beneath a trellis laced with grapevines, and the Italian Marketplace. Everywhere you look you’ll see bright red geraniums spilling out of planters, wrought-iron benches and, of course, the delicate presence of olive trees shimmering in the sun.

Get married in the circular courtyard or candlelit wine cellar. If you like the festive ambiance of the Marketplace, serve sparkling wine here while your guests mingle amongst vibrant displays of wines, mustards, olive oils, pestos and other gourmet delicacies. For a gorgeous finale, hold your reception in Le Mura: Linen-draped tables set with crystal and flowers are an elegant complement to the flagstone floor and soaring white canopy overhead. If you like, you can add candelabras festooned with flowers for a romantic glow.

Before the sun sets completely, take a walk up to Alto Piano, the highest point of the property. From the edge of the plateau you have a fantastic view of Viansa’s 91 acres of restored wetlands far below. This seasonal home to one million ducks, shorebirds and golden eagles also attracts avid bird watchers during peak migrations every spring.

The people at Viansa have long felt that Americans should be able to enjoy wine and food together, just as Italians have done for centuries. Guests who dine here appreciate the extraordinary amount of care that goes into the cuisine and service, and they have responded with their patronage: 80% of the winery’s event business is word of mouth. At Viansa, they’ve not only created an exquisite environment for celebrating, they’ve made it possible for each guest to have an unforgettably delicious Italian experience.

For your ceremony 140 guests can be seated indoors, 220 outdoors. Your reception can accommodate 220 guests indoors.