Welcome to I Do Venues—your insider’s view into California wedding ceremony and reception venues. The industry’s best wedding photographers provide daily design inspiration with professional photographs from of real weddings in the hottest west coast venues. You can visualize the best themes, color palettes, and design concepts for your wedding venue.
Our practical information on each wedding venue is based on first-hand experience from industry professionals who have successfully executed real weddings at your selected wedding venue. Since choosing your wedding venue is the pivotal choice for designing your dream wedding, make the best decision with I Do Venues’ insight and insider knowledge and be inspired along the way.
Wedding Venue: Nestldown Blending of Cultures
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Summary
Nestldown is the perfect wedding venue for a couple who is blending different cultures and who wants a celebration that demonstrates the intertwining of two lives. The unspoiled wilderness that surrounds your guests allows you to create a perfect hide away – a place that you can make your own. From the lily pond to the natural ceremony trellis, you can create a magical oasis your guests will never forget.
A wedding celebration should focus on the couple above all else. This intimate wedding at Nestldown is exquisite. Kate Harrison does an amazing job of telling the couple’s story and bringing it to life.
Many couples struggle with selecting the perfect wedding design or theme. I like to remind couples that you seldom have to look too far. Your design should be a reflection of the very things that make you who you are – as a couple. Your favorite foods, favorite color, cultural background, can all be brought to the forefront of your event.
I love how this couple took elements from each of their cultural backgrounds. From the groom’s attire to the mariachi band, this wedding is a true reflection of the couple and the merging of two cultures. Nestldown is so enchanting – it captures the soul. Vibrant colors and themes work amazingly well in this location as you are surrounded by rich lush gardens that make any decor stand out.
Wedding Venue: Pt. Reyes Seashore Lodge
Photography by: Susan Adler Photography
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About the venue
Sometimes it is hard not to be biased… Point Reyes is such a magical spot and holds a dear place in my heart; therefore, when Susan Adler (she’s awesome by the way) sent us this wedding at Point Reyes Seashore Lodge, I just had to share. The area collectively referred to as Point Reyes is the coastal communities that border Point Reyes National Seashore Park. They include the city of Point Reyes, Olema (where the Point Reyes Seashore Lodge actually resides) and Inverness. There is a tranquil and serene feeling that hits you when you drive through the rolling hills and meadows that lead you to this place. Your guests will breath in the fresh air as they are overwhelmed by the vibrant colors and textures created by nature that envelops them.
Point Reyes Seashore Lodge is an ideal setting for a small and intimate wedding celebration. The lodge was built in 1988 and fashioned in turn of the century architecture. Although it boasts every modern amenity, it also blends seamlessly into the surrounding small village and picturesque coast land. The lodge brings old-world hospitality to a new level. It is difficult to imagine a more ideal and natural setting to serve as the beginning of your fairytale. The views of the mountains, shoreline, and small creek that runs alongside the property are breathtaking.
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Susan Adler brings a flair for the bohemian into every wedding she captures. Her charm resides in her ability to warm your heart and make you comfortable in a very cool and quirky way. A talented photographer, avid surfer and lover of nature, she brings a level of “cool” to your event. As one of her clients said: “You just kinda want to hang out with her.” I had the opportunity to work with Susan years ago, so when I received these photos I was tickled that our paths had crossed again. Here are a few of the bride’s thoughts she wanted to share about this celebration.
It was a wonderful and beautiful day! The mood was happy and low key. We were surrounded by our families and friends whom we love. Guests were all having fun and have since claimed it was one of the best weddings they’ve been to. The day’s events passed quite seamlessly and with ease. The flowers were gorgeous and the decorations that my friends helped put up were great! The gypsy jazz group was fun at the reception and our friend DJ’d the dance after-party. The next morning we were able to have breakfast with those who stayed at the lodge which was lovely.
I was sold by the Adirondack chairs on large lawn! I love that the wedding could all be outside – surrounded by trees, greenery, beautiful flowers. Everything was all in one place – ceremony on the main lawn, cocktail hour among the trees next to the creek, and reception on another lawn – all within walking distance. We decorated the the reception area with colorful paper lanterns and also had a wish tree for which we made our own wish tags. We also had a dance party next door in the lodge’s restaurant which was fantastic! Most of the out-of-town guests and family were able to stay at the lodge and there are two separate cottages, one for the wedding couple. The lodge folks were easy to work with and the food was great (we received many compliments on the wedding food with guests wishing they had gone for seconds!).
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Susan Adler Photography; Day of Coordinator – Susan Gregory at Point Reyes Seashore Lodge; Floral – Fantasy Florals Design; Cake – Torino Baking; Catering and Beverages – Farm House Restaurant; Entertainment at Reception – Gaucho Gypsy Jazz, Dance After-Party; Rentals – JRB Event Services; Videography – Wedit.
Design Inspiration: Romance
Photography By: Meg Perotti
Summary
The power of romance is always present in a vintage themed wedding. Soft muted tones in blush, lilac, and green have always inspired feminine lines with frilly accents. Try a unique ceremony set-up by using a combination of white wood garden benches, white iron scrolled chairs, and white and gold chiavari chairs. This is a superb way to incorporate unique detail while maintaining a casual feel. To make sure that your aisle doesn’t disappear, heavily scattering white rose petals down a central aisle way creates great contrast against a lush green lawn. White iron garden chairs will always give you a great vintage feel, so take the look up a notch from cute to couture by adding a colorful swag of flowers and ribbons. Creating unique centerpieces is always a challenge. Start with a base of willow branches, cherry blossoms, or something similar and artfully attach clusters of bright flowers and ribbons to create a truly unique and full look. A traditional white wedding cake becomes a feast for the eyes as well as the pallet when you add a cascade of soft pink, violet, and fuchsia. Create an affordable romantically-themed bouquet by using a combination of roses, ranunculus, and hydrangeas in soft blush tones. It provides a great look while staying more cost-conscious than an all-rose bouquet option.
Color Palette and Venue Recommendations
For a romantic feel, colors of light blush pink, ecru, and soft green complimented by splashes of bright colors in fuchsia and violet will make for a memorable design theme. Outdoor gardens provide amazing locations to make a statement of romance. This color palette would work well at the Healdsburg Country Gardens and the Black Orchid Inn in Livermore. We’d also love to use the unique ceremony set-up in the apple orchard at The Carneros Inn in Napa.
Style Guide: Backyard Wedding Inspiration
Photography by: Diane Askew Photography
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Ok, so this may not be your back yard, but for this lucky couple a backyard celebration that is a bit over the top is just what the planner ordered. It’s not very often you can create two distinct design themes, rustic and elegant, at the same location and not create a sense of competition. We love the juxtaposition of the rustic and casual red barn backdrop for the ceremony and then the WOW factor that jumps off the page in the elegantly appointed tent.
The details on the tent are a critical place to create the overall feeling of sophistication and elegance. Ceiling treatments and lighting are crucial to establish the desired ambiance. The billowing fabric that is draped overhead adds a sense of romance to the event. Soft light filtered through the fabric creates gentle shadows and softens the overall look of the ceiling. Tent liners, drapery, chandeliers, and up-lighting are all great ways to take your reception up a notch.
While the bright pops of fuschia and violet are fun and festive, the white and gold are the elements that get credit for creating a sense of simple elegance. We love the pool and tip our hats to Diane Askew – what a great shot of the bridesmaids creating a “splash” with a relaxed moment around the pool.
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Diane Askew Photography; Second Shooter – Cathy Stancil Photography; Designer/Planner – Whitney Fusion Events; Floral – Patrick’s Floral Studios; Catering – Esposto’s Catering; Videography – Mason Jar Films; Rentals – Your Party Rental Company.
Wedding Venue: St. Francis Yacht Club the Best of San Franci ...
Photography by: Lori Paladino Photography
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San Francisco – a city devoted to the avant-garde. History surrounds you: some of the best views and landscapes in the country, a genuine kinship to the arts, five-star restaurants, celebrity chefs, great music, a hip new social club on every corner. Yes it really is that cool. As a newly engaged couple, it is your challenge to narrow your choices for an incredible location for you wedding reception down to just one. If you have had a charmed life, you may get the opportunity to hire the absurdly talented Lori Paladino.
This couple’s choice of the St. Francis Yacht Club as their wedding venue put them right in the HEART of this incredible city. I love how Lori escorted this couple around town, all the iconic “San Francisco” moments captured. Timeless, romantic, and whimsical – what a perfect combination for you wedding day.
Tracy and Aaron may have one of the coolest engagement stories ever! Aaron proposed to Tracy on the very TOP of the Golden Gate Bridge!!! So when planning their wedding, they wanted to have a view of the Golden Gate. The St. Francis Yacht Club was the perfect location, and provided their guests with one of most beautiful sunset views imaginable. Tracy and the girls got ready in a beautiful suite at the Ritz Carlton San Francisco, their wedding ceremony took place at the lovely St. Marks Church, and the wedding party rode to the reception in a San Francisco cable car! It was a quintessential, beautiful, classic & fun San Francisco wedding, and just full of the beautiful love these two have for one another & their family & friends. ~ Lori Paladino
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Lori Paladino Photography; Catering – St. Francis Yacht Club, Videography – Phillip Velasco.
Wedding Venue: Presidio Golden Gate Club Catering and Facili ...
Photography By: Andrew Weeks
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Overview
The Presidio Golden Gate Club just screams location, location, location! You couldn’t ask for a more spectacular venue, as the club is positioned at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge. The dramatic two story windows in the Ventana Room provide the ability to look out over a grove of Cypress trees and even out to the beautiful bay beyond! The amazing venue offers an abundance of space, the Club has several rooms which offer a variety of creative floor plan options with an easy, cohesive flow to comfortably host wedding celebrations for as many as 200 to 250 guests.
Ceremony
If your guest count totals less than 200, I Do Venues recommends using The Cypress Room. The room has a wealth of filtered natural light, while the windows facing the courtyard offer the perfect backdrop for photos. The Cypress Room is the perfect blank canvas for the bride with vision. With the right furniture, lighting, floral arrangements, and accessories, this room can be transformed into almost any scene. The Presidio Interfaith Chapel is only a stone’s throw away from the main entrance of the Golden Gate Club and may be rented separately. The chapel is a quaint historic Mission-style structure with a unique history, and features striking architectural details such as antique stained glass windows and a charming garden. The chapel can comfortably accommodate about 160 wedding guests.
Reception
A red brick U-shaped plaza welcomes you to the Spanish style building. Day or night, we recommend the encircling plaza as the location for an appetizer reception during the warmer months. A great jazz band or acoustic guitarist can set the mood for you and your guests to enjoy cocktails mingling among a scattering of tall tables. The Hawthorne Room mirrors the Cypress Room and is another excellent place to present guests with hors d’oeuvres and drinks from a full bar.
Welcoming your guests through its stunning formal entrance, the Ventana Room is a spectacular place to invite your guests in for dinner and the brilliant view of several San Francisco landmarks as seen through the room’s glass French doors. The Ventana Room features a full performance stage at the front end of its ballroom, accompanied by a large natural-wood dance floor. Approximately 22 tables will fit comfortably within the space, with up to 10 guests seated at each. If you plan to host a buffet style service, various auxiliary rooms are available for food service allowing you to maximize your dinner seating.
Insiders Notes and The Bottom Line
The Presidio Golden Gate Club is a favorite location of I Do Venues. The venue is easy to work with and the ten-hour rental periods are much more generous than at most facilities! We highly recommend renting the entire facility for your event. There are a variety of smaller rooms within the venue which can be useful when put into play as kids’ rooms or additional dining, even the balconies are a great way to seat last minute or unexpected guests. As a Historic Landmark, the facility does not allow any propane or gas and since there is no kitchen equipment on site, we suggest using a catering company who has had previous experience working at The Golden Gate Club. Seasoned caterers will know to bring electric equipment or a portable kitchen on wheels, but will customarily tack on an additional charge for these extra efforts. The average rental for a wedding at the Presidio Golden Gate Club can run from $5,500 to $7,500 .The facility does not include any furniture. At minimum you will need to rent tables and chairs, for a party of approximately 200 people, this can range from $1,000 to $3,000 and the renter is responsible to ensure proper set-up and breakdown.
Wedding Venue: Testarossa Winery Picture Perfect
Photography by: Majesta Campbell Photography
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Finding the right wedding venue is a personal process of discovery and the first step you and your “husband to be” will take as you plan your life together. The location, the aesthetic, the view- all of these elements can play a part in deciding what is right for you. Photography is a significant investment for most couples and if “drop dead” photographs are an essential element for you, then it is imperative you consider this as you choose your venue.
To your photographer, the venue you choose is in part the medium and the canvass they have to create magic with. Locations where you can find small vignettes are ideal. Building structures and natural surroundings that are endowed with a mixture of textures, colors, and unique architectural elements create amazing wedding pictures. The juxtaposition of the exquisite and the sublime – perfect!
Testarossa Winery is one of the most opulent locations when it comes to photography. Ask any photographer who has been granted the opportunity to work at this incredible venue – the choices are endless. Majesta Campbell express her phenomenal talent with these glorious images. Her style is unmistakable and we love the fact that she wanted to share a few thoughts.
This winery is absolutely stunning. Tucked in the hills of Los Gatos, this quaint winery has so many photo opportunities, both for indoor and outdoor celebrations. It has beautiful stone detail among the underground tasting room, rooftop views, and charming, “secret” pathways. It’s picturesque indoor ceremony hall is ordained with antique chandeliers and a stunning, stone, arched hall. You can access views on top of a hill located on the Testarossa property, where you’ll overlook parts of Santa Clara County. Needless to say, it’s BEAUTIFUL.
Wedding Venue: Paradise Ridge Winery Design
Photography by: Andrew Weeks
Overview
Paradise Ridge Winery is a small boutique winery a short drive from downtown San Francisco and lies just outside of downtown Santa Rosa. The classic Italian-style winery incorporates fun artistic and architectural elements from which you can draw inspiration for your over-all theme and design plan. The champagne cellar, decorative arches, and slate Poetry Patio are the perfect classical reflections of the surrounding wine country landscape. The unique four acre sculpture garden gives the winery a uniquely avant-garde, bohemian twist, and these amazing works of art sit juxtaposed against the unspoiled country vineyard surroundings. If you are looking for a traditional location that allows you to surprise your guests with a bit of whimsy, this provides the perfect opportunity.
Ceremony
The Poetry Patio is the quintessential wine country location for your ceremony. With sweeping views of the surrounding vineyards and mountains, the richly hued patio exudes an aura of casual sophistication. The rich terracotta and stucco tones of the building are complimented well by elegant, dark wood chiavari chairs accented with ecru, champagne, or gold-colored cushions. If you are looking to have a more casual feel, then dark wood or classic white folding chairs suit the space beautifully as well. The elevated stage can be adorned with a variety of structures to frame in your ceremony, like large Italian-style urns or a traditional trellis decorated with vines and billowing fabrics. Build an aisle with a stark white runner that will pop against the deep colors of the slate patio. We suggest using a color palette of cranberry, chocolate brown, burnt orange, and mustard for late summer and fall, as bright florals in warm tones work excellently in this space. The use of natural elements like willow branches, twigs, and moss will tie together the unique rustic feel of the winery while keeping an air of elegance. The artisan feel given by the adjacent Marijke’s Grove sculpture garden allows a bold bride to have fun and make a statement. Express yourself with exuberant, daring color combinations: teal, plum, vibrant blue, apple green, and hints of gold are show-stoppers!
Reception
The Champagne Cellar with its adjoining courtyard is the perfect place to create an outdoor lounge. Brown rattan lawn furniture with white fabric creates a unique sitting area for your guests to enjoy their cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and a few comfy couches, overstuffed chairs, end tables, and coffee tables topped with small floral accents create a polished look for the setting. When it’s time to raise your glass, have your guests return to the Poetry Patio re-set for dinner, or have a more formal meal inside the tasting room.
The rich, dark, hardwood floors and wood moldings that encapsulated the large sliding glass windows add a level of luxury to the understated room, and its built-in bar and craftsman style fireplace add a distinctive artistic signature. The lighting is truly unique – more hanging sculptures than true lighting element. To get the most cohesive feel in this location, incorporate rich, warm earth tones like curry, magenta, and spice. They work as an amazing starting point for your decor, as do metallic colors like bronze, copper, and gold. If you will be basing your palette on a dark color, we suggest using gold chairs to create a bright, gleaming accent against the deep floors and fabrics. Bright florals that bring in the outdoors give you a true wine country feel. This is the perfect location to use medium-height floral arrangements with cascading elements: try dahlia’s, roses, and lilies in rich orange hues accented by pops of bright yellow and a smattering of deep blue. Earthy, agrarian elements like artichokes, grape clusters, or pomegranates help add dimension and texture as well as give unexpected flair and visual interest.
If bold and chic is more your style, then side-step convention to create a true artistic statement. A classic Italian color scheme of bright blues, lemony yellows, white, and tangerine can be used to create a dramatic and fun feeling while still incorporating the winery’s Italian theme.
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Using the deck that lies adjacent to the tasting room is a must, as it provides the perfect location to enjoy a glass of bubbly while taking in the sweeping views of the vineyards in the ethereal light of the sun setting through the rolling fog. Small tables with neutral-toned linens are a perfect fit. Elements of candlelight and loose, bright-colored flower arrangements in a variety of colors and styles create a cheery, inviting space.
Wedding Venue: Middle Ranch Go Green
Photography by: Robert Paetz Photography
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About the venue
This design is delicious and approachable, I can’t think of a better place to Go Green than in the lovely setting of Middle Ranch in Lake View Terrace in Southern California. The ranch is a working equestrian center with lush greenery surrounding the property. The grove of towering Pine trees provided inspiration for the central graphic used in their collateral suite and a perfect color palette sprang up as well.
Robert Paetz is quickly becoming one of our favorites! His work spans both Northern and Southern California. I love how fun and whimsical his clients seem to be, but most of all, I love being introduced to new venues. Robert has taken a few moments to share his thoughts about this celebration… thanks Robert!
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Jo & Red are one of the coolest couples we’ve ever photographed: comfortable in their own skin, oh-so-in-love with each other and being really easy-going and enthusiastic, they were an absolute blast to work with throughout the wedding planning process. Jo & Red’s lovingly hand-made details certainly gave their wedding personality and warmth: the tree planting ritual during their ceremony recognized their love for the outdoors; the boutonnieres had guitar picks and electrical tape, a nod to Red’s love for music and career as a Technical Director; and with her trusty Silhouette cutter, Jo crafted all the little tags for the favor jars of honey, and made the escort cards and table numbers. Including the fact that the wedding was well-planned and well-executed, all these factors made it a wonderful, stress-free day for us as photographers.
Middle Ranch is an actual equestrian facility that exudes rustic charm, with lots of warm wood tones, rich stone textures and a beautiful ceremony space flanked by large trees, evoking a scene not unlike the lodges in Yosemite. Though not a large venue, there was ample space for all the different events (getting ready, portraits, ceremony, cocktail hour, reception) and the property was well-utilized, thanks to an open floor plan that flows well. The venue manager (Liane Lewis) was friendly and helpful during our pre-event walk-through, and on the wedding day, the team of waitstaff were pro-active, courteous and efficient.
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Robert Paetz Photography; Day of Coordinator – Nouveau Events; Rentals – Middle Ranch; Cake, Catering and Beverages – Cynthia Brooks Catering; Entertainment and Lighting – DJ Craig.
Wedding Venue: Vine Hill House Twilight Captured
Photography by: Lion Photography
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If you are hosting an outdoor soiree for your nuptials, one of your first priorities should be to examine your lighting options. The majority of your celebration will take place after the sun has set, yet many facilities are limited on lighting accessories for their outdoor spaces. Twilight is the perfect time to be creative; the setting sun brings warmth and adds a spectacular amber glow to your design and your guests are comfortable but not overwhelmed with floods of artificial light.
The Vine Hill House is spectacular and with little help from their friends the team has put together a captivating lighting design. Sunset here is particularly grand. The sun-drenched fields that surround the property engulf you in shades of honey, wheat, and amber, so your canvass is perfect.
The charming “storybook” cottage has large picture windows and a huge wraparound porch. When you allow soft natural light to fill the house, it is perfect as the center of your evening event. Persian-style cafe lights create a soft canopy over your dining tables and the enchanting starlit sky creates romance for dancing the night away. The property is surrounded by graceful woodlands which makes a rustic lounge and fire pit stocked with Smore’s supplies a perfect compliment to the end of your party.
We love the the Vine Hill House and I can’t think of a better photographer to capture these memories than Rosemarie Lion. She captures the story so well, but I love her ability to capture the warmth and glow of those sunset and twilight moments – brilliant!!
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Lion Photography; Coordinator – Dan O’Connell of Vine Hill House; Floral – Gavita Flora; Cake – Susiecakes; Catering – Trends Catering, Entertainment – AMS.
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