Welcome to I Do Venues—your insider’s view into San Francisco and 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 Bay area 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: Villagio Inn and Spa with Flaxx Floral Design
Photography by: Geoff White
Take a look at this venue’s photo gallery!
About the Venue
This Vintage Estate is a stunning 23 acre piece of Mediterranean heaven located on the quiet backstreets of Yountville. The well-known Villagio Inn and Spa is just one small piece of this remarkable property. The massive outdoor area allows you to create the event you have always dreamed of; the perfect sweet garden party, or tent the lawn to create a one-of-a-kind modern affair with fabulous lighting and lounges. No matter what you want, this amazing property is happy to please.
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What an incredible blending of culture and couture. The ceremony design of this wedding is simply spectacular. You can’t miss the influence of the groom’s Indian heritage and choice of a rich and warm color palette. I have to tip my hat to both Stephanie Fiscus of the Villagio Inn and Flaxx Floral Design. The ceremony design is absolutely perfect. The large architectural columns that were brought in to create an entry arch which allowed the use of colorful flowing fabrics, creating an open air cathedral, is just brilliant. The way the columns flank and enhance the paved stone walkway is just perfect. You don’t even realize that these elements were brought in – they look so natural.
No matter how grand a reception space, several well planned personal touches will make your reception seem positively intimate. I love the escort cards – there are so many creative ways to display them, but this creative combination of curly metal holders with the event’s signature petite yellow orchid attached, displayed in a field of wheat grass, is brilliant. They look like a mini field of incredible sunflowers. I also have to comment on the consistent perfect pairing of colors – even in this small detail they have perfectly picked up the warm yellow, orange, and cranberry color palette.
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Geoff White; Coordinator – Stephanie Fiscus of Villagio Inn and Spa; Floral – Flaxx Floral Design; Cake – Beaux Gateaux; Catering – Villagio Inn and Spa; Invitations – Paper Source.
Design Inspiration: The Perfect Backyard Affair
Photography by: AV Photo
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I think every bride would agree: if your backyard looked this amazing, you just might be up for the old-fashioned backyard wedding. The incredibly talented team of So Eventful did an amazing job of making this incredible soiree a reality, but as a fellow planner, I must tell you all a secret – the backyard wedding is infinitely more complicated than many of your over-the-top galas!
Often I will have a family come to me and tell me that they are thinking about or have decided on a wonderful backyard wedding. They love the intimate idea of sharing their home, and the memories that may be associated with it, with their family and friends. But if you are considering this as an option, keep in mind: a planner and a great catering company are the key to success.
The logistics to a backyard event can be challenging. Your kitchen may be the world’s best gourmet kitchen, but it is still only suitable to feed 20 guests – not 200 all at the same time. Those incredibly wonderful remodeled bathrooms are perfect to show off on the tour, but again, if you are hosting 100 guests at the house, no one wants a line at the restroom. From generators, porta-potties, to valets and beyond, a great backyard wedding needs extraordinary planning.
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – AV Photo; Designer/Planner – Marisa M Manna of So Eventful; Floral – Belle’s Lodi Flower Shop; Cake – Kim Duke of Old Vine Bake Shop; Catering – Steve Copello of Angelina’s Catering; Beverages – The Pub & Lounge; Lighting and Rentals – Classic Party Rentals; Entertainment – Dave Badilla (cocktail music), Bob Clemmens (bag-piper), Mad House (dancing band); Invitations – Calligraphy by Hillary; Videographer – Andy Hirsh of Blue Moon Productions.
Wedding Venue: St. Regis Not Your Typical Ball Room
Photography by: Larissa Cleveland Photography
Click here to see more images from this and other weddings held at the St. Regis!
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San Francisco’s hospitality community is a unique blend of extravagant and elegant resorts, business and conference centers, and avant garde boutique hotels that are scattered about the city. For many brides the idea of a typical “hotel ballroom” is not appealing, and if you were in any other city I might agree. But I love the gorgeous history and diversity of San Francisco’s hotels.
The larger hotels are incredible although they are sometimes weighted down by the stigma of a chain. The architecture, history, views, and amenities make them well worth taking into consideration for your wedding venue. In California, I think we can easily say that San Francisco is truly the only real “urban” downtown city. Similar to Chicago, New York, Boston, and Washington DC, downtown San Francisco has a multitude of chic hotels that boast Michelin-rated chefs and unparalleled service.
A classic and timeless wedding celebration is one that stays away from trends and concentrates on ideas and elements that endure the test of time. This is the same sense of style you will find at the St. Regis. The beautiful hotel located in SOMA (South of Market Area) has a modern aesthetic that has partnered the character of a historic building and the magnificent refinement of a 40-story hotel tower. No detail goes uncovered.
My favorite feature of this gorgeous property is the Yerba Buena Terrace. There is not another spot featured in any hotel or event venue that says “you’re hip in SF ” more than this terrace. The terrace is situated just a hint above Yerba Buena gardens and shares a wall with the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. You and your guests are in your own outdoor gallery. The towering cityscape of San Francisco is all around you, yet you are somewhat suspended in the clouds.
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Larissa Cleveland Photography; Coordinators – Lisa Blake of Bellissima Vita and Barry Peterson of St. Regis; Floral – Huckleberry Karen Designs; Lighting – Creative Lighting Design.
Wedding Venue: Carneros Inn A Dream Team Wedding
Photography by: Jose Villa
About the Venue
The Carneros Inn is probably on every planner and photographer’s list of the top ten places to host a wedding in the Napa Valley country. You have so many options and even with a budget-minded celebration, the natural elements that the property offers is so much to work with, making everything flow and fall into place.
This amazing wedding celebration has the gorgeous signatures of Beth Helmstetter Events and Kathleen Deery Design written all over it, and the subtle photography is unmistakably Jose Villa. The Carneros Inn is well-known for establishing the aesthetic of a California wine country wedding. Many resorts, restaurants, and wineries in the area receive their charm from mimicking an era or region from other countries, such as Tuscany, Italy, Hollywood heydays, etc. The Carneros Inn has redefined what California casual elegance is all about.
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Kathleen Deery is one of my favorite floral designers. When you let her loose on a project, she has an amazing sense of overall style and brings a complete “mixed media” format to your celebration. I love how she uses a combination of glass, fabric, paper, lighting, furniture, props, and flowers into her overall design to provide not only beauty, but true style.
This celebration is breathtaking. The design incorporates many different themes but in such a cohesive way. The buildings at the Carneros Inn are unmistakably California farmhouse chic. As you can see, the planner has taken this and paired it with varying textures and styles and it all looks dazzling. The clear Lucite “ghost chairs” have an unmistakable modern flair. I often find these paired with a more club chic style, but you can see how these chairs absolutely make this room pop. The modern splash against the hardwood floors, white wood wainscoting on the walls, and the facility’s modernistic lighting fixtures is brilliant. Picture this room set up with either white wood folding chairs, and now that wonderful California wine country vibe that you see is changed completely to a more casual country cottage feel. It really is amazing how much furniture can change the environment.
I love the butterflies! The subtle graphic that is used on most of the collateral is gorgeous, but more than that, I love the attention. It’s not just enough to have the gorgeous graphic incorporated in all the collateral, Beth Helmstetter has incorporated the butterflies into the room and outdoors, subtly attaching them all around the room: on the lights, on the trees, on the glass. It’s as if they were fluttering around the room and stopped for just a brief moment. Amazing!
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Jose Villa; Event Planner – Beth Helmstetter Events; Floral Design and Rentals – Kathleen Deery Design; Cake – Perfect Endings Wedding Cake; Linen Rentals – La Tavola Linen; Entertainment – Patrick Numair, Michael Udelson.
Wedding Venue: Evergreen Lodge Back to Nature
Photography by: Tinywater Photography
This location is gorgeous! Check out the photo gallery to see more.
About the Venue
This would be the perfect year to have a wedding in Yosemite. With the winter being unseasonably dry, the time available for a Yosemite wedding will be extended. If you have an inkling to explore this option, then make sure you check out the Evergreen Lodge specifically.
The Evergreen Lodge is blessed with a truly magical location. The Lodge is located conveniently along the most direct route to Yosemite from the Bay Area, so there are no excuses allowed for your guests about getting lost. And the lodge is just one mile from Hetch Hetchy and the western entrance to the National Park.
The Lodge is a great spot for the couple trying to plan a real get-out-of-town and get back to nature destination wedding celebration. The Lodge resembles a retreat center, all within a a short walk to the entrance of Yosemite. But make no mistake, there are plenty of activities and eye candy for your guests to enjoy without ever leaving the property. The Lodge is surrounded by Redwood forests, endless meadows of wild flowers, rivers, swimming holes, and incredible vistas where you can breath in all the magnificent beauty of the Yosemite Valley.
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I love the whimsical and DIY feel of this celebration, but I think one of the best features of this wedding is the couple’s choice of Tinywater Photography to capture every intimate and magical moment. I can’t think of a more appropriate team to capture this fun, eclectic celebration.
Every celebration has a distinctive story to tell and when you add a splash of yourself into the design, your story becomes even more compelling. The personal touches that the bride and groom have infused have not only given their photographer great material to work with, but it really gives the viewer a sense of the couple’s personalities. The sweet kiss in front of the convertible 60′s vintage VW bug and the refreshing sweet green and yellow polka dot garland which enhances the ceremony space, are two such images of distinction.
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Tinywater Photography, Florist – Natalie Galasso Designs, Cake – Cake Monkey, Catering – Evergreen Lodge, Entertainment – Tracorum.
Wedding Venue: Castle Green Sneak Preview
Photography by: Lori Paladino Photography
About the venue
As you drive down the main drag in downtown Pasadena, taking in the charm and small town atmosphere created by years of preservation and restoration, you will notice off in the distance what seems like the faint rendering of a castle. Castle Green in Pasadena is a throw back to a forgotten era. Built in 1898, the seven story historic building is stunning and incorporates the best of Moorish, Colonial, and Victorian building and architectural elements.
The small cities that dot the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains are the epitome of small town suburban California. The streets are lined with trees, the Spanish style architecture of the quaint downtown villages are bustling with family-owned shops and business, and each has a unique feel to them as they were build before the idea of planned community was invented.
The communities of Pasadena, Arcadia, and Altadena were all established in the early 1900s and were the hub of the “Country Club” and social circuit for the Los Angeles area. Castle Green was the preferred vacation spot for east coast tycoons, movie stars, and even several presidents. What a grand location to entertain family and friends – where you can begin your own happily ever after in your very own castle.
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; Designer/Planner – Dream Events with Kathy Johnson; Arbor Floral Design – The Flower Girl San Francisco; Floral – Flowers by Hilary; Cake – Sweet and Organic Custom Cakes and Desserts; Catering – The Ultimate Affaire; Drapery: Elliott Hines of Pipe Dream Events; Wedding Musician – Wil Seabrook; DJ – Phil Birdsell.
Wedding Venue: Martinelli Event Center
Photography by: Belathee Photography
About the Venue
Not your standard “conference center.” That’s your first thought as you tour the Martinelli Event Center in Livermore. Lift your eyes toward the bell tower while you pass under the white stucco arches and across the patterned brick courtyard during your stroll. Garre Vineyards is one of the oldest wineries from one of the most well established families in the Livermore Valley, so it is a natural fit that they were chosen to be the hosts at the facility.
The multi-purpose event and conference center was originally designed by the city of Livermore to help welcome visitors and businesses to Livermore’s emerging wine community. The Spanish style stucco hacienda catches your eye from a distance as you ramble through the rolling hills covered with grape vines.
The event center sits atop a rolling bluff. You’ll find yourself drawn in, curious to which winery that is. The hacienda-style architecture is reminiscent of a Spanish estate and the last thing you expect is all the modern amenities that are associated with conference centers. But here at Martinelli, you get it all. The look, the location, and the bells and whistles will make planning and executing your day perfectly flawless.
When you arrive, the ideas will immediately begin to flow. Picture your guests milling about the courtyard, the gentle sounds of trickling water from the fountain adorned with flower petals. Imagine your guests’ faces when you and your groom are announced, making your grand entrance with the bell tower in the background. Picture perfect!
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Early summer is the ideal time to host an outdoor soiree. The grapevines that surround you have a wide color spectrum of greens, which creates a gorgeous contrast to the rolling hills that are just beginning to change color. There are several locations to host your wedding ceremony. The reception lawn can accommodate up to 250 guests, but 180 seems like the perfect fit. Softly hanging clusters of lilac-colored wisteria covers the wood trellis and miles of green, amber gold, and red hues from the rolling hills of grape vines create a breath-taking backdrop.
From a design perspective, I love the idea of solidifying the hacienda style of the architecture by simply using a more rustic or design-centric chair. This is an easy way to create a more defined look and the cost is minimal, as you’ll most likely be renting ceremony chairs regardless. Your standard white wood or natural wood folding chair can get the job done, but consider using a Cross Back Chair in a light wheat color or a folding “Bamboo Wood” chair – these elements will change the overall feel and allows you so much more latitude in your overall ceremony design. Flowers adorning the back of the aisle chairs, a crisp white runner or a scattering of flower petals down the sides is simple, perfect, and elegant.
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Belathee Photography; Coordinator – Va de Vie Events; Floral – Chestnut & Vine.
Wedding Crasher Wednesday: Grace Street Floral and Event Des ...
Photography by: Matt Miller of Our Labor of Love
Ask the Expert:
“Imagine the perfect party. It is impossible to define yet everyone knows when they have been to one.” This is what Grace Street Floral and Event Design is all about. For over 25 years, Erin McKinney and his gracious team at Grace Street Catering have been helping host the most memorable soirees in San Francisco. The incredible design and event team at Grace Street Floral and Event Design can help to create a memorable wedding for any bride.
Today’s Wedding Crasher Wednesday features the supreme work of both Grace Street Catering and Grace Street Floral and Event Design. Rhonda is the amazing lead designer who helps create all the incredible perfection that is involved in a Grace event. The styling of Grace Street is unique, stylish, and filled with lots of fun and whimsy. When you meet with Rhonda, you will instantly feel the connection. She is part designer, part “Mother of the Bride,” and part “Maid of Honor.” She has an uncanny way about her and she seems to be able to create your vision flawlessly.
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Matt Miller of Our Labor of Love; Floral – Grace Street Floral and Event Design; Ceremony Venue – Main Post Chapel; Reception Venue – Golden Gate Club; Catering – Grace Street Catering; Stationary – Kathleen Designs, Entertainment – Ron Grandia.
Wedding Venue: Holman Ranch, So Many Choices
Photography by: Jeff Newsom
Check out this and other fun weddings held at Holman Ranch – click here!
About the Venue
Imagine waking up on your wedding day, the sun peeks through the curtains, and as you draw them open you are surrounded by the serene mountains of the Carmel Valley. The soft coastal mist retreats over the hills slowly and you can see that your day will be complete perfection. Sip your coffee as you sit on an antique rocker on the stone veranda of a rustic Spanish-style hacienda and enjoy the seclusion.
Holman Ranch is everything you imagined – “it is where the past is always present” and the perfect place to begin your happily ever after. The property has been lovingly restored stone by stone by the Lowder family. The restoration has outfitted the property with all the modern amenities and for this day, this little piece of heaven is yours.
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Holman Ranch is such a treat for any designer or planner and oh, so much fun for the brides. The limitless possibilities of how to host your celebration make it a virtual Pandora’s box of possibilities. There are so many different options of where to host the ceremony, cocktails, and the dinner party – it is sometimes difficult to know where to begin.
If you have always dreamed of a gorgeous one-of-a-kind outdoor garden ceremony, it doesn’t get more picture-perfect than the lawn which includes a perfectly placed stone veranda. The veranda slightly elevates you and your groom and it perfectly allows you to be framed in by the rolling hills of the Carmel mountains. This gorgeous setting needs little embellishment – decorate the stone veranda with rustic baskets filled with flowers or consider a rustic wooden arch covered with soft vines as a delicate floral decor. The dramatic setting is gorgeous when embellished with a crisp white aisle runner or a gorgeous patterned floral display. The facility provides chairs; however, if you are looking to host a celebration that is a bit more outside the box, consider using a combination of birch wood benches paired with garden-style scrolled iron chairs. The aisle can be adorned with hanging wild flowers, mason jars, or monogrammed flower vessels would be perfect.
Holman Ranch is a very unique and beautiful venue where we have the opportunity to transform it with each couple’s style. Being that it is naturally rich in beauty, it provides the perfect backdrop. This particular wedding was very sophisticated but organic and that is just what Holman Ranch is!
I love everything about this venue! I have been very fortunate to assist many couples with their weddings at Holman Ranch. The staff is amazing and the grounds are unique and majestic. I love every detail of the property and love how with every wedding it feels like the most special wedding to date. ~ Amy Byrd.
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Jeff Newsom; Designer/Planner – Amy Byrd Weddings and Events; Florist – Floral Design by Reina; Catering – Classic Catering; Videographer – Lola Video; Entertainment – Kelly Productions (ceremony), Mat Weddle (cocktail), Goodbeat Productions (DJ), Obadiah Parker; Rentals – Unlimited Events; Linens – La Tavola Linen; Photobooth – Matnolia Photobooth.
Wedding Venue: Cordevalle Sneak Preview
Photography by: Geoff White
Click here for some more fun images!
About the venue
Leave it to the extremely talented team at Geoff White Photography to “stump” us. When we first viewed these amazing photographs I was sure this was some hidden treasure that was awaiting our discovery deep in the heart of Napa or Sonoma.
When I finally found them, I was so surprised to see that not only is CordeValle located in a wonderfully secluded spot in the foothills of the Santa Cruz mountains – this wonderfully Mediterranean-style wedding venue is an incredible five start luxury resort featuring a spa, indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception areas, championship golf, swimming, tennis, and so much more.
If you are familiar with Clos laChance Winery (which is located on this stunning property), then you know the effortless style and beauty that will surround you. The best part of this amazing location – with only 45 rooms - is a one of a kind opportunity for you and your guests to celebrate in complete luxury, but yet only surrounded by your closest family and friends…
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Geoff White; Floral – Bloomsters; Cake – Icing on the Cake; Catering – CordeValle; Videographer – Dream Video Productions; Entertainment – Sound in Motion.
older posts » | Top of PageRealistic, first hand reviews provide the savvy bride with additional insight into how the venue can be utilized. Our practical information and imaginative inspiration boards open up new and exciting possibilities for your dream wedding.
