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: Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Sneak Preview
Photography By: Geoff White
Summary
If an Italian style villa is your idea of the perfect wedding venue, then take a look at the Jacuzzi Family Vineyards. The dramatic setting is a replica of the family’s home in Fruili, Italy and is rich in traditional Italian-inspired architecture and decor.
A bride at Jacuzzi will feel as if she is welcoming her guests into her home. Captivate your guests by hosting your ceremony in the Vineyard Vista. The sweeping view of the valley, with its fragrant vines at your back, is a lovely focal point for your wedding ceremony. Picture you and your groom set against the magnificent marble fountain that was imported directly from Italy… More to come!!
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, Designer/Coordinator – A Dream Wedding, Florist – Julie Stevens Design, Catering – Wine Valley Catering.
Wedding Venue: Marines’ Memorial Club Catering and Fac ...
Photography By: Jonathan Canlas Photography
Summary
The Marines’ Memorial Club in San Francisco is a wedding venue that exudes old world San Francisco elegance, while offering up-to-date amenities. The 1920′s Beaux Arts inspired building sits in the heart of the Union Square district in downtown San Francisco. The club is a fully functioning hotel and offers opulent interior spaces on the 10th and 11th floors for your celebration.
The Crystal Ballroom, as well as the Commandants Room, are each adorned with a celestial color palette of shimmering golds, honey, and wheat. They both offer soaring ceilings with dramatic architectural details, dramatic window lines, and picturesque views of Nob Hill and Union Square. A downtown wedding of 150 – 350 guests would be a perfect fit.
Ceremony
The Crystal Ballroom is a favorite ceremony location for obvious reasons. The spotlight-stealing chandeliers and the unique oval shape of the room give a feeling of intimacy and warmth. The windows are perfectly dressed and offer a wonderful location for the bride and groom to exchange vows, framed in traditional beauty. The Marines’ Memorial Club offers all the amenities you need to plan a ceremony of grand sophistication – and with just a touch of whimsy.
Catering Details
The Marines’ Memorial Club takes great pride in the superior attention to detail given to each bridal couple. The staff is attentive while the culinary staff is at the top of their game. The chef is happy to let you mix and match your menu from their wonderful repertoire, or to make your own suggestions.
Your tasting experience at the Marines’ Memorial Club will be unforgettable. As you enter the ballroom, each table is meticulously decorated with a collection of fine linen, china, floral decor, and accouterments. The event staff will direct you to your table, which is complete with custom table names for you and your groom.
The evening starts with an open bar where the resident mixologist is happy to help you create a custom themed cocktail. As the service staff offer champagne and custom labeled wines, you have the chance to review the vast selection of tasting items. The club offers over 25 different appetizers, 10 salad selections, and over 15 different entree choices. As you enjoy the tastings, the chef circulates to answer any questions while the facility coordinators advise you on room lay-out, furniture rentals, and any other questions you may have.
The Bottom line
Pricing for the Marines’ Memorial Club facility is wonderfully modest for a downtown ballroom. The facility charges will range between $8,000 to $16,000 for a typical Saturday or Sunday celebration, and the catering menus begin in the $50.00 per person range. What I love best is all the FREEBIES! Your catering and rental charges include gorgeous china, actual silver cutlery, classic chargers, chair covers, and a variety of upgraded linen choices. These items when rented separately can cost between $5-15 per person.
Wedding Venue: Christian Brothers Retreat Sneak Preview
Photography By: Jeremy Underwood
Summary
What a gorgeous place to say, “I Do.” Christian Brothers Retreat is located in the beautiful hills above Napa Valley. Peaceful and hidden, this venue is a little slice of heaven on earth.
With its spectacular views and abundant charm, this historic retreat features an enchanting chapel to host your wedding ceremony. Accommodating up to 210 guests, Mont La Salle Chapel represents the stunning Spanish Romanesque and Mission style architecture – great for the traditional, classic bride. The chapel’s natural color palette and incredible architecture allows you to take advantage of its inherent style, or dress it up and make it your own!
Wedding Venue: Scott’s Garden Sneak Preview
Photography By: Tibidabo Photography
Summary
Delightful. Refined. Delicious. These are the words that immediately come to mind when I think about Scott’s Garden in Walnut Creek. Scott’s Garden is the East Bay’s standard for fine dining – the outdoor garden, with its brick courtyards, gardens, and an atrium-style banquet room, is completely unexpected in this downtown Walnut Creek location. The natural light flooding in from the glass canopy creates a picture perfect setting for the bridal couple who is looking for a quaint outdoor garden setting with top-notch cuisine and service. More to come!!
Wedding Venue: CornerStone Gardens Catering and Facilities
Photography By: Tinywater Photography
Summary
CornerStone Gardens is perfectly located at the edge of California’s wine country. This amazing haven is where nature becomes art, making it the perfect “gateway” for your family and friends to discover the beauty and diversity of the Napa and Sonoma wine regions. CornerStone Gardens are in a constant state of evolution and guests rarely feel as if they have attended a wedding as much as they feel they have taken part in your celebration.
Ceremony
The enchanting imagery of a wedding ceremony on the Vineyard Lawn will be indelibly imprinted on the memory of your guests. The tranquil reflecting pond and acres of Pinot Noir grapes that surround the lawn set a tone of peace and serenity that will envelope your guests. The lush green lawn can easily accommodate over 200 guests and is perfectly complimented by white wood chairs. If you are hosting a vintage affair, consider using the scroll iron garden chairs. The lawn can easily accommodate over 200 guests.
Reception
CornerStone has a wide variety of spaces for your guests to explore, which allows you many unique ways to set the stage. This expansive wedding venue allows you to tell your story exactly the way you had imagined it.
Once he has “kissed the bride,” have your guests join you both for a celebratory toast in the Garden Barn. This avant-garde locale makes a perfect lounge for your appetizers and cocktail reception. A sampling of local artisan cheese paired with sustainable local fruit is a great way to introduce your guests to all the wonderful pairings the wine country has to offer. A signature cocktail or a splash of sangria, or even a glass of local bubbly, will entertain your guests until it’s time for dinner.
As the sun sets over the valley and it is time to invite your guests to dinner, the wedding garden awaits. The circular tent with dark wood poles is the focal point of your reception. The tent is far from commonplace and brings an amazing ethereal glow to the garden. Adorned with cafe lights, the tent quickly goes from dinner to party easily.
The Bottom Line
Looking for an eclectic yet natural venue for your wedding – CornerStone Gardens is perfect. With an assortment of places to hold the various parts of your wedding, you can keep it new and fun for your guests all night. The above wedding is perfect for CornerStone: a natural color palette, wooden containers, and natural arrangement all work beautifully here. The barn makes the perfect backdrop for a long dramatic table. The garden art installations throughout the venue really add to any event as both decor and FANTASTIC portrait backgrounds. Your wedding celebration at CornerStone Gardens will range between $7,500 and $9,500 for a Saturday during prime wedding season (May through October) – off season rates are also available.
Wedding Venue: Corinthian Yacht Club Sneak Preview
Photography By: Lilia Photography
Summary
As you travel the tranquil waters between Tiburon and Angel Island, you can’t help but notice the gorgeous neoclassical building that sits at the water’s edge. Welcome to the Corinthian Yacht Club, with its pristine white Corinthian columns and grand portico that looks out to the Golden Gate Bridge.
The Yacht Club was established in the early 1900′s and the building remains largely unchanged over time. The Corinthian is a favorite for the boating and yachting enthusiast – and of course brides. Sitting at the entrance of the Marin peninsula, this location is surrounded by sailboats, yachts, and the natural beauty of the San Francisco Bay. It inspires the perfect nautical event.
The old fashioned portico and solarium are simply stunning. The floor to ceiling windows, accompanied by the classic white wood paneled walls and wainscoting, are only rivaled by the panoramic view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline. More to come!!
Wedding Venue: Carmel Valley Ranch Sneak Preview
Photography By: Anna Kuperberg
Summary
Carmel Valley Ranch is a place where you can truly be inspired by romance while planning the wedding of your dreams. Carmel Valley Ranch sits in a lush, verdant valley nestled amongst the rolling hills of Carmel.
The modern design of the facility is a perfect wedding venue for the bride who wants to blend the essential elements of nature with a crisp modern aesthetic. The refined modern elegance of the Ranch is only surpassed by the award-winning service. Let the attentive staff take care of every detail while you enjoy every moment!!
Photography By: Anna Kuperberg
Wedding Venue: De Young Museum Sneak Preview
Photography By: Lilia Photography
Summary
If you are looking for a cosmopolitan event, full of flare and drama, the De Young Museum is your venue. The art is your inspiration as texture and color is all around you. There are so many ways to use the De Young. My favorite combination is to have the ceremony in the Piazzoni Murals Room with the music concourse in the background, then going upstairs to the Hamon Observation Tower.
This combination affords your guests with a 360 degree view of the San Francisco Bay and Marin Headlands. After your wedding guests are wowed with the all-encompassing view, you can stun them again with the museum cafe. This enables you to use both the indoor cafe and the tent. Both stylish and elegant, you can have it all with this simply chic venue.
Photography By: Lilia Photography
Ask the expert
In addition to an amazing backdrop for your wedding, you have the most inventive options for your photography. I love the fact there are so many white walls to work with so you can really have fun with lighting, or you can display your own art, or even have a vintage movie playing on the walls… More to come!
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Lilia Photography, Event Planning – Simply Sparkling Events, Flowers – Grandiflora, Cupcakes – That takes the Cake.
Wedding Venue: Viansa Winery Sneak Preview
Photography By: Jessamyn Harris
Summary
Viansa Winery is the favorite wedding venue for couples who embrace an old European feel. You are surrounded by the beautiful Sonoma landscape and the amazing architecture of the winery and its lovely grounds.
Getting married in the courtyard offers your guests a warm, intimate feel. After the wedding ceremony, your guests can enter the wine caves for cocktails, offering your wedding guests a true wine-country experience.
After cocktails, lead your family and friends through the winery to the event tent which sits on top of the hillside – displaying amazing views and photo opportunities. What makes Viansa Winery stand out from other venues is that they do it all; catering, rentals, beverage service, everything. Planning couldn’t be easier! More to come!!
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Jessamyn Harris, Event and Floral Design – Julie Stevens Design, Catering – Sage Catering, Cake – Fleur de Lisa Wedding Cakes and Specialty Desserts
Wedding Venue: Dogpatch Studios Killer Party
Photography By: Ben Chrisman
Summary
Consider the shock and awe factor. First, you get invited to what you know will be the best New Year’s Eve party, then once all the guests arrive and festivities have begun, you find out this one-of-a-kind killer soiree is a ruse so that two of your closest friends can tie the knot. SURPRISE!!
This amazing celebration was photographed by the one and only Ben Chrisman (he’s amazing) and the design team at Alison Events, who went completely way over-the-top on this one (I’d hate to see their Starbucks bill for that week!).
Dogpatch Studios is a great venue. The size and diversity of the space allows you to surprise your guests at every corner. This “killer party” is not only unique in design, but a great representation of a how to use the space. The main floor of Dogpatch has ceilings that are over 30 feet tall, so that the space itself resembles a modified warehouse. The use of elaborate lighting and pipe and drape completely transforms this venue into a one-of-a-kind celebration.
Realizing the connection between size and scale is imperative in a space such as Dogpatch. The tents used are approximately 12 x 12 and about 10 feet tall – when you scatter several of these around the perimeter, it creates amazing single room vignettes where you get a sense of intimacy in the tents themselves. This is often hard to create in a grand space. The height of the tents is the key – it gives your eye a focal point and brings your attention to all the other remarkable design elements that are going on around the room.
I have to mention the lighting elements used for this event – Allison Events definitely hit the mark! The “Antlers” are unique, fun, and crazy all at the same time, but look at how this very natural element creates a fun pattern of light disbursement throughout the party. Now that is WOW factor!
Ask The Expert
Dogpatch Studios occupies three floors. I especially love the fact that each floor has a unique feel and theme. The ticket to an amazing event at this urban chic wedding venue is to utilize all three floors and keep the crowd moving.
The top floor is your quintessential San Francisco loft – with a great view of the city from the deck, a gorgeous sky light in the ceiling, and beautiful hardwood floors. This space is great for a wedding ceremony of about 100 guests, but our favorite use of this space is to create a great lounge and club vignette.
A hip and festive San Francisco club feel is achieved easily with modern design elements. Tall cocktail tables with bar stools, overstuffed couches, a stage hosting a killer band and, of course, a well-stocked bar featuring a few custom designed cocktails will fill this space nicely. Host your appetizer and cocktail reception here and utilize it again, allowing your guests to relax and dance after dinner.
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Ben Chrisman, Designer / Coordinator – Alison Events
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