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: BR Cohn Winery The Perfect Ceremony Location
Photography by: Micah and Megan Photographers
About the Venue
There is a reason why so many brides choose the wine country to host their nuptials. Actually, there are many reasons: beautiful weather, amazing scenery, and of course, the wine. BR Cohn Winery offers the true experience of a wine country wedding right in the heart of Sonoma. The gorgeous 90 acre venue nestled between the Mayacamas and Sonoma Mountains is host to several vineyard view ceremony sites including the amphitheater, which is perfect for a bride with a sense of drama, with its grand stage and terraced lawn overlooking the Sonoma mountains.
If your taste tend to run a bit more “outdoorsy,” another fantastic option to consider is Oak Hill which offers panoramic vineyard views set within a lush grove of Live Oak Trees. Nothing makes a more sensational backdrop for a wedding ceremony than a massive and sprawling tree like the one that marks the spot for ceremonies at Oak Hill. Receptions at BR Cohn take place in the Olive Grove, a lovely outdoor space shaded by 140 year old French Picholine Olive Trees. The white twinkle lights adorning the olive trees give the space nighttime sparkle. BR Cohn produces stellar wines as well as some of the region’s most talked about olive oils and balsamic vinegars, so your guests can sip and nibble on the bounty of the land while enjoying the scenery.
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There is something so soft and romantic about an all-white bridal bouquet. With the natural backgrounds, towering trees, and stately buildings at BR Cohn, the bouquet, whether in white or color, should be lush and offer flowers such as peonies, tea roses, and hydrangea with the addition of some wildflowers to tie in the beautiful landscape. Try adding in anemones, thimbleweed and foxtail to add rustic flair to your bouquet.
Everything about the styling of this event speaks to the location. Using long wood tables without linens in the Olive Grove allows the decor to blend beautifully with the natural landscape and speaks to the low key charm and winery setting of the event. Using wood chairs in a different tone gives visual interest while keeping the design from being fussy or overdone. Additionally, the king style tables feel communal and festive. This couple used simple white on white linens and dishware which allow the wood furniture, floral arrangements, and gorgeous scenery to make the statement.
Pops of color were brought into the design with the flowers in purple, blue and yellow. The flowers are sweet and simple wildflowers which look as if they were plucked straight from the gorgeous grounds to adorn the dinner tables. Collections of milk bottles and mason jars with small arrangements work well on this type of table as they are small and easy to talk over and work well in clusters so there is no part of the table left un-embellished. There are many types of vessels that will work for creating this type of look – long wooden wine boxes overflowing with garden flowers can be mixed in with smaller arrangements in vintage tea cans and white porcelain vases. Trips to flea markets and antique shops can yield magical finds for your centerpieces, and this eclectic and romantic look works perfectly against the white buildings, olive trees, and twinkly white lights of BR Cohn’s Olive Grove.
The cheerful blue and yellow block printed table numbers are designed with the same bicycle artwork as the invitations. Tieing the invites back into the event design brings the entire wedding style full circle and helps guests feel connected to the details of the event. The blue and yellow motif is vivid and fun and adds to the generally comfortable feel of the day.
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Micah and Megan Photographers, Designer/Planner – Jenne Hohn and Michelle Dillon of Jenne Hohn Events, Florist – Chestnut and Vine Floral Designs, Catering – Melissa Teaff Catering, Lighting – Lux Productions, Rentals – Classic Party Rentals, Cake – ABC Baker.
Wedding Venue: Casa Real Style and Fun
Photography by: Chung Li Photography
About the Venue
At first glance, you probably are trying to figure out which lavish downtown ballroom had the opportunity to host such a fun event. Well, this incredibly styled event did not require a drive across the bridge. As a matter of fact, this stunning wedding venue is quickly becoming the talk of the Tri-valley area. Casa Real in Pleasanton is a stunning location that can easily accommodate any design – from traditional to contemporary.
Two things I love about Casa Real are their flexibility and their size. Having a wedding reception with over 300 guests tends to limit your options for wedding reception venues. In addition to the limited number of venues who can hold a large crowd, most of the facilities that can cater to a larger number tends to be a “civic” building. Although they are often gorgeous and wonderfully historic, most tend to have lots of restrictions on activities or they feature large ballrooms which can only host one part of the celebration. Casa Real offers several rooms, ample parking, and the ease of one-stop-shopping.
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Aisle Style at Casa Real. The Amber Room used by this couple for their glamorous ceremony is simply stunning. There is an ethereal quality to the room. The massive limestone fireplace provides a timeless and traditional backdrop for you and your groom to exchange wedding vows. Decorate the room with a formal collection of black, silver, or white chiavari chairs – punching up the look by using a contrasting colored cushions such as soft pale pink or ecru. The chiavari chairs seem to be a natural choice, but if the budget allows, the chameleon chairs (as seen at Classic Party Rentals) look amazing. I love these chairs when I am trying to achieve a very regal and formal look. The chameleon line offers the versatility of several different colored cushions as well as removable padded backs. You can use the same chair for both your ceremony and reception with two completely different looks just by changing out the cushions or by adding a comfortable and great-looking back.
The Amber Room’s papyrus colored walls create a warm glow and are accentuated by the polished Travertine slate floor and the architectural wains coating arches that create a contrast in bright white. The lighting used for this ceremony really transforms the room. The room is an interior setting, so the use of lighting to either create patterns or to create the illusion of exterior filtered lights is the perfect way to add dimension. The fireplace mantle is unbelievable. A collection of candles creates quite a statement! Bright colored flowers are also one of my favorite ways to take this space to the next level.
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Chung Li Photography, Florist – Nicole Ha Designs.
Wedding Venue: The Fairmont Hotel
Photography by: Michelle Walker Photography
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It has taken longer than usual this year but it seems that the flowers are blooming, the sun has come out and the bright colors of summer weddings are finally arriving. Winter colors tend to be cooler and more reserved so it’s exciting for us to see the color collection of spring and summer weddings coming our direction.
This wedding, photographed by the wonderful Michelle Walker, is a combination of Tiffany blue (every bride loves that little blue box) paired with the wonderful and crisp tones of kumquat and melon.
The Fairmont Hotel is San Francisco at it best. The truth is this particular location requires very minimal decor, as the venue itself is so incredible. I love how this couple has taken the warm peachy tones found in the marble columns and built a wonderful look around them. The crisp white linen brings the right amount of attention to the classical look of the chiavari chairs. The combination of the colors, textures, and heights of the flowers is brilliant. There is a combination of tall arrangements and low profile arrangements which creates more interest in the room than having all of the arrangements be matchy matchy.
The hints of Tiffany blue infused throughout this party evokes a subtle hint of whimsy. The groomsmen’s ties, the favors on the tables, the flicker of the votives, and the bridesmaid’s dresses – all in the same shade – make a great statement. Love it!
Wedding Venue: Silverado Resort and Spa Costume Change
Photography by: Marcel & Meher Photography
About the Venue
Silverado Resort and Spa has been entertaining wedding guests for over 100 years and by now, I am sure they have probably seen just about about everything. This classical wedding is so soft and romantic. I love how the couple has used so many different backdrops from the resort to build a great wedding album. The outdoor spaces at the resort seem almost endless, and therefore the possibilities to create a wedding that is uniquely you is also limitless.
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For many couples, a “traditional” wedding celebration is just what they had in mind. But some brides and grooms today are taking more chances and using their creativity to make their wedding memorable and a stand out celebration.
There are four basic elements that everyone will take home from your celebration: the dress, the ceremony, the food, and the entertainment. Did they have a good time? Non-traditional, show-stopping entertainment is becoming increasingly more popular at today’s weddings. We’re not talking about the same old band or DJ. We are referencing truly unique experiences that will keep your guests discussing your wedding over coffee with friends in the weeks to come.
If you want to incorporate a bit of “Live Wedding Theater” into your wedding reception, you might want to do as this couple did and incorporate your cultural heritage. Chinese Dragon dancers are a way to “bless” your event and will really wow the guests with the energy and symbolism. This is a perfect time to change into the traditional garments to surprise your guests.
If you love dancing and want to share that passion with your guests, a Spanish Flamenco dancer is the way to go; you can even have them give mini lessons. A poet is another fun idea – they can do poems for your guests throughout the evening, which is a great way to engage your guests in thought and emotion.
Weddings are meant to be fun! Think outside the box and wow your guests throughout the night – entertainment is a great way to do so.
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Marcel & Meher Photography, Florist – Valley Flora, Cake – Sweetie Pies, Entertainment – Peter Rudolfi.
Style Guide: Orange and White
Photography: theknot.com
Photography By: Think Photographics
Summary
Often couples can’t decide on a cohesive theme for their wedding. A combination of colors can definitely be a theme and is one of the best ways to express a fun and definite style. A color combination of tangerine and white creates a spectacular theme. This fun color combination can provide you with a wonderfully modern theme with lots of frivolity. When you choose to do a color as a theme, make sure that you accessorize with bright pops of contrasting color.
The first inspiration board is a collection of great and colorful items found on theknot.com. Color can be brought into any design in bold statements or in subtle hints. Collateral is a great place to start. Solid colors will always make a statement but getting that burst of whimsical fun from a graphic or font creates an elegant statement without going overboard.
Table linen and your tablescape are a necessary place for you to go big and bold with color. If you are aiming for over the top – choose a fantastic, bold fabric. If tangerine or kumquat are your colors, consider using one of the many fun bold geometric patterned fabrics found at La Tavola like the one pictured above. Your table linen often times sets the tone of the room as it “covers the most real estate.”
Accessorize – just like any great outfit, accessories make the design and with a wedding, your accessories come in a variety of choices. A candy bar or a specialty cocktail are not often considered to be part of a theme, but look at how both of these design boards bring in unusual elements, incorporating them beautifully.
The second inspiration board is a real wedding captured by the talented Think Photographics. I love how showcasing these two boards side by side shows you how to apply a great color theme. The second board uses the contrast between the crisp white tones and the softer color of melon and tangerine. Look at how soft and romantic the room looks.
All the elements definitely have a flair for modern drama. The simple tablescape is perfect as a DIY element – simple glass vases filled with oranges or kumquats or peaches creates perfection. Interchanging with single bud vases filled with bright pops of color from gerberas, dahlias or similar full blossomed flowers would look great. The napkin tied with peppercorn berries and a simple orange ribbon looks so sweet, but what really ties this design together is the color display of hanging lanterns. The use of the different colors hung at varying heights makes such a statement. This design would not look quite as remarkable if all the lanterns were the same hue and size. Simply brilliant!
Wedding Venue: Ruby Hill Golf Club
Photography by: Michelle Walker Photography
About the Venue
Talk about exclusive. The Ruby Hill Golf Club in Pleasanton redefines the word. Ruby Hill Golf Club is a prestigious Jack Nicholson designed course in the rolling hills of Tri-valley Wine Country. The club is part of a prestigious gated community and, just to come by and view the facility, one needs an appointment to get through the front gate. Once you arrive, you will slowly make your way up the hill to the Golf Club. The homes that surround the 18 holes of this incredible course are every newlywed’s fantasy dream home.
The Italian inspired architecture seems to roll through the entire community. When you reach the top of the hill and see the grand villa waiting to greet you, a sweet smile at your discovery will pass over your face. This golf club transcends the normal idea of a cookie cutter country club wedding. As you walk into the Fireside room, take a step back and soak it in. The room is flooded with natural light from unique domed skylight that is the focal point of the room. The French doors and the collection of large picture windows that surround the soaring 40 foot ceiling all add to the beauty of the room.
The bride and groom wait at that landing at the top of the staircase, overlooking their party. As they are introduced, they descend down opposing sides of the grand Tuscan stairwell which meets at the bottom for an appropriate first dance or kiss. This grand scene is not difficult to imagine as you tour the facility. The columns, wall sconces, and attention to detail that create a warm and elegant feel in the space allow you to draw the perfect picture of your celebration. If you are looking for an incredible venue in the East Bay, you have to call and make an appointment.
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Michelle Walker Photography, Designer/Planner – Kristen Jensen of Sugar Rush Events, Florist – The Flower House, Cake – Katrina Rozelle, Lighting – Brad Kinney Productions, Videographer – Thomas Hughes, Rentals – Stuart Party Rentals.
Wedding Venue: Hakone Gardens Butterflies
Photography by: Chung Li Photography
Style guide
Butterflies and other natural elements are alight in this colorful wedding theme. If you have chosen an outdoor wedding venue such as Hakone Gardens in Saratoga and are still searching for a great theme that will stand out, consider a color palette that incorporates a vibrant shade of plum as your base. A palette of ripe juicy plum fits perfectly with the natural shades of green and brown that will tend to dominate most outdoor reception areas.
This wedding at Hakone Gardens has been styled brilliantly for this couple’s celebration. The color palette of plum, blackberry, and a splash of luscious raspberry has completely transformed this amazing Zen-styled Asian garden.
I love how the couple has taken elements of nature and matched them with a butterfly motif. They have woven simple and elegant items all through their celebration. When you think about a butterfly, your memories recall bright vivid flower tones, spring gardens, and warm sun-filled afternoons. These same memories are what every bride wants to have associated with her wedding celebration.
There is something magical about the idea of a butterfly. The idea of transition, rebirth, and a new life which is associated with butterflies are also great themes for a wedding celebration. A butterfly release is one of my favorite elements in a wedding like this. The release itself is always breathtaking, but as a planner, we have seen these delicate creatures transform before our eyes numerous times. Their colors slowly brighten as the sun warms them and their wings begin to flutter as they wake up from being dormant to make their grand appearance.
If you are considering an outdoor celebration and want to incorporate a similar theme to the ones captured above, consider this: Green tends to dominate any outdoor setting, so if you are dining al fresco, the choice of brightly colored table linens will transform your space quickly and give you the most “bang for your buck.” I also encourage you to check out La Tavola Linens, as their Nuvo collection has a wonderful selection of grape and eggplant linens that would fit perfectly with this theme. Patterns are also a brilliant way to add both color and texture into a verdant green garden. For this color palette, check out Madeline Aubergine and Emma Plum, also from La Tavola.
Once you have chosen the base of your design in the form of a great linen, start to bring natural elements to complete the design. Bamboo-styled chairs (found at Classic Party Rentals) would make a great addition. Since you need chairs, it’s always a great idea to choose chairs that perform double duty – both as function and as a design element. Softer shades of lavender, white, pink, and green will set the tables apart and creates a soft romantic feeling in addition to the table top. Other items to consider include birdcages, birch bark, and bamboo.
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Chung Li Photography, Florist – Poppy’s Petalworks, Catering – Le’s Kitchen Catering.
Wedding Venue: The Legion of Honor a Rainy Day
Photography by: Stephanie Williams Photography
About the Venue
Wow. This wedding is so spectacular and it’s obvious the bride, groom, and photographer certainly made the best of a drizzly San Francisco day. The Court of Honor at San Francisco’s Legion of Honor is best known for the famed sculpture of Rodin’s “Thinker,” but as many couples have found, this incredible demonstration of neo-classic architecture is one of the most incredible locations to host a wedding ceremony you can imagine.
The Legion sits on a bluff where the Pacific meets the bay and tall red spires of the Golden Gate Bridge are the backdrop for many spectacular wedding photos. This couple’s album is spectacular. As you can see, a quick trip to the beach and a few rainy day accessories can be adapted to create a bit of whimsy and fun. Brilliant! It almost makes you wish for rain on your wedding day.
Wedding Venue: Garden Court Hotel Your Oscar Moment
Photography by: Geoff White
About the Venue
I love the Garden Court Hotel in downtown Palo Alto. It is the only luxury hotel in downtown Palo Alto and has the same charming character of this incredible academic town that lies at the heart of this community. If you have not had a chance to visit the Garden Court, go take a peek, it will surprise you!
From the the street, the unimposing hotel seems very typical; however, once you enter the lobby you will see how the quaint and small entrance leads you into a grand Mediterranean-style courtyard with fountains, brightly flowering bougainvillea, and traditional French doors that lead to wrought iron railings and private balconies. You get the feeling that you are walking down a quiet lane somewhere in France or Italy, especially as you look towards the rooftops where you’ll see a few guests enjoying a glass of wine on their balcony.
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The styling of the bridal party sets the tone for the event – the attire and accessories are the building blocks for the rest of the design. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to express your individual style, but remember to have fun and live out your dreams. The aisle is in place, the music is cued, the doors open and it is your time to shine. As a planner, I like to call this a bride’s “Oscar Moment.”
The dress is obviously the key to this spectacular moment. Whether you have a multimillion dollar designer gown or you have found a vintage bargain, as long as the dress expresses your style and personality, your entrance will be remembered. What’s next is dressing your entourage. If you are the star of the show and your costume is the dress, the costume choice for the supporting characters is equally important. Remember, the supporting cast’s fanciful frocks will be the backdrop for many of your wedding photos.
How do you choose a dress that looks equally impressive on all of your attendants? The key to success is letting them pick the dress. Make picking out the bridesmaid’s dress an event by setting up appointments, complete with champagne and strawberries. Find dresses that are a reflection of the style that you are trying to achieve, but also bring in the personalities of your bridesmaids. Instead of choosing a dress and trying to fit it to the body styles of the bridesmaids, pick out a color or range of colors and have your bridesmaids pick out their own dresses. This is the perfect way to let everyone look great, express their own style, and quite possibly have a dress they might consider wearing again.
Once you pick out the dresses, the fun begins. Accessories are the different elements that you can use to highlight your wedding ensemble. Shoes, hair pieces, shoe clips, necklaces, earrings, hand bags…the list is endless.
I love how this bride had each one of her attendants choose a unique parasol – this is a great original accessory, one that can reflect style and makes for fun photos! Think outside the box and really have fun with your accessories. Think of them as props for the photos, a great way to bring in color, style, and personality!
Wedding Venues: The Best of Berkeley
Photography by: Lilia Photography
About the Venue
There is just something about Berkeley. Whether you are a UC alumni or grew up here, this small town with a huge reputation can always be called home. The campus is nestled in the gorgeous foothills where you are surrounded by every kind of culture, food, and community. It’s a true urban melting pot.
As a bride, there are a few select locations for a wedding celebration and this urban chic couple found a way to incorporate the best of Berkeley into their special day. The Hotel Shattuck is a classic example of “everything that is old is new again.” The small boutique hotel was recently acquired by the BPR Properties, a hospitality group that specializes in luxury boutique hotels with refined service.
The renovation was a challenge as they wanted to revamp the interior spaces while keeping the history and historic architecture of Berkeley’s first hotel intact. As the vibrant celebration pictured above can attest, the results are breathtaking. Sleek modern amenities are paired with a flair for the dramatic and glamorous. The white marble floors are in complete contradiction with the inlaid ebony peace sign that welcomes your guests.
The beautiful serene wooded setting you see in the ceremony background is an amazing Redwood amphitheater located just up the hill from Hotel Shattuck in the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden. Picture yourself in the center of the grove-filtered sun trickling past the giant Redwood forest that surrounds you. Just gorgeous.
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What about an off site ceremony location. If you are contemplating an off site ceremony location for your wedding celebration there are several things to think about and coordinate. First, you have to think about timing, make sure that the ceremony site is available with n a two hour window of when the reception should start. It is awkward especially for out of town guests when the reception begins several hours after the ceremony. The second thing to consider is the proximity. If your reception venue is more than just a few miles away make sure you have allotted ample time for re parking and those who might get lost along the way.
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.
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