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
Photography by: Michelle Walker Photography
About the Venue
When a bride decides she wants to have a wedding celebration that embraces the art, history, and culture of Italy, I cannot recommend a better location than the Jacuzzi Family Vineyards in Sonoma. As you drive along the winding vine-covered foothills at the entrance of Sonoma, you will notice a magnificent 18,000 square foot Italian stone farmhouse nestled in and amongst the lush vine-covered rolling hills.
The farmhouse is truly a home away from home for the Jacuzzi family as it bears a striking resemblance to the family’s home in Northern Italy. The romance and charm associated with the venue is not to be missed – couples who begin to wander around the stone courtyard will be intrigued as they happen across antique furnishings, Venetian glass chandeliers, and classic Italian art. Once you check out the venue for yourself, you fully understand the allure of this romantic and charming villa.
A love for great Italian-style wine must be the order of the day. The winery’s official first vintage was released in 1994, but the Jacuzzi family has a 130 year history of creating the most premium Italian-style varietals offered by any winery in California. The winery’s flair for everything Italian can be seen in the delightful varietals such as Aglianico, Arneis, Lagrein, Pinot Grigio, Sagrantino, Nebbiolo, Barbera, Primitivo, and Sangiovese, which take center stage in the tasting room and will be the perfect complement to your wedding day celebration tables.
The patio alongside the grand courtyard features amazing vineyard vistas as well as “Neptune’s Fountain” – an incredible white washed cast stone fountain which makes the ideal backdrop for a bride and groom to exchange vows. As a ceremony location, set the area with a collection of walnut chiavari chairs. This creates a nice contrast between the astir white statuary, the tone-on-tone stone covered piazza with red Italian tiled roof, and the lush green lawns. I love how those chairs help to bring a sense of the exquisite Italian style into the ceremony. A few market umbrellas scattered through the ceremony is a perfect way to create a bit of shade and structure for older guests.
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 – Michelle Klaff of Elegant Events by Michelle, Florist – Jessica Switala of Fleurs de France, Cake – Fleur de Lisa Wedding Cakes and Specialty Desserts, Catering – Wine Country Catering, Lighting – Twilight Design.
Wedding Venue: The Golden Gate Club Let There Be Light
Photography by: Chung Li Photography
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Wow! Couture, vibrant, chic, and playful. These are all the words which come to mind when I look at this incredible interpretation of the Golden Gate Club located in San Francisco’s historic Presidio. What’s funny is that these same words come to mind when I think of the incredibly talented Duncan Reyes of F. Duncan Reyes Events by Design, this wedding’s designer and planner. There are so many things about this design to love. Duncan has taken one of my favorite venues and turned it into a chic nightclub atmosphere.
The lighting design is to die for. The raspberry, fuchsia, and warm amber uplights completely transform the venue. I love the idea of a butterfly release as part of the celebration. I can’t get over this interpretation brought to life by an incredible lighting company. As you follow the butterflies from the fire place to the dramatic beamed ceilings, you can see it creates just the right complement of drama and whimsy. I love how they have made the butterflies flutter across the dance floor!
One of the best features of the Golden Gate Club is the vast ceilings that seem to go on forever. The second floor balconies provide a great vantage point for viewing your party, but also give your lighting designer many more options than a single floor structure. To help the space feel more like a club and less like a banquet hall, they have used a variety of tables with different shapes and sizes. This is a key point – at a club you’ll rarely see tables for ten, so creating a feeling of intimacy by having your crowd mingle in smaller groups of four, six, and eight is a perfect way to initiate this design.
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, Designer/Planner – Duncan Reyes in association with Michelle Barrionuevo-Mazzini and Francisco Mazzini of F. Duncan Reyes Events by Design, Florist – Asiel Design, Lighting Design – Atmosphere Lights , Catering (Food) – Thomas John Events, Catering (Beverages) – Best Beverage Catering, Videography – AVRFILMS, Butterfly Release – Butterfly Events, Cupcakes – American Cupcake, Linens – Napa Valley Linens.
Wedding Venue: Testarossa Winery
Photography by: Jay Tsai Photography
About the Venue
As a university student in Italy, Rob Jensen adapted quickly to being called ‘Testa Rosso’ (Red Head). It was fitting that when he and his wife Diane decided to quit their high-tech jobs in the Silicon Valley and commit themselves to their passion of handcrafting wine they decided to call themselves Testarossa Winery. Testarossa is located in Saratoga; however, unlike many of the area’s wineries which are nestled into the rolling hills, Testarossa is the most convenient location. The winery itself is located near the Main Street district of Saratoga, which means no winding hills or long drives are required by your guest after the celebration is over.
This amazing historic location will garner its fair share of attention from your wedding guests. The strong masonry structures and the rich textures provided by the raw building materials remind you of a castle, but this one comes complete with every modern amenity. The outdoor patio is the perfect location for a ceremony of about 50 guests. The stage area is ideal for framing the bride and groom and the colorful border gardens create visual pops of seasonal flowers. The assemblage of mature trees directly behind the stage creates shade for the bride and groom. The filtered light is great for photographs and creates movement in the ceremony design by allowing various hanging elements which sits behind the stage.
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I love how this couple has incorporated many cultural elements into the design. The ceremony chandelier created from clusters of blossoming white flowers is gorgeous and makes such an incredible statement against the verdant green foliage and the rustic brown wood decking. The couple has captured the essence of the Testarossa Winery and has used the architectural elements to their advantage.
The rustic wrought-iron pillars that embrace bountiful white flora is a stunning match for the space. The details of these pieces are incredible; the full white blossoms create a light and airy feeling within the stone walls of the wine caves, and the soft green accents give dimension to the otherwise monochromatic design. Many designers would have been thrilled with this look, but this couple have taken the design a step further. The tendrils that hang from the top meet the vines and greenery that is slowly creeping it’s way up from the bottom, giving the overall look the feeling that the vines have grown up into the overall floral centerpiece – just gorgeous!
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Jay Tsai Photography, Florist – Amy Burke Designs, Cake – Jen’s Cakes, Catering – Restaurant O Catering, DJ – Sound in Motion, String Trio – Innocenti Strings.
Wedding Venue: Costanoa Sneak Preview
Photography by: Zoom Photography
About the venue
As the “Wedding Venue Experts” I’d like to think we are pretty plugged in to the local area, so it caught us by surprise when we received a submission for a venue we have never worked with. This charming and quaint venue definitely took us by surprise, and every time we receive a wedding from Laurie Levenfeld of Zoom Photography we just know we have a treat in store for us. Laurie is one of the most talented photographers I know. Her effervescent personality along with her extreme talent are amazing, so we knew that this wedding would be special.
Costanoa is more than a lodge or a retreat center – it is a piece of complete tranquility nestled into the base of the Santa Cruz mountains. The facility is complete unique – unlike anything we have ever seen. The coastal retreat center has four different venues for use for wedding and celebrations. You can take you walk down an isle that is either lined with giant redwood trees or possibly have the sun descend into the pacific against the backdrop of crashing waves – I’m glad I am not the one who has to choose!
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Laurie Levenfeld and Jessica Epstein of Zoom Photography, Florist – Sheri Hermone, Cake – SusieCakes.
Wedding Venue: Holman Ranch Enjoy The Moments of Your Life
Photography by: Alex Johnson Photographer
About the Venue
Recently I had the unique experience to spend some time with Hunter Lowder from Holman Ranch – as they say, it is amazing how time flies when you are having fun! About two and a half hours later, I was dragging myself from this gracious and inviting property. As a guest, event planner, and blogger I can see the property from three distinctly different perspectives. This was the first time I’ve had the opportunity to just hang out and find out why the family loves this property and why they are so willing to share this bit of nirvana with couples wanting a unique local for their wedding celebration.
The history of the property gives you a fun glimpse into yesteryear. The Holman family operated the ranch for over 40 years and during their residency the ranch had many different personalities. A working guest ranch, the premier place where the Carmel Valley social elite celebrated life, and a place where the 1940′s Hollywood elite such as Clark Gable, Marlon Brando, and June Allyson sought refuge from the hustle and bustle of the crazy world of film and fun.
In 2006, the property was purchased and incredibly restored by the Lowder family. Thomas and Jarman thought they would retire and relax in the natural beauty of the Carmel Valley – little did they know that under the watchful and creative eye of their daughter Hunter, the Holman Ranch would become one of the premier event locations in California. Hunter’s background in restaurants and the hospitality industry has allowed her to take this family property from a wonderful and historic restoration project to an incredible guest ranch where your every whim is and can be indulged.
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The talented team of Soiree by Simone have the unique and fun job of planning elegant weddings in the Carmel Valley and as luck may have it, they get to spend a few weekends a year at Holman Ranch (they love their job!). When I saw this wedding I was blown away. Holman Ranch is so much more than a nice rustic family “ranch” – it really has a sense of community. Your guests don’t just come to the wedding, they really experience your celebration and this wedding does such an incredible job of showcasing the property. The buildings, the guest rooms, the views – every detail makes you feel a thousand miles away from reality but completely taken care of and relaxed.
“Eileen and Stephen were friends for years before taking their relationship to the next level. During a retreat to Carmel Valley’s Bernardus Lodge and Winery while watching a golden sunset, the couple decided it was time to make things official and tie the knot, and it was at that time they realized that Carmel Valley would be the perfect location for them to share the beginning of their live together. ‘No Beginning, No End’ was the pointed theme to this couple’s beautifully styled wedding celebration. The custom monogram ‘NB~NE’ embellished the programs, invitations, and favors and was a great central theme.
As a couple, a love of great food and fine wine is a huge part of their lifestyle. As a tribute to their passions for all things delectable, a harvest-inspired theme was a perfect fit. Choosing the perfect color palette was the first step – burnt orange, bitter brown, and ivory were a mirror reflection of the natural surroundings. These colors not only were indicative to a late summer/early fall harvest, but also a combination that naturally complimented the tones used throughout Holman Ranch’s estate. The bride’s vision was to create a feeling of family, intimacy, and warmth, yet still upscale and elegant. The event was not a showcase formal wedding, but more of a blending of two families in front of the people who matter the most.” – Simone Lennon.
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Alex Johnson Photographer, Designer/Planner – Simone Lennon of Soiree by Simone, Florist – Christine Cater Wedding and Event Floral Designs, Cake – Petals and Pastries, Catering – Paradise Catering, Cheese and Wine – The Cheese Shop.
Wedding Venue: Headlands Center for the Arts Keep It Green
Photography by: Julie Mikos
About the venue
This amazing party which was designed by Sadie Waddington of One Big Fish Green Events and documented by the ever talented Julie Mikos is absolutely perfect. When I saw the first photo I knew it had to be a Headlands Center for the Arts wedding. It is the perfect combination of artistic chic, rustic farmhouse, and laid-back fun – it is the perfect design and feeling for this incredible venue. I absolutely love it!
Having been part of the local wedding community for over 15 years (yes, it has been that long) I have had the chance to spend time at the Headlands playing many different roles: Caterer, Bartender, Designer, Planner, and Blogger. It never gets old and the history combined with the artistic energy that consumes it creates an incredible wedding feeling that your guests will always remember.
This dream team combination of designer and photographer could not be better matched and I’m so glad that they have shared this incredibly styled party as well as some of their thoughts about why this wedding celebration was perfect for this venue:
“The art of event planning is to tell every couple’s unique story in the most creative of ways. As architects, Kelly and Eddie had a clear vision for their special day, a vision that combined impeccable taste in design with eco-savvy style. The Headlands Center for the Arts provides a raw, organic feel in its refurbished design, which we accented with sustainable florals highlighting the historic features of the space. In the vein of using the building’s historic sense of design, we integrated the large metal desk, a relic from military times gone by, which lives in the foyer, to display escort cards; softening it with a large antique birdcage. Guests enjoyed local, organic affair in the Mess Hall seated on chairs of all shapes and styles around tables adorned with mason jars holding an array of wild flowers, many grown in the couple’s own garden.
Mixing the old with a rustic, earthy feel allowed guests to enjoy walking back in time and letting their imaginations explore the history of the space. Adding accents that represented the couple and complemented the space was key. Our color palatte was mostly greens and yellows, highlighted with rusty reds and deep purples. This allowed the décor to intermingle with the space.
The ceremony area is one of my favorite features, we adorned with strings of light, which looked just magical once the sun had set. The weather is often foggy and quite windy, so having enough space for an indoor ceremony is key. There are nicely crafted wooden bleachers with army blankets as pillows to rest against and a grand piano just waiting to be played. We kept the decoration as simple as this area, with only a few cocktail tables and floral arrangements, but the lighting was perfect.
I also really enjoyed decorating the staircase up to the second floor after dinner. We needed to clear the Mess Hall of decorations, so I placed the mason jars and some of the larger candles on the stair case for everyone to enjoy” – Sadie Waddington, One Big Fish Green Events
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Julie Mikos, Designer/Planner – One Big Fish Green Events, Florist – Bloomies, Catering – Katie Powers Catering.
Wedding Venue: The Berkeley City Club Great DIY Tips
Photography by: First Comes Love
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The term DIY (Do It Yourself) gets thrown around a lot. In this new era of brides I find that many brides, both on a strict budget and even those who employ the services of a planner, designer, or florist, want to have a few DIY elements in their celebration as an expression of personality.
While there are endless websites, blogs, and books that tell you how to do it, before you embark on the road of DIY, you really must weigh your options and make sure that the DIY elements you are considering are not only things that you can do, but are things that you want to do. Many brides over-do it and find that by the time they are done setting up all the elements, they are exhausted. Remember, what goes up must come down…or it ends up in the round file.
You must know what is ideal for DIY elements for you and what should be left for the professionals. People often under-estimate the cost of supplies for the projects; ink, stamps, cutting tools, embossers, fabric, ribbon…. the list goes on and they all cost money and we often under-estimate the cost of trial and error. It can really add up. Here are some great tips to make life easier and save time, energy, and money!
Stationary – have the items professionally printed, cut, scored… and then you can do the embellishments and stuffing on your own.
Guestbook – this is a great place to get original and bring in your personality and is perfect for DIY. Picture books, wishing trees, signed river rocks – there is an ample amount of eye candy and ideas available to help you make this a fun and interactive project for your guests.
Placecards – another great item for DIY. Get creative; attach them to your favors or even make them your favors. There are endless opportunities to have table elements that are unique and will tie your design together.
On the other hand, there are also things that I would recommend that you leave to the professionals. Yes, I am a wedding professional, but that is not the reason. You are the bride, you should not be involved in putting together flowers, erecting the bar, or even managing every little detail on your big day.
Flowers are a huge investment whether you hire a professional or DIY. Whether your budget is large or small, don’t take the risk that all of your hard work and investment will be lost due to insufficient refrigeration, not using the right floral preservatives, cutting the stems incorrectly, or a botched delivery. Each flower has it’s own set of instructions to maximize its beauty and it can take years to learn all the ins and outs. You’re busy planning your wedding, figuring out the ABC’s of floral design, well.. it’s just not the time! Don’t forget who is going to set up and most importantly, who is going to break it down.
DIY can be fun if you plan accordingly and you make sure to be finished with more than enough time – last minute DIY will drive you insane!!!
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – First Comes Love, Day of Coordinator – Crystal Myers of Berkeley City Club, Cake – La Farine and Berkeley City Club, Catering, Beverages, All Rentals – Berkeley City Club.
Wedding Venue: Testarossa Winery Brighten Your World With Co ...
Photography by: Meg Perotti
About the Venue
Testarossa Winery, located in the historic 19th century Los Gatos Novitiate, feels worlds away. However, the rambling old-world buildings are located only half a mile from adorable downtown Los Gatos, offering abundant and easily accessible lodging and great daytime activities for guests.
To keep things light and bright, host an outdoor ceremony at the courtyard patio which offers brightly colored flowers and is backed by a grove of towering trees. The space is laid out perfectly for ceremonies with its two-step wooden deck flanked on one side by ivy and on the other by trees. Or host cocktails there instead, with a string quartet on the deck and guests mingling around the music makers. Have the bar set-up on oak wine barrel bars which can be rented from Hartmann Studios to add some wine country rustic charm.
For a more sultry and unexpected ceremony site, consider the 19th century cave, with its vaulted ceilings and hundred-year old sandstone walls. Lighted by soft romantic chandeliers, this space glows with possibility. Guests will walk down to find their seats following a photo-history of the Novitiate to their left and original artwork on the walls to their right.
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The castle-like stone buildings of Testarossa conjure up dreams of the perfect fairytale wedding. Although beautiful, the history-rich dark stone masonry buildings of Testarossa Winery are ideal when spiced up and a splash of color is just the way to do it! A lively palette will allow you to bring your own personality into the event spaces. The bright pink used here is incredibly sweet, but if a fairytale wedding is not your cup of tea, you can use bright shots of color to a completely different affect. If you are feeling especially creative, try ditching the regimented color scheme and go for a chic vintage look by using a rainbow of flowers in orange, yellow, purple, and pink. Brightly colored ribbons in lace and satin can be wrapped around the bouquet, hung from the backs of ceremony chairs, or tied around vases lining the center of the aisle to add whimsy and color to the ceremony site.
Keep linens light for your reception in the Castello Room and let your colorful flowers pop. Check out the variety of cream and white options in La Tavola Linen’s Dolce collection…many of the linens have beautiful beading and texture in floral motifs. Mercury votive candles and a compilation of small vessels like silver-plated julep cups and vintage crystal vases filled with brightly colored peonies, tulips, and dahlias complete this vintage garden look. Pair with a Mahogany chiavari chair with a light cushion to bring in some contrast, or for a more formal look try the Crossback Bentwood Chair from Hartmann Studios in Oak. Greenery also works great in softening up this space – olive trees around the edges bring the outdoors in.
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Meg Perotti, Florist – Lindsay Catterton of The Wild Geranium.
Wedding Venue: Hamilton Ballroom
Photography by: Jonathan Canlas Photography
About the Venue
If your personal wedding style has more in common with 1930′s glamor queen Lauren Bacall than many of today’s modern stars, then you must take a look at this blast from the past. The Hamilton Ballroom is a little known secluded piece of 1930′s retro heaven for only a few choice brides each year.
The Hamilton Ballroom is a part of San Francisco history. It was recognized as the best example of “Art Deco / Moderne” architecture when it opened its doors in June of 1930 and it was the tallest residential building on the west coast – as you can imagine, the views were spectacular. In its hay day, the Hamilton hosted many of the great Broadway stars such as Lauren Bacall, Florence Henderson, and Vivianne Vance who were in town with their traveling theater productions. The hotel was also a home to many opera stars. The elite of San Francisco’s arts community lived and celebrated life in the halls of this incredible hotel.
When your guests arrive, they will be in awe when they walk through the doors. They will have no idea what to expect next. The spectacular beaux arts styled lobby has polished brass elevators and is well preserved in the theme of the period. This is the beauty of the space. Cocktails take place in the lobby surrounded by gorgeous period furniture, lighting, and a snow white baby grand piano just asking to be played.
The courtyard is the perfect place to retire for dinner after enjoying a few select libations in the lobby. Set up your celebration under the embracing limbs of an ancient tree that is set with twinkle lights – the perfect “starry” effect. Consider filling the fountains with gardenias and floating candles. The sweet aroma will fill the space while the trickling sound of water emanates from the fountains.
As many locals know, downtown San Francisco can be as brisk in July as it is in early spring – so look at all your options when you book the incredible space.
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Jonathan Canlas Photography, Designer/Planner – Kim Yee Events, Florist – Cherries, Lighting Rentals – Got Light.
Wedding Venue: Solage Capturing The Moment
Photography by: Sylvie Gil Photography
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Many wedding professionals will tell you that a great wedding photographer will do more than take great pictures – they will “capture the moment.” What does that mean exactly? With photography, it is best to let the pictures do the talking. Sylvie Gil is definitely one of the area’s most sought-after wedding photographers and we are always excited to share her work. This gorgeous wedding at Solage in Calistoga represents her vision so beautifully. The venue of course is superb to begin with, but the talent of a photographer like Sylvie really sells it.
If you are lucky enough to have her “capture” your wedding celebration, you will be blown away with the end result. Sylvie has a style all her own. She is always smiling and I guess that is why her clients love her - the enthusiasm and sheer joy she exudes at being so honored as to help you share your memories is contagious. Look at these shots: the expression on the faces are not staged - she captures the couples before or after ”the pose” when they are not quite expecting it, so the look is natural. Even her detail shots are amazing. I love how she shoots a collection of the details to make sure you can see the design vision and not just admire individual elements. Thanks for sharing Sylvie!
I Do Venues wants to recognize the talented team of wedding professionals who helped to make this bride’s dream a reality: Photographer – Sylvie Gil Photography, Designer/Planner – Kathryn Kenna of The Wedding Resource, Florist – Leslie Grady of The Flower Studio, Cake – Not Just Cheesecakes, Video – Thomas Hughes.
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