UC Berkeley Botanical Garden

Weekend Planning Guide: The Secret Garden

Posted Aug 21, 2010 by I Do Venues

Photography By: Kristen Gardner Summary Fall is right around the corner and as you plan your wedding for next year, you may be considering an outdoor affair. Whether you choose to have an intimate outdoor ceremony or throw a grand garden party, September and October are the best months to consider in the Bay Area. For the East Bay (Contra Costa and Alameda Counties), the summer heat will have passed, leaving the pleasantly warm summer evenings with their cool breezes. In San Francisco, the heavy fog layer we experience in June and July will have traveled down coast – leaving [...]

Design Inspiration: Going to a Garden Party

Posted Aug 18, 2010 by I Do Venues

Photography By: Jose Villa Summary If you are just mad about color – consider turning your passion for that particular hue into a personalized wedding theme – a bold and bright color for a wedding theme. This wedding is embellished with a profusion of vibrant, complimentary colors and synergistic detail. We love it when a bride and groom are willing to take a few risks; however, this bride and groom did get a little coaxing. The wonderfully talented Jose Villa has done such an incredible job of making these photographs jump off the page, and the inspired design was the [...]

Wedding Venue: UC Berkeley Botanical Garden Entertainment

Posted Jun 17, 2010 by Gloria Atherstone

Summary The Redwood Grove is absolutely amazing. As the ceremony site is located in a natural forest, there is no electricity. Planning for music and amplification requires a well-thought strategy. I Do Venues recommends simple acoustical music, which resonates beautifully as your guests follow the sounds into the amphitheater. Acoustic or amplified music are permitted both inside and outside of the reception site. A DJ or a small two-piece ensemble is just right for this intimate setting.

Wedding Venue: UC Berkeley Botanical Garden Photography

Posted Jun 9, 2010 by I Do Venues

Photography by: Elle Jae Weddings Summary For the outdoor enthusiast, the University of California Berkeley Botanical Garden is a magical setting for photography. There are few locations where you can take a mini-trip around the world with only a camera lens as a passport. Stand in the middle of a Parisian lavender garden. Feel as though you are standing in Joshua Tree National Park next to 10-foot tall yucca plants. Or feed the Koi fish in the traditional Japanese water garden. The world is at your fingertips with this expansive, diverse location.

Wedding Venue: UC Berkeley Botanical Garden Design

Posted May 21, 2010 by I Do Venues

Photography By: Jessamyn Harris Ceremony The Redwood Grove at the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden is one of the most awe-inspiring ceremony locations in the East Bay. The quarter-mile trail that leads from the parking lot to the Redwood amphitheater is perfect for creating cozy vignettes. Place garden-style benches with colorful cushions for your guests to enjoy along the way. The amphitheater is constructed of dark wood and blends naturally into the surroundings. Place cushions in bright colors to add a burst of color in your choice palette and for comfortable assurance for your well-dressed guests. The wood railings look amazing when [...]

Wedding Venue: UC Berkeley Botanical Garden Catering and Facilities

Posted Apr 17, 2010 by Gloria Atherstone

Photography by: Elle Jae Weddings Overview The University of California Berkeley Botanical Garden is an ideal setting for a small, intimate wedding celebration of approximately 60-80 guests. The outdoor spaces are rich in color, fragrant flowers and botanicals from around the globe. Split in two by the winding road which leads up Strawberry Hill, the botanical garden is a paradise for nature lovers. Ceremony The Redwood Grove is an amazing cathedral comprised of towering Redwood trees that allow natural light to filter through. A stone amphitheater was built by garden volunteers with comfortable seating for up to 150 guests. The [...]