Our Top 9 Bay Area Wedding Venues!
Our Top 9 Bay Area Wedding Venues
Jessi (one of the co-founders and lead photographer) grew up in the East Bay in Livermore so whenever we have a chance to shoot a Bay Area Wedding we jump on it as it gives us a chance to go down and see friends and family. Although our basecamp is located in Phoenix, Arizona now, we love shooting San Francisco weddings and we want to share our top 9 Bay Area Wedding Venues.
Outdoor Bay Area Wedding Venues:
We love natural light and we especially love shooting at outdoor Bay Area Wedding Venues. We’ll share photos and insight into each of these San Francisco wedding locations we’ve had the opportunity to shoot at. This was hard to organize as all of these locations are truly their own and have their special details about them. Let’s go!
#9: San Francisco City Hall Wedding
What I liked about it:
This SF wedding venue is timeless, classic, and is in the heart of the city. Although the venue is indoors, it’s filled with a ton of natural light which I love!
Style: City Hall, Indoor
Guest Capacity: 40-200
Services: Ceremony, Cocktail Reception
Website: San Francisco City Hall
Location: 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102
About:
Elegant and exquisite architectural design make San Francisco City Hall a perfect Bay Area Wedding Venue.
#8: Shakespeare Garden Wedding
What I liked about it:
This SF Wedding Venue had a lot of tall trees surrounding the ceremony site which created shade and plenty of locations to take photos.
Style: Park/Garden, Outdoor
Guest capacity: Accommodates up to 200 guests
Services: Ceremony / Reception, Indoor / Outdoor
Website: Shakespeare Garden
Location: 335 Martin Luther King Jr Dr., San Francisco, CA 94118
About:
“Behind fencing masked by foliage, the Shakespeare Garden at Golden Gate Park provides a romantic setting for a wedding tucked inside one of the most popular attractions in San Francisco. Upon entering the charming iron gate entrance, prepare yourself for a dreamy journey towards creating your own tale of love and devotion that puts the Bard to shame. When planning your nuptials, keep in mind that April is a popular time for weddings at the Shakespeare Garden because of the flowering crabapple trees.” - https://www.wedding-spot.com/venue/1596/Golden-Gate-Park-Shakespeare-Garden/
# 7: UC Botanical Garden Wedding
What I liked about it:
This Bay Area Wedding Venue is really unique. We shot a wedding here in May and the entire garden was in bloom. It was the perfect setting to incorporate towering cacti and other unique plants. The ceremony took place amongst old-growth Redwoods in an amphitheatre setting just a short walk from the Botanical Garden. The majority of the wedding was based outside in natural light which we love!
Style: Park/Garden, Outdoor
Guest Capacity: 100-200
Services: Ceremony, Reception
Location: 200 Centennial Drive, Berkeley, CA 94705
Website: UC Botanical Garden
About:
“The 34 acres of the UC Botanical Garden is located in the hills above UC Berkeley, nestled in Strawberry Canyon and overlooking the San Francisco Bay. The Garden is home to over 10,000 different kinds of plants, including many rare and endangered species.
Among the natural splendor of this living museum are several lovely sites for a celebration. With beautiful landscapes, a majestic Redwood Grove, and proximity to Berkeley, Oakland, Walnut Creek and San Francisco, the Garden is a favorite location for all types of events.” - https://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu
(Finding photos, be right back!)
#6: Muir Woods Elopement
What I liked about it:
Getting married amongst 1200 year old 250+ foot tall Redwoods sounds magical in and of itself. This location ranks high on our favorite outdoor Bay Area Wedding Venues list as it very much reminds us of our home away from home in the PNW. You’ll need a special event permit to have your wedding here, but that’s a small price to pay for the epic setting!
Style: Park, Outdoor
Guest Capacity: 30
Services: Ceremony
Website: Muir Woods
Location: 1 Muir Woods Rd, Mill Valley, CA 94941
About:
“Muir Woods National Monument is part of California’s Golden Gate National Recreation Area, north of San Francisco. It’s known for its towering old-growth redwood trees. Trails wind among the trees to Cathedral Grove and Bohemian Grove, and along Redwood Creek. The Ben Johnson and Dipsea trails climb a hillside for views of the treetops, the Pacific Ocean and Mount Tamalpais in adjacent Mount Tamalpais State Park.” - https://www.nps.gov/muwo/index.htm
Click here to view more imagery from this Muir Woods Elopement.
#5: Joaquin Miller Park Wedding
What I liked about it:
You wouldn’t think this SF wedding venue is just minutes away from the city and surrounded by tall Redwoods. I love the easy access to nature and it feels super secluded. The greenery makes for pretty backdrops and in almost any direction you want to shoot in. You will need a permit to have your event here, but the prices are very reasonable (see link below for price sheet).
Style: Nature Inspired, Outdoor
Services: Rental, Wedding, Festivals, Concerts, etc.
Website: Joaquin Miller Park Fee Information
Location: Multiple locations to select from
About:
“Wildlife, Plants and Fungi. The redwoods in Joaquin Miller Park are considered to be one of the few Redwood forests to flourish today in an urban setting. Most notably, native Coast Redwoods (sequoia sempervirens) grow throughout the park. Many are in the second or third growth following major logging in the late 1800s and early 1900s when the redwoods were used to help build Oakland, San Francisco and other booming cities of the time. Of the thousands of trees planted under Joaquin Miller's leadership, many still stand today.
The park contains a variety of representative central coastal range habitats, hot open hillsides, cool redwoods groves, oak woodlands, lush creeksides and wet meadows. The park is home to over 200 species of native plants. There are rare plants like the Oakland star tulip, pallid manzanita and leatherwood alongside such non-natives as fennel, acacia and eucalyptus. California's state grass, purple needlegrass, and the state flower, the California golden poppy, are abundant in the serpentine grasslands.
Walk gently and discover elusive wildlife. Towhees, scrub jays, Cooper's hawks, wild turkeys, California quail, lizards, gopher snakes, or perhaps even a gray fox, deer or skunk all live in this park.” - https://www.oaklandca.gov/topics/joaquin-miller-park
#4: Conservatory of Flowers
What I liked about it:
I really love this as a Bay Area Wedding Venue. The setting is urban yet tranquil, and the location is pretty much perfect. We didn’t shoot a ceremony here, but we did get to shoot our couple’s first look and it was absolutely beautiful!
Style: Indoor, Outdoor
Guest Capacity: 150-160
Services: Ceremony, Reception
Website: Conservatory of Flowers
Location: 100 John F Kennedy Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118
About:
“The Conservatory of Flowers was built in 1878 and is the oldest building in Golden Gate Park. It houses a collection of rare and exotic plants, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Interesting Fact: The Conservatory of Flowers was built of wood vs. iron (those didn’t start becoming popular until the 1880’s), and is the oldest remaining wood municipality in the United States (it was also the first!).” - https://www.womangettingmarried.com/conservatory-of-flowers-wedding-venue/
#3: Villa Montalvo Bay Area Wedding Venue
What I liked about it:
Villa Montalvo was amazing to shoot at with its Spanish vibe and outdoor space. You can shoot an entire wedding here outside in natural light! Another great aspect about this venue is that you can have bride and groom preps, first look, ceremony, and reception all in one place which makes it super easy for everyone involved.
Style: Spanish/Mediterranean Estate
Guest Capacity: 350
Services: Bridal Suite, Ceremony, Reception
Website: Villa Montalvo
Location: 15400 Montalvo Road, Saratoga, CA 95070
About:
Villa Montalvo has a lot of history. It’s a national historical landmark that was built in 1912 by James Duval Phelan. The name “Villa Montalvo” references 16th-century Spanish writer Garci Ordóñez de Montalvo, who first coined the name “California”. Nestled within the trees of Saratoga it offers ample greenery, beautiful gardens, and the old Spanish Mediterranean architecture makes for a nice backdrop and unique textures.
Click here to view more imagery from this Villa Montalvo Wedding.
#2: The Inn At Newport Ranch Wedding
What I liked about it:
Just north of San Francisco, this Bay Area Wedding Venue in Fort Bragg is my absolute favorite. The venue sits on a dramatic oceanside cliff overlooking rocky points, beautiful sunsets, and has over 2,000 acres of land to explore. The ceremony site sits on a bluff with amazing views of the ocean and cliffs below and you can even stay at the venue for a mini-retreat or honeymoon getaway.
Style: Ocean, Outdoor
Guest Capacity: Less than 100
Services: Bridal Suite, Ceremony, Cocktail Hour, Reception, Overnight Accommodations
Website: The Inn At Newport Ranch
Location: 31502 N Highway 1, Fort Bragg, CA 95437
About:
“Encompassing seven microclimates on 2,000 acres of land, 1 ½ miles of rugged coastline and 20 miles of trails, The Inn at Newport Ranch is the perfect escape from the bustle of modern life.” - https://www.theinnatnewportranch.com/
Click here to view more imagery from this Inn at Newport Ranch Wedding.
#1: Gallery 308 SF Wedding Venue
What I liked about it:
This SF wedding venue is a blank canvas which makes it easy to style and design the perfect wedding or event. Gallery 308 is on the marina and has big windows all around the building which floods the room with natural light. Being able to watch the sunset from inside is pretty rad!
Style: Blank Slate, Indoor, Outdoor
Guest Capacity: 430
Services: Bridal Suite, Ceremony, Reception
Website: Gallery 308
Location: Landmark Building A, 2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94123
About:
“The General's Residence is one of the most popular venues at the Fort Mason Center. Located along the Marina waters, the venue features breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay, Aquatic Park and Alcatraz. Over the years the General’s Residence experienced some modification and modernization, but its front facade and interior spaces remain relatively unchanged so that the building possesses considerable historical integrity today. On the ground floor, 2 beautiful vintage glass chandeliers hang above intricate hardwood floors creating a wonderful greeting for your guests. The Dining Room and Ballroom have panoramic floor to ceiling windows that highlights the expansive back lawn and neighboring docks. Outdoor ceremonies can be had on the back lawn overlooking the Bay. The General’s Residence is a perfect combination of charm and elegance and the ideal venue to begin the next chapter of your lives together.” - https://www.wedding-spot.com/venue/148/Gallery-308/
Click here to view more imagery from this Gallery 308 wedding.
Other California Wedding Venues:
Hummingbird Nest Ranch (Los Angeles, CA)
Holman Ranch (Carmel Valley, CA)
Mission Ranch Hotel (Carmel Valley, CA)