Presidio Yacht Club—
After living in San Francisco for almost 20 years, you would think that the sight of the Golden Gate Bridge would have lost some of is allure. WRONG. I am an absolute sucker for beautiful, unobstructed views of that beauty and the Presidio Yacht Club has hands down, the very best view of the bridge. If the views of the bridge weren’t enough to sway you— the boathouse has a charm and industrial, nautical charm that with marine blue walls that lend itself to the perfect coastal design. To top if all off, the Travis Marina bar gives off the best dive bar vibes for an epic, late night dance party.
The Pelican Inn—
Dreaming of an English countryside wedding but don’t want to leave California? The Pelican Inn is the perfect destination that feels like a European pub was perfectly planted on the rugged coastline of Northern California. You can rent the entire Inn out and host an intimate wedding in the restaurant and dining room. It is a short walk to Muir Beach and even has a room called the “Snug”— a perfect spot for the wedding party to chill and relax pre-ceremony. Best for small, intimate weddings (less than 100)!
The University Club San Francisco—
Perched right on the tippy top of Nob Hill, it boasts some of the best views of the city’s skyline. It is, in my opinion, one of the quintessential San Francisco venues that showcases the old school charm of San Francisco. Dark woods, leather furniture, and masculine touches make you feel like you should be sipping whiskey in the Library or ordering a Dirty Martini from the Black Cat Bar. You can book rooms directly at the Club (I love a good on-site getting ready location) or at any of the stately hotels up the block (The Fairmont, Stanford Court, Mark Hopkins). Catch the Cable Car out front with your wedding party for that epic San Francisco photo!
Ru’s Farm, Healdsburg—
Ru’s farm truly has it all— beautiful, lush gardens, vineyard views, proximity to a hip and foodie loving town square, a gigantic Oak tree, getting ready cottage on-site and an incredible barn that lends itself to an awesome dance party or rain plan back up. The owners, Lele and LJ, are quite possibly the sweetest people around and treat every single wedding like it is the most important day in their lives, too. I absolutely love Healdsburg and prefer it over any of the other wine country regions in the area. It has something for everyone— delicious cooler climate wine and beautiful vineyards, incredible food from some of the most talented chefs, laid back towns along the river where you can float and chill before or after the wedding, fun dive bars and lounges to keep the party going, and hotels for everyone (budget-luxury!).
Villa Montalvo—
I mean, who doesn’t want to get married at a Villa? Villa Montalvo feels straight out of a fairytale. From a dramatic ceremony aisle (probably over 100 feet long) to cocktail hour in the Spanish-inspired courtyard, this venue has all the bones for drama, elegance, and romance. The Villa itself has rooms for the bride and the groom to get ready in, a shared sitting area upstairs, and views of the entire property, so you can sneakily peek at your guests as they arrive. The Atrium is a perfect spot for all those romantic details— a traditional tiered cake, champagne tower, or sitting lounge for guests to have a reprieve from dancing. And the veranda?! Let’s talk about dinner on the veranda! Such a romantic, intimate vibe for dinner, even if it’s 200 people! While I recommend providing shuttles, there is plenty of parking for guests that want to drive.
And finally, a tried and true favorite— no venue at all!
It sounds like a joke, but I am serious. Give me an unobstructed view of the California coast and I am always, always down to create a space that functions well for a wedding. While venues are wonderful and make my job as a planner much easier, nothing beats stumbling upon a spot that makes you feel a certain way and deciding to get married right there. I can turn any somewhat flat piece of land into a ceremony and/or reception site. In fact, a large majority of the weddings I plan (including my own) don’t include electricity, running water, commercial kitchens, or a structure to serve as a reception site. Our team dreams it up, plans it all out, and builds it especially for you! Is it easy? No. Is it worth it? HELL YES.
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