Venues

How to Plan a Stern Grove Wedding

Informational, Venues

How to Plan a Stern Grove Wedding The Ultimate Guide for Planning a Stern Grove Wedding(complete with pricing, photos, and video) Are you interested in a Stern Grove wedding and wondering how to have your wedding there? Mostly visited by locals, Stern Grove is mostly known for their outdoor concerts during the summertime, but it can also serve as a small wedding venue year round. Let’s learn more about this location and how to plan your very own Stern Grove wedding. TLDR – Stern Grove wedding provides an outdoor environment along with the Trocadreo Clubhouse as an indoor option; seats 140 stand-up/ 120 sit down.– Trocadero Clubhouse equipped with a full caterer’s kitchen, minus the stove/oven– Stern Grove reservation fee begins at $50 plus an hourly rate starting at $153 (6 hour minimum); one of the most affordable venues in SF, considering the scenery.– Coordinator recommended; responsible for cleanup and toilet paper stock What makes the Stern Grove wedding venue special? Stern Grove provides budget friendly indoor and outdoor options for a wedding while also providing a classic natural backdrop. The centerpiece of the site of your Stern Grove wedding will be the Trocadero Clubhouse adjacent to the outdoor ceremony location. Surrounding the Trocadero Clubhouse, you will find groves of redwoods and eucalyptus trees and a small pond. Most couples opt to have the ceremony outdoors with a background of redwood trees while moving indoors for the reception. The Trocadero House has a capacity of 140 for a stand-up setting and 120 for sit down. There is limited parking on site but plenty of street parking that does require a steep walk. How much does a Stern Grove wedding cost? Reservation Fee : $50- $150Hourly Rate (6 hour min) : $197 – $230 Outside Area Fee : $1030Refundable Deposit : $750 How do I reserve a wedding at Stern Grove? Reservations take place through the San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department’s online form. Stern Grove is one of the most affordable venues in the city, particularly when considering the beautiful setting you get for the price. Availability at Stern Grove in the summer specifically varies because of the Stern Grove Music Festival. For all available dates, reservations can be made a year in advance. If multiple applications are received, a lottery determines who receives the use of the facility for their event. Best Times for a Stern Grove Wedding The temperature around Stern Grove stays fairly consistent with the temperatures in SF throughout the year, but with a bit more fog compared to more inland areas of the City. There are periods where its sunny downtown and foggy around here. The hot period (high 70s low 80s) doesn’t last too long, but September and October are the warmest months and are very comfortable. See the graph below for a more accurate outline of the yearly temperatures.  Considerations for a Stern Grove clubhouse wedding Stern Grove, in addition to the trees and pond outside for the wedding ceremony, also offers a clubhouse called the Trocadero Clubhouse. One of the biggest benefits of reserving the Trocadero Clubhouse is the use of a full caterer’s kitchen. This will provide a great deal of flexibility for your wedding planning. The kitchen includes a prep counter, warming ovens, and refrigerators. There is no stove or oven, however. If you decide to have a Stern Grove wedding, I definitely recommend a coordinator, whether a professional one or a very helpful family member or friend. This is because you are responsible for cleaning, stocking toilet paper, taking out trash, and tearing down everything at the end of the event, which makes sense given that it is a public property and has a very low price point. Having a trusted coordinator will ensure you have nothing to worry about and can enjoy the festivities. Another thing to consider is the possibility of hiring live music. Stringed instruments would fit well with the natural aesthetic of this location. This could be a nice touch for a couple that wants an extra bit of elegance for their day.  Final thoughts When planning your Stern Grove wedding, be sure to get your reservation in as soon as possible to ensure the best chances of securing the venue. There can be some competition for popular dates. It is the only wedding venue in San Francisco that offers this type of scenery. The next closest is Muir Woods, and if you are interested in a larger space that has exponentially more redwood trees, take a look at this post on “How to Plan a Wedding in Muir Woods.“ Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com Related Posts on the Blog

How to Plan a Stern Grove Wedding Read More »

How to Plan a Wedding in Golden Gate Park

Venues

How to Plan a Wedding in Golden Gate Park Ultimate Guide for Planning a Wedding in Golden Gate Park (complete with pricing, photos, and videos) Curious on how to plan a wedding in Golden Gate Park? Many couples choose Golden Gate Park because it offers so many different outdoor settings in the heart of San Francisco. If you are wanting a compromise between beauty and location within San Francisco, read below for the steps on how to have a Golden Gate Park wedding. A Wedding in Golden Gate Park Overview The park itself is bordered by Fulton Avenue and Lincoln Way on the north and south and the Great Highway and Stanyan on the east and west. Within these confines, you will find virtually anything you can imagine. Situated on the grounds lies a number of popular destinations including the California Academy of Sciences, De Young Museum, Conservatory of Flowers, Strybing Arboretum, and many more areas to explore.  Golden Gate Park Wedding Venues For couples looking to tie the knot in their very own Golden Gate Park wedding, there are many different places within the park to have your ceremony. The park itself recommends seven different locations. See below for capacity maximums as well as whether they allow ceremonies and receptions. Chain of Lakes. Located near Middle Lake, one of three small bodies of water that form the Chain of Lakes, this setting is loved for its greenery and solitude. Max capacity of 100. Ceremony only. Chinese Pavilion. In the middle of Stow Lake, you will find an area that was a gift from San Francisco’s sister city, Taipei. The pavilion itself is adorned with intricate carvings and creates a peaceful setting for an intimate wedding. Max capacity of 50. Ceremony only. Fuchsia Garden. Next to the Conservatory of Flowers, this is the perfect location for a late spring or summer wedding as the area is covered in purple-red blooms from May into November. This is one of the best locations for beautiful wedding photos. Max capacity of 150. Ceremonies and receptions allowed. Portals of the Past. Another aquatic venue, this location is framed by marble columns and an archway that creates a regal setting. You’ll also find Rainbow Falls nearby, making this an ideal fairytale setting. Max capacity of 100. Ceremony only. Queen Wilhelmina Garden. This garden can be found beneath the grand Dutch windmill and is named after the longest reigning Dutch monarch. Tulips bloom from mid-March to mid-April, making that the optimal time for a stunning wedding in this area; however, it is beautiful year-round. Max capacity of 200. Ceremonies and receptions allowed. Rose Garden. Golden Gate Park’s Rose Garden is one of its most famed areas. A plethora of colors of roses are in bloom from mid-May to July with another wave of beauty blossoming in September. Max capacity of 100. Ceremonies and receptions allowed. Shakespeare Garden. This site has rows of trees lining a potential aisle, a brick wall, sundial, and many other settings that produce a love story backdrop that will rival the tales of Shakespeare himself. This is the most popular venue for a wedding in Golden Gate Park. Max capacity of 200. Ceremony only. If you’d like to read more, check out my Shakespeare Garden Wedding walkthrough. How to Book a Wedding in Golden Gate Park Wedding reservations at Golden Gate Park can be made up to a year in advance. I recommend booking as early as possible to ensure availability. Reservations can be made by calling the Parks Department by phone or e-mailing them. Payments can be made by check or card. If making a reservation less than two months form the wedding date, couples must pay in full immediately by card.   Golden Gate Park Wedding Costs   The fees vary by location, with the reservation fee and 2 hour minimums ranging from $494 – $847. Specific information on costs can be found on the official pricing document from San Francisco Parks, but see below for a general outline of costs amongst the difference venues. Best Time for a Wedding in Golden Gate Park   While San Francisco never gets too cold or too hot throughout the year, “Summer” in San Francisco (aka the warmest months) is actually September and October, rather than the summer months June – August. Throughout the year, it consistently averages the low to mid 60s, so there’s not really a bad time to have a Golden Gate Park wedding!   Golden Gate Park Wedding Reception Limitations If you are looking for a larger wedding, some of the venues are only suitable for smaller crowds. For example, the Chinese Pavilion can only hold 50 guests while Chain of Lakes and Lloyd’s Lake are limited to 100 each. Several locations allow receptions including Fuschia Dell, Queen Wilhelmina Garden, and the Rose Garden; however, the other locations do not. What Is Included with Your Rental? When you reserve your wedding at Golden Gate Park, you are only reserving for use of the specific venue within the park. However, you will likely save a bit on décor as many of the sites serve as perfect backdrops for a ceremony. This is particularly true for the Chinese Pavilion and Queen Wilhelmina garden. It is also important to note that there are some policies in place that may affect your planning. For example, guests are not allowed to throw rice, birdseed, flowers, or confetti as these things may negatively impact the soil. Animals may also not be released during the ceremony. Finally, amplified sound and alcohol are not allowed. However, many of the settings are perfect for a harp or small string ensemble. It is also worth noting that bathrooms are only available at the Chinese Pavilion. Guests at other locations will have to find alternatives for facilities. Conclusion San Francisco is a city with a wealth of treasured locations for a beautiful wedding day. However, there are few spots with as varied and ornate locations as Golden Gate Park. Planning your wedding at Golden Gate Park will be a fun task for any couple as there are so many ways to customize the occasion to fit your

How to Plan a Wedding in Golden Gate Park Read More »

How to Plan a Brazilian Room Tilden Park Wedding

Venues

How to Plan a Brazilian Room Tilden Park Wedding The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Brazilian Room Tilden Park Wedding (with Pricing and Photos) If you are looking to have a Brazilian Room Tilden Park wedding you have come to the right place! While Tilden Park offers over 2000 acres of space for hiking, golf, a merry-go-round, and steam trains, nestled in the North Berkeley hills lies the popular Brazilian Room to host your event! With its affordable rates and prime location, it is one of the most popular Berkeley wedding venues that books out in advance. Read below on some information to planning a wedding at the Brazilian Room. TLDR Rental Fee Range (Alameda & Contra Costa County Residents): Minimum Fee: $560 Maximum Fee: $4,615 Pricing varies depending on the day, rental time slot, and event duration. Rental Fee Range (Non-Residents): Minimum Fee: $672 Maximum Fee: $5,538 A 20% non-resident surcharge applies for renters outside Alameda & Contra Costa Counties. Capacity: Seated Capacity: Up to 150 guests Standing Capacity: Up to 225 guests Botanic Garden ceremony/photo add-on: Maximum 30 people Additional key fees: Initial Reservation Payment: $1,000 required to reserve a date for events booked more than 180 days in advance (applied toward total rental fees). Refundable Cleaning & Damage Deposit:– $500 for reservations ending by 7:00 PM– $1,000 for reservations ending after 7:00 PM Non-Catered Event Fee: $150– Available only for reservations ending by 7:00 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Late Load-Out Fee: $500 per additional hour if the scheduled departure time is exceeded. Why a Brazilian Room Tilden Park Wedding Offering a stunning outdoor wedding venue in Berkeley, the Brazilian Room offers a classic hillside view to host your ceremony and is conveniently located next to a garden to offer a variety of images. The building itself offers floor to ceiling windows and a rustic feel for the reception, and also offers daytime elopement sessions in addition to full day celebrations of up to 150 guests. Because of its relative location away from the city, it also offers a greater chance of seeing stars in the evening! Brazilian Room Tilden Park Wedding Cost Rental Fee : $560 – $5538Capacity: up to 150 guests How to Book a Brazilian Room Wedding Rental Facilities Office: (510) 544-3164Email: brazil@ebparks.orgWebsite: https://www.ebparks.org/reservations/event-venues/brazilian-room Tilden Park Brazilian Room Wedding Spaces The Flagstone Patio offers expansive views of the sloping lawn and the wooded hillsides for you and up to 180 guests. While wedding ceremonies are held outside, the receptions will be taken into the Brazil House with its rustic charm and exposed wood plank ceiling. The reception hall features high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows on both lengths of the wall. There is a small bridal room for quick adjusts as needed. photo by Ian Chin Photography photo by Ian Chin Photography https://youtu.be/h6WgtJ8mh7s What’s Included The Brazilian Room Wedding Restrictions A surcharge of 20% of the total rental fee applies to any non-residents of Alameda and Contra Costa counties. All parties are supposed to end before midnight. There are some restrictions on playing loud music, but you can play music in both indoor and outdoor wedding spaces. All furniture is provided for by the venue, and so is the AV equipment, including speakers, microphones, and a projector. But they are only permitted for use indoors, which means you source your own for the outdoors part of the event.  The Brazilian Room Wedding Photos Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com Related Posts on the Blog

How to Plan a Brazilian Room Tilden Park Wedding Read More »

silhouette of couple touching foreheads at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco at dusk

How to Plan a Palace of Fine Arts Wedding

Informational, Venues

How to Plan a Palace of Fine Arts Wedding Ultimate Guide to Planning a Palace of Fine Arts Wedding(complete with pricing, photos, and videos) Having a Palace of Fine Arts Wedding is one of the more popular choices for Couples that want a gorgeous venue in the heart of San Francisco. While not commonly used for the reception, this wedding venue is one of the best in the City for your outdoor ceremony. Take a look at the photos below to imagine your Palace of Fine Arts wedding and contact me to discuss your wedding! How to Book a Palace of the Fine Arts Wedding For couples that have their sights set on a Palace of Fine Arts Wedding, the most critical first step is knowing how to reserve the venue. It is administered by San Francisco Recreation & Parks. Reservations can be made one year in advance of the date, and we certainly recommend placing a reservation at that time as it is popular. If more than one person places a reservation for a date, a lottery determines who gets the space.  Reservations themselves must be for a minimum of two hours and start on the hour. Wedding ceremonies can only be conducted beneath the Rotunda; however, while the grounds are beautiful, the Rotunda is the prime spot you’ll want for your ceremony. The Palace of Fine Arts Fee Reservation Fee : $506Hourly Rate (2 hr min) : $144Refundable Deposit : $500 If you’re planning a wedding at Palace of Fine Arts, one thing you’ll have to do is do some more planning for the ceremony. The reservation only includes use of the place. This means you will need to rent tables, chairs, an audio system, photographer, and arrange for catering if hosting your reception here also. You’ll also want to determine and plan décor. Because of this, most couples choose to host their ceremony only and have their reception elsewhere for efficiency Considerations for a Wedding at Palace of Fine Arts When planning a wedding at Palace of Fine Arts, you have to consider it is a public space and it will not be completely private. The park is very popular, and people will be walking around the park it is inevitable they will curiously walk into the Rotunda area. In addition, the area under the dome is extremely windy and there are no bathrooms onsite (just in the Palace of FA Theater which is open weekends only) Experienced Wedding Photographer If you are considering a wedding at Palace of Fine Arts, know that this is the second most photographed location for me (over 75 times), so rest assured I can guide you at this location easily. We will take popular photo ideas in addition to photos that aren’t so expected and cookie cutter, I promise! Please CONTACT ME to discuss your wedding at Palace of Fine Arts and I’d love to capture some awesome memories for you! If You Have a Reception at the Palace of Fine Arts Reception Reservation Fee (min) : $5,000Refundable Deposit : $1,000Staffing Fees (3 hr min) : $88/hourTented Reception (optional) : $15,000 / day Related Posts on the Blog

How to Plan a Palace of Fine Arts Wedding Read More »

Shakespeare Garden Wedding San Francisco

Venues

Shakespeare Garden Wedding San Francisco Ultimate Guide for Planning a Shakespeare Garden SF Wedding (with pricing, photos, and videos) Why a Shakespeare Garden SF Wedding? Choosing a Shakespeare Garden wedding is a recommended choice for those who want an intimate wedding venue at a reasonable price in the middle of San Francisco. Being the most popular wedding venue in Golden Gate Park, couples commonly have a Shakespeare Garden wedding ceremony before holding their reception elsewhere. Run by the SF Parks and Recreation, a Shakespeare Garden wedding San Francisco is an affordable way to get married in a beautiful setting. If you want more options, check out these other locations on where to have a wedding in Golden Gate Park.  Shakespeare Garden San Francisco Wedding Cost Reservation Fee : $531Rental Fee : $152 hourly rate (2 hour min)Refundable Deposit: $500 Reservation Process for a Shakespeare Garden Golden Gate Park Wedding Email: RPDReservations@sfgov.orgPhone: 415-831-5500Rental Application: https://fs18.formsite.com/sfrpsurvey2/jtlyfqhycd/index.html Wedding reservations at Golden Gate Park can be made up to a year in advance. Payments can be made by check or card. If making a reservation less than two months form the wedding date, payment must be made in full immediately by card. Restrictions Unfortunately, there are no onsite restrooms at the Shakespeare Garden. In addition, they have strict music and decor regulations to minimize the damage to the park and do not provide tables or chairs. Shakespeare Garden does not allow any food or drink receptions so you will have to find a secondary location to celebrate. Take a look at this list of 50+ San Francisco wedding venues, if you are looking for all inclusive wedding venues similar to Shakespeare Garden. Best Times for an SF Wedding While San Francisco never gets too cold or too hot throughout the year, “Summer” in San Francisco (aka the warmest months) is actually September and October, rather than the summer months June – August. Throughout the year, it consistently averages the low to mid 60s, so there’s not really a bad time to have a Shakespeare Garden wedding San Francisco! Shakespeare Garden Wedding Walkthrough https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIF4ytamSm0 Wedding at Shakespeare Garden Photos Related Posts on the Blog Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com 762 10th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118

Shakespeare Garden Wedding San Francisco Read More »

Scroll to Top