Venues

15 Best Wedding Venues in Monterey CA The Ultimate Guide to the 15 Best Wedding Venues in Monterey CA(complete with pricing and photos) Couples seeking to take advantage of the Pacific Coast’s splendor for their weddings can take a look at the 15 best wedding venues in Monterey CA. Located in the center of California’s coastline, Monterey is known for its history, architecture, seafood, and local arts scene. For Californians seeking a beautiful place to get married, Monterey provides an excellent choice for a weekend escape. Let’s take a look at some of the top Monterey wedding venues.  Best Times for a Wedding in Monterey CA Old Whaling Station Adobe & Gardens Rental Fee: $1,900 – $2,400Ceremony Only: $1,500 The Old Whaling Station may not sound like the most romantic spot; however, this is a beautiful space indoors and outdoors with flexible rental periods by the hour that focuses on affordable yet elegant weddings. The garden is the perfect spot for beautiful wedding photos, making it one of the more cozy and intimate wedding venues in Monterey CA. The Barns at Cooper Molera Rental Fee: $2,500 – $6,500  Formerly part of a National Trust, this historic property is perfect for a beautiful ceremony. This is one of the more unique wedding venues in Monterey CA in that you can get married in a beautifully restored barn or outdoors beneath oak trees.   Memory Garden (Monterey State Historic Park) Rental Fee: $1,500 – $3,600 (depends on day of the week / number of hours)Processing Fee: $150Refundable deposit: $1,000 This park actually has six different gardens that are excellent choices for an elopement or small wedding. Stevenson Garden is enclosed by a rustic gated adobe wall and is named for author Robert Louis Stevenson. First Theatre Garden and Larkin Garden, in particular, also provide excellent settings for a wedding. The variety in settings makes this one of the more popular wedding venues in Monterey CA that appeals to most. Monterey Beach House Rental Fee: $1,500 – $5,000 Do you dream of a beach wedding? There is perhaps no better place in Monterey than Monterey Beach House. With the peninsula and ocean as a backdrop, this location provides one of the best views compared to other wedding venues in Monterey CA. Sunset ceremonies are popular here and al-inclusive packages mean you can rest assured you’ll be well taken care of.    Perry House Rental Fee: $1,500 – $5,000 The Perry House provides an elegant setting with an ocean view. The Victorian style home was originally built in 1860 and has lush gardens. Renovated specifically to cater to weddings, this is an excellent choice to include in your list of wedding venues in Monterey CA. Jabberwock Inn Rental Fee: $1,000 – $1,500 for 4 hours Small weddings and elopements: $350 – $750 (depends on time of year) One of more popular bed and breakfast wedding venues in Monterey CA, Jabberwock Inn is an elegant craftsman style house that overlooks Monterey Bay. Tall hedges and stone-lined gardens form a perfect place to exchange vows while you can relax in style with your pick of charming rooms. Jabberwock Inn is an excellent choice for a  Monterey wedding venue. Club Del Monte Contact for pricing Located on the campus of the Naval Postgraduate School and part of Hotel Del Monte, named the world’s most elegant seaside resort, this art deco facility is perfect for saying your vows whether you’d prefer the intimate La Novia Room or a spot next to the Roman Plunge Reflecting Pool.  Monterey Stone Chapel Rental Fees: $300 – $750 (depends on number of guests / spaces reserved) You’ll find this chapel located amidst redwoods and gardens next to a turtle-filled pond. For a more intimate wedding, an outdoor gazebo garden wedding is an excellent decision with a quaint, intimate setting to exchange your vows. This is one of the best wedding venues in Monterey CA because the 5 star Tarpy’s Restaurant and steakhouse is right next door! CONTACT ME TO DISCUSS MONTEREY WEDDING PACKAGES Wedding Venues Near Monterey CA Lover’s Point Park (Pacific Grove) Contact for pricing While this community park just outside of Monterey has plenty of things for the community, it also serves as a beautiful site for a wedding. With an ocean view, a small beach, and manicured lawns, there are many different settings for wedding venues in Monterey CA. A rocky outcropping on the edge of the beach makes a great place for photos. A reservation and use permit is required for a wedding.  Check out this Lovers Point Park Wedding to give you an idea of what I’ve done in the past. Big Sur Lodge – Pfeiffer State Park (Big Sur) Packages: $599 – $1,199 Big Sur is extremely popular with nature lovers and this rustic getaway right in the middle of Pfeiffer State Park provides easy walking access to many potential sites. Reserve a cozy cabin and take advantage of a ceremony surrounded by California’s majestic redwoods. The Lodge itself has four different indoor and outdoor venues and wedding consultants, making this one of the best wedding venues near Monterey CA. Huckleberry Hill (Pebble Beach) Contact for pricing This is one of those wedding venues near Monterey CA that you will feel was made for your elopement. Here you’ll find Huckleberry Hill Nature Preserve, which is home to several trails with plenty of picturesque spots. Find you and your love immersed in a wooded oasis amongst groves pine and cypress trees. There is a bit of elevation gain and a short hike, so this spot is best for a small, casual no-frills ceremony for outdoor lovers.  Leal Vineyards (Hollister) Packages: $4,000 – $7,500 This facility has excellent options for elopements, small ceremonies, or mid-sized weddings. Leal Vineyards features three different settings and is one of the larger wedding venues in Monterey CA. Say “I do” surrounded by sweeping hills of vineyards at the Lavanda, have a quaint candlelit ceremony in the Barrel Room, or opt for the Olea with twinkling lights and a tunnel of olive trees.  River Road Mansion (Salinas)

How to Plan a Wedding in Muir Woods Ultimate Guide for Planning a Wedding in Muir Woods (with pricing, photos, and video) Planning a wedding in Muir Woods is a dream for many nature-loving couples. The towering redwoods, calming atmosphere, and intimate environment create the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable celebration. However, organizing a wedding in this iconic park requires careful planning, from obtaining permits to understanding the limitations at this popular elopement venue. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to plan the perfect wedding in Muir Woods – step by step. TLDR Muir Woods is easily walkable and centrally located between San Francisco and Napa Valley. Muir Woods weddings allow a maximum of 30 guests and require advance permit approval. Wedding permits include a $60 non-refundable application fee, with additional costs depending on the event category, staffing, and park impact. Weddings in Muir Woods are done before 10AM or after 4:30PM and are ceremony only, with no reception allowed. Cell phone service is limited, so timelines, meeting points, and vendor communication should be planned ahead. Ceremony options are limited, making Muir Woods best for simple, intimate weddings.   Why a Wedding in Muir Woods  Muir Woods is a stunning location to visit, let alone get married in. The picturesque nature of Muir Woods and the central location between San Francisco and Napa Valley makes it a very popular spot to celebrate. It’s incredibly well-maintained (1.5 miles of ramps and mostly flat trails make it very easy to walk) and only allow ceremonies before 10AM or after 4:30PM, ensuring you and your guests have more privacy. A Muir Woods Elopement There are few areas more perfect and convenient than a Muir Woods elopement. An elopement in this Bay Area forest means you and your partner can have the perfect outdoor wedding surrounded by centuries old trees. Eloping here allows you time to focus on intention while allowing for some awesome photography. It’s an ideal location for a wedding that combines a love of the outdoors and an appreciation for nature. photo by Ian Chin Photography How to Book a Muir Woods Wedding Permit Application: Fill out a permit application at this site ($60 non – refundable application fee)Email: goga_permits@nps.gov Note: Submitting an application does NOT mean your permit request has been approved It takes 4-15 business days for initial permit application review Once your permit is approved, it can take several months for your permit specialist to write your permit NPS accepts applications up to a year in advance Muir Woods Fees / Muir Woods Wedding Permit and Size Muir Woods is a national park, so you will still need to complete a permit (starting at $60). Regardless of the size of your group (even if it’s just the marrying couple and an officiant), all events need to be processed and approved in advance, with appropriate permits Permits are required for any size group (maximum of 30 guests) Muir Woods Wedding Venue Restrictions Firstly, there is very LITTLE TO NO CELL SERVICE in this park so keep this in mind! Given the nature of the Park, no animals, chairs, decor, music, or reception is allowed. Having a wedding in Muir Woods means it is strictly a standing ceremony location (although there are a few benches) so plan on a reception elsewhere (read below for recommendations). Muir Woods Elopement Packages My photo packages start at $1400, and associate photographer packages start at $1000 for up to 2 hours. Videography packages start at $1000 which include a 2 – 3 minute highlight reel and all unedited footage. LETS TALK ABOUT YOUR WEDDING AT MUIR WOODS Best Months for a Wedding in Muir Woods This site shows the best hour by hour weather to help plan your wedding at Muir Woods Muir Woods Wedding Photography and Walkthrough https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHcJNX09nCk Post Ceremony Reception Ideas Since Muir Woods only allows ceremonies, you will need to find a reception location that best fits your style. If you want to minimize the commute, San Rafael provides a nice compromise for cuisine options and proximity, while San Francisco will have more variety. Check out my food and drink recommendations for San Francisco and my recommendations for San Rafael. Muir Woods Trails For those more adventurous types, perhaps adding a hike before or after your Muir Woods wedding speaks to you! Take a look at this trail guide to help in your planning. Conclusion Deciding on a Muir Woods wedding in my experience is best for couples who love the outdoors and want a gorgeous backdrop for their celebration, regardless of number of people. With its affordability and simple process to booking a wedding, Muir Woods is on top of many lists of best places to elope in San Francisco and is easily the most popular redwood wedding venue in Northern California. If you are flexible with location, check out these other Redwood Forest Wedding Venues. If you are looking for the North Bay specifically, these other Marin County Wedding Venues might help as well. Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com San Francisco, CA 94118 Related Blogs to Help with your Planning

The Olympic Club Wedding The Ultimate Guide to Planning an Olympic Club Wedding (complete with pricing and photos) Curious on how to plan an Olympic Club wedding? Many couples choose this San Francisco wedding venue because of its stunning lighting and location, but from much experience they also provide exceptional service in keeping your wedding day as stress free as possible. If you are considering a golf course / country club wedding venue in San Francisco, read below for the steps on planning a wedding at this elegant venue. Why a wedding at The Olympic Club? An Olympic Club wedding is my preferred choice for a country club wedding venue in the San Francisco Bay Area, catering to those Couples who love the naturally lit interior with floor to ceiling windows that grace the ceremony area. Having photographed here several times, I have come to realize why it is where Barack Obama has golfed while visiting San Francisco, as the venue itself is so well maintained, the staff is on point, and the location of it by the ocean affords it some stunning views especially during sunset. This post is talking about the Lakeside Clubhouse specifically, since there is also another Olympic Club location (the City Clubhouse) in the heart of San Francisco. How much does an Olympic Club wedding cost? Packages: $9,000-$14,000 Olympic Club venue walkthrough The ceremony space is a gorgeous window ceiling that allows glorious lighting for photography. The reception dining hall is adjacent the main ceremony area, allowing guests to comfortably maneuver from one area to the next in between dining and dancing. In addition, a couple of patios overlooking the golf course offer scenic views during cocktail hour and sunset. The staging of the dining area allows for several hundred guests, with views on every wall overlooking the golf courses and natural scenery with open window views. Wedding Photos at the Olympic Club The Olympic Club San Francisco Wedding on the Blog Jamie and Andrew Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com

How to Plan a Sanborn County Park Wedding Ultimate Guide for Planning a Sanborn County Park Wedding (with pricing and photos) TLDR – Sanborn County Park weddings are picturesque with pleasant weather shaded by trees– Weddings at Sanborn County Park are reasonably priced, starting at $495 for reservations.– Peterson Grove in Sanborn County Park can accommodate just over 100 people– Sanborn County Park holds ceremony times anywhere from 8am to sunset, unavailable for nighttime celebrations. Interested in having a Sanborn County Park wedding and looking for inspiration? Sanborn County Park is ideal for those who love the outdoors and want an open space for their ceremony. Located in the South Bay, you can expect predictable sunny weather so you don’t have to worry about weather disrupting your outdoor wedding plans. Read below for all things regarding a Sanborn County Park wedding! Why a Sanborn County Park Wedding For those who want an outdoor wedding venue in nature, this is arguably the best location for it for the beauty, weather, and price. With the grove of redwood trees acting as the perfect ceremony backdrop, this outdoor wedding venue is one of the most picturesque and affordable settings in the Santa Clara county area. It is perfect for a wide variety of tastes, ranging from a large celebration to a small elopement DIY wedding. Sanborn County Park Wedding Cost Wedding Permit Fee: The $120 wedding fee includes a one-day photography permit, a one-day wedding rehearsal available Monday through Thursday, a one-on-one planning meeting with a park ranger, and the ability to reserve your wedding date up to one year in advance. Reservation Site Fee: If you would like to hold your wedding ceremony at a reservable park site, an additional site reservation fee is required on top of the wedding permit fee. Pricing varies depending on the reservable group area, so be sure to review the reservation fee table below for specific site costs. Vehicle Entrance Fees: Vehicle entrance fees are not included in the wedding permit fee or the reservation site fee. Most parks charge a per-vehicle entrance fee for guests attending the wedding. Pre-paid vehicle entrance tickets are available and highly recommended. These may be purchased up to one week before your event. Please note that a $12 processing fee applies to all pre-paid ticket SANBORN CAPACITY PEEK FEE OFF-PEEK FEE Sequoia / Peterson Grove (covered) ​200 ​$433.00 ​N/A ​Costanoan (covered) 100 ​$341.00 ​$257.00 ​Ohlone (covered) ​100 ​$341.00 $257.00 How to Book a Wedding at Sanborn Park Phone: (408) 355-2201Website: https://parks.santaclaracounty.gov/plan-your-visit/fees/wedding-feesEmail: reservations@prk.sccgov.org Address: 16055 Sanborn Rd, Saratoga, CA 95070 Reservations can be made up to one year in advance Sanborn County Park Wedding Locations Ceremony Deck The ceremony location in the Peterson Grove is on a medium sized deck, offering space for a little over 100 seats, or providing a comfortable standing area for elopements and smaller weddings. Amplified music is only allowed in the Sequoia / Peterson Grove, but some music restrictions apply during summer months. photo by Ian Chin Photography Reception Grounds An open picnic style area outlines the reception space for up to 300 guests. photo by Ian Chin Photography An Elopement in Sanborn County Park With ceremony times anywhere from 8AM – sunset, you have flexibility in crafting your wedding timeline to cater to your needs and have the entire place to yourself. There few areas more perfect and convenient than a wedding in Sanborn County Park. An elopement in this South Bay wedding venue means you and your partner can have the perfect outdoor wedding surrounded by centuries old trees.  Eloping here allows you time to focus on intention while allowing for some awesome photography. It’s an ideal location for a wedding that combines a love of the outdoors and an appreciation for nature. If you are thinking of adding adventure to your wedding with a nearby hike, check out the best elopement dresses under $200 if you don’t want to worry about wearing a bulky elopement dress all day and worrying about it getting dirty. Sanborn County Park Wedding Photos Best Months for a Wedding at Sanborn County Park Saratoga can get pretty hot during the summer months, which also coincides with the most daylight hours of the year, so plan accordingly. Though Sanborn County Park does offer a lot of shaded areas for your wedding, the whole of the South Bay area can get weeks long dry heat waves. Restrictions Reservations can be made anywhere from 8Am – sunset, so for those who prefer a nighttime celebration you may have to look elsewhere! Decorations cannot be glued, stapled, or nailed to preserve the natural look of this wedding venue and public park.  If you are interested in other venues, check out my extensive list (50+) of the Best Wedding Venues in San Francisco or the best wedding venues in Saratoga Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com Related Posts on the Blog