Venues

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

Swedenborgian Church Wedding Swedenborgian Church2107 Lyon StreetSan Francisco, CA 94115 415 533 5714office@sfswedenborgian.org Located in the middle of Pacific Heights, a Swedenborgian Church wedding is perfect for the Couple that would like to tie the knot in a stunning chapel. It’s one of those venues that makes you feel closer to your guests, since its rustic warm candlelit interior adds to a more intimate wedding setting. It is also one of the more dimly lit churches I have ever been to, which only adds to the solemnity of the celebration. Stunning chandeliers lit with candlesticks hover over the guests and surround the entire altar, bringing a feeling of warmth and love.  Attached to the church is the Parish House, which could be used as the reception area. The floor plan includes just the right amount of space for guests to sit and be close enough to mingle. The space of this hall is perfect for weddings of 50 – 70 guests. And right outside of it is the lawn, popular for cocktail hour and bar and dessert vendors.  This gorgeous venue has such rich detail throughout and provides non secular weddings for everyone. An online review from a former visitor mentions, “great for even the non-religious” as she goes on to say that she, herself is not religious but “knew it was the right perfect place.” If you are interested in other locations similar to Swedenborgian Church, take a look at these other Church wedding venues   Swedenborgian Church Wedding Photos Swedenborgian Church Weddings on the Blog Brian and KristinRichard and Aaron

Stanford Memorial Church Wedding Stanford Memorial Church450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305 (650) 723-1762religious-life@stanford.edu Thinking of having a Stanford Memorial Church wedding and looking for inspiration? This is one of the best church wedding venues in the San Francisco Bay Area with its stunning architectural design, inside and out, and location on the Stanford University campus. With its walls full of impressive artwork, high ceilings, and stunning natural light flowing through dozens of stained glass windows, you really get a sense of elegance and sophistication. Right outside the Church is a little garden to serve as a quiet place to take photos or to reflect on your new relationship. With its central location on a university campus, Stanford Memorial Church can naturally accommodate hundreds of guests for your wedding, but also offers rare balcony seating to get an overhead view of the altar. Unless you have thousands of guests at your wedding, this area will not be available for your guests, but for the photographer it allows unnoticeable movement during the ceremony to provide more angles to capture. Unlike other Churches, however, one thing to note from a photographer’s perspective is that they strictly limit photographer access. In fact, they designate a line roughly halfway to the back of the Church and DO NOT permit any access closer to the altar. I have photographed here before and there is someone who is watching to ensure I am not moving up the down the aisles. This isn’t a problem, since I have the appropriate gear to document your wedding day despite the restrictions, but is something to be aware of beforehand. While an obviously gorgeous venue all around, its location around the Peninsula may put it at a disadvantage to some Couples. If you are interested in learning about other wedding venue similar to Stanford Memorial Church, check out my extensive list of Best Church Wedding Venues   Stanford Memorial Church Wedding Photos Stanford Memorial Church Weddings on the Blog Justin and Natalie Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com 762 10th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118

How to Plan a California Academy of Sciences Wedding Ultimate Guide to Planning a California Academy of Sciences Wedding (complete with pricing and photos) If you’re considering a California Academy of Sciences wedding, you have come to the right place! Below is a comprehensive guide on this Golden Gate Park wedding venue that gives you all the info you need to decide on one of the most fun and unique wedding venues in Golden Gate Park! Why a Wedding at the California Academy of Sciences Having a California Academy of Sciences wedding is definitely one of those weddings that will offer your guests a truly unique experience, and be one that they will never forget. No entertainment is needed since the entertainment is literally all around you, for 4 floors! Your California Academy of Sciences wedding can be held in an all-in-one aquarium, planetarium, and history museum. Who else can say they have wedding photos under a tank full of sea creatures or around a T-Rex? Academy of Sciences Wedding Cost $15,000 – $70,000+ depending on detailsAverage Cost: $100K+ for 100 guestsCapacity: 50 – 3000+ with multiple venues rented (15 different spaces) How to Book an Academy of Sciences Wedding Email: specialevents@calacademy.orgPhone: (415) 379-5232Inquiry Form: https://calacademy.org/form/plan-an-event Academy of Sciences Wedding Restrictions and Rules Since this living museum is still open for the public during normal hours, the earliest you can have your wedding ceremony or reception is 6:30, although photos can be taken on the living roof from 5:30 – 6:30 before guests arrive. They only allow specific caterers for this venue but they have an extensive list to choose from that will definitely suit your needs. Because of the venue, a wedding planner is required.  California Academy of Sciences Wedding Locations Aquarium This bottom level is home to thousands of live animals of all shapes and sizes, and is the most popular location with good reason. Thursday nights at the Academy include drinks, DJs, and plenty of photo opportunities around this engaging level…so you can imagine how it is on a wedding day! This is commonly where the dance party is held and who wouldn’t want to dance the night away surrounded by marine animals and neon lights! It is the most surreal party experience you can ever have! African Hall Skip the safari and walk amongst the African animals! Have your guests mingle in the African Hall where African Penguins will join the occasion already dressed for the event. This area is popular with people of all ages, since they can see big cats up close. As a kid, I absolutely loved this place and it was even more amazing to actually go on an African safari as an adult. Planetarium Relax under the stellar view of the world’s second-largest, all-digital Morrison Planetarium. This 75-foot dome introduces the astonishing visuals of scientist’s latest discoveries. Treat your guests to a special showing that people wait in line for every day! The show changes monthly so experience this presentation whenever you can.   Rainforest One of the newer installations at the Academy, this humid exhibit showcases 4 levels of an interactive experience walking amongst the flying birds and butterflies. A great way to burn off a few calories so you can eat and dance some more! What better way to have the wedding of the year with your friends and family in this breathtaking venue than having an Academy of Sciences wedding?  What’s Included Wedding ceremonies and receptions can begin as early as 6:30 pm. A private, beautifully decorated wedding-ready room is available starting at 5 pm. Wedding party photos can be taken on the Living Roof from 5:30-6:30 pm. Ceremony walkthrough available during business hours (museum remains open). Basic A/V available with options for upgrade and consultation with A/V Technician. On-site security, coat check, and custodial staff. Ask about unique additions like hands-on experiences, docent interactions, Behind-the-Scenes tours and more. California Academy of Sciences Wedding Photos​ California Academy of Sciences Wedding on the Blog​ Noelle and Edgar Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com

How to Plan a Harvest Inn Wedding The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Harvest Inn Wedding (with pricing and photos) Located in St. Helena in Napa Valley, having a Harvest Inn wedding is a wonderful choice with several open spaces and multiple areas to choose from. Whether you desire to make an grand entrance in a room overseeing beautiful views or want to walk across a beautiful landscape surrounded by vineyards, this venue can offer any of the two! Situated in the heart of St. Helena, the surrounding natural backdrop of the vineyards and rolling hills are perfect for your outdoor wedding in Harvest Inn. Why Harvest Inn Weddings With its location in St Helena, having a wedding at Harvest Inn takes you away from the bustle of Napa and offer you and your guests a more quiet wedding venue while at the same time located within the Napa Valley wine area. With onsite accommodations and a handful of different event spaces, this Napa wedding venue offers something for everyone Harvest Inn Wedding Cost Reservation Fee : $6,000 – $10,000Beverage Minimum : $8,000 – $15,000Meals : $150+/personCapacity: up to 120 guests How to Book Website: https://www.harvestinn.com/weddingsInquiry Form: https://www.harvestinn.com/weddings/request-proposalEmail: weddings@harvestinn.comPhone: 707-963-9463 Harvest Inn Wedding Venue Locations With a handful of wedding locations to choose from, you will be sure that there will be a setting just for you! Each location caters to anywhere from 75 – 120 guests, and offer differing views at this St. Helena vineyard. Read below for the best Harvest Inn Napa wedding locations that fit your style!   1) Vineyard View Terrace Overlooking the vineyard, this terrace includes the perfect setting to say, “I do.” Full of bright greenery and lines of elegant lights, it adds a touch of romance to the ceremony. With the amount of space, it is also an ideal area for the reception, where tables can be arranged in personalized placements. This is arguably the most popular Harvest Inn wedding location chosen given the space and views. 2) Vine Rose Lawn Exchange vows in a beautiful lawn full of white flowers and well-kept trees above you. This outdoor area oversees the Mayacamas Mountains which really enhances the stunning views. It offers an ideal atmosphere for those smaller and more intimate wedding ceremonies for a Harvest Inn Elopement. Guests can walk directly to the Manor House Lawn to chat since it lies right next door. Photo from Harvest Inn 3) Manor House Lawn Have guests mingle and enjoy their favorite cocktail in this great lawn enclosed by stunning large trees that reach high up to the sky. There is just the perfect amount of space to add tables and chairs for guests to sit. This is the most iconic location for your wedding at Harvest Inn that allows ample space to socialize or decorate with lawn games. Photo from Harvest Inn 4) Fountain View Terrace The Fountain View Terrace is the perfect outdoor reception area. Tables and chairs surround the lovely fountain that lies in the center of the terrace. The views offer massive trees and colorful flowers with more countryside décor buildings, where visitors would stay. This setting is just right for an informal gathering with just enough space for guests to dine. Photo from Harvest Inn Harvest Inn Wedding Venue Walkthrough https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPP70Os5HQI&t=4s Harvest Inn Wedding Photos Conclusion If you are looking to have a wedding in Napa Valley than having a Harvest Inn St. Helena wedding should be able to check all the boxes and requirements. The gorgeous weather and backdrop this area has to offer is only rivaled with other similar wedding venues. If you would like to compare them, please check out my Napa Wedding Venues post for other locations. Harvest Inn Napa Wedding on the Blog Bob and Marina Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com 762 10th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118

La Costanera La Costanera8150 Cabrillo HwyMontara Beach, CA 94037 (650) 728-1600info@lacostanerarestaurant.com La Costanera is a modern Peruvian fusion restaurant overlooking the Pacific and sits along one of California’s scenic coastlines. Because of this, it offers a stunning ocean view for the background to the ceremony as well as unfiltered sunset light that streams into the restaurant. There are skylights and slanted windows that feed you views of the ocean while offering unique potential for abstract images for your wedding. The venue offers event versatility in its layout. The main floor comes with a restaurant paired with a dining area and its own atrium and fireplace. The second level features a balcony that opens up to the action happening below. The huge glass doors will welcome you to an outdoor patio big enough to hold an intimate ceremony or outdoor dinner beside the massive fire pit. All this and the beach a short walk below allow it to be the perfect wedding venue for those who love the ocean view. One of the best and most convenient things about having your wedding at a restaurant is that the food is obviously taken cared of! With an incredible menu (and multiple restaurants by the same owners), La Costanera will surely stimulate your senses in multiple ways. There are hundreds of restaurants to choose from, but very few offer as much variety as this location by the ocean. If you want to check out my more extensive wedding venue list take a look at these San Francisco Wedding Venues La Costanera Wedding Photos La Costanera Weddings on the Blog Michelle and Joseph Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com 762 10th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118

How to Plan A Shelldance Orchid Gardens Wedding The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Shelldance Orchid Gardens Wedding (complete with pricing and photos) With a setting seemingly taken from a movie, having a Shelldance Orchid Gardens wedding is perfect for those having an elopement or small intimate wedding! Exciting for both botanists and lovers alike, one can’t help but look around in awe at this nursery and how unique this setting is for a wedding day. For those who want a unique setting for their celebration, choosing a Shelldance Orchid Gardens Wedding is perfect! TLDR – A wedding at Shelldance Orchid Gardens is fit for intimate weddings and small elopements.– The Shelldance Orchid northwing is the ceremonial and reception space with room to seat 50 people.– The Shelldance Orchid foyer greets your guests and poses as an appetizing initial room.– The Big Orchid Room at Shelldance Orchid Gardens bears the highlight of the venue; showcases plants of all variations.– May be rented at an affordable rate, flexible owner Shelldance Orchid Gardens Wedding Cost Rental Fee : $950 for up to 4 hours (1 – 8 hour rentals are possible also). Weekdays onlyCapacity: up to 50 guests. Best for elopements under 10 guests How to Book Email: nancyvictoriadavis@outlook.comPhone: (650) 355-4845 (Saturday and Sundays only 11AM – 4PM)Website: https://www.shelldance.com/events.html Shelldance Orchid Gardens Wedding Locations The North Wing Arguably the most important, the North Wing is the ceremonial (and reception) space for your wedding. The North Wing is a beautiful, bright, and protected space that glows with natural sunlight. With a path leading from the Foyer to the stage, it seems like this room was designed with weddings in mind! With enough seating for 50 of your closest friends and family, this room provides the perfect backdrop for an intimate wedding ceremony. If the reception is also being done indoors, it can be easily turned around while your guests enjoy cocktail hour outside since the decor is mostly taken cared of! The Foyer The Foyer includes an array of plant species that greet your guests immediately for an unforgettable first impression. On a day as important as your wedding, the initial moments at the venue are often times the most impactful and set the tone for the rest of the day. As you enter, you can’t help but look around in awe and appreciate the venue. With the hanging moss and refreshing scent of nature welcoming you, the Foyer acts as an appetizing initial room to show what this venue is all about.  The Big Orchid Room The Big Orchid Room is where guests can walk amongsth the hundreds of orchids on sale, as well as serve as a momentary escape for some unique portraits amongst the plants. This area is one of my favorite rooms at the venue because only after seeing rows of orchids of all shapes and colors did I really appreciate the beauty and variety of orchids. I can appreciate why they are my mom’s favorite type of plant and one of the highlights of having a Shelldance Orchid Gardens Wedding. Best Times for a Shelldance Orchid Gardens Wedding The temperature in Pacifica stays fairly consistent throughout the year, with a bit more fog compared to San Francisco and a few degrees colder as well. 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.  Conclusion Whether you have an elopement at Shelldance Orchid Gardens or not, the natural beauty of this unique wedding venue will leave an impression regardless. And while you are there, you might as well take a plant home and let it serve as a reminder of your wedding day to act as a natural wedding favor! Despite the beauty and uniqueness of this wedding venue, it can be rented for a vary affordable rate since the owner is all about giving back to the community and is passionate about sharing this lovely nursery with others. Shelldance Orchid Gardens is one of my favorite places to elope in San Francisco, but check out this more extensive list for other San Francisco Elopement Locations if you would like more options. Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com Related Posts on the Blog