By Lauren and Haney

Palm Drive photo from Stanford University

With a vision in hand and certain values to guide our decision making, we recognized that a top priority was our interaction with our guests.  Because our friends and families are so important to us and would one way or another fly from across the globe and the United States, we chose a fun destination and an approximate middle ground for all. Of course, the added benefits of Palo Alto, California, include great weather and important to us both, Stanford University, where the interfaith and non-denominational Memorial Church allows everyone to gather on ground representing the importance of education to both of us.

The San Francisco Bay Area and Palo Alto offers our guests much to do with lots of convenience:

• Three major international airports: San Francisco International (SFO), Oakland International (OAK) and San Jose International (SJC);
• Lots of local transit options: BART, CalTrain, and in Palo Alto, the Stanford Marguerite Shuttle;
• Numerous hotels;
• Beautiful California weather & a destination spot for many;
• The perks of San Francisco—places like the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Ghirardelli Square;
• Wine tasting in Napa Valley just a hop, skip, and jump from Palo Alto.

Because we are planning our wedding from Washington, DC, we are utilizing lots of help from locals, family, the wedding party and other online resources. We also found quite useful some common resources we’d like to share:

• The Knot.com: Wedding everything & great checklist http://www.theknot.com/
• Here Comes the Guide: http://www.herecomestheguide.com/
• Yelp: http://www.yelp.com
  

  Alcatraz Island photo from the Garden Court Hotel

Online resources can help point you in the right direction, but nothing is better than visiting the sites yourself.  Everyone has different priorities and styles, so sometimes it is really difficult to trust the ratings that others have written.  Don’t forget the vision you put together; narrowing your perfect wedding location has much to do with what is important to you both as a couple.