Photo by Michael Venera

Across the bridge from San Francisco lies Cavallo Point, an unforgettable wedding venue that may not even be on your radar. Located in Horseshoe Cove and originally inhabited by the coastal Miwok tribes, this site used to be Fort Baker, which was established long before there was a Golden Gate Bridge. Once an active military base, the fort became part of the National Park system when it was no longer needed by the military. Now its historic buildings, and a few new ones, make up Cavallo Point—The Lodge at The Golden Gate.

Cavallo Point Lodge covers 14,000 square feet of indoor venue space and 12,500 feet of  outdoor space with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay. It offers several different venues for weddings, brunches, rehearsal dinners, and more, plus on-site catering by Chef Joseph Humphrey. Typical receptions include trays of passed canapés, an artisan cheese station, drinks, an amuse bouche, a 2-course plated meal, and a wedding cake. Plus, you can opt for features like an iced shellfish or petit four station for your guests along with house-made chocolate favors. An $8,000 facility fee rents space for the ceremony and reception for 6 hours, basics like chairs/tables/linens, a dance floor, setup and breakdown, a dressing room for the bride, and a suite for the bride and groom on their wedding night.

Beyond the beauty of their surroundings, your guests will love the lodging on site and all the activities Cavallo Point has to offer. Guests can take hikes and historical walks around the property, attend a private or group yoga class, take cooking school classes on site, kayak under the Golden Gate Bridge, try their hand at sailing and yachting, and turn your wedding weekend into a wine country exploration of nearby Napa and Sonoma Valleys. They’ll love this quiet, romantic getaway, and so will you.

Cavallo Point
The Lodge at Golden Gate
601 Murray Circle
Fort Baker
Sausalito, CA 94965
415-339-4700
groups@cavallopoint.com
www.cavallopoint.com

Just two hours from San Francisco, in Hopland, CA, lies Campovida, a gorgeous, historic property that has been given a new lease on life thanks to its latest owners.  Campovida is the ultimate wine country retreat, filled with vineyards, graceful Valley Oaks, 13 acres of organic gardens, wisteria and grape arbors, private accommodations for weddings and events, and a wine tasting room highlighting the local biodynamic wines of Mendocino’s Magnanimus Wine Group. Throughout its history, Campovida has had only nine property owners—including current owners Gary Breen and Anna Beusilink—since the Pomo Indians. The famous Fetzer family began growing grapes on the property in the 60’s, and eventually created a food and wine education center (Valley Oaks) in the early 80’s, which was host to some of the nation’s top chefs. After being closed for the past few years, Gary and Anna have restored the 50-plus acres of property. Campovida now produces its own honey and olive oil and uses its own fresh herbs and produce to create wine pairings and meals. The garden consists of over 13 acres of organic plants including herbs, vegetables, more than 100 olive trees, over 100 apple trees, plus pear trees, fig and persimmon trees, and groves of organic lavender.

Hold your ceremony or reception in the garden, perhaps in the walled Tuscan Garden which has a wisteria arbor, lawn and an area for dancing under the stars. An old growth grape arbor at Campovida can create a natural cathedral-like effect for ceremonies, or you’ll find other romantic romantic settings like the lake or pavilion.  You and you close family and friends can stay overnight in Campovida’s 10 rooms comprised of suites, smaller rooms, a one-room cottage and 3-room farmhouse. Nearby hotels and guest houses offer additional options for guests in and around Hopland. Your guests will love exploring the region, which offers activities like wine tasting, river kayaking and canoeing, beach walks, scenic hikes, farmer’s market visits and more.

Campovida espouses a mission of sustainability and thoughtful stewardship of the earth. In addition to their organic goodies on the table, you’ll find eco-conscious efforts all over the property, from solar panels that power the water heaters, to reclaimed or re-purposed wood and furniture, to carefully cultivated honey bee colonies. If you’re a bride looking to have a “greener” wedding, Campovida works with partners such as Park Avenue Catering, one of wine country’s only certified green caterers, and Green Mary, a company dedicated to making events 100% compostable. At Campovida, you’ll have a wedding you can feel good about down to the smallest detail.

Hi all! I am so excited to be a part of Bay Area Bride Guide! It is such an honor to be blogging for you. I am a wedding planner and designer who grew up in the Bay Area and I have always had a fascination with all things related to The City. Yes, I know, some of you claim “The City” for the Big Apple, but in my world, “The City” is The City by the Bay. So, for my first post, I wanted to share with Bay Area brides and grooms some fabulous wedding inspiration that truly represents San Francisco. We are lucky to live, work and play in this little section of the Bay and any couple choosing to get married here can have so much fun planning with all that SF has to offer in its gorgeous cityscape, hidden details and amazing architecture.

I think it’s fair to start off with the beautiful bridges – The Golden Gate and The Bay Bridge…

Anna Kuperberg

Then we head down to the Embarcadero and jump on a classic street car…

Tiny Water Photography

Or hit the streets of SF and ride a charming cable car…

One of the most beautifully breathtaking churches ever, Grace Cathedral…

Cliff Brunk

Cliff Brunk

The stunning and ornate San Fran City Hall…

Raw Photo Design

Tinywater Photography

Raw Photo Design

A trip down the crooked-est street in SF and find one of its sweet little side alleys…

Raw Photo Design

Wonderfully rich in detail, a chapel full of SF history tucked away in the Presidio

Shaughn Photography

Sweeping Ocean Views at the Cliff House

Cliff Brunk

Or even your very own apartment can be a fab backdrop…

Raw Photo Design

Here’s a helpful planning tip – work with your photographer and wedding planner to create a shot list and work it into the timeline. This way they can work together to make sure all of the important moments and special people are remembered – especially if you want to try and do some fun SF landmark shots!

Below are the links to the amazing photographers featured in this post who were able to capture love leaving its heart in San Francisco.

Hope you enjoyed my first post! See you next week!

Tinywater Photography
Cliff Brunk
Anna Kuperberg
Raw Photo Design
A Bryan Photo
Shaughn Photography

There’s no doubt you’ll find your wedding unforgettable.  But what about your guests?  One of the big realizations my husband and I had when we were planning our nuptials is that while this day seems like it’s all about you, what you’re really doing is planning a fabulous party for your loved ones. It’s an opportunity to treat them to something truly memorable, so why not set the scene somewhere unusual?  Here in San Francisco there is one museum that has out-of-the-ordinary weddings down to a science.

The California Academy of Sciences is a wedding venue with a major wow factor.  I like the Academy’s honesty— they tell you up front on their site that you’ll need to drop a cool $18,500 for an all-access pass to the museum for the night. You and your guests get exclusive use of the Academy from 7pm until you turn into pumpkins (or simply head home) at midnight. Have your wedding in the middle of the rainforest, in front of a live coral reef in the aquarium, or bring a new meaning to the phrase “white wedding” when you tie the knot in front of an albino alligator.

The Academy knows you want things to go off without a hitch (other than actually getting hitched…). They have an exclusive Wedding Consultant, Jess Flood Event Design and Management. Let Jess worry about the details while you get dressed in a private, decorated wedding ready room.

Your guests will remember not just the vows, but also the sea creatures, mammals, butterflies, and more.  The California Academy of Sciences offers anything but a cookie-cutter wedding, and it could be just right for the Bay Area Bride looking for something that amazes.

California Academy of Sciences

55 Music Concourse Drive
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 379-8000

www.calacademy.org

This week I took a City Guides walking tour of The Palace Hotel in San Francisco’s Financial District. 2009 marked the historic Palace Hotel’s 100 year anniversary. The fabled hotel, originally built as lodgings of unparalleled size and luxury, was completely rebuilt in 1909 after being devastated by the April 18, 1906 earthquake and fire in San Francisco.  It’s a lavish hotel, all gold, gilt and glass, and truly luxurious—a fairytale location for a Bay Area wedding.

I was sold on its high ceilings, drop chandeliers, and delicious food; a sample menu might include hors d’ouevres of Maine Lobster and Chive Salad with Wasabi Caviar, followed by Ginger Soy Glazed Sea Bass, Buckwheat Soba Noodles and Baby Bok Choy.  If massive ballrooms, custom cakes and ice sculptures are more your scene they’ve got that too.  While there I noticed a lavish baby shower tea with personalized menus set out in the Garden Court, an immense, amber-glass-topped dining area where afternoon tea is a spectacle to behold.  If looks aren’t deceiving The Palace Hotel is well-versed in throwing an expert event.  Planning a fairytale wedding of your own? Be sure to add The Palace Hotel to your list of locations to scout.