Photo sources clockwise from top left: unveiledbridaldesigns.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, Luxy-luxe.com, Lauren Rose Design via Etsy.com, shoedaydreams.blogspot.com, NoakiJewelry.com, richardvinhais.com

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.

For brides looking to book a venue for a wedding in the months of July or August, have I got the place for you! I just attended a party at a terrific hidden gem—The Green Room at the S.F. War Memorial & Performing Arts Center, located on the second floor of the Veterans Building. It was originally designed as a lounge for World War I veterans, but it looks more like the perfect place for high-tea or a ball. With a 28-foot high ivory and gold-leafed ceiling, five 24-lamp chandeliers, and ceiling-high mirrors, it’s a stunning and elegant venue. The best part is the enormous balcony outside of The Green Room, accessed by five sets of glass doors. The balcony stretches across the front of the building, practically doubling the space of The Green Room, and provides a stunning view of City Hall.

A few basic Green Room facts and amenities for the curious:

If you are interested in the Green Room for a wedding ceremony or reception, they welcome these types of events only if they take place during the months of July and August each year. The Green Room is otherwise booked for performing arts, non-profit, public interest, corporate & community events.

GREEN ROOM CAPACITY:

- 200 for seated weddings plus dance area; 250 seated without dance area or other

- 200-300 theatre-style seating, capacity may be reduced if there is a stage or table/altar up front

- 500 standing room only

* The average rental costs for weddings at The Green Room are roughly $3,500 to $4,500.

* Any licensed caterer is welcome (see Rules and Regulations for details).

* There is a built-in wet bar.

Click here for more information and specifics on renting The Green Room, including a floorplan, details on rental fees, equipment rental, pictures of weddings and more.

S. F. War Memorial & Performing Arts Center

401 Van Ness Avenue, Room 110 San Francisco, CA 94102

PHONE: 415.554.6313  FAX: 415.621.5091