With so many engagements happening over the holidays, we thought it would be great to kick off the new year one of the very first things on the wedding planning to-do list: choosing a venue. The Bay Area is a fabulous place for local and destination weddings, and has venues for just about every wedding style, from vintage to modern. Here are a few of our favorites.
Vintage
We love Marin Headlands Center for the Arts (both photos above) for its rustic charm. The drive out there is short but scenic - perfect for wowing out-of-town guests.
Swedenborgian Church, nestled in Pacific Heights, is full of vintage charm. Head to one of San Francisco's classic hotels or reception halls for the post-ceremony bash.
Perched on a bluff overlooking the Bay, Old St. Hilary's in Marin is a one-of-a-kind, historic ceremony site.
Modern
Nestled in Golden Gate Park, the DeYoung Museum features stunning modernist architecture.
With its slightly Asian-contemporary-inspired notes, the St. Regis is an uber-stylish venue - perfect for creating a lounge atmosphere, with luxurious rooms for out-of-town guests.
For a more industrial chic look, check out Foreign Cinema in Mission. Dine on gourmet local organic fare, and project a favorite film (Casablanca, anyone?) on the big screen in their outdoor courtyard.
Wine Country
There are literally dozens of stunning venues in wine country - too many to do justice to here! A couple of our favorites: Calistoga Ranch (above).
Beaulieu Vineyard in Napa.
Annadel Estate Winery in Sonoma. And of course, don't forget Bear Flag Farm!
What venues are you considering??
Photos, from top: Marin Headlands; Swedenborgian Church; Old St. Hilary's; Foreign Cinema 1 and 2; Calistoga Ranch 1 & 2; Beaulieu Vineyards; Annadel.