8/8/2019 "A venue of dreams — you don’t have to leave the Bay Area to find a magical setting for your big day"

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-venue-of-dreams-you-dont-have-to-leave-the-bay-area-to-find-a-magical 1/2

A venue o dreamsYou don’t have to leave the Bay Area to

8/8/2019 "A venue of dreams — you don’t have to leave the Bay Area to find a magical setting for your big day"

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-venue-of-dreams-you-dont-have-to-leave-the-bay-area-to-find-a-magical 2/2

With a spa like that and Cannery Rowand the world-renowned Monterey BayAquarium just minutes away, there will beplenty to entertain out-o-town guests orthe whole weekend.

Hakone Gardens is the perect BayArea location or those who want awedding exuding tranquility, peace andharmony. With 18 acres o beautiulnature and historic buildings, HakoneGardens is the oldest Japanese-styleestate garden in the Western Hemisphere.Hakone Gardens was ounded by SanFrancisco art patrons Oliver and IsabelStine and is now maintained by thenonprot Hakone Foundation.

“It’s a hidden gem,” explains KyongmiAder, event manager at Hakone Gardens.“There are many Japanese artiactsthroughout. Even Japanese tourists comehere and they are impressed.”

Several choices are oered or morningand evening receptions – all o whichevoke ancient Japanese civilization.Hakone Gardens eatures hillside andstrolling gardens, multi-tiered wateralls,

a bamboo orest with koi ponds,stonework, three cascading wateraand a moon-viewing house. The artcultural retreat center was also eatin the 2005 hit movie “Memoirs o Geisha.”

I you and your ance are goleryou just like the sun-drenched desethen Sunol Valley Gol Club is the sor you. Perectly groomed gol courshining lakes and desert palms evoprivate, country club eel.

Unlike many other local venues,Sunol Valley Gol Club can comorthost 1,000 guests. There are endlespossibilities at this serene setting, n

matter the size o your bash. The PaRoom, great or large receptions, bfoor-to-ceiling windows, balconiesa gorgeous view o the greens and palms. And o course the gol coursavailable or a round or or a photoagainst the brilliant verdancy.

With so many beautiul local venthe hottest wedding destination is the Bay Area.

Though a museum probably isn’t your rst thoughtwhen compiling your wedding-site wish list, one canbe an unconventional and dramatic backdrop or yourceremony. The new Asian Art Museum o San Franciscomarries modern elegance and classic Beaux Arts style. Thehistoric and regal building, which was built in 1917 andused to house the City Library, provides a grand setting orweddings.

Italian architect Gae Aulenti, the mastermind behindParis’ award-winning Musée D’Orsay, transormed thelibrary into the magical museum it is today. Huge windowsand archways made o Travertine, a type o Italian marble,give the museum a truly majestic eeling.

There are multiple options or your ceremony andreception, including an elegant sit-down dinner with

dancing in Samsung Hall, which used to be the cardcataloge room, or a more contemporary party in the Northand South Courts. Whichever space you choose, guestscan enjoy the world-class collection o Asian art. A nearbyunderground parking lot makes a large city wedding muchless stressul.

B.R. Cohn Winery is a lovely choice o venue or thosewho just can’t get enough o Wine Country. Bay Areanewlyweds Aliza and Dan Grosh tied the knot at theSonoma Valley vineyard.

“We wanted it to be outside in a natural setting andthere’s just something magical about the area,” recallsAliza. “People said they’d never been to a weddingthat had so much love. It was just charming. It’s serene,peaceul and magical.”

The 100-acre winery, just 45 minutes north o theGolden Gate Bridge, oers magnicent pastoral views.Many couples choose to exchange vows beneath theenormous oak tree with the Cabernet vineyards andSonoma Mountains behind them.

More than a dozen 130-year-old French Picholine olive

trees and a huge, level lawn that’s perect or receptionsmake up the Olive Grove. The winery also oers estive,countryside carriage rides or guests.

I you love the vineyard atmosphere, but you don’t wantto trek all the way to Wine Country, check out ByingtonVineyard and Winery. Set in the Santa Cruz Mountains, thestunning Estate Pinot Noir vineyards make a great locationor wedding receptions. A rose-lined brick walkway leadsto Wedding Hill, where vows are taken beneath a jasmine-covered gazebo. Surrounded by evergreens, oak trees andfowers, guests will enjoy an amazing panoramic view othe mountains with Monterey Bay in the distance. Theacility can accommodate 150 to 250 guests, dependingon the season.

I you and your ance have an anity or the ocean and

you’re willing to venture a bit beyond the Bay Area, thenthe Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is the venue or you. Seton the water’s edge, the plaza boasts a spectacular viewo Monterey Bay.

“The hotel truly epitomizes the Northern Caliorniacoastal experience,” explains Doug Phillips, director osales and marketing. “It’s perched on a marine sanctuaryoverlooking the coastline. It’s just magnicent.”

Two bayside terraces are a splendid choice or anelegant and romantic wedding ceremony. Most receptionsare held in the ballrooms, with foor-to-ceiling windows.The hotel has recently been renovated and eaturesMediterranean-style urnishings and advanced audiovisualcapabilities.

“I you stand on the rootop sundeck at the penthousespa, you can see the otters at play, listen to the sealsbarking and see the marine birds. It literally has a360-degree view o Monterey,” continues Phillips. “Thespa has nine treatment rooms where we do acials,pedicures, manicures and more than 40 signaturetreatments.”

PHOTO BYMARLA AUFMUTH

B.R. Cohn Winery’s grandiose oak tree provides a pastoral and charmin

“If you love the vineyard atmosphere,

but you don’t want to trek all the wayto Wine Country, check out Byington

Vineyard and Winery, set in the

Santa Cruz Mountains.”

“Unlike many other local venues,

Sunol Valley Golf Course cancomfortably host 1,000 guests.

There are endless possibiliites at thisserene setting, no matter the size of 

your bash.”

PHOTOS COURTESYMONTEREYPLAZA HOTEL& SPA

Clockwise from left: Monterey Plaza Hotel& Spa is a romantic site, perfect for coastalcouples.

PHOTO BYCHRISTINA SHOOK,WWW.CSHOOK.COM

Asian Art Museum, formerly the site of the City Library, provides an elegant, arty spacefor your nuptials.

PHOTOS COURTESYHAKONE GARDENS

Three photos above and on the preceding page: Hakone Gardens is the oldest Japaneseestate garden in the Western Hemisphere, and a perfect backdrop for a Zen-like setting.