Lucie Stern Community Center
Palo Alto Wedding Location1305 Middlefield Road
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Phone: 650/463-4900
www.cityofpaloalto.org
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Description
With its white-stucco archways, red tile roof and vibrant courtyard, the Lucie Stern Center is a gracious example of Spanish-Mediterranean architecture. Designed by Birge Clark, it was originally built in 1931 as the Palo Alto Recreation Division’s community theater. But since then, the Center has matured into a welcoming hacienda that offers a variety of options for weddings.
You can rent individual areas or the whole Center. For instance, if your wedding is small and informal, consider having it in the mid-sized Community Room, whose windows overlook a mission-style promenade. The adjacent patio, which is enclosed by the U-shaped building and a vine-covered brick wall, has a two-tiered lawn bordered by an array of colorful flowers. The upper level is an ideal spot for your ceremony or live entertainment. Another choice for an intimate event is the Fireside Room. It features a large fireplace constructed of brick and stucco, and also adjoins the patio.
If you rent the entire Center, you have carte blanche to utilize its event spaces any way you like. One of the most popular areas for gathering during a celebration is the municipal courtyard, a brick-paved retreat surrounded by flowers of every conceivable color. Enhancing this picturesque setting is the majestic stucco theater, standing tall in the background—it’s evocative of a centuries-old Spanish church.
From the courtyard, guests walk directly through double glass doors into the Lucie Stern Center Ballroom, a large space complete with beautiful hardwood floors, dark wood wainscoting and two tiled fireplaces. Done in a rustic, early-California style, the room has a cathedral ceiling with exposed wooden beams and six cylindrical chandeliers crafted of black wrought iron. A row of windows overlooks the lush lawn in front of the facility.
From the blooming white roses at the courtyard entry to the open-air promenade and mission-style rooms, the Lucie Stern Center is a classic old-world setting. And it’s this abundance of old-fashioned elements that make the Center such a charming spot for weddings.
Capacity
Ceremony |
Reception/Special Events |
Meetings |
|
Max. Seated Indoors: 300 Max. Seated Outdoors: 250 |
Max. Seated Indoors: 200 Max. Seated Outdoors: 150 Max. Standing Indoors: 300 Max. Standing Outdoors: 250 |
Max. Seated: 300 |
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CEREMONY CAPACITY: The Center holds 300 seated guests indoors or up to 250 seated guest outdoors. |
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Fees & Deposits
A reservation deposit in the amount of $300–500 (depending if alcohol is being served) is due within 10 days of obtaining an approved permit. The balance is due in 2 payments; the final payment is payable 4 weeks prior to the event. If a cancellation occurs, 33% of the total fees and charges is nonrefundable. The 5-hour exclusive use fee ranges $910–1,001 for Palo Alto residents, $1,365–1,502 for non-residents. Additional costs range $178–294/hour depending on if the renter is a Palo Alto resident or not. If you don’t rent the entire facility, individual rooms can be rented on an hourly basis; call for rates. A $18–20/hour fee is charged for a city employee to be on premises during the event.
Availability
Year-round, daily, 6am-1am.
CateringBYOAlcoholBYOSites UsesCeremoniesWedding Receptions Special Events, Parties Business Functions/Meetings Services/AmenitiesCatering: BYOKitchen Facilities: fully equipped Tables & Chairs: most provided or through caterer Linens, Silver, etc.: BYO or through caterer Restrooms: wheelchair accessible Dance Floor: ballroom Bride's Dressing Area: no Meeting Equipment: BYO or CBA Parking: ample on-site Accommodations: no guestrooms Telephone: emergency use only Outdoor Night Lighting: yes Outdoor Cooking Facilities: through caterer Cleanup: caterer or renter View: garden patio |
MusicIndoorsOutdoors w/ Restrictions Wheelchair AccessWheelchair AccessibleSite ViewsGarden Patio/CourtyardRestrictionsAlcohol: BYOSmoking: outside only Music: amplified OK with restrictions Wheelchair Access: yes Insurance: extra liability required |
Wondering what CBA or BYO means?
650/463-4900
www.cityofpaloalto.org
Email or request a proposal for your event from Lucie Stern Community Center
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