Allied Arts Guild 75 Arbor Road • Menlo Park • CA 94025

Allied Arts Guild is a beautiful and tranquil 3.5 acre garden oasis filled with splashing water fountains, wrought-iron details, colorful frescos and intricate tilework. This serene oasis is a historic landmark located amidst three and a half acres that were once part of an original Spanish land grant. Allied Arts is so hidden, you’d never know that it’s located here, tucked away in a quiet, residential Menlo Park neighborhood not far from the Stanford University campus. The founders’ original dream of a European-style crafts guild was realized in 1929 by California artist Pedro deLemos and architect Gardner Dailey. Both were responsible for creating the gardens, buildings and shops of the complex, and adhering to a romantic palette with a strong Spanish emphasis.

After more than eight decades, the site holds a major place in California history. Luckily for all of us, this jewel-of-a-venue has been recently and completely restored back to its original splendor. The complex is designed in the Spanish Colonial style, with meandering courtyards and terraces, burbling fountains, and handsome buildings with white plaster walls topped by terracotta tiles. The lush gardens were inspired by gardens in Granada, Spain, with an emphasis on color, fragrance, and seasonal flowers. During the summer months, a floral profusion of intense color makes a great background for wedding photos. Just imagine getting married outdoors in a spot called “Garden of Delight,” encircled by Blue Nile lilies, aster, salvia, and hydrangeas or “The Court of Abundance,” with splashing fountain surrounded by gold and yellow marigolds, wallflowers, and nasturtiums!

If the weather is uncooperative, you can have your ceremony or reception indoors in the Dining Room or Sunset Room. Both have rustic, high-beamed ceilings and wrought-iron chandeliers. The cement floors are worthy of note: They were painstakingly handcarved by Pedro deLemos to look like stone. The homey Spanish fireplaces are made of adobe, and when a fire is burning, they give the rooms a warm glow.

You can rent one part of the complex, or go for broke and celebrate by renting the entire facility. You’d be hard pressed to find a more relaxed and striking setting on the Peninsula with both indoor and outdoor event spaces. And there’s an added benefit: Because Allied Arts is a nonprofit organization, all proceeds are donated to the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford—which means a significant portion of your rental fees are tax deductible!