Intimate Romance: 8 East Bay Venues Perfect for Your Small Wedding

Looking to ditch the long guest list but keep all the big, breathtaking beauty of a NorCal wedding? The East Bay has just the solution. This sun-soaked, history-rich, forest-lush region has plenty of options for your intimate celebration: with venues that range from an Art Deco ballroom to a landscaped garden courtyard to a luxury yacht with panoramic views of the Bay, this list will help you find that perfect fit. Goldilocks would be jealous.


The Lighthouse at Glen Cove Marina

Vallejo, CA

Venue Superpowers:

Waterfront

On-Site Accommodations

In-House Coordination

Fab Features: serene waterfront oasis boasting abundant greenery and a walkable lookout point • al fresco celebrations on the waterside patio and landscaped lawn, beneath shady palms • cozy accommodations in the 3-bedroom Inn

Catering: Preferred list, BYO
Price: $$
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UC Botanical Garden

Berkeley, CA

Venue Superpowers:

Redwood Forest

Arts & Crafts Reception Hall

Diverse Gardens

Fab Features: spectacular 34-acre garden of earthly delights, nestled in Strawberry Canyon and overlooking the San Francisco Bay • say "I do" in a grove of majestic redwood trees • intimate receptions on the elevated Tour Deck that overlooks the New World Desert garden below

Catering: Preferred list
Price: $ • $$
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The Terrace Room at The Lake Merritt

Oakland, California

Venue Superpowers:

Lake Views

Fine Dining Cuisine

Iconic Location

More Fab Features: beautiful Art Deco ballroom and panoramic views of Lake Merritt • the wall of 20-foot, floor-to-ceiling windows that extend along the entire front of this grand space treats diners to a bird’s-eye view of the lake, Lakeside Park, and the distant hills • indulge in upscale American cuisine tailor-made for your event

Catering: In-house
Price: $ • $$
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Rockefeller Lodge

San Pablo, CA

Venue Superpowers:

Historic Lodge

Garden Gazebo

Al Fresco Receptions

Fab Features: John D. Rockefeller's former hunting lodge surrounded by 2 acres of lushly landscaped grounds • ceremonies on a red-bricked patio, where a pretty gazebo is shaded by redwoods • the interior boasts hardwood floors, hand-hewn ceiling beams, and a unique brick fireplace

Catering: In-house
Price: $
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Luxe Cruises & Events

San Francisco, California

Venue Superpowers:

Choice of Luxury Yachts

All-Inclusive

Panoramic Views

Fab Features: a fleet of six luxury yachts known for their white glove service • the Cabernet Sauvignon affords a spacious lounge deck, a dining deck for sit-down dinners or buffets, and an open-air sky deck for taking in the cityscape • well-appointed settings for dining, gorgeous wraparound views of the bay, and multiple menu options

Catering: In-house, BYO
Price: $ • $$
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Skyline Community Church

Oakland, CA

Venue Superpowers:

Panoramic Views

Affordable

Landscaped Gardens

Fab Features: charming hilltop chapel overlooking the East Bay Regional Park • exchange vows in the picturesque circular courtyard, outfitted with teak benches flanked by urns overflowing with succulents • the fan-shaped sanctuary has a beamed ceiling, parquet floor, and a stunning wall of glass that offers uninterrupted views of rolling parkland

Catering: BYO
Price: $ • $$
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Museum of History Benicia

Benicia, CA

Venue Superpowers:

Unique Industrial Style

Garden Ceremonies

Affordable

Fab Features: gorgeous museum complex comprised of original 1850s military buildings situated in the Historic Benicia Arsenal • say "I do" beneath a pretty pergola or beside a sparkling fountain in the manicured Spenger Gardens • explore the unique galleries during your cocktail hour

Catering: BYO
Price: $ • $$
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Graduate Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

Venue Superpowers:

Eclectic Décor

All-Inclusive

Downtown Location

Fab Features: playful, bohemian-chic hotel • 3 distinct event spaces: the light-flooded Durant Room, the preppy plaid-accented California Room, and Henry's, a classic wood-paneled bar • conveniently located steps from trendy Telegraph Avenue

Catering: In-house
Price: $ • $$
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