As a wedding photographer working in one of the most beautiful regions in the world, the most common question I am asked is "Have you ever photographed a wedding at _____________?" With over 1,500 weddings photographed in Northern California, the answer is usually "YES!" Most engaged couples rightly feel better if their wedding photographer has experience at the venue they have carefully selected for their wedding. Though it is very possible to do a great job without prior experience, it's a tremendous advantage to have this background. I thought it would be useful to document and describe the various Bay Area venues that Dubnoff Wedding Photography has been invited to be wedding photographer over the years. This page will feature some of the most popular and beautiful Venues and Reception sites that Dubnoff Wedding Photography has photographed. I will also attempt to gradually add comments about each site to help interested couples understand the advantages of each location from a purely photographic standpoint. I also welcome questions from viewers about any of these sites. Please feel free to email me: mike@dubnoffphoto.com or call. I am happy to help you whether or not you choose me to be your Bay Area wedding photographer.
All sites listed have been photographed by Dubnoff Wedding Photography
Venues Photographed by Dubnoff Wedding Photography
San Francisco
San Francisco City Hall The Palace of Fine Arts The Legion of Honor St Francis Yacht Club The Presidio Officers Club Golden Gate Park University of San Francisco The Fairmont Hotel Japanese Tea Gardens The Argonaut Hotel The Saint Francis Hotel The Cliff House Italian-American Social Club The City Club - San Francisco The Palace Hotel Golden Gate Bridge - Photos Only Bently Reserve The University Club Most San Francisco Catholic Churches Clift Hotel Wingtips
Contra Costa County
Grand Island Mansion San Ramon Golf Club Old Marsh Creek Park Lone Tree Golf Course - Antioch Shadelands Art Center - Walnut Creek Round Hill Country Club- Alamo Diablo Country Club - Diablo San Ramon Country Club Endeavor Hall - Clayton Oakhurst Country Club - Clayton Crow Canyon Country Club - San Ramon Lafayette Park Hotel The Concord Hilton Contra Costa Country Club - Pleasant Hill Blackhawk Country Club Danville Walnut Creek Marriot Blackhawk Auto Museum - Danville Wildwood Acres Resort - Moraga Bridges Restaurant - San Rmaon Hacienda De Las Flores San Ramon Marriot Hotel Boundary Oaks - Walnut Creek Heather Farms - Walnut Creek Centre Concord Brentwood Country Club Crowne Plaza Hotel - Concord Delta View Golf Course - Pittsburg Wedgewood - San Ramon Pleasant Hill Community Center Postino Italian Restaurant Crockett Community Center Humphrey's on the Delta - Antioch Scotts Gardens - Walnut Creek Saint Mary's University
Alameda County
Palmdale Estates Chabot Space Center Mills College - Oakland Poppy Ridge Golf Course Wente Vineyards Murrieta's Well - Livermore Palm Event Center - Livermore Ruby Hill Golf Club Horn Blower Cruises Ravenswood Historical Site Garre Vineyards - Livermore Rios-Lovell Winery - Livermore Ardenwood Historical Preserve Elliston Vineyards - Sunol Brazilion Room - Tilden Park The Claremont Hotel - Berkeley Stony Ridge Winery - Pleasanton Los Positas Golf Course - Pleasanton Little Brown Church of Sunol
How to Choose a Reception Site
Choosing a great wedding reception site is harder than it seems. There are many factors to consider and would take a whole book to go over all of them. There are a few important things that must be considered and we would like to discuss them here. These ideas apply to San Francisco weddings or any other parts of the Bay Area.
Food Choices and Flexibility are important. Make sure that your wedding reception does not have restrictions on who can cater the event. They may insist that you use their own companies and not allow you to really check the quality. These are important questions to ask before you put down your deposit.
Size and spacing of the tables with respect to your own guest count needs to be discussed. Many venue will tell you that they can handle your capacity, but don't show you the set up. When you show up for your wedding the tables are too close together for comfort. Ask the coordinator to show you examples of various table set ups with your guest count.
Parking can be an issue especially for San Francisco weddings. Make sure that some sort of accommodation is available whether it is a nearby affordable parking lot or Valet Parking.
Ask your booked wedding vendors (if any) for recommendations. Be sure to ask them why they are suggesting the particular reception site. You can also check Yelp for ideas and suggestions.
You might be surprised that some reception sites actually have Curfews. Talk to your coordinator to make sure that you know in advance when it will be time to quit. Some places have noise restrictions or other limitations that could affect your fun party in a negative way.
Access is important for your vendors. If this is a San Francisco venue, make sure equipment can easily be brought in (not always the case).
