10 Best Outdoor Intimate Wedding Venues in the Bay Area (that you can get married at right now!)

If you’re planning a wedding during COVID, you’re having an outdoor wedding. Because it’s both safe and beautiful!

Getting married during COVID also means that you’re having a smaller, more intimate wedding. Whether that’s an elopement, a micro wedding, a virtual wedding or a hybrid wedding.

It also means a true destination wedding during COVID is out of the question.

So, if you’re getting married now, you’re having a small outdoor wedding close to home.

For us, home is the San Francisco Bay Area.

And I have to say that we’re super lucky because there are so many wonderful outdoor intimate wedding venues here in the San Francisco Bay Area.

While there are many venues I love, these are not only some of my favorites, but are ones that are actually booking weddings right now.

Which of course is super important!

So, whether you’re looking for a ceremony-only wedding venue or a small or intimate wedding venue, these outdoor wedding venues in the Bay Area are definitely ones you’ll want to check out.

10 Best Outdoor Intimate Wedding Venues in the Bay Area

(that you can get married at right now!)

1. SAN FRANCISCO BOTANICAL GARDEN

Golden Gate Park has some of the best outdoor intimate wedding venues not only in San Francisco, but also in the Bay Area. But, the SF Botanical Garden is one our favorites.

Why It’s a Favorite

They have a variety of different spaces that you can have a wedding at within the botanical garden and each has it’s own charm. You can be in a flower garden, on a lake or in the middle of a redwood forest.

Each space with its own vibe is like being transported to a different environment. So, you can pick the right space for you and your style.

Planning Tip

Not all the spaces have great signal, so if you’re planning also having a virtual wedding and live streaming, make sure you work with a pro to help you figure out the logistics.

And yes, we can help with this! Check out our new Let’s I Do this! services.

2. SAN FRANCISCO ART INSTITUTE

The SF Art Institute is definitely a bit of a hidden gem. Located in the Russian Hill neighborhood, this contemporary art school has some surprising outdoor wedding venue spaces.

Why It’s a Favorite

We love the super cute Spanish courtyard that’s so perfect for an intimate wedding. But, the rooftop terrace with its 360 degree views is a bit of a showstopper. It’s hard not to fall in love with the view of the city and the bay and having that as your wedding backdrop.

Planning Tip

Being in a residential neighborhood means there are some extra restrictions and logistics you’ll need to plan for. But, don’t worry, we can help you with this!

3. THE MOUNTAIN TERRACE

Woodside is a special area partially for its elevation, but also for its super private mountainside. And the Mountain Terrace is the perfect embodiment of this area and a great outdoor wedding venue.

Why It’s a Favorite

If redwood trees, beautiful views and the big outdoors is your fancy, this is the place. We love the private aspect of this venue along with the feeling of being in the woods while also not being too far from the peninsula cities. They even have deer!

Planning Tip

Being on a mountain, it can get a bit chilly and the route here is windy. Make sure you warn your guests about the conditions and give good instructions.

4. FILOLI

Also located in Woodside (but not on the mountain), this historic house and gardens are something to behold. A special place to get married, Filoli transports you to the English countryside.

Why It’s a Favorite

This venue is just downright gorgeous. And while weddings are limited to a select area (particularly at this time), having a wedding here means you get to take photos anywhere in the vast beautiful gardens. Which makes for some pretty epic wedding photos.

Planning Tip

The property is large, 16 acres large. So, there will be quite a bit of walking. Comfortable shoes are key not only for you, but your guests.

5. ALLIED ARTS GUILD

Located in Menlo Park, this beautiful and historic oasis is home to artist studios, shops and a little cafe. With its Spanish gardens and architecture, the Allied Arts Guild is a super quaint intimate wedding venue.

Why It’s a Favorite

We love all the cute little nooks found around every corner and the private estate feel of this wedding venue. But, we especially love that all proceeds goes towards supporting critically ill children at the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford.

Planning Tip

Because they have a cafe onsite, you can have a small outdoor dinner (not full reception) onsite as well. Subject of course to current COVID restrictions.

6. ELIZABETH GAMBLE GARDEN

The perfect definition of a hidden gem, this small garden in Palo Alto is tucked away in a residential neighborhood. While a bit off the beaten path, once you discover the Gamble Garden, you’ll definitely want to stay awhile.

Why It’s a Favorite

This venue is unbelievably cute and so intimate. Absolutely perfect for a small elopement or micro wedding, the gardens, cottage and patio are like the backyard you wish you had.

Planning Tip

Being in a quiet residential neighborhood, amplified music is not allowed. But there are some small exceptions which we can walk you through.

7. THE GARDENS AT HEATHER FARM

The Gardens at Heather Farm is located on a hillside, beneath Mount Diablo, in Walnut Creek. With 6 acres of beautiful terrain and a variety of plants, flowers and even waterfalls, there’s a lot to love for your outdoor wedding.

Why It’s a Favorite

While there is a lot to explore and enjoy, the roses are the star of the show. Beautiful and sweet smelling you can’t help but gravitate to them. And of course, they also make the perfect backdrop for a garden wedding.

Planning Tip

The gardens are open to the public so your micro wedding may have a few onlookers. But people are usually respectful and we can help you manage that.

8. LANDMARKS ART AND GARDEN CENTER

Located in Tiburon, the Landmarks Art and Garden Center (along with the next 2 venues) are a part of the Landmarks Society whose mission is to preserve landmarks of historical significance. With it’s rustic charm, this outdoor wedding venue has a bunch of fun nooks and spaces great for a small wedding.

Why It’s a Favorite

Being on a hillside, we love the terraces each with their own views of the Bay. They also serve as the perfect spot for an intimate wedding or elopement. And all the benches scattered in the garden make for great photos and stolen kisses.

Planning Tip

This venue is located right off the main road, so we suggest picking one of the terraces a little farther up the hill for your ceremony. You’ll get a better view and much less noise.

9. CHINA CABIN

This special spot is located right on the water in Belvedere. Unassuming on the outside, grand on the inside and with a name like China Cabin, this intimate wedding venue is completely unexpected.

Why It’s a Favorite

Two words say it all… the view. Located right on the water, you can see beautiful hillside homes, boats and the Bay Bridge. And if you’re lucky, a seal or two will come by and say hi.

Planning Tip

This outdoor intimate wedding venue is very intimate. So you’ll want to keep your group very small (about 4-6) to allow social distancing.

10. OLD ST. HILARY’S

This last, but not least venue, Old St. Hilary’s is actually a deconsecrated church, which means it’s open to all religions. This historic church serves as a great backdrop for couples seeking a more traditional looking venue, but still outdoors.

Why It’s a Favorite

Located on a hill, the views of Tiburon and the Bay are lovely. But, we especially love that the hillside is also a wildflower preserve which means there are fun little pathways to both explore and take photos at.

Planning Tip

Up a hill in a residential neighborhood means there isn’t much parking available. Keep your group small, carpool or consider renting a small shuttle to make it easy.

If you’re planning an intimate wedding in the Bay Area during COVID and are looking for an outdoor wedding venue, check these 10 beauties out.

Not only are they open for weddings, but with their different styles, there’s bound to be one that’s perfect for you.

And let us help you plan it! With our small wedding packages, we’ll make the process easy and fast and help you create a wedding experience you and your guests will never forget.