Daughter will be getting married in fall, 2008, in or near San Francisco; not in a church or syangogue. They are looking at places that will accomodate 200 to 250 for the wedding and reception (probably a sit-down dinner). It would be nice, but not essential, to have the ceremony part outdoors.

I know they already have some places in mind, but many are already booked. I thought I would ask the very helpful people here for suggestions. Thank you!

P.S. Should I post this in the Lounge instead?

Google the phrase "Wedding Venues San Francisco" and it'll get you started.

Thank you, dmlove. We have done that, but most places seem to be the ones that are willing to pay to be on websites, or that are used by particular caterers, etc. I can't find comprehensive lists or reviews.

We were hoping for some personal recommendations or opinions.

The Brazillian Room in Tilden Park in Berkeley is quite beautiful. I've attended several weddings there, all were lovely. In good weather, which in Fall is frequent, the ceremony is held outdoors and the dinner is inside. I think you still get to pick the caterer, which is not always the case in other venues.

Excellent! Thank you Nancy, That one did not show up in our Google searches at all.(But maybe because they didn't include Berkeley).

It looks beautiful---I'll suggest they look into it.

Here's one I've good things about this one (my daughter went to a wedding there): http://beachchalet.com/groups/index.php?page=events

In SF, the Green Room in the War Memorial building and facing City Hall.

Just saw this:

http://tinyurl.com/yrjj4r

Thanks to all.

The Green Room is a bit too formal for them, and has no outdoor option.

The Beach Chalet would be perfect, except it is not availiable on weekends in September, their preferred time.
The Ferry Building might work if it has bay views; it was not something they had considered yet. They will look into it, but it may be too big.

Sigh. Oh, for the good old days when we went to Big Sur (beach or redwoods) with a ULC celebrant and potluck after; parents were totally mistified but happy they didn't have to front many thousands of dollars for the event.

I attended a reception at the Presidio (the wedding was in a Catholic church in town). Check their website for options.

We had a corporate function at the Ferry Building. It was big - and a bit impersonal.

Since you mentioned a view of the bay, I will just post that there is a newly opened restaurant in Embarcadero 4 (where Monte Cristo and before that Splendido were). I have no idea if they do private parties, or if they're big enough, but I thought I'd throw it out there. The name is Sens.

Thank you both, again. I actually ate at Splendido, some years back, when I was in SF for a meeting. I'll suggest that they take a look. If not for the wedding itself, maybe for the rehearsal dinner.

And thank you for the information on the Ferry Building, Starrsville---that confirmed what I suspected.

A friend just attended a wedding in Tilden Park in the East Bay. Apparently there is a big reception hall next to a large lawn where the wedding was held.

When I was planning my wedding 10 years ago, I used a book from the library on wedding venues. The current library catalog shows a book "By recommendation only: party and wedding resource guide to the Greater San Francisco Bay Area including Monterey Bay" by Johanna Kaestner. (I don't remember if this was the actual book). The latest edition is 2001.

I checked Amazon, and there are no 2001 editions available but several 1999 editions going for less than $2.00.

Hope this helps.