One of the things I love about the Bay Area is how many incredible outdoor spaces we have. If you’re looking for the perfect outdoor spot to tie the knot, the Saratoga Springs wedding venue in Saratoga, California, is one of the best.
Not only can I tell you that this venue is incredible as a photographer, but this is also literally where I married my wife. It truly is such a special place and creates the perfect backdrop for anyone to say I Do.
Let’s dive into some of the best parts about this venue, as well as highlight a fantasy-inspired queer wedding I recently captured there!
About the Saratoga Springs Wedding Venue in California
Saratoga Springs actually dates back to the 1800s and tops the list as the oldest event venue that has continuously operated in the Bay Area (crazy, right??). But don’t let that fool you, this venue is anything but dated.
It is also a family-owned and operated space, having been so for the last five generations. It is right in the Santa Cruz mountains, so you get the beauty of the mountains and the Redwoods, but you’re also right next to Silicon Valley.
Whether you are local or need to consider travel and accommodations for you and your guests, you are right in the heart of everything, and there are tons of great options all around!
As an added bonus, the venue is pet-friendly, so you don’t have to decide between your dream venue and including your pet in your wedding. It’s the best of both worlds!
One of my favorite parts about this venue is that there are actually three different locations that you can choose from for your ceremony and reception. Each one of them is stunning, and you honestly can’t go wrong with any choice that you make!
Redwood Grove
Redwood Grove is another spot similar to Cathedral Grove that is surrounded by nature. You get beautiful trees and greenery all around with string and market lights to make the space feel magical.
This is where Kat and Bear chose to have their ceremony! This spot is slightly smaller than Cathedral Grove, with seating for up to 125 guests. You can also add on the Saratoga Cove to bump up the max capacity to 150 guests!
Cathedral Grove
Cathedral Grove is an absolutely beautiful spot surrounded by lush redwood forest. There are some smaller brick-paved sections throughout it with grassy areas in between. It’s truly a beautiful spot that makes you feel like you are in your own little oasis (I should know, this is where I got married!).
It is also a pretty big area with seating for up to 180 guests. You can even add on the Hilltop and be able to accommodate up to 300 people. So, whether you want something a bit more intimate or an all-out party, everyone will be able to fit comfortably here!
Longbridge
Now, if you’re looking for something a bit more open, Longbridge is definitely the spot. This option still offers the beauty of the surrounding mountains, but the real showstopper here is the bridge.
You get to say I Do with the massive bridge as your backdrop, and it truly does make you feel like you are in a different place entirely. Even if you don’t choose this as your ceremony location, this is absolutely a spot you can’t miss out on for your portraits. You’ll get a full 30 minutes to take photos in all three locations before rejoining the contracted location you chose for the remainder of your time.
If you are looking to have a bigger wedding, this is definitely the perfect choice out of the three. There is space for up to 500 guests here, so you’ll have plenty of open room for everyone to dance their hearts out and celebrate this next step you’re taking together!
How Much Does a Saratoga Springs CA Wedding Cost?
One thing I love about this venue is that you can actually host your wedding here any day of the week! The cost of the venue right now ranges from about $5,000 to around $11,000, depending on the day of the week you want to have your ceremony.
The great thing is, you get a ton of things included in this right off the bat! Regardless of the venue location you choose, you’ll get market lights, picnic tables (which are gorgeous), your ceremony space, a wooden arch, a reception space, all of the tableware for your reception, and a bonfire!
In addition to all of this, you have the option to add on basically anything else you would need for your wedding. They offer in-house catering options with a wide range of choices for appetizers and a buffet-style dinner.
They even offer games and entertainment that can be added on, ranging from a live DJ for your reception to activities like giant Jenga, photobooths, giant Connect 4, Cornhole, and more. You can also get things like balloon decor and even marquee letters with your and your partner’s initials! We went for the foosball table at my wedding, which was a big hit.
So not only do you get a stunning venue to actually tie the knot, but you can actually cross off a ton of things on your wedding planning list all at once. Talk about getting rid of wedding planning stress!
Kat and Bear’s Fantasy-Inspired Wedding at Saratoga Springs
When Kat and Bear (both they/them) reached out and I found out they were tying the knot at Saratoga Springs, I knew this was going to be an incredible wedding! And honestly, it was only made better by their fantasy theme.
I absolutely love themed weddings and think that they not only create such a unique experience for everyone, but they also give you the space to show off your personality and bring the things that you love the most into such a special day.
The two of them tied the knot in the Redwood Grove, and the location made the day so much better. It truly felt like we were in a magical realm of our own, and it was the perfect backdrop for a day that none of us would forget.
We also took some time to explore the grounds and capture some beautiful portraits of the two of them. The surrounding forest area has really amazing spots throughout, with not only the trees and greenery but also creeks and bridges – one of which was perfect for their first look, featuring a sword and an axe! Can you say Ren Faire vibes?
A wedding here wouldn’t be complete without heading over to Longbridge to capture some pictures there as well. You can’t take a bad photo at Saratoga Springs!
The market lights throughout only added to the incredible vibe that this wedding already had, and the reception was so much fun. Kat and Bear created a treasure hunt for their guests to complete in teams (the tables they were assigned for the reception), and everyone was invited to wear their best fantasy or Renaissance Faire-inspired outfits. Cap it off with a cake cutting where they used their axe to cut the first slice, and we really could not have asked for a better day!
Kat and Bear’s Vendors
This day would not have been what it was without the incredible vendors that helped bring it to life:
- Photo – @jennichapmanphotography
- Video – @reploglestudios
- Venue – @saratogaspringsweddings
- Dessert – @laurelbakessc
- Catering – @dd_catering_inc
- Florals – @expressionsfloraldesign
- DJ – @djlinhngo
I also just have to give Kat a major shoutout here because they MADE THEIR OWN OUTFIT and it was so incredibly gorgeous!
Is the Saratoga Springs Wedding Venue Your Dream Spot?
I hope this gave you a bit of a peek behind the curtain of what a wedding day can look like at this absolutely incredible venue. I cannot say enough amazing things about the Saratoga Springs wedding venue in Saratoga, California, and how perfect a spot it is for couples looking for a magical forest wedding venue.
Whether this is your dream spot or you’ve found your own perfect venue, I’d love to be a part of capturing your wedding day. You can click here to learn more about my wedding photography services or head over here to get in touch with me!
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