10 Reasons To Get Married at the Brazilian Room in Berkeley, CA

As a wedding photographer, I’ve had the privilege of capturing love stories in myriad settings. Yet, few places hold the allure and charm of the Brazilian Room in Tilden Regional Park. Nestled amidst the dynamic foggy hills, this venue offers a blend of natural beauty, architectural elegance, and versatility that make it an irresistible choice for couples. Let’s delve into why this venue is an absolute gem.

  1. Architectural Charisma: The Brazilian Room derives its name from its rich history, steeped in the cultural exchange between Brazil and the United States. Its interior features stunning hardwood paneling—including Jacaranda, Imbuya, Brazilian Chestnut, and Mahogany—that once adorned the Brazilian Pavilion at the 1939 Golden Gate International Exhibition on Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay. ​​When the Exhibition ended, Brazil gifted the building to the newly formed East Bay Regional Parks District. Through the WPA, American carpenters moved the building into the Berkeley Hills and added an envelope to withstand weather. The Brazilian Room’s elegance, with a Maybeck-inspired Arts and Crafts feel and a fusion of Brazilian and American craftsmanship, offers couples a historic and character-filled wedding and reception venue.
  2. Breathtaking Views: The large, beautiful windows of the Brazilian Room frame stunning vistas of the surrounding hills and lush greenery. Whether the sun is shining or the mist rolls in, these panoramic views create a captivating backdrop for your wedding photographs.
  3. Outdoor Extravaganza: The Brazilian Room’s expansive lawn provides the perfect setting for outdoor festivities. I’ve witnessed the gamut of games from casual frisbee and horseshoes to full on cornhole tournaments.
  4. Dancing Under the Stars: The courtyard offers a magical setting for outdoor dancing. The twinkling lights overhead and warmth of the indoor light glowing from the windows makes for an especially romantic feel. 
  5. Natural Splendor: Just a stone’s throw away lies the East Bay Regional Parks Botanical Garden, a serene botanical garden perfect for capturing intimate family portraits and couples’ portraits amidst the redwood grove.
  6. Seasonal Beauty: Whether you’re exchanging vows in the spring amidst cherry blossoms or tying the knot in the Bay Area’s famously balmy Indian Summer, the Brazilian Room’s diverse gardens ensure there’s always something flowering, adding a burst of color to your wedding day.
  7. Mountain Retreat Vibes: Despite its proximity to the city, the Brazilian Room offers a secluded, at-the-edge-of-the-forest feel. It’s easy to forget you’re in Berkeley and not a tranquil mountain retreat.
  8. Convenient Location: The Brazilian Room is conveniently located near hotels like the Berkeley City Club and Claremont Hotel, ensuring a comfortable stay for out-of-town guests. 
  9. Seamless Transition: Some couples opt for a ceremony at the University of California, Berkeley Botanical Garden’s Redwood Amphitheater, followed by a reception at the Brazilian Room. This seamless transition allows couples to incorporate the beauty of both venues into their wedding day.
  10. Golden Hour Magic: A short drive into the hills above the city during the golden hour provides a breathtaking backdrop for capturing stunning sunset portraits.

In conclusion, the Brazilian Room in Berkeley, CA, is an extremely special backdrop of architectural charm, natural splendor, and timeless beauty for your wedding day. From the majestic hills to the blooming gardens, every element of this venue is carefully curated to ensure your wedding day is nothing short of magical. 

The Brazilian Room hosts wedding fairs a few times in the spring, serving as open houses for couples to tour the facilities and envision their special day. Reservations for the Brazilian Room can be made starting in January for the next calendar year via their online system or by phone. 

I can attest that the Brazilian Room is truly a photographer’s paradise, offering endless opportunities to capture moments that will be cherished for a lifetime.

outdoor wedding at brazilian room in tilden botanical park
jewish ceremony groom walking around bride

Sonoma Garden Wedding

Vignettes from an unforgettably whimsical garden wedding at Beltane Ranch in Glen Ellen, Sonoma Valley, California.

Madeline and Matt

Her delicate dress of embroidered French cotton lace, buttons all down the back.

His whimsical olive linen suit lined with citrons.

Her crown of dried flowers affixed with a splash of orange ribbon.

The magical lane of Persian rugs leading down the aisle to the towering majesty of the live oak draped in a shawl of flowers.

The dulcet tones of their friend/officiant’s southern twang.

The ethereal light reflecting off her vows and onto her alabaster cheek.

The fine line between tears and riotous laughter that was crossed again and again as Madeline and Matt exchanged vows.

The air suffuse with dried flower petals as they ecstatically flew back down the aisle. As if all the world were filled with flower petals cascading through the air.

Whatever they told their guests to wear worked out just about right, cocktail hour a sea of floral prints and colorful summer suits scattered across the lawn, sipping Mavericks and Roosters.

Come Together, I Want To Hold Your Hand, And I Love Her, She Loves You, Here Comes the Sun, Strawberry Fields Forever.

Wally the sheep with his glorious floral crown somewhat bashful, nibbling the lawn, but also delighted by all the attention, especially from Madeline, his greatest fan.

The caricaturist hard at work sketching guests.

Her brother’s cow and sheep cufflinks.

The chickens promenading through cocktail hour, and round the reception tables.

Designed by Madeline, each escort card a flower petal, waiting to be plucked by a guest from its field of blossoms.

Stargazer, bluebell, marigold, poppy, peony demarcating each baroque tablescape with long paisley tablecloths, intricately detailed amber goblets. Everything designed and drawn by Madeline. One had the sense this was not the first tea party Madeline had hosted.

Chicken cake! Surrounded by holstein pops, cartons of cake eggs and cake chicks, mini hay bale cakes, carrot cakes in the shape of carrots.

A day so thoroughly governed by whimsy and the unexpected.

Delights at every corner.

Love Me Do, Eight Days a Week, Free as a Bird, Don’t Let Me Down, Octopus’s Garden.

Also, the pair of original songs with which Madeline and Matt serenaded their guests. Her gleeful recorder solo against the setting sun.

A rainbow of ombre tapers burning against the dying light of the head table.

And if all this, somehow, wasn’t quite enough, an exquisite sunset sidled in as Madeline & Matt’s wedding day came to it’s conclusion.

Who amongst us succeeds in bringing so many chapters of the magic of childhood into her wedding? Very few I say, none quite like Madeline & Matt in this past decade that I have documented.

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Wedding Planning : Samar of Blissful Event Planning
Venue: Beltane Ranch
Flowers: Mae Flowers Sonoma
Sheep: Wally the Wooly Weeder
Rentals: Encore Events Rentals
Band: Ticket to Ride (Beatles cover band)
Catering: Sage Catering
Cake/Desserts: Supreme Sweets
Hair & Makeup: Santa Rosa Powder Room
Dress: Atelier Des Modistes


Essential tips for having a dog at your wedding in the Bay Area

As a wedding photographer, I’ve seen it all, from furry friends as ring bearers to four-legged performers stealing the show. If you’re thinking of including your beloved pooch in your big day, here are 8 things you should keep in mind to ensure it’s a tail-wagging success – for all involved!

1. Plan, plan, plan: Before you decide to bring your furry friend to your wedding, make sure your venue is pet-friendly and arrange for a designated handler to look after them during the ceremony and reception. Also consider your guests and determine if anyone might be scared or allergic! Consider logistics such as their transportation and access for their handler for their drop off and pick up. 

Bridge and groom in tuxedo posing with small black and white dog, documentary style photo, botanical garden wedding

2. Be honest with yourself: Not all dogs will do well at large, bustling events like weddings – and that’s ok! If your dog becomes easily agitated or frightened, it may be best to leave them at home. Perhaps they are better suited for an intimate photo shoot with just your photographer!

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3. Dress them to impress: You want your dog to look as good as you do on your wedding day! Make sure their outfit is comfortable and doesn’t impede their movement. A simple bandana or bow tie will do the trick. Avoid accoutrement that might end up falling off and getting gnawed on.

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4. Hydration is key: Weddings can be long, tiring events, and your dog will need plenty of water to stay hydrated. Make sure you have a water bowl readily available for them throughout the day. Additionally you will want to prep their handler with their food, treats, doggie bags, and perhaps even some toys. 

5. Never leave them alone: Your dog should never be left alone during your wedding, even for a few minutes. They may become anxious or disoriented without you there, and could end up running off or causing a disturbance. Again, make sure someone is aware of their responsibilities regarding your beloved dog!

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6. Accidents happen: Accidents can happen, even with the most well-behaved dogs. The last thing you want to deal with is a less than savory stain at a historic venue or on you or your guests’ outfit. Make sure you have cleaning supplies handy in case your dog has an accident during the ceremony or reception.

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7. Capture the moment: Make sure your photographer gets some shots of your furry friend on your big day. After all, you’ve put in all the effort to make sure they are well taken care of and smiling! 

8. Have fun: The most important thing is to make sure everyone, including your furry friend, is having a good time and no one is stressed out or uncomfortable. Have a backup plan with the handler in case something goes awry or the pooch needs a rest from the excitement of the event!

Incorporating your dog into your wedding can be a wonderful way to add a special touch to your big day, but it’s essential to be prepared and ensure that both you and your furry friend are having fun. By keeping these eight things in mind, you’ll be well on your way to creating a memorable and stress-free wedding experience for everyone involved.

Lesbian wedding couple with two dogs at wedding, dogs in rainbow bandanas, Olema house wedding, Bay area Olema House wedding photographer, documentary wedding photographer.

Round Pond Estate Wedding – Napa Valley

Cat & Ross held their wedding rehearsal dinner at Round Pond Estate, a gorgeous vineyard and winery in California’s Napa Valley. The Approach to Round Pond down the palm-lined driveway is absolutely iconic, as is the architecture of the winery. The first floor is comprised of a large wine cave with a glass ceiling. The 2nd floor houses a tasting room with a massive window down onto the wine cave below. Dinner was served on a patio off the 2nd floor overlooking the vineyard and the rolling hills beyond.

When Cat & Ross, and their guests arrived they were treated to a tour of the vineyards, the garden, and the wine cave. Dinner was a 5 course tasting menu paired with Napa Valley wines from Round Pond winery. Between the courses we ran out into the field to make couples portraits with the rows of palm trees, and the rows of grape vines. I’m particularly fond of what happened with the light in the vineyards after the sun had dipped below the horizon, such supple bright light for these two the night before their wedding.


A Wedding in the Forest – Gideon and Lina

A Wedding in the Forest – Gideon & Lina

Gideon and Lina’s wedding ceremony was nestled into a forest, with live trees bent into a glorious arch as the altar. I’m not sure I’ll ever top that. We used the opportunity to make couples portraits in the forest. The guests’ outfits ran the gamut from the traditional Norwegian dress of Lina’s family, to Gideon’s open collared shirt and brown wool suit. The two children stealing the show in every other image belonged to Gideon and Lina and, were part of the wedding party, and gave me life all day long. Guests used a rowboat to head back to the reception from the ceremony site. There were assorted berry pies, red canoes, croquet, oh, and the dancing, stick around for that…


Garden Wedding – Maggie & August

Maggie and August’s wedding day was one of those days that stretches on, blissfully, for years instead of hours. The confidence, the comfort, the certainty of their love put us all at ease, meaning us humans, me included.

Bay area garden wedding at the gate

bay area documentary wedding photographer

Waiting for his bride first look

Shoulder tap first look wedding

Bay area first look wedding

casual and elegant black tie bridal party

vanity fair wedding party photos hazelphoto

light airy bride smiling

A bamboo arch for wedding decoration

 

san francisco brenizer wedding portrait


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