No surprise that one of the leading factors in determining what venue you ultimately select is your budget.   With 2026 planning in full swing for many couples, I hope you'll discover something that fits your budget and your vision.  Visit us weekly as I share some relatively lesser known, but wonderful venues, worthy of consideration.

I start this series showcasing the San Francisco waterfront, specifically, The Historic Klamath.  Given the layout of this ship, it easily accommodates intimate-sized weddings of 20 guests to larger affairs of 200.  The City and Bay views from this stationary and historic vessel are fantastic whether viewed from an interior space or from their roof deck.  You'll also appreciate the fact this venue is owned by a non-profit 501(c4) organization, the Bay Area Council.

As an officiant/celebrant serving the greater Bay Area for over a decade, the venues I'll be sharing are locations where I've had the honor of officiating for my clients.   Stay tuned.

Below a view from the roof deck of the Historic Klamath!

As a newly engaged couple, you'll have lots of decisions to make as you plan your wedding day.  My advice, start with dessert.   The choices are easiest to narrow down, especially if you love cupcakes.  Start by visiting the Cupcakin' Bake Shop,  there are four in the East Bay (two in Berkeley, one in Oaktown and the other in downtown Walnut Creek).  You'll also find them at the Chase Center in the City.  There are lots of flavors to choose from including Vegan and Gluten Free varieties.  They have mini's as well as full-sized cupcakes.  My personal favorite, double chocolate but you'll find: salted caramel, a puckery delicious lemon cream-pie, madagascar bourbon vanilla, a flavor of the month and so much more.  Put Cupcakin' Bake Shop on your short list of places to visit, your sweet tooth will thank you!  

This was our room, in yes, a hostel in Barcelona!  We visited Barcelona during the beginning of high season and given we were staying in Europe for 3.5 weeks, a combination of factors came into play--including budget.  The Gracia neighborhood of Barcelona is a popular one, with lots of cafes, tapas restaurants, the Segrada Familia and beach within walking distance and, of course, night life!  While I wouldn't normally consider a hostel, Generator Hostel allows you to select the choice of a private room, private bath and balcony all at a cost cheaper than a hotel or apartment.  Laundry facilities are also within the property.

As you can see the bathroom is colorful; our balcony was a large one with two chairs. The power outlets are not compatible with anything you use in the U.S.A. so make sure you purchase a converter that is compatible with the configuration pictured below.   

As we stepped out of Barcelona's baggage claim area, you could see Taxi's lined up.  Once in town, we walked everywhere.  The only time we used Uber was when it was time to head back to the airport weeks later in London when our summer vacation ended.  More detail in posts to come.

Gaudi's Sagrada Familia!  One of the highlights of Barcelona, it is an architectural masterpiece, due to be finished in 2026 on the centenary of Gaudi's death.

The interior, ablaze with light from enormous and beautiful stain glass windows, will be a different visual experience depending on what time you visit.  Cool colors illuminate the basilica at sunrise and into the morning, as the sun moves to the afternoon, the reds, oranges and yellows dominate the color palette.   (Interior photo courtesy of:  Joseph French.)

There are other Gaudi designed structures throughout Barcelona, but this is the most magnificent.  

We used the Get Your Guide app to arrange our approximately 1.5 hour tour of this monument and paid extra for access to the towers (see below).  You ascend the tower in an elevator, but the descent is all stairs.  If you don't like heights, skip the tower tour.  Also make sure you book a "Skip the Line" tour.  

Yes, that is someone's arm as they held onto the rail during their tower descent.  The spiral staircase is indeed that narrow and that steep.

Next post:  More Barcelona highlights including accommodations & eateries.

As an educator, I have the luxury of having summers off to officiate weddings and to travel.  This year was a milestone birthday for me, so I planned a 3.5 week trip to Spain, Portugal and London.  Many of you have seen my IG photo posts and wanted BTS detail, so I've committed to follow though and focus this upcoming series of blogs to do just that.   

Where to start?  I subscribed to a few travel publications and started paying attention to the Costco travel brochures available in the membership area.  I also asked my colleagues who love to travel and I researched/read a ton of travel blogs. 

Flight-wise, I started with Google flights, searching for the cheapest flights available, varying departure and return dates to maximize my savings. 

Accommodations/Itineraries:  The blog I found most useful is Wheatless Wanderlust | Gluten Free Travel & Detailed Itineraries.  Admittedly, I don't have a gluten tolerance issue so their culinary recommendations were of no use to me personally; however, their accommodations and itinerary suggestions piqued my interest.  Matt and Alysha's site includes neighborhood detail, convenience to top attractions, average pricing for either a hostel, boutique hotel or apartment, parking and, of course, photos.  With each recommendation, I'd cross-reference, Apple maps looking at satellite views and cross-reference Booking.com as well.

Spain and Portugal are top destination spots for the summer months, so making/paying for reservations needed to be done 4-6 months in advance. 

​Next Blog:  Barcelona

Themed weddings are special project weddings but serious fun to plan.  From attire to invitations and venue lighting to dessert, it takes extra effort but the outcome is seriously worth it.  Erica and Nevin will soon be celebrating their second anniversary and yours truly had the honor of planning their Big Day.  These awesome photos courtesy of their photographer, Nick Otto, NickOttoWeddings.com

This cutie pie is Charlie and he enjoyed a prominent spot amongst the Bridal Party!

A good wedding planner quickly becomes a Bride's BFF in a newly formed friendship and through all the support, whether it's the big things like the walk-through or the tiny details like assembling and stuffing customized favor boxes.  Congrats to you both Deb!  (Photo taken from the Bride's Room at Boundary Oak Country Club, Walnut Creek)

 Looking for a date idea?  Then check out the newly updated Taco Bell Cantina in Pacifica!!   Yes, you read it right, a Cantina featuring tapas style menus, fantastic views from the ocean-front patio, together with beer, wine and sangria.  Parking available for your car or your surfboard!

'Two-thousand and eighteen was another stellar year of heartfelt abundant love.  I was fortunate to have been a part of so many newlywed couples' Big Day, contracted as either an officiant or wedding coordinator.  

Last year found me in some wonderful venues again, among them, San Francisco City Hall, Boundary Oak Country Club, Concannon Winery, Casa Real at Ruby Hill, Wente Vineyards, Ravenswood Historic Site, Dunsmuir Estates, Elliston Vineyards and south to Saratoga Springs just to name a few.

I also had the opportunity to work in a few venues I wasn't familiar with previously like the Wild Oak Saddle Club in Santa Rosa, Hiddenbrooke in Vallejo and Chouinard Vineyards in Castro Valley.  

As I read the responses to the questionnaire I have all couples complete, love sparked between couples who met in college, some as far back as high school, a few met at work yet the majority continue to make that love connection online.  

Some of my clients have stayed in touch from prior years, sharing photos of a newborn or an adopted puppy; I appreciated receiving holiday cards, email updates or being friended on Facebook.

I'm thankful to be a part of such an important milestone in this journey of love and life.

​Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!
--Saundra