The Golden Gate Club is one of those San Francisco gems that’s as rich in history as it is in beauty. I had the pleasure of photographing Isabel & Will’s wedding there in October 2023. The experience was nothing short of magical.
It’s my pleasure in this blog post to share not only photos from this wedding, but also helpful information for those planning their wedding at the Golden Gate Club. I like to provide insider tips and tricks as we go that can help your day go as smoothly as this couple’s.
So let’s get to know this storied San Francisco wedding venue and see if it’s the right fit for your big day!
Table of Contents
About Golden Gate Club for weddings
The Golden Gate Club is made up of several spaces. It was built in 1949 and was the site of historic treaty signings. (For context, the Presidio’s roots are deeply embedded in military heritage. It has served as a military outpost for three nations over the centuries!)
The venue lives up to its name, as guests enjoy bay views through floor-to-ceiling picture windows. The scenic outlook encompasses the sparkling San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz Island, and the greenery of the Presidio forest.
The viewpoint area for the Bridge, a hop, skip and a jump from the back of the building past the entrance to the cemetery, has recently been remodeled. I highly recommend the gorgeous stone gate and Golden Gate Bridge view for sunset romantics like those below.
The Golden Gate Club sets the stage for unforgettable moments with its original Mission-style architecture, peaceful vibes and natural beauty. There’s a variety of rooms tailored to events both large and small but most weddings here are around 100 – 150 guests.
Isabel and Will’s wedding had around 120 guests and it felt like the perfect size for an outdoor ceremony next to the chapel followed by a reception in Ventana ballroom.
Some beautiful features include the courtyard (perfect for your formal photos), the second-floor balcony leading from the getting ready space, and, of course, the gorgeous Presidio Chapel up the hill!
Where to stay for your Golden Gate Club wedding
The Golden Gate Club is part of the Main Post Region, and here you’ll also find historic hotels. The Club itself doesn’t have on-site accommodations. I highly recommend staying at the nearby Inn at the Presidio.
Not only is the Inn located conveniently near the venue (just a 2-minute drive or 8-minute walk), it has the most picturesque and tranquil photo spots and nature trails directly behind it. That’s perfect for rolling right into some romantic photos right after your first look on this porch!
Check out more photos in the section at the bottom to see how Isabel & Will utilized this wonderful space and started their day off in the most beautiful, relaxed way.
The Golden Gate Club is run by Wedgewood Weddings. We are big fans here! Check out some of their both venues linked below:
Spaces within the Golden Gate Club
As you step into the Ventana Ballroom, you’re greeted with a breathtaking panorama of the bay, encircled by the serene presence of ancient trees and sprawling grasslands. The ballroom’s large windows bathe the space in natural light, offering views for days!
There’s an elevated stage at the heart of the room, ideal for live music. On the other side of the room is the cozy fireplace.
Other than that main ballroom, there are the Golden Gate Club’s Cypress and Hawthorn Ballrooms. These two stunning spaces open onto a picturesque courtyard, offering your photographer endless opportunities.
The Presidio Chapel, with its historic beauty, sets the stage for a heartfelt ceremony. The lawn outside the chapel is actually where this couple hosted their ceremony, which I highly recommend. There’s nothing like the natural light you get outside (though it was very chilly!)
Though it can be windy, it offers more plentiful opportunities for photography of both you and your guests. We can move around freely, plus beautiful natural light is just the best for flattering skin tones without that visual ‘noise’ in low-light spaces.
Capacity for weddings at the Golden Gate Club
| Event | Indoors | Outdoors |
| Ceremony | 300 seated | 300 seated |
| Reception | 300 seated | N/A |
More about this Golden Gate Club wedding
Isabel and Will got ready in different places: Isabel at the Inn and Will at Isabel’s parents’ home in nearby Russian Hill. They booked two photographers – me and my second photographer Tam. It was so necessary given the logistics and larger guest count of 120. My second photographer was with Will at home, while I captured Isabel’s relaxed getting-ready with friends at the hotel.
There were fun moments of getting ready packed with friends who had baked personalized cookies, which gave way to more solemn moments where Isabel was by herself: pensive, peaceful and self-assured. I captured different sides of her – the social butterfly and the expectant bride-to-be.
The Inn at the Presidio proved to be a stunning location for the first look. I positioned Isabel upstairs with Will waiting outside on the street to capture wide shots showing both marriers.
We moved right into a gorgeous portrait session, where the couple were effortlessly themselves and so into each other! Full disclosure: both Isabel and Will work as actors in Los Angeles AND they had an engagement session as well, so they were extremely comfortable in front of the camera. Don’t worry if you don’t fall into the same category. We work with many couples that HATE the idea of getting their picture taken!
After their first look and a wonderful first romantics session by the Inn, it was time for family groupings and the ceremony. They lucked out with nice, even light too – making every direction just gorgeous to shoot in with no unflattering shadows on any faces.
During the ceremony came one of the most intensely poignant moments I’ve ever witnessed at a ceremony. For context, Will is deaf. Unbeknownst to Will, Isabel had learned ASL and surprised him by signing her vows to him! When I tell you there was not a dry eye in the house for this moment… I even caught my second shooter sobbing! It was a total surprise to Will and he couldn’t help but get emotional when he realized how hard Isabel had worked for this moment.
Everyone soon warmed up back at the Golden Gate Club with an indoor/outdoor cocktail hour and warming wood-fired pizzas to snack on.
Soon the reception was upon us, with emotional speeches including a welcome toast from Isabel’s parents, a first dance that included a hora, a live band that got the party going, and a huge dessert spread after dinner.
I always insist on stealing the couple away for about half an hour during the reception for the all-important sunset romantics which are always my favorite photos of the day. However, it’s important to balance this with how you want to use your time on the big day, so if you wanted to shorten this session or even skip it, that’s totally fine by me of course!
In conclusion
As a photographer, the Golden Gate Club in the Presidio is a dream to work with – the light, the architecture, the natural beauty… every detail lends itself to capturing captivating wedding photographs. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to document Isabel and Will’s special day in such a magnificent yet down-to-earth setting.
I’ve already booked my next wedding there later this year, and can’t wait to hear about your big day at the Golden Gate Club!
Photos from Golden Gate Club wedding
Vendor Credits
Photography: Zoe Larkin Photography
Venue & catering: Golden Gate Club by Wedgewood Weddings
Hotel: Inn at the Presidio
Floral design: Angella Floral Design
HMUA: Love & Wolves Beauty
Dress Kelly Faentanini
Boutique: Styled by TC
Suit: Suit Supply
Reception DJ / Live Music: Golden Bell Music
Ceremony DJ: iMobile DJs
Officiant: Lauren Snead
Sweet: Mazzetti’s Bakery
Cocktail hour snack: A16 Pizza
Videography: Amy Hung Films
Invitations: Minted
Engagement ring: Heirloom
Rings: Brilliant Earth
Check out similar San Francisco wedding venues!
About Zoe Larkin Photography
Looking for a San Francisco wedding photographer? You can learn more about my services at the links below:
Hoping I’ll be back at the Golden Gate Club soon, shooting your lovely wedding! To stay connected, be sure to follow along on Instagram and reach out via the form when you’re ready to book your date.
Zoe Larkin
I’m Zoe, a wedding photographer based in San Francisco! My style is candid, capturing authentic moments for my couples all over the Bay Area and Northern California. Creating content is my passion! Follow along the blog and Insta!