Gardens, Artists and Weddings in Menlo Park

Photo by FC Photography
Photo provided by Allied Arts Guild

Gardens, gardens, beautiful historic buildings, and more gorgeous gardens! Allied Arts Guild is so beautiful that as soon as you walk onto the grounds, it screams "get married here!" The Allied Arts Guild's 3.5 acre property was purchased in 1929, to create a place where working artists could commune with natural, beautiful and peaceful surroundings. This was the brainchild of Delight and Garfield Merner (I love her first name) and the profits from the Allied Arts Guild's gift shop and other operations (events!) benefit the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital. Win-win.

The current artists working out of the Allied Arts Guild are diverse and the property has a shockingly perfect business meeting space too. The private conference room is a very spiffy, recently redecorated space that can host up to 24 seated conference-style with additional room for 20 seated participants (not folding chairs, but nice, cushy chairs lining the walls, not at the table). Cafe Primavera is the onsite restaurant and caterer for business functions.

You can try to book Allied Arts Guild gardens for photos. Yes, you will have to book a reservation to take wedding photos on the property and pay a fee, and believe me, once you see these grounds you will want to have your pictures taken there. I say try because they only allow one bride on the property at a time so if there is a wedding booked on the day you want to shoot pictures, you are out of luck. Best option if you are dying to have your wedding pictures taken on the Allied Arts Guild grounds is to have your reception there because they are booked for weddings solid through prime wedding season (April through October).

Photo provided by Allied Arts Guild

This location is unique because of the super beautiful event spaces (indoor and out), the business conference room and the property location on the Peninsula. I was inspired when I made my onsite visit by the fact that this place was purchased, developed and continues to support local artistry that is directly connected to everyday people in our community. This space is meant to stimulate art and and to provide serenity to think. If someone is able to tap into the spirit of this spot, you will undoubtedly plan an amazing event.

Visit EventCounselor to get more ideas on locations for events that will bring out the best in you in Menlo Park, Mountain View, Palo Alto and Redwood City.