I do Venues ~ The Outdoor Art Club Mill Valley ~ Design

Photography by: Rosemarie Lion

Ceremony

 

Inspired by esteemed architect Bernard Maybeck, the craftsman-style architecture of this facility makes the Outdoor Art Club the perfect location for a delightfully rustic celebration. This is a venue where you can get lost in the details while making a memorable home-spun wedding celebration. As guests arrive through a wisteria-covered arched wooden gate, set the tone by offering raspberry lemonade or other homemade libations drawn from antique glass pitchers. This invites your guest to enjoy a high level of hospitality without any stuffiness or fuss.

I Do Venues prefers to host the ceremony on the lawn towards the far end of the property, leaving the patio set for a fun and inviting cocktail hour. The garden-style chairs offered by the facility are best adorned with bright flowers and ribbons, and the lawn looks amazing with a heavy scattering of rose petals for an aisle runner. The small scale of the pretty little garden is not conducive to many props, but garden stakes with hanging elements look wonderful. If you are leaning toward a shabby chic look, try incorporating a small wooden or metal vintage gate. With a great floral swag attached to the gate - the subtle touch will perfectly set the scene for your wedding ceremony.

If you tend toward a romantic or vintage feel, keeping your ceremony color palette light and airy works best. Consider shades of aqua, chocolate brown, latte, or antique gold. If you want to opt for a brighter pop of color, try fuchsia, mauve, and latte. Each of these color schemes allows for the use of a variety of different flowers without overpowering the small garden with too much color and will tie into the design of your reception room beautifully.

Ask the Experts

 

The DIY bride with an affinity for vintage style will fall in love with this unique and historic location. There are so many ways to bring in an old, antiqued feel just through the use of color and simple details. Table design is the best way to make an impact in this intimate room, so choose a table runner that will bring in an element of color. Instead of choosing one china pattern, create a vintage feel by combining different patterns, colors, textures, and sizes in all your dinner and glassware. Menu cards, napkins, table numbers, and favors are all small elements that together help create a great impact in this charming setting.