The Best Raw Wedding Spaces & Venues in Walnut Creek, CA

The Best Raw Wedding Spaces & Venues in Walnut Creek, CA

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3 Wedding Venues in Walnut Creek, CA

Raw space
Quick responder
The Gardens At Heather Farm 

5.0

Walnut Creek, CA
  • Up to 150 guests
  • Raw space
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $2,000

Set against a breathtaking backdrop of vibrant garden landscapes, wedding couples take center stage to celebrate their special day. Picture exchanging vows in a stunning ceremony surrounded by thousands of roses, savoring cocktails and conversations as you stroll along tree-lined garden paths, and dancing the night away in a spacious hilltop reception hall with panoramic views of acres of natural beauty.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Provides a dedicated team on-site
  • Handles all cleanup logistics

Venue considerations

  • No on-premises lodging options
  • Lighting and sound are not included
  • Does not have a dance floor
Awarded Best of Zola
We booked the gardens in mid May for our wedding and it was a gorgeous wedding venue! It offers a spacious, beautiful garden teeming with blooming roses, different garden areas to explore, a super cute gazebo ceremony space, a nice cocktail area near the reception room, and the reception room with large windows for plenty of natural light. The lot has 50 free parking spaces. The rental rate is fairly reasonable for the venue space and what's offered. In addition to the main spaces, there's a getting ready room downstairs available to add on, seating for the ceremony, circle/rectangular (not full width) tables for dinner, and a few cocktail tables for the bar area downstairs. Management allows for a fair amount of DIYing and independent vendor selections, with the only exceptions being a preferred catering list with good selection and off list caterers allowed with a fee and vetting. Professionals also must put up any hanging decorations in the reception room, and decor can't be hung directly off of the garden structures and reception room walls. We communicated with Jenna throughout the planning process. She was super responsive and helpful, answering every question we sent her way. Overall, I loved the gardens for our wedding and would recommend it to others!
Jessica, a year ago
Quick responder
The Ruth Bancroft Garden 

5.0

Walnut Creek, CA
  • Up to 150 guests
  • Raw space
  • Outdoor
  • Starts at $2,500

We are a non-profit, Member supported organization nestled in the suburbs of the East Bay. The Garden itself is the foremost example of garden design with climate-resilient plants. Consequently, it is known as one of the finest dry gardens in the world. The Garden displays an expansive collection of plants that Ruth collected for over 60 years; many of which were in gallon-sized pots or smaller. As a result, every season offers something new in the Garden and visitors find themselves in awe of the boldness, beauty and longevity of Ruth’s hard work! The Garden’s mission is to preserve, promote, and enhance Ruth Bancroft’s world-class collection of water-conserving plants displayed in her exceptionally designed garden for the education, inspiration, and enjoyment of the public.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Has a relaxed and casual vibe
  • Raw space for complete customization
  • Picturesque garden backdrop

Venue considerations

  • On-site parking not available
  • Dance floor not included
  • No dedicated areas for getting ready
The Ruth Bancroft Garden is such a stunning venue. We booked it without seeing it in person and it turned out to be even more beautiful than we imagined. The team is great and super experienced with weddings. Overall, would definitely recommend!
Amelia, 20 days ago
Quick responder
Shadelands Ranch Museum 

5.0

Walnut Creek, CA
  • Up to 250 guests
  • Raw space
  • Outdoor
  • Starts at $1,500

The beautifully maintained landscaping surrounds the Shadelands Ranch house, the picturesque rose-bush-surrounded gazebo provide the perfect setting for any outdoor social event — from a wedding to a family reunion, from a corporate retreat to a community get-together. Large lawn area beneath the trees that will seat 250-300 guests A classic 19th-Century gazebo that is versatile. Large paver patio perfect for dancing Victorian-style wrap-around porch Grove area shaded by large oak trees Large oak trees that provide ample shade & lighting that is hung for events Historic ambiance that includes a circa-1902 water tank house & cabin Small kitchen for caterer staging with gas range and oven, refrigerator & dishwasher Bridal Alcove on outdoor porch Modern restrooms Plenty of parking On-site event staff to assist during the event The grounds of the Shadelands Ranch are available for non-commercial use by individuals, families, businesses, and non-profit organizations from April - October

Why you'll love this venue

  • Lush gardens
  • Venue is completely outdoors
  • Offers full flexibility in setup and decor

Venue considerations

  • Lighting and sound are not included
  • Not for you if you don't want a rustic vibe
  • No on-site guest accommodations
We had our wedding at Shadelands Ranch Museum in 2018 and couldn't have been happier with our decision! We had a few parameters to work within — a tight budget, a list of vendors we wanted to work with, and a large guest count. The staff at Shadelands were incredibly accommodating and easy to partner with. Since their policy allows food trucks and other mobile caterers, we were able to hire one of our favorite local BBQ restaurants to cater, which was a huge hit. The venue grounds are large enough to fit a sizeable group — perfect for our guests who brought children — they had plenty of room to run around on the lawn. In the summer, the venue adds string lights in the trees around their gazebo, creating a beautiful and romantic touch when the sun sets. The gazebo served as a beautiful centerpiece and the location for our photo booth. Our DJ had plenty of space to set up on the back patio, which doubled as the dance floor. The venue’s accessibility was incredible, with ample parking, clean restrooms, a kitchen, and a porch for the bride to ‘hide’ until the ceremony. And because the venue provided the tables and chairs, we only needed to rent table linens. Shadelands is the place to book if you want a beautiful and affordable outdoor wedding venue in Walnut Creek that can accommodate both your ceremony and reception. The attentive staff, accessible location, and flexibility around customization make it an ideal place to tie the knot!
Samantha G., 8 months ago

Location flexible? Discover venues near Walnut Creek, CA

About wedding venues in Walnut Creek, CA

Walnut Creek offers an exceptional wedding destination that blends Mediterranean-inspired gardens with historic architecture, all set against Mount Diablo's stunning backdrop. You'll find venues featuring century-old olive trees, classical white columns and breathtaking views of manicured golf courses right here in this East Bay gem. Best of all, these beautiful settings are just minutes from downtown amenities you and your guests will appreciate.

What Makes Walnut Creek Wedding Venues Stand Out?

Each Walnut Creek venue has its own distinct personality to match your vision. The Gardens at Heather Farm showcases lush landscaping that creates a natural paradise while Shadelands Art Center provides versatile spaces that adapt to your style. If you're drawn to something unique, the Ruth Bancroft Garden features amazing drought-resistant botanical collections that make an unforgettable backdrop. The Clubhouse at Boundary Oak offers rustic ridgeline trails and peaceful water features for a more natural setting. You'll love that most venues can host both your ceremony and reception, giving you that seamless transition from vows to celebration without relocating.

How Much Does a Walnut Creek Wedding Cost?

Wedding budgets in Walnut Creek typically follow these estimates based on guest count:

  • Small wedding (50 guests): $26,708
  • 100 guests: $44,554
  • 150 guests: $61,326
  • 200 guests: $76,308
  • 250 guests: $91,290
  • Large wedding (300 guests): $106,272

Nationwide, venues usually cost between $6,500 and $12,000 but Walnut Creek venues average about $10,878 which represents about 18% of your total budget for a 150-guest wedding. This means you're investing in one of the most important elements of your special day while staying in line with national trends.

Which Walnut Creek Venues Are Fully Accessible?

The Clubhouse at Boundary Oak provides complete wheelchair accessibility throughout all indoor and outdoor spaces including their beautiful Lakeview Ceremony Site and Patio areas. You'll find Center for Community Arts (Shadelands Art Center) equipped with wheelchair-accessible restrooms and amenities that ensure all guests feel welcome. Civic Park Community Center offers comprehensive accessibility features with helpful on-site staff ready to provide support during your event, making sure everyone can fully participate in your celebration.

What Services Should You Budget For in Walnut Creek?

ServiceAverage Cost% of Total Budget (150 guests)
Venue$10,87818%
Catering$8,70314%
Bar Services$6,96211%
Florists$7,97813%
Photography$4,8598%
Videography$4,3957%
Planners$4,9328%
Hair & Makeup$6121%
Bands/DJs$1,7343%
Cakes/Desserts$8341%

When Should You Book Your Walnut Creek Venue?

October sees the highest inquiry volume for Walnut Creek weddings with most couples booking their venues about 16 months (471 days) before their wedding date. You'll want to secure prime venues 18-24 months ahead for May through September dates as these book up fastest. If you're planning a wedding between November and March you'll enjoy greater availability and possibly more flexibility with dates and pricing at many of these sought-after locations.

Which Walnut Creek Venues Offer Outstanding Culinary Experiences?

The Clubhouse at Boundary Oak has earned its reputation for celebrated cuisine and attentive service, comfortably hosting between 201-250 guests while providing spectacular views. For a more intimate celebration Fleming's Prime Steakhouse creates chef-driven dishes with exceptional wine pairings for up to 72 guests. You might also consider Massimo Ristorante for authentic Italian cuisine in their private banquet rooms accommodating up to 100 guests. Several venues including The Gardens at Heather Farm Ruth Bancroft Garden Shadelands Art Center and The Garden Walnut Creek all welcome outside catering. This flexibility lets you bring in specialized chefs or favorite restaurants to create exactly the dining experience you've imagined for your special day.

How Can Walnut Creek Venues Accommodate Remote Guests?

Most Walnut Creek venues provide WiFi connectivity for basic streaming though specific remote participation capabilities vary by location. You'll want to discuss technology integration possibilities with venue coordinators if having remote guests participate is important to you. Venues like The Gardens at Heather Farm Pretty Tea Parties Walnut Creek Marriott and Civic Park Community Center can potentially be customized with advanced remote participation technology, helping you create an engaging experience for virtual guests who can't attend in person but still want to share in your celebration.

Walnut Creek offers an exceptional wedding destination that blends Mediterranean-inspired gardens with historic architecture, all set against Mount Diablo's stunning backdrop. You'll find venues featuring century-old olive trees, classical white columns and breathtaking views of manicured golf courses right here in this East Bay gem. Best of all, these beautiful settings are just minutes from downtown amenities you and your guests will appreciate.

What Makes Walnut Creek Wedding Venues Stand Out?

Each Walnut Creek venue has its own distinct personality to match your vision. The Gardens at Heather Farm showcases lush landscaping that creates a natural paradise while Shadelands Art Center provides versatile spaces that adapt to your style. If you're drawn to something unique, the Ruth Bancroft Garden features amazing drought-resistant botanical collections that make an unforgettable backdrop. The Clubhouse at Boundary Oak offers rustic ridgeline trails and peaceful water features for a more natural setting. You'll love that most venues can host both your ceremony and reception, giving you that seamless transition from vows to celebration without relocating.

How Much Does a Walnut Creek Wedding Cost?

Wedding budgets in Walnut Creek typically follow these estimates based on guest count:

  • Small wedding (50 guests): $26,708
  • 100 guests: $44,554
  • 150 guests: $61,326
  • 200 guests: $76,308
  • 250 guests: $91,290
  • Large wedding (300 guests): $106,272

Nationwide, venues usually cost between $6,500 and $12,000 but Walnut Creek venues average about $10,878 which represents about 18% of your total budget for a 150-guest wedding. This means you're investing in one of the most important elements of your special day while staying in line with national trends.

Which Walnut Creek Venues Are Fully Accessible?

The Clubhouse at Boundary Oak provides complete wheelchair accessibility throughout all indoor and outdoor spaces including their beautiful Lakeview Ceremony Site and Patio areas. You'll find Center for Community Arts (Shadelands Art Center) equipped with wheelchair-accessible restrooms and amenities that ensure all guests feel welcome. Civic Park Community Center offers comprehensive accessibility features with helpful on-site staff ready to provide support during your event, making sure everyone can fully participate in your celebration.

What Services Should You Budget For in Walnut Creek?

ServiceAverage Cost% of Total Budget (150 guests)
Venue$10,87818%
Catering$8,70314%
Bar Services$6,96211%
Florists$7,97813%
Photography$4,8598%
Videography$4,3957%
Planners$4,9328%
Hair & Makeup$6121%
Bands/DJs$1,7343%
Cakes/Desserts$8341%

When Should You Book Your Walnut Creek Venue?

October sees the highest inquiry volume for Walnut Creek weddings with most couples booking their venues about 16 months (471 days) before their wedding date. You'll want to secure prime venues 18-24 months ahead for May through September dates as these book up fastest. If you're planning a wedding between November and March you'll enjoy greater availability and possibly more flexibility with dates and pricing at many of these sought-after locations.

Which Walnut Creek Venues Offer Outstanding Culinary Experiences?

The Clubhouse at Boundary Oak has earned its reputation for celebrated cuisine and attentive service, comfortably hosting between 201-250 guests while providing spectacular views. For a more intimate celebration Fleming's Prime Steakhouse creates chef-driven dishes with exceptional wine pairings for up to 72 guests. You might also consider Massimo Ristorante for authentic Italian cuisine in their private banquet rooms accommodating up to 100 guests. Several venues including The Gardens at Heather Farm Ruth Bancroft Garden Shadelands Art Center and The Garden Walnut Creek all welcome outside catering. This flexibility lets you bring in specialized chefs or favorite restaurants to create exactly the dining experience you've imagined for your special day.

How Can Walnut Creek Venues Accommodate Remote Guests?

Most Walnut Creek venues provide WiFi connectivity for basic streaming though specific remote participation capabilities vary by location. You'll want to discuss technology integration possibilities with venue coordinators if having remote guests participate is important to you. Venues like The Gardens at Heather Farm Pretty Tea Parties Walnut Creek Marriott and Civic Park Community Center can potentially be customized with advanced remote participation technology, helping you create an engaging experience for virtual guests who can't attend in person but still want to share in your celebration.

What types of wedding venues are in Walnut Creek, CA?

What other Walnut Creek vendors will I need?

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