Okay, y’all.  I’m on a mission and tonight was an excellent example of WHY this mission is so important.

Every bridal magazine, every past bride you know, even some venues out there – they all have you thinking that you must book your venue first before anything else.  I can see why – there are only a finite number of Saturdays and yes, some places do book up a year in advance.

But just one day with several wedding photographers gives you access to the best of the Bay Area wedding venues!  We all have albums we’re proud of, or even slideshows to share.  And each one of them will feature a different place to have your ceremony or host your reception.  Every single one!  So instead of going from one venue to another to another in one day, you could see three or four in just an hour with one visit to a wedding photographer.  How’s THAT for a timesaver?

It’s not unique.  I’ve had quite a few brides and grooms book me before their venue and I was proud to steer them towards a great match.  One couple from Boston had to have a venue that either had a piano or had easy access to bring a piano in.  I suggested Clos la Chance in San Martin after asking around to all my venue buddies.  Another couple booked the First United Methodist church in Palo Alto after asking my opinion on unique churches on the Peninsula – and seeing a slideshow of my wedding from there.  And one of my 2010 couples didn’t even know the Silicon Valley Capital Club was literally across the street from St. Joseph’s Basilica where they will be having the wedding.

The couple I met with tonight, well, they saw my first album and remarked how wonderful the winery looked – where was it?  Palm Event Center in Pleasanton.  Huh.  Then they saw my next one – where was that?!  Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park.  Huh.  Then they looked at each other and asked, “Now, why didn’t we meet with photographers before we booked our venue?”

Exactly. 

So what little gems are out there that you might not know about?

Church of the Nativity, Menlo Park