As everyone is talking about the British royal wedding, and Prince William and Kate Middleton walking down the aisle togehter, it's time to take a look at some wedding venues near home.
Cupertino has not only churches for wedding ceremonies but also various choices of reception sites, some of which additionally offer ceremony set-ups as an alternative to a church ceremony.
1. : If you prefer an outdoor wedding ceremony, you don't have to look out of town. Cypress Hotel sits at a plaza with lush plants, a circular fountain and a stone-paved walkway, which makes a picturesque garden setting for up to about 200 seated guests.
For the reception, the hotel's Grand Ballroom graced with embroidered drapes and gilded frames of mirrors can seat up to 240 guests.
For pricing, contact Lesley Wilson at lesley.wilson@thecypresshotel.com or at 408-342-4823.
2. Oaks Event Center: This is another Cupertino venue where an outdoor wedding ceremony can happen. The patio of the center seats about 50 guests but can allow more to stand watching.
The reception will take place in the center's main room with a capacity of 240-250 seated guests and a large dance floor. It looks like a hotel ballroom but only charges $35.95 per person for a so-called "gold buffet wedding package," which includes hors d’oeuvres on arrival and serving the wedding cake with chocolate dipped strawberries.
There's a cake cutting fee unless the cake is from the center's bakery.
If you prefer a sit-down meal, the price range is similar. Call 408-996-7476 for more price quotes and detailed information.
3.: In the multicultural city of Cupertino, this elegant Mediterranean restaurant has served wedding banquets for immigrants and mainstream Americans alike.
Since the owners of the restaurant are originally from Iran, set-ups of Persian-style wedding ceremonies (which don't require the bride to walk down the aisle) are available upon request. A Western-style civil ceremony can also take place in the private room of the restaurant if it's small, with 30 guests or fewer.
For the reception only (usually following a church ceremony nearby), the restaurant with a dance floor open can seat up to 200 guests. Prices range from $39 to $79 per person.
Call 408-996-9606 for further information.
4. : With a capacity of 600 seated guests in its main room, this grand restaurant with Oriental decorations is the place many Chinese American couples in Silicon Valley would have their Chinese-style wedding banquets.
Unlike most traditional Chinese restaurants, which use red table cloths for wedding receptions, this is a more Americanized restaurant that lets the bride pick her theme color, which will be used for napkins on the white-clothed tables and sashes on the white-clothed chairs.
There are five set-menus to choose from, and each consists of 11 courses that will be served in family style. Prices vary from $50 to $200 per person.
If you are up for having a Chinese-themed wedding reception in town, call 408-996-1680.
5. : This is probably the best-bargain banquet deal you can get in town: $14.95 per person for lunch and $26.45 per person for dinner, including coffee or tea but excluding other drinks.
The restaurant has a splendid view of the Blackberry Farm Golf Course, which adds to its relaxed, casual atmosphere. Another plus is its spacious dance floor.
For further information, call 408-255-3300.
