Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting experiences you'll ever have, but it can also feel overwhelming. Between choosing a venue, finding vendors, booking hotels for guests, organizing transportation, and creating a memorable weekend, there are hundreds of decisions to make.

The Bay Area offers an incredible variety of wedding locations, from vineyards and historic estates to modern city venues and waterfront celebrations. Among them, Sausalito stands apart. Just minutes from San Francisco, it combines breathtaking views, walkable streets, boutique hotels, world-class restaurants, and easy access to some of California's most iconic destinations.

At ERIA, we've planned weddings, rehearsal dinners, welcome parties, brunches, nonprofit galas, and private celebrations throughout Northern California. This guide brings together everything we've learned to help you create an unforgettable wedding weekend for both you and your guests.

Whether you're planning an intimate celebration for 30 people or a weekend-long event with 300 guests, this guide is designed to help you make informed decisions every step of the way.

Step One: Decide What Kind of Wedding Experience You Want

Before touring venues or meeting vendors, ask yourselves one important question:

How do we want our wedding to feel?

The answer will influence every decision that follows.

Some couples envision an elegant black-tie celebration overlooking the Bay. Others imagine a relaxed waterfront dinner where guests linger over cocktails as the sun sets. Some want a full wedding weekend with welcome drinks, a rehearsal dinner, and a farewell brunch. Others prefer a single unforgettable evening.

There is no right answer. The best weddings are the ones that feel authentic to the couple hosting them.

Why So Many Couples Choose Sausalito

Sausalito offers something very few wedding destinations can.

Guests can spend an entire weekend here without ever feeling like they need to leave.

Within a few blocks, they'll find waterfront restaurants, cafés, boutique shopping, art galleries, scenic walks, ferry access to San Francisco, and incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

For out-of-town guests, it feels like a vacation. For local guests, it feels like a hidden escape despite being only minutes from San Francisco.

Because of its location, couples often turn their wedding into an entire weekend experience instead of just a single event.

Choosing the Right Type of Wedding Venue

Every venue creates a different experience.

Waterfront Venues

If your dream wedding includes panoramic Bay views, sunsets over the water, and an indoor-outdoor atmosphere, a waterfront venue is difficult to beat.

Examples include:

• ERIA Sausalito
• Cavallo Point
• The Inn Above Tide
• The Spinnaker

Waterfront venues work especially well for spring, summer, and early fall celebrations, where guests can enjoy cocktail hour outdoors before moving inside for dinner and dancing.

Explore ERIA Sausalito:
https://www.eriaevents.co/portfolio/eria-sausalito-or-venue-gallery

Modern City Venues

Some couples prefer contemporary architecture, skyline views, and the energy of San Francisco.

Excellent options include:

• ERIA Marina
• Bently Reserve
• City View at Metreon
• The Pearl

Modern venues are ideal for couples looking for dramatic lighting, advanced audiovisual capabilities, and easy access to downtown hotels.

Explore ERIA Marina:
https://www.eriaevents.co/portfolio/eria-marina-i-venue-gallery

Wedding Weekend Properties

If your goal is to spend several days together with family and close friends, consider pairing your wedding venue with a private home.

This creates space for welcome dinners, morning coffee, bridal preparations, post-wedding brunches, and time together outside the formal celebration.

Examples include:

• ERIA Corte Madera
• Luxury vacation homes throughout Marin County
• Boutique waterfront rentals

Explore ERIA Corte Madera:
https://www.eriaevents.co/portfolio/eria-corte-madera-i-venue-gallery

Where Should Your Guests Stay?

One of the best gifts you can give your guests is a convenient hotel recommendation.

Rather than leaving everyone to search independently, provide two or three options at different price points.

Luxury Hotels

For guests looking for a luxury experience, consider:

Cavallo Point Lodge

Located at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, Cavallo Point offers spacious rooms, exceptional dining, and one of the most scenic settings in the Bay Area.

Ideal for parents, wedding parties, and guests extending their stay.

The Inn Above Tide

One of Sausalito's most iconic waterfront hotels.

Nearly every room overlooks the Bay, creating an unforgettable experience for visitors traveling from out of town.

Boutique Hotels

For guests who want to stay within walking distance of restaurants and shops:

Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa

A historic Sausalito property combining classic architecture with modern luxury.

Hotel Sausalito

Located in the heart of downtown, making it easy to explore Bridgeway on foot.

Waters Edge Hotel

A smaller waterfront property known for beautiful views and personalized service.

San Francisco Hotels

Some guests may prefer staying in the city while attending your wedding.

Popular choices include:

• Hotel VIA
• Fairmont San Francisco
• Four Seasons Embarcadero
• Hyatt Regency Embarcadero
• Hotel Nikko

These hotels provide convenient access to Sausalito by rideshare or ferry while allowing visitors to explore San Francisco before or after your celebration.

Reserve a Hotel Room Block Early

If more than twenty guests will be traveling, it's worth contacting hotels six to twelve months before your wedding.

Many hotels offer:

• Discounted room rates
• Complimentary suites for the couple
• Welcome amenities
• Flexible cancellation policies
• Group transportation assistance

Your guests will appreciate having accommodations arranged well in advance, particularly during peak wedding season.

Visit Your Venue Before Booking

Photographs tell part of the story.

Walking through a venue tells the rest.

Pay attention to how guests will arrive, where cocktail hour takes place, how the sunset hits the space, where photographs will be taken, and how easily guests move between different parts of the celebration.

If possible, schedule a private walkthrough before making your decision.

Book a private site visit with ERIA:
https://www.eriaevents.co/site-visit

Browse our event portfolio:
https://www.eriaevents.co/portfolio

Or speak directly with our planning team:
https://www.eriaevents.co/contact