the grand
courtyard
The Grand Courtyard is the heart of our Contra Costa County wedding venue—a breathtaking outdoor ceremony space where romance truly comes to life. An elegant 65-foot aisle leads to a built-in temple arbor framed by towering mulberry trees, creating a private, storybook setting for your Bay Area garden wedding.
Mahogany Chiavari chairs are arranged theater-style for up to 250 guests, making every ceremony feel timeless and unforgettable. With two entrances and exits, the Grand Courtyard offers even more flexibility, allowing you to customize your ceremony flow, grand entrance, or reception layout in a way that feels uniquely yours.
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To keep your celebration comfortable in any season, we offer garden umbrellas, paper parasol rentals, and heaters—ensuring your day feels magical no matter the weather.
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And here’s a lovely secret: while the Grand Courtyard is cherished for ceremonies and photos, it can also transform into a romantic open-air dining space for up to 200 guests—perfect for an unforgettable evening under the stars.
CEREMONIES
in the Grand Courtyard
Brownstone Gardens includes all of your ceremony must-haves—
and you’re always welcome to bring in additional vendors to make your day exactly as you envision.
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Mahogany Chiavari chairs with ivory cushions, set theater-style for your guests
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Garden umbrellas for added shade
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Paper parasol rentals
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Heater rentals for cooler weather
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Setup of your personal ceremony items
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Table and linen for your DJ and other vendors
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In-house décor options, including silk florals, arbor/temple draping, and more
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Reserved signs and other ceremony signage
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Easels for welcome signs or programs
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And more…
Outdoor ceremony - set for 150 guests. Sample layout for Brownstone Gardens - Grand Courtyard
On our venue layout map, the Grand Courtyard is framed in yellow, centered at the top of the image.
2025 WINNER
the best wedding venue in the
bay area
Tena and Jaime are our amazing Venue Coordinators, and they’ll be with you every step of the way & ensure your ceremony will run smoothly: ​
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BEFORE YOUR EVENT:
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Schedule and coordinate your ceremony rehearsal with your bridal party
ON THE DAY OF YOUR CEREMONY:
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Set up guest seating in a theater-style layout.
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Place reserved signs as requested.
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Set out ceremony programs, favors, fans, bubbles, and other items
(to be discussed in advance and provided to us prior to setup). -
Guide vendors to their assigned setup locations
(e.g., directing the DJ to their designated space). -
Welcome guests, offer direction, and help ensure smooth event flow.
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Line up and cue the processional for your ceremony.
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And more…
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