Marin Art & Garden Center

At a Glance

• PHONE:415.455.5260
• ADDRESS: 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
• MAX HEADCOUNT: 250
• ALCOHOL: Beer & Wine Only / Licensed Provider
• CATERING:  Preferred List

Fees, Features, & Furnishings

In Ross, elegance doesn’t shout—and Marin Art & Garden Center has never needed it to. Beyond the gates, brick paths follow familiar lines, the gardens unfolding as they always have: composed, welcoming, and built for people first. Mature trees hold the timeline. The space knows how to host, because it always has.

Ceremonies often settle onto the Gazebo Lawn, where the landscape naturally gathers around the moment. The lawn feels intimate without closing in—lush, green, and confidently framed—comfortably holding seventy-five to one hundred fifty guests. Roses climb freely, hedges soften the edges, and the setting does what it’s always done best: hold space.

From there, guests drift toward the Fountain Pond for cocktails, where water, light, and conversation mingle easily. The transition feels instinctive rather than staged, keeping the energy light and unforced.

As the celebration continues—the Livermore Pavilion steps in with quiet grace. The historic hall welcomes ceremonies of sixty to one hundred and receptions of eighty to one hundred twenty, offering a rain plan that feels intentional, not improvised. Warm wood floors, tall windows, and a pragmatic, planner-loved flow keep the gardens close even indoors.

With roughly six to eight hours on site and prime-season Saturdays typically ranging from ~$6,000–$8,500, the balance of scale, flexibility, and value feels rare—especially in Marin.

Wedding Day Blueprint

Arrival & Pre-Ceremony

Guests arrive through the main entrance and drift straight into the gardens, following brick paths that meander past mature trees and blooming borders. Nothing is asking to be noticed—everything simply is. The gardens offer a gentle invitation to wander, giving guests space to slow down and fall a little bit in love with the setting before the ceremony even begins. Movement feels easy and instinctive, guided by greenery and curiosity rather than signs or staff. It’s romantic without trying, relaxed without feeling casual, and unmistakably Marin.

Ceremony

Ceremonies here are the moment—and the gazebo knows it. It delivers that Pinterest-saved, heart-fluttering scene couples dream about, without ever feeling staged. Rows of chairs blur into a living watercolor, sunlight slipping through the trees and washing the lawn, gardens, and ponds in a soft, glowing hush. A gentle aisle unfolds beneath your feet, lined with low, airy florals that feel as though they grew there naturally. All eyes are drawn to the gazebo—styled with garlands, blooms, or left beautifully bare—anchoring the moment with effortless ease.

Every detail holds its place without competing for attention. And every so often, birdsong drifts through the vows—nature adding its own quiet blessing. It’s joyful, cinematic, and unmistakably this is it—the kind of ceremony that feels just as good as it looks.

Appetizers & Cocktails

Once the I do’s are official, the celebration spills into the gardens. Glasses clink, corks pop, and outdoor bars become instant gathering points. Plush seating vignettes invite guests to sink in and stay awhile—overstuffed sofas, low cocktail tables, and clusters of chairs arranged for lingering conversations. Lawn games dot the grass—giant Jenga and cornhole—adding a lighthearted note of whimsy without tipping into kitsch. The energy shifts effortlessly, the ceremony lawn resetting quietly behind the scenes as the gardens come alive.

Dinner Reception

Dinner is served al fresco beneath a billowing canopy or openly under the stars, with the evening setting the pace. A relaxed mix of round tables and long banquet tables settles naturally into the space, feeling collected rather than constructed. Warm wood tones and romantic blush details mingle with low, airy florals and thoughtfully layered table décor—styled, but never stiff. Overhead, string lights glow softly, turning the evening into one long, candlelit garden party.

Tables gather around the grand oak tree that cradles the couple’s sweetheart table, giving the evening a soft center to return to as it unfolds. Toasts float easily from there, and the dinner feels social and intimate in equal measure—relaxed, beautifully composed, and grounded in that unmistakable Marin ease.

Dancing & Merriment

Dancing unfolds inside the Livermore Pavilion, where the music gets louder, the lights get warmer, and suddenly everyone is on their feet, grinning and ready to dance. The floor fills fast, then ebbs and swells as guests spin, laugh, slip off their shoes, grab a drink, and jump right back in.

This is the heartbeat of the night—high-energy, full-tilt joy, and completely contagious. The kind of party where time disappears, the playlist hits just right, and no one even thinks about leaving until the very last song.

Event Sites

• Fountain Pond
• Livermore Pavilion
• Gazebo Lawn
• Main Lawn

Food & Beverage

Food and beverage at Marin Art & Garden Center moves the way the gardens do—quietly, confidently, and without asking for attention. This isn’t an in-house catering venue, and it’s not a DIY experiment either. Instead, the Center works from a preferred list of Marin and Bay Area caterers who know the site well: how guests move, where service stays discreet, and how to deliver a beautiful meal without disrupting the landscape.

Alcohol follows the same unfussy rhythm. The venue doesn’t provide alcohol or bartenders, but BYOB is welcomed when paired with licensed, insured professionals. Beer, wine, champagne, and full spirits are all permitted, offering flexibility without tipping into excess.

What guests feel is ease—smooth pacing, generous pours, and a sense that everything is simply handled. What they don’t see is the logistics quietly humming behind the scenes. The result is elegant, intentional, and refreshingly edited, allowing the gardens to remain the focal point and the experience to stay grounded in a less-is-more aesthetic.

Color Palettes, Design, & Logistics

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