Couple walking down isle at the Brazilian Room. Part of a mash up of 5 Brazil Room Weddings

5 Brazil Room Weddings to Help Plan Your Tilden Park Celebration

The Brazilian Room, or The Brazil Room (same place), is an affordable and centrally located wedding venue in Tilden Park. It is spitting distance from the Regional Parks Botanical Gardens. The Botanical Gardens are free to enter and beautiful. You should utilize them if you have a wedding at the Brazil Room. The Redwood Valley Railway steam trains are also close. They are a fun place to take kids or your wedding guests. Additionally, there are epic views of the Bay Area coming to and from the Brazil Room.

The funny thing about this venue is that they pack in a lot of weddings. They typically do 2 weddings a day there. Therefore, weddings will be the first thing in the morning, or you will be setting up for your evening wedding as the morning wedding is just leaving.

You can opt to book the whole day, but it seems that most people choose to just book one of the 7-hour slots. The quick turnaround also means that you pretty much have to use a caterer from their shortlist of approved people. Over the years, I have shot at the Brazil Room a couple of times, but in 2016, I was fortunate enough to photograph 5 weddings there. Here are a few shots from each of those 5 weddings.

5 Brazil Room Weddings:

Mahvish and Zeeshan

Mahvish and Zeeshan began their wedding day at the historic Berkeley City Club, a true architectural gem designed by the famous Julia Morgan, the same visionary behind Hearst Castle. The space is full of timeless charm, from the intricate detailing to the moody, romantic light filtering through its tall windows. Before heading out, we made time for some sweet portraits in the pool area, one of the City Club’s most unique and atmospheric spots.

Their celebration continued with an outdoor ceremony on the patio of the Brazil Room in Tilden Regional Park. The lush green backdrop and warm summer air set the stage perfectly for their vows. As an Indian couple, Mahvish and Zeeshan incorporated elements of their cultural heritage into the day, adding richness and vibrancy to the setting. The mix of stunning venues, heartfelt moments, and their easy joy together made this a truly awesome wedding to photograph.

Sarah and Liron

Sarah and Liron started their wedding day getting ready at the Berkeley Marina, with the soft bay light spilling into their rooms and adding an extra glow to the excitement of the morning. From there, they headed to the beautiful Regional Parks Botanical Garden, a lush oasis filled with winding paths, native plants, and serene corners perfect for quiet moments. It was here, surrounded by friends, family, in the redwood grove, that they held their Ketubah signing—a meaningful and intimate tradition that set the tone for the rest of the day.

Their ceremony took place on the garden’s sunlit patio, with sweeping views and a gentle breeze carrying the sound of their vows. Afterward, everyone moved inside for a warm, laughter-filled evening of dinner and dancing.

Keeley and Michael

Keeley and Michael began their wedding day getting ready at a hotel in Emeryville, with excitement in the air and the San Francisco Bay just beyond the windows. From there, they headed to the Regional Parks Botanical Garden in Berkeley for their ceremony. (Note: there’s an extra fee to hold a wedding ceremony here, but the beauty is well worth it.) Their vows, exchanged under a canopy of greenery in the redwood grove, felt both intimate and timeless, the perfect start to their Berkeley wedding day.

After the “I do’s,” Keeley and Michael treated their guests to a whimsical surprise—a ride on the Redwood Valley Railway steam trains in Tilden Regional Park. The laughter, smiles, and sheer joy on everyone’s faces made it a perfect interlude between the ceremony and reception. The celebration continued at the Brazil Room.

Melissa and Dan

Melissa and Dan’s wedding day at the Brazil Room in Berkeley started bright and early. They skipped the getting-ready photos and went straight into the heart of the celebration—a beautiful Jewish wedding ceremony on the Brazil Room patio, framed by the lush greenery of Tilden Regional Park. The light, the fresh air, and the intimate setting made their vows feel even more special.

After the ceremony, guests were treated to a relaxed and playful reception atmosphere. Lawn games dotted the grass outside, perfect for both kids and adults to mingle and have fun. Melissa and Dan’s personal touch didn’t stop there; they gave out one of the coolest wedding favors—mugs printed with adorable photos of their cat. It was the perfect combination of humor, charm, and personality, making their Brazil Room wedding so special.

Sandra and Mime

Sandra and Mime began their wedding day in the most relaxed way possible—getting ready together at their home in Oakland with a few close friends. In a small-world twist, they actually live in the very same apartment as another couple whose wedding I photographed years ago—a fun coincidence that made the day feel even more connected.

Since the weather was on the cooler side, Sandra and Mime opted for an intimate indoor wedding ceremony. The warm wood accents and large windows of the Brazil Room created a cozy, inviting atmosphere that perfectly suited their laid-back style. It was a beautiful, personal day from start to finish.