We got married at Brownstone Gardens in Oakley Ca on June 7th, 2014. We decided to go with their "A Team" of #1 vendors, as well as hire their day-of coordinator. We chose Brownstone for several reasons; one being that it was a gorgeous garden venue, and another being the people we worked with. No matter who we corresponded with, whether it was Barbara, Kay Kay, or Diana, we always felt like we were working with professionals- but professionals who were also "real" down to earth people. They were all so kind and courteous, a true delight to work with. They all made the experience so fun! Brownstone's "A" Team of vendors: Diana Gilmore (day of coordinator) Stacey& Kelly Chance @ Discovery Bay Studios Photography Mike Vincent @ MVP (DJ) Wilma Lott Catering (appetizers and dinner) Michaela Stafford @ Your Vintage Affair (decor) TLCakes (cupcakes) Diane O' Brian @ Ribbons and Roses (Floral) We could not have been happier with our decision to choose all of the above vendors. It was important to us to choose people who knew not only eachother, but the Brownstone grounds and staff as well. They all produced above and beyond what we could have imagined for our special day. Discovery Bay Studios Photography captured every precious moment on camera and video, so that we could enjoy our wedding forever. We can't stop watching the video they made and the pictures they produced, and neither can our friends and family! True professional shots, capturing everything and more that we asked for. Diana Gilmore was our day- of coordinator. Hiring her was such a great decision; she not only completely coordinated out rehearsal- teaching everyone what to do, but also took care of everything for timing and scheduling the day of. She was the behind the scenes person making sure everything was flowing smoothly, and happened on time. She also gave us reminders as to when the next part of our event was going to happen so we knew where to be and when. Mike Vincent was such an incredible DJ and person to get to work with. His energy during the event kept everyone engaged and having a great time. He played all the music we wanted and took into consideration the wide variety of guests we had. He was such a nice, genuine person, and we could tell he truly loves what he does. Wilma Lott Catering produced some of the best food we have ever had. Our guests raved about it too, thanking us for having excellent cuisine, and not run of the mill "wedding food." We ordered tri tip, apricot glazed chicken, asparagus, garlic mashed potatoes, butternut squash raviolis, Caesar salad with specially made vegetarian dressing so I could eat it, homemade rolls, and a fresh fruit display. We will definitly be going to the restaurant itself to have a date night! We just really want to eat their food again. Michaela Stafford @ Your Vintage Affair was awesome to work with as well. I can't tell you how many times we corresponded back and forth about decor. She took every idea I had into consideration when designing the decor, and produced more than what I could have imagined. She also worked very hard to accommodate our budget, as we wanted so much! She also coordinated with our florist to ensure that our vision was implemented. Ribbons and Roses had to coordinate with Your Vintage Affair, as we had several tiny details about our wedding that required collaboration. For example, I wanted vintage teacups on the tables tilted on there sides with a single large bloom rose sitting inside. Sounds simple, but it's not! The cups (that were all different) had to be measured so that they knew what size foam to put in the bottoms to water the rose, so that the roses wouldn't wilt during the event. So many details! And they got it done. TLCakes was really easy to work with; after we tried their cakes and definitly knew we were going with them (because they were delicious) the process was a breeze. All we had to do was show them a picture of what we wanted with a brief description, and they said "no problem- we can do that." And I didn't choose something simple.. I wanted a cupcake tier with at least 4 different designs, several different colors, not to mention we ordered 4 different types of cake altogether. Our topper and some of the cupcakes was their homemade "funfetti" (our favorite), then the rest of the cupcakes were red velvet with cream cheese frosting, chocolate with chocolate buttercream frosting, white cake with buttercream frosting. It all turned out beautiful, and we get to come back next year for a free topper on our anniversary :) I also decided to get my hair and makeup professionally done, by Rachelle Bisbee @ Carol Carey Salon. I felt so incredibly beautiful the day of my wedding, like a true princess. I never thought I could look like that, and after the wedding I kept looking for reasons to hire her again! Can I just have her follow me around every day to do my hair and makeup?? Wouldn't that be awesome??! Choose Brownstone Gardens!! read more

When searching for a venue, like most couples we had a vision of what our "perfect" wedding would be. The list of must haves included: it being outdoors, ceremony/reception at the same place, local to most of the guests, and a place that would help take some of the burden off the bride. We visited other places, all either too far from home, or so expensive we have to both get side jobs just to pay for it. Then a brief encounter with a co-worker sent us over to Brownstone Gardens. Upon first glance you would never ever guess from the street the gorgeous garden you were about to enter. I would honestly have to say that the second we walked up, we knew this was the place. After meeting with the owners (who by the way were wonderful to us through the entire process) we booked our date that same day. The fees were incredibly reasonable and I never felt at any point that I was being "taken".....as some tend to feel during this hectic time. I think the greatest thing about this venue was the fact that they almost took care of everything for me. I've had friends that have had to keep track of 10+ vendors, which is why most brides get stressed out and end up on shows like "Bridezillas". Brownstone took care of everything from the coordinating, to the catering, the rentals of all the linens and chairs, and the DJ. They also offer photography services and referrals to local florists. It was such a load off my shoulders to only deal with one person vs. 8-10 different people. That in itself was worth every penny. As smooth as everything had been during the 12 months of planning, I just felt like my lucky streak was bound to end. It COULDN'T be this easy?...... something HAD to go wrong. But... From the second I woke up that morning to the second I fell asleep that night, the entire day went off without a hitch. Every hair was in the perfect spot, the dress slipped on without forcing the zipper, the makeup was flawless (Skin Care at the Temple-Heather) and the site was decorated beautifully. The weather was a mild 88 degrees (after an entire week of it being in the 100's) and was even nicer in the shaded reception area. The flowers were in full bloom and made for wonderful backdrops to my pictures. The guests were amazed at how gorgeous the place was and 99 percent of them never knew of this hidden treasure right off HWY4. Thanks to our coordinator (Kay-Kay) everything stayed perfectly on schedule from the ceremony to the cake cutting. She did an awesome job and I know I would've been a basket case without her. I honestly felt like a bride should feel that day....relaxed and ready to party with my friends and family...and because of Kay-Kay, I was able to. Now I cant really comment on the food because we were too busy visiting and talking but the guests I have talked to since then all seemed to really like it. We had the Chicken Cor'Don Bleu (suggested by Karen) and Portobello Ravioli. We also used DJ Dave from Groove Dimensions and he did a wonderful job accommodating all our requests. He stayed very in tune with what our guests liked to dance to and we had people who wanted to keep the party going even after our time there had lapsed. Bottom line is Brownstone Gardens went up and beyond anything we could've imagined for our special day. The owners and staff did everything in their capability to make us as well as our guests happy. I couldnt have been happier with the outcome. read more

I had the pleasure of going back to Brownstone Gardens about three years from the time of my wedding and I just had to leave an update to my first review. As you can see from my first review... We kinda sorta liked the place. ;). This next visit totally reaffirmed that first impression. We went to BG this time for an 80th birthday party. I have to say that in the intervening three years since our very lovely wedding, BG has made some really great improvements. Top on the list are the new restroom facilities. When we got married, our guests were invited to take care of their (ahem) personal needs in a very nice, state-of-the-art mobile bathroom otherwise known as an outhouse. While they were the nicest outhouses I had ever seen, they were still outhouses. Now BG has very nice state-of-the-art, non-mobile bathrooms... With granite countertops and beautiful mirrors. Very nice addition. The next thing I noticed, though not attending a wedding, was the new stone pathway in the temple wedding site that leads to the location where my and, I assume, most weddings at BG take place. It's not only aesthetically pleasing but also very functional. I can imagine a lot of wedding gowns are spared unsightly grass stains due to this latest addition. BG also now offers a full bar package that is staffed by a professional bartending service. This package can be added to your event for an additional fee. When we got married, they only allowed wine and champagne. In summary, BG is still top of my list. If I were planning another wedding, which I am not because I am madly in love with my hubby, I would definitely come back for a second go.... Maybe vow renewal...? :). As for the few negative reviews I have seen on here, I must say I wonder how many of these people have actually been to an event or purchased a package themselves. I personally don't feel you can accurately review a business if you've only been on one tour. And Oakley isn't the ghetto... Just saying. I ditto Dawn M.'s remarks. Brownstone Gardens made my wedding magical and I, still to this day, have people ask me where I got married when they see my wedding pictures. read more

My wife and I are truly honored to say we got married at Brownstone Gardens in July this year (2012). By sheer luck we stumbled upon the wedding venue while browsing on http://www.herecomestheguide.com. We really wanted an outdoor wedding that held 200+ people and in viewing all the sample pictures made it a no brainier to send an inquiry email. We quickly received a response and arranged a walk through that week. Once on site there was no question Brownstone Gardens was the perfect place for our wedding. Words nor pictures can express how beautiful the venue is. From the koi ponds in the front, to the reception area lit at night with modern lighting hanging from the trees, this venue truly has it all! We even got to meet the property owner/designer Bob Wiemholt who told us stories about the venue and the projects he had planned for the upcoming year. It's unbelievable how you can make a place that's already a beautiful oasis even better, but he did it. Kay-Kay, Carol, Diana and staff were all extremely professional, easy to work with and made us feel like family. We have friends who have a complaint or two about their venues, but not us. Our big day went virtually problem free and it was all thanks to the amazing staff for making it a stress free day. This is such a hidden gem that we would recommend in a heart beat! Though my wife and I are a little biased since we got married here, the sentiment has been verified 100+ times over by our friends and family who attended our event and still to this day praise us for choosing the venue. So what are you waiting for....give them a call today. You won't be disappointed. read more

I just had my wedding at Brownstone Gardens last month and it was absolutely beautiful :-)!!!! I found Brownstone online last year and when I went there to see it, I booked our wedding date immediately!!! It is so beautiful. It has the perfect setting for a dreamy event. There are flowers and trees everywhere. It is separated into 3 areas for the cocktail hour, the wedding ceremony and the reception. All of the trees in the reception area are covered with pretty little lights that make it so romantic in the evening. All of the staff at Brownstone are very friendly & well organized. It is obvious that they have put together a few weddings before :-) Its so helpful that you can book almost everything you need for your wedding (Officiate, DJ, Caterer, Photographer, Florist) and then make monthly payments. I would also like to say that because of the new HWY 4 bypass, Brownstone is actually close to the Laurel exit and is a pleasant drive. I have also noticed that the staff are always continuing to improve the site at Brownstone. Just recently, they laid a stone pavement for the aisle of the Grand Courtyard that is gorgeous. I did read the other reviews and I do agree that it would be nice if the dressing room was a little bigger and if the lot was paved, but they are such minor details with regards to all of the WONDERFUL things Brownstone has to offer. My only hope is that one day someone I know will get married at Brownstone so that I may enjoy another enchanted evening under the twinkling lights :-) THANK YOU BROWNSTONE FOR SUCH A MEMORABLE DAY :-)!!!!!!!!! read more

I just had my wedding at Brownstone and I loved it! Kay-Kay was so helpful and the photographer I booked with Brownstone was great! Anna did a wonderful job with getting people ready for the pictures. The setting is very romantic and the service was great! If I had to get married again (which I won't be) I would do it at Brownstone again. My guest kept commenting on how beautiful everything looked. There are two things that you might think about. If you get the buffet the food does get a little cold from the walk back to your seat. We used Ralph's catering and it wasn't great. It wasn't bad but it wasn't great. The good thing is they have a couple of caterer's to choose from. The other thing was that we booked a DJ through Brownstone's vendor Star Sounds Productions and he was horrible. His name was DJ Rafael Molina so don't ever use him. Now to Brownstone's credit they had never worked with this guy. My husband and I spoke to him and he seemed very experienced...not the case. Brownstone uses Star Sounds Productions and had never had a problem before and they did get our money back. Kay-Kay helped me get through the craziness with the DJ. I love Brownstone and I'm sure you will love it too! read more

Over my lifetime, I have attended many weddings, receptions and other celebratory events. I honestly can say none of them has exceeded (probably not equaled) the O'Keefe anniversary affair I attended at Brownstone last week. It was a stunning occasion. The venue is striking--both in the daylight hours, and after dark, when hundreds (thousands?) of white lights set the massive trees aglow, and other unique lighting fixtures cast golden beams throughout the beautiful spread of property. Waterfalls gush over gigantic boulders, and into burbling ponds; splendid flowers tip their heads. Even the floral arrangements on the tables contained swimming fishes. It was simply an elegant evening. A cold breeze threatened: out came tall heaters. The wait staff were superb; the food was delicious. Sad to say I do not live in the Oakley area; otherwise I would be planning a party! Shirley Buxton www.writenow.wordpress.com read more

I have been both a guest and a Musician at this Wedding Site. I have played for a lot of weddings and attended more than my share as my Mother was a wedding coordinator for years, Brownstone Gardens is by far the most beautiful outdoor Wedding Site i've ever visited. I was a guest at one of the fist weddings performed at the gardens and it was beautiful, but some years later i found myself playing for my dear friends wedding...and I was absolutely floored by how beautiful the place had become. The Staff is beyond courteous and will go out of their way to make sure you have every thing to your liking. I have referred Brownstone to all my female friends who are planning a wedding, and if the day ever came for me to be married, my pick would be Brownstone Gardens, no questions asked. read more

My husband and I were among the first to be married at Brownstone Gardens. We loved it! They were everything I hoped for. Like some of the other reviews have mentioned, I was thrilled by the way they took care of everything. It has been almost five years since we were married and I still think about how beautiful our day was. A few weeks ago we went back to Brownstone for a friends wedding. Wow! I cant believe how much has changed! we thought is was utopia 5 years ago, but now its even better. They have gorgeous lights in the trees over the dance floor and incredibly luxurious bathrooms. and of course all the plants and trees have five more years of growth on them. I am giving this review as both a bride and also as a guest. I give two thumbs WAY up for both. read more

I've been DJ'ing at Brownstone Gardens for the past 3 years now and I can honestly say that this is THE BEST VENUE for ceremonies and receptions in the Bay Area. The grounds are always beautifully maintained in the Willow Grove, Grand Court and Bridal Falls. Kay-Kay and her staff are always friendly and courteous and provide top-notch service to all of their guests. Working with them is a real treat for me! If you're looking for quality and affordablity for your wedding, then you need not look any further...you found it! read more

Our daughter and son-in-law were married on 9/6/09 at Brownstone Gardens. From the first time we met the staff, they were very accommodating and friendly. Whenever we had questions, they responded quickly. From the time we booked the wedding in December until the wedding, they made several improvements to the ground like adding permanent restrooms, so we were pleasantly surprised. During the wedding, we had many guests tell us how beautiful the location was. The entire experience far exceeded our expectations. read more

This venue is beautiful and such a hidden gem. Definitely would not have guessed this existed in the random area that it's in. Came here for a wedding this past weekend and aside for the hot weather, the ceremony and reception were lovely. The only problem I noticed is the lack of bathrooms. There are only 2 (unisex) bathrooms for guests and that was already a small issue for a wedding with 125 guests. Can you imagine how the bathroom lines would be like for 350 guests? read more

I have been in the ministry for 50 years and have performed many marriages. Brownstone Gardens is as nice a facility as I have ever seen for weddings. The grounds are beautiful and the staff was efficient and professional. They were flexible, helpful, and hard working. Every person on the staff did a great job with a great attitude. I would give the staff and the facilities five stars. read more

We got married at Brownstone Gardens on 8.2.2015. It was such a perfect day!! The venue was so beautiful. Barbara got lots of compliments! She works her butt off and really understands how to pull a wedding off efficiently with a beautiful result. I couldn't have asked for a more well-run wedding! The whole day went smoothly and it was so fun! I would highly recomend this site. read more

Very unprofessional manager. I delivered a service for a wedding there and the manager was very rude and unprofessional. She seemed very frustrated with her employees and she was treating us as we were working for her. She was yelling at us because we used a dish that she provided. One should never work somewhere that she can't handle the responsibility for that job. read more

My daughter had her wedding here and it was absolutely gorgeous! My daughter her Barbara as her coordinator and she extremely helpful, kind, and attentive to all our needs. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful wedding venue for my daughter's wedding. Thank you Brownstone Gardens! read more

Very pretty place! Don't let the surrounding farm land fool you... (not anywhere close to "ghetto" though) Staff was spot on most of the time. The lights at night are truly amazing! I'd go back :) read more