Mountain Terrace Wedding Photographer

Mountain Terrace wedding photography · Woodside, California

An acre of lawn ringed by redwoods.

Mountain Terrace is at 17285 Skyline Boulevard in Woodside, at the top of the San Francisco Peninsula where Skyline meets Woodside Road. It is ten minutes from Highway 280. You come through a wood arbor and the property opens up into an acre of lawn ringed by towering redwoods, with a sliver of the San Francisco Bay visible through the trees. There is a two-level redwood deck above the lawn, a rustic lodge with an antique bar, a fire pit, and oaks with a tree swing just beyond the deck.

I have photographed weddings here. The redwoods are the thing. They ring the ceremony meadow without closing it in, so you get trees as your backdrop with open sky and filtered light through the canopy. It photographs well in every direction.

If you are getting married at Mountain Terrace and want a photographer who knows the property, get in touch.

Mountain Terrace wedding venue · The details

What you need to know.

Redwood estate · Peninsula

Mountain Terrace

Woodside, California

A redwood-ringed lawn, a two-level deck and a rustic lodge at the top of the San Francisco Peninsula.

Website: themountainterrace.com
Location: 17285 Skyline Blvd, Woodside, CA 94062. 10 min from Highway 280.
Ceremony: Acre of lawn ringed by towering redwoods. Bay visible as a sliver through the trees. Up to 400 seated on the lawn for ceremony only.
Reception: Two-level redwood deck with market lights seats 190. Lawn dining up to 300. Indoor lodge up to 120. Fire pit lounge, tree swing, oaks beyond the deck.
Catering: In-house only. Menu tasting after booking. Bar service included. No outside food or alcohol permitted.
Music: No amplified sound outside. Woodside noise ordinance. Dance floor goes inside the lodge.
Lodging: Terrace Suite on site. 4 bed, 3 bath, sleeps 10. Full kitchen. Available to rent for the wedding party.
Best light: Filtered light through the redwood canopy all day. Late afternoon on the deck. Good light from multiple directions.

Mountain Terrace wedding photographer · My take

Why the redwoods work.

The redwoods ring the ceremony meadow without blocking it off. You get trees on three sides with open sky above and a sliver of the Bay through the canopy in front. The light that comes through is filtered and soft all day. You are not fighting harsh midday sun on this property the way you would at an open hillside venue.

The deck is where most of the reception action happens. Two levels, market lights overhead, oaks with a tree swing just beyond it. The tree swing alone is worth building portrait time around. It is one of the more genuinely photogenic details at any venue I shoot regularly in the Bay Area.

Know before you book: no amplified music outside. Dance floor goes inside the lodge. The lodge has exposed beams, a stone fireplace, and an antique bar so it is not a bad place to end up, but it changes the flow of your evening and you should plan for it.

Mountain Terrace wedding planning tips

Things nobody tells you.

Plan for no outdoor music.

Woodside noise rules mean the dance floor goes inside the lodge. Shape the evening around it.

Build time for the tree swing.

It is one of the most photogenic spots on the property.

Bring heaters for night.

Skyline evenings get cold. The venue rents heaters.

Use the Terrace Suite.

It sleeps 10 and works as a getting ready spot and place to stay.

Ask about the tasting.

Catering is in-house with a menu tasting after booking. No outside food or alcohol.

Book your photographer early.

Bay Area Saturdays book 12 to 18 months out.

Mountain Terrace wedding FAQ

Questions couples actually ask.

Where is Mountain Terrace?

17285 Skyline Boulevard in Woodside, California. At the intersection of Skyline and Woodside Road on the San Francisco Peninsula. About 10 minutes from Highway 280 and close to Palo Alto, Redwood City, and San Jose.

How many guests does Mountain Terrace hold?

Up to 400 on the ceremony lawn. Terrace dining seats 190. Lawn dining seats 300. Indoor lodge seats 120. Most weddings use a mix of the outdoor deck and lawn through the evening with dancing inside.

Does Mountain Terrace have in-house catering?

Yes. All catering is in-house. No outside food or alcohol permitted. You get a menu tasting after booking. Bar service is included. The food is consistently well reviewed and it cuts down on vendor coordination considerably.

Can we have amplified music outside?

No. Woodside noise ordinances prohibit amplified sound outside. The dance floor goes inside the lodge. Plan for this before you book and structure your evening around it.

Can the wedding party stay on site?

Yes. The Terrace Suite is a 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom house on the property that sleeps 10. Full kitchen, dining room, and living room. Available to rent for the wedding party to get ready in and stay the night.

What time of year is best?

Late spring through early fall. Summer evenings on Skyline can get cold even when it is warm in the valley. If you are going late into the night outdoors, plan for heaters. The venue rents them.

How far in advance should I book a photographer?

Bay Area Saturdays book 12 to 18 months out. If you have a date at Mountain Terrace confirmed, reach out as soon as possible.

Mountain Terrace wedding photographer · Woodside, California