Rentals

Weddings at the Gardens at St Stephen’s in-the-Field

Just north of the beautiful Coyote Valley, tucked away in an oak woodland with a working community garden, St Stephen’s in-the-Field Episcopal Church is a beautiful venue for your wedding ceremony and reception. Your guests can mingle beneath the twining branches of a 400 year old valley oak, explore the flowering peach, plum, and apricot trees, lush grape vines, and productive beds of the rustic community garden, and enjoy the cool, calm interior of our parish home.

Seat your guests in comfortable wooden chairs in a semicircle around the elegant elevated platform with a simple wooden cross overhead; or say your vows in a casual afternoon wedding beneath the leaves of an ancient oak, with guests seated on the wheelchair accessible concrete Chartres labyrinth. Lead your guests to an intimate reception in the parish hall; or out onto the grounds, where swingsets mingle with arching shade trees and there’s more than enough room for younger family members to run in the large field bordered by oak, jacaranda and silk trees. There may be the opportunity to plant a tree on the campus, depending on the time of year. St Stephen’s in-the-Field is recognized and valued in the community as a loving and inclusive family of faith.

Venue Notes/Price

Saturdays and Sunday weddings are available at this venue.

The rental fee ranges $150 / hour for a ceremony and reception and includes 3 hours of facilities use including set up and clean up time on a weekend and 12 hours on weekdays. The price depends on what facilities you need and the day of the week. A refundable security deposit of $500 to $750 is required.
The venue can host up to 100 guests indoors, up to 100 outdoors, 40 in the parish hall.
Wedding packages can include both indoor and outdoor spaces; elopement packages are available.
We offer comprehensive tours for couples and wedding coordinators; please email office@ssitf.org or call 650-804-9044 to schedule a tour.

Out of town guests can stay overnight at the BnBs of San Martin and Santa Cruz or the hip hotels of downtown San José and enjoy a morning drive down to Monterey Bay Aquarium, Pinnacles National Park or wine tastings in Morgan Hill. Our campus is only a quick 20 minute from the San José Airport. The gardens on this campus are being featured in the 2022 California Native Plant Tour for the county. Please inquire with venue wedding coordinator for more details at office@ssitf.org or call 650-804-9044.

Amenities
– 2022 dates available
– Bride’s dressing area
– Baby grand piano
– Groom’s dressing area
– Tables and chairs provided
– Venue has folding chairs and tables available for use
– Day-of point of contact
– Full kitchen facilities (non-commercial)
– Large parking lot
– Sound system
– Our priest is open to performing your wedding after pastoral counseling and discernment (can be remote)
– Nearly all weekdays available, and Sunday afternoons (12-6pm) available
– Elopement options available

Restrictions:
– Minister must be approved by St Stephen’s priest
– Couple must have undergone 3 counseling sessions, either by our priest or the approved minister
– One member of couple must be baptized for ceremonies (not a requirement for rehearsals, receptions, or other events)
– Approved outside licensed and insured caterer allowed
– General liability insurance required
– All vendors must be licensed and insured (one-day licenses and insurance policies are fine)
– Venue must approve all decorations
– Amplified music OK indoors and outdoors after 10am and before 8pm
– Smoking in designated areas only
– Alcohol must be served by a licensed bartender/caterer; we encourage bar service only.
– All music must end by 9:00pm
– If staying after sunset, please bring your own outdoor lighting
– No confetti, glitter, or sparklers (birdseed fine!)

Memorials

For decades, our community has hosted memorials and funerals, providing a private, peaceful setting for families to say good bye to their loved ones. Whether you’re organizing a celebration of life and would like to enjoy the sunshine and flowers of our gardens, or an indoor memorial service, we offer affordable and accessible options. Please email office@ssitf.org for more information.

Other Events

Quinceañera? Corporate picnic? Volunteer day? Big birthday bash? We regularly host groups of 30-50 for fun outdoor events and get-togethers for $150/hour. Please email office@ssitf.org for more information.