2026 Pizzaiolo Wedding | Gabriel Harber Pictures

Leeza and Stephen’s Pizzaiolo Wedding within the Temescal District of Oakland

If you’re in search of a venue with glorious workers, unbelievable foods and drinks, and an area the place you possibly can occasion till late, try Pizzaiolo in Oakland’s Temescal District. It’s an actual hidden gem. As a marriage photographer, I’ve shot at a number of venues within the East Bay, and that is considered one of my favorites. I can’t advocate it sufficient in case you worth nice foods and drinks and a stupendous ambiance.

I lately photographed Leeza and Stephen’s Pizzaiolo marriage ceremony and was reminded simply how a lot I get pleasure from this place.

Why a Restaurant Wedding Makes a Lot of Sense

Coordinating serving workers, leases, drinks, and caterers individually is rather a lot to handle. Load-in and out might be substantial. Choosing a venue that handles most or all of that in-house takes an enormous quantity of stress off your plate. The draw back of “all-in-one” venues is that they’ll usually really feel impersonal and overpriced with meals that’s simply so-so. This is actually not the case with Pizzaiolo.

Pizzaiolo is a working, well-loved restaurant that solely takes on a restricted variety of weddings every year. Once you add up the price of meals, drink, workers, leases, and many others, you’ll understand that the buy-out value at Pizzaiolo offers you a variety of bang on your buck, particularly for a Bay Area marriage ceremony venue.

Amazing Food and Drink Make a Celebration Unforgettable

Let’s dwell on the meals slightly bit.  Because let’s face it, the most effective celebrations are accompanied by superb meals. The meals at Pizzaiolo is so good. If you’ve eaten right here, . It’s the form of place the place different restaurant homeowners, neighbors, and lovers of nice meals come to have a meal that seems like residence. Sharing nice meals with family and friends is among the core issues individuals everywhere in the world have in widespread. Tastes and smells can transport us, fill us up, and go away us with reminiscences that final a lifetime. Pizzaiolo doesn’t disappoint.

Because they cook dinner the complete menu on your marriage ceremony, you get to expertise all of the goodness they’ve to supply.  How usually have you ever gone to a restaurant and thought that every part regarded nice and wished you might order the entire menu?  Well, at Pizzaiolo, that’s principally what you get: the entire menu.

Wine, beer, and blended drinks are all included within the buyout, and since this can be a working restaurant, the bartenders preserve every part transferring easily with out sacrificing high quality. Pizzaiolo’s workers seems like household. They are attentive, know the menu inside and outside, and make company really feel genuinely cared for.  They serve a family-style meal that brings individuals nearer collectively.

Pizzaiolo comes with a number of neighborhood allure. Besides the good meals and group vibes that can go away you feeling heat and fuzzy inside, you may see the youngsters who dwell above the restaurant come down to look at your ceremony, and in case you’re fortunate, the neighborhood cat may make an look.

How the Day Flows

While there are all alternative ways of arranging the occasions in your marriage ceremony day, that is what Leeza and Stephen’s day regarded like.

Guests arrive & mingle – Guests arrive and socialize with drinks in the primary restaurant and out again.  It is an off-the-cuff warm-up.

Immediate Family Portraits – There is an effective spot by the ceremony website and close to the entry to the restaurant for speedy household pics. We used each spots. Leeza and Stephen didn’t have a marriage occasion, so this was fairly simple.

Ceremony – Held on the again patio.  Folks take their seats with the ceremony in entrance of the fountain.  I’ve shot different configurations right here, however I feel that is the present commonplace.

Cocktail hour – Guests transfer inside for cocktails and appetizers whereas the patio is about for dinner.  There can also be a aspect space with tables and chairs the place people can hang around.

Couple Portraits – There are loads of nooks, crannies, and candy backdrops very shut by. For our portrait session, we walked down The Alley and round to the entrance of the restaurant. Leeza and Stephen didn’t wish to spend a lot time away from their occasion, so we made it fast.

Dinner & toasts – Outside within the patio space (or inside if climate is moist/ chilly — there’s flexibility relying in your visitor rely).

Dessert & dancing – After dinner, company are invited inside to shut out the evening. DJs and dwell bands often arrange close to the entrance door, and folk dance in the primary indoor eating area.

Guests Arriving

Family Portraits

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Couple Portraits

Dinner and Toasts

Dancing

Final Thoughts on a Pizzaiolo Wedding

Pizzaiolo is most snug for weddings within the 80–110 visitor vary, with a cap round 120. The marriage ceremony on this publish had round 135 company, and whereas it labored, it was pushing the area’s limits. I feel nearer to 100 is extra snug.

There is one thing actually particular about getting married at a regionally owned restaurant with nice meals and workers that basically care. If you need the sensation of a chic yard marriage ceremony with distinctive meals, drink, and an area to bop the evening away, Pizzaiolo is value a severe look. It’s considered one of my favourite venues in Oakland as a result of it has an ideal stability of cool indoor area, the funky alley across the nook, total nice ambiance, great workers, and nice foods and drinks.

If you wish to try the primary marriage ceremony I ever shot right here over 15 years in the past, try Cia and Jaime’s candy Piazzaiolo marriage ceremony.