Hillsborough Racquet Club
Della & Tyler
Hillsborough Racquet Club is tucked away just a few minutes from San Mateo, and is one of those venues that looks straightforward on paper but takes a little strategy to photograph well. Don't get me wrong, it is a BEAUTIFUL venue, but there are a few things to know.
Let's start with the courtyard, because it's genuinely gorgeous. There's a short breezeway lined with white columns that photographs beautifully. If you're getting married on site and have your heart set on having portraits here, this is one of those rare times I'd recommend to share a first look here before guests arrive. If you're having cocktail hour outside, and even after dinner, it gets so busy. For example, well-meaning guests kept finding the couple every time we tried to sneak away to get a few portraits here, so we ended up crossing the street instead. There's a quiet spot by a driveway that has a manicured garden outside the gate with tall trees that photograph so well once the sun dips behind the venue. Another hidden gem here, is that there is a little side doorway that gave us a really unexpected, clean backdrop right where the catering staff parks. The willow tree on the property is begging to be used for couples' portraits. We used it for group shots this time, but it's on my list for next time!!!
Dinner and dancing happen in the ballroom room where there's an entire wall of floor-to-ceiling French doors that flood the space with natural light. it's one of the easier rooms I've shot in, honestly. The bridal suite has its own private bathroom, which couples always appreciate, but heads up: there's no natural light in there. If you're getting ready on site, plan on flash, or better yet, step outside to the willow tree or those French doors for getting-ready shots. Our couple got ready off-site, so we skipped this altogether, but it's worth planning for if you're not.
One more thing worth knowing before you build your timeline: golden hour isn't really a thing at Hillsborough Racquet Club. The sun sets right over the parking lot, the breezeway is in harsh sunlight, and the courtyard doesn't get that dreamy glowy lighting. My best advice would be to lean into those locations I mentioned earlier... across the road or along the side of the building instead. If your ceremony is on site, use that first look window in the courtyard and breezeway. it's the best lighting of the day to get those beautiful on-site portraits.
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A FEW OF the MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WEDDINGS AT Hillsborough racquet Club
FAQ
Short answer, NO. The venue only allows access for up to 6 hours and there is simply not enough time to have everyone get ready on the property. Hair and make-up takes several hours, so it's recommended to show up to the property with those already completed, and just take the getting ready portraits at the venue.
There isn't exactly a dedicated outdoor ceremony space here, so if you're getting married on site, plan for an indoor ceremony in the same room used for dinner and dancing. That means the venue needs time to flip the room afterward — chairs and any ceremony décor come out, reception tables and seating go in. It's not a dealbreaker, just something to plan your timeline around from the start. For more on how ceremony timing affects the rest of your day, here's a post that walks through it.
For Hillsborough Racquet Club specifically, you can plan for family formals to be either indoors by the fireplace, or outdoors near the willow tree, if the lighting allows. Be sure to create a family formals list to keep everyone organized and on time.
This will vary based on if you share a first look, if your wedding ceremony is at HRC, and whether or not the ballroom needs to be flipped. If you're opting to keep things more traditional or the room needs to be flipped, you'll want to have an extended cocktail hour of at least 90 minutes. If you are sharing a first look AND hosting your ceremony off-site, all of your wedding party portraits will be completed prior to the ceremony, leaving only the family formals and your JUST MARRIED portraits for after the ceremony. You can plan for a 60 minute cocktail hour. If you want go into more depth, learn more about how to plan a realistic timeline here.
Safety is the number one priority. For that reason, HRC does not allow fireworks and sparklers on property, due to wildfire dangers in Northern California. Instead, you may opt for a bubble exit, or a vintage getaway car.
The short answer, as much time as you'll give me! My couples reserve 60 minutes of portrait time on wedding day when sharing a first look and 30-45 if you choose to keep a more traditional aspect to your day. Before you panic, this time is not consecutive and is spaced out into 2-3 intervals over the course of the day.
While HRC provides an on-site venue coordinator, it’s highly recommended, for many reasons, to hire a wedding planner. A wedding planner ensures your wedding day runs smoothly, keeps everything on schedule, and works with trusted vendors to maximize your budget. Most importantly, they bring your vision to life and handle any potential mishaps on the day of so that you and your family can simply enjoy the day.
As of Summer 2026, HRC's rates run from $3,000 for ceremony-only (2 hours) up to $8,000 for a full ceremony-and-reception event (6 hours), with a $7,500 option for reception only (5 hours). Rates include exclusive use of the space, tables and Chiavari chairs, a grand piano, on-site parking, a venue manager for the duration of your wedding, and access to their warming kitchen. A $1,000 refundable deposit holds your date, with the remaining balance split into two payments in the months leading up to the wedding.
For current rates and availability, check directly with Hillsborough Racquet Club. As always, pricing is subject to change.
Picture this: You’ve spent countless hours planning every detail of your wedding, yet there’s a lingering worry. You’re hoping for an effortless day, where you can be fully present with your partner, surrounded by the people you love most. But the stress of balancing timelines, coordinating details, and making sure nothing gets missed feels overwhelming. You want your wedding day to flow smoothly, to capture those raw, genuine moments without constantly posing or worrying about what’s next on the schedule.
Your dream? To feel a deep sense of calm, knowing everything is in experienced hands. To see each laugh, each glance, each joyful tear beautifully captured, allowing you to savor every moment as it unfolds. With thoughtful, hands-on support, you can have that day—the day you’ve always dreamed of, shared with the person you love most.
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