The Terrace at Willow Glen

Situated on a quiet street and surrounded by sunny lawns and shade trees, the Terrace at Willow Glen is just three miles from downtown San Jose but it could easily be worlds away. Established in 2007, this is the city's first commercial "Green Building", which means that the owners, architects, developers and contractors incorporated sustainable energy and environmental design goals early in the building process. The result is a location that's pleasing to be in year-round, and beautifully equipped for hosting a range of events including weddings, quinceañeras, and company parties. The main entrance is through the airy International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Meeting Hall lobby, where big double doors lead into the spacious banquet room. In addition to providing 6,000 interior square feet, it opens to a huge walled terrace for outdoor ceremonies and cocktails. It's lovely when strung with bistro lights or accented with lounge chairs, and there's even a stainless-steel natural gas grill for cooking up some barbecue. Inside or out, your privacy is ensured. The banquet room's three walls of UV-treated windows and glass doors screen out heat and add seclusion by day. At night, heavy drapes can be drawn to cocoon you inside, while custom illumination may be created by having your DJ or decorator bring in spots, stage cans, and gobo projections. The room also comes with full AV, an in-ceiling projector, and a 10-foot dropdown screen behind the stage for your video presentation or photomontage. Oh, and did we mention that you can actually play music till midnight here? Bongos or horns, banda or DJ, mariachi or rock, acoustic or amplified—it's all good!—so go ahead and party late on the large dance floor. As for dining, this site's big prep kitchen is a caterer's dream. And, speaking of catering, while you can bring in your own, the property's staff is ready, not only to stage your event, but to provide some tempting banquet options as well, be they American or international. To make planning even easier, they offer all-inclusive packages, or you can have them customize one for you. At the Terrace at Willow Glen, they live by the concepts of enhancement and transformation! "Everyone is so different," says the facility's Event Manager. "They come with their own vision, and we bring it to life."