Looking for a Woodsy Wedding Venue?
Northern California is the place to be if you are looking for a woodsy wedding venue. If you are planning a woodsy wedding here in NorCal, I have some spots you need to check out!
Waterfall Lodge | Santa Cruz, California
Waterfall Lodge is a Northern California woodsy wedding venue located just north of Santa Cruz. The Lodge is a rustic space and features a Grand Reception Hall made from reclaimed barn wood. The massive beams that line the ceiling create an open, yet cozy, space. The hall is the perfect space for wedding ceremonies and receptions and all of the celebration that goes along! There are two large bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a kitchen inside the Lodge, making it easy to cater for your event. The Lodge is nestled in the woods of Northern California, so it offers beautiful views, fresh air, and large redwoods. Travertine stone makes comfortable walkways and patio space to eat, meander, and dance. Waterfall Lodge accommodates up to 179 guests and there are on-site cabins for overnight stays.
Visit their website: https://santacruzretreat.com/
Some of my favorite photos from Waterfall Lodge:
UC Botanical Gardens | Berkeley, California
The UC Botanical Gardens are located in the hills above UC Berkeley. Home to over 10,000 different plants and spanning 34 acres, The Garden overlooks the San Francisco Bay. There are three spots to rent with indoor and outdoor spaces—Julia Morgan Hall, the Conference Center, and the Mather Redwood Grove and Ampitheater. The venue is ideally located nearby to Berekely, Oakland, Walnut Creek, and San Francisco. Visitors describe the wooded location as enchanted, filled with redwoods and a plethora of other plants native to NorCal. UC Botanical Gardens can accommodate 200 guests in the Mather Redwood Grove, 82 guests in Julia Morgan Hall, or 103 guests in the Conference Center.
Visit their website: https://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu/rentals
Some of my favorite photos from this venue:
Deer Park Villa | Fairfax, California
Enchanted Redwood Grove, anyone? Deer Park Villa is an award-winning wedding venue set in four acres of magical redwoods. Highlights of the property include the Zen Grove, the perfect space for a rehearsal dinner (which is included in the package), a bridal room in the historic carriage house, and both the indoor and outdoor guest spaces. Wedding packages also include access to the Late Night Lounge for the after party. Plus, the venue is open until midnight so you can dance all night long! Deer Park Villa is open year round for exclusive weddings and can seat up to 650—350 outdoors and 300 indoors.
Visit their website: http://www.deerparkvilla.com/
Bear Valley Resort | Alpine County, California
Nothing says “woodsy wedding venue” like Bear Valley Resort, tucked away in the Stanislaus National Forest. Imagine mountains, lakes, wildflowers, and snowy backdrops as you say, “I do” from 7,750 feet. The views at Bear Valley will create an unforgettable wedding day for you and for your guests. Their wedding packages are all-inclusive and include an outdoor ceremony site, choice of reception venue, catering, accommodations, and shuttle services. Bear Valley accommodates 25-200 guests.
Visit their website: https://www.bearvalley.com/
Paradise Springs | Fresno, California
Paradise Springs is located 30 minutes from Yosemite on 100 secluded acres in the Sierra National Forest. This location is ideal for a secluded and woodsy NorCal wedding. This Northern California wedding venue boasts several outdoor and indoor spaces, so your big day will surely stick out in the minds of guests! There are five cabins onsite with all of the amenities to pamper yourself for your big day. The Bella Pavilion can hold up to 130 people indoors and the outdoor spaces in the Gazebo, Meadow, and Emerald Garden can hold up to 500. Wedding packages include 1, 2, or 3 night packages, a ceremony site, reception site, tables, chairs, lights, and set-up.
Visit their website: http://paradisespringsmountain.com/index.html
Some of my favorite photos from Paradise Springs:
The Haven at Tomales | Marin County, California
The Haven at Tomales is one of Northern California’s premier wedding venues. This venue is tucked away right off the Pacific Coast, not far from San Francisco. The hills, ponds, and forests create a romantic setting. Booking your wedding here gives you exclusive access to the property. There are multiple dreamy settings indoors and outdoors for your wedding ceremony and reception.
The Haven at Tomales is unique because of its placement between Marin County’s rolling hills and lush forests. The Terraced Garden is a major feature and has stunning panoramic views of the coast and forests. This property also has an excellent history—the estate was built over a century ago. The Historic Barn exudes a rustic, yet elegant mood and can be decorated to your liking. The owners are committed to land conservation and make donations on behalf of each guest that attends an event to the Marin Agricultural Land Trust.
The rolling hills, sweeping forests and sparkling ponds are a sanctuary for some of California’s most beloved wildlife creatures, such as deer, quail and geese. Our hope is to partner with individuals who have a love for nature and will appreciate the rareness of the untouched raw beauty.
Visit their website: https://www.tomaleshaven.com/
Kennolyn’s Stone Creek Village | Santa Cruz Mountains
Stone Creek Village by Kennolyn is an all-inclusive mountain getaway wedding venue in Northern California. Stone Creek Village is an overnight venue set up as an old-fashioned Western town. Perfect for a wedding weekend, your experience will be customized to the slightest detail. Your stay includes recreational activities, decor, a gourmet menu, lodging, and space for your big event. Whatever the mood you wish to create, Stone Creek Village can make it happen.
Venue spaces include an outdoor wooded amphitheater, Redwood Grove, and an indoor cozy lodge, as well as the other recreational facilities—a pool, fire pit, tennis court, sand volleyball court, play field, basketball courts, putting green, and 450 acres of hiking trails. The Wedding Package includes coordination by a professional wedding planner, a master of ceremonies, and DJ. You can fully customize your menu and lodging is available at a per-person price. Lodging is available for 50-120 guests and up to 150 guests can attend the ceremony and reception.
Visit their website: https://www.kennolyn.com/
Nestldown | Los Gatos, California
An ideal location for a woodsy Northern Californai, Nestldown is open for bookings from late February through December. Nestldown is a private estate that is only accessible to event guests. The property is complete with ponds, a large lawn space, sports fields, outdoor seating, a chapel, barn, tree house, and the Fantasy Cottage. Wedding packages include 9 hours of event rental, along with coordination with the events manager, timeline layout, use of tables and chairs, bocce ball and chess set, a 5-passenger golf cart, a 22-passenger train for use during cocktail hour, and a 1967 Old London Taxi for transporting the couple. Depending on the time of year, Nestldown can accommodate 125-150-guest weddings.
It is complete with a beautiful lawn, ponds, sports fields, paths, orchards, gardens, a barn, and a meadow.
Visit their website here: http://www.nestldown.com/
National Parks
There are abundant national parks in NorCal and I recommend you check them out for your wedding! We absolutely love shooting intimate woodsy weddings in locations like Yosemite. (Check out this intimate elopement in Yosemite 😍). Look at the National Park Service’s website for more info on which parks allow for weddings and elopements.
Visit their website: https://www.nps.gov/state/ca/index.htm
Airbnbs
Check out local Airbnbs that allow events! There are some gorgeous spots for an intimate Northern California wedding.
Visit Airbnb.com
What are your favorite woodsy Northern California wedding venues? Share below!
Wherever your woodsy NorCal wedding ends up being, chat with us about capturing it!
