Santa Cruz Mountains Wedding Venues

Tips For Planning A Redwoods Wedding

• Plan for an earlier ceremony. Redwoods provide a lot of shade which is great during the daytime, but that means it can also get dark pretty quickly. I would recommend finishing all portraits at least one hour before sunset.
• Have heat lamps available if planning an outdoor reception. It can get cold once it gets dark, so if your guests will be sitting outside the entire time, you may want to have heat lamps depending on the weather and time of year.
• Accept that your dress will get dirty. It is almost inevitable that you’ll start to find branches and dirt in your dress as you walk around, but that’s all a part of the beauty of getting married outdoors!
• Check if the venue has cell service or wifi. Many venues are out of range for cell service, so make sure your guests and vendors have a way to contact each other on the day of. Provide vendors with wifi access if possible .
• Ask if the area hasmosquitoes or bugs. If so, plan to have bug spray available for guests and see if your venue allows tiki torches or citronella candles.

Piedmont Community Hall In Oakland Ca

One of the most popular wedding venues in the Bay Area, Piedmont Community Hall is a great option for couples looking for a more budget-friendly option. The Piedmont Community Hall is a Mediterranean style building with a terracotta tiled roof, high beamed ceilings and beautiful chandeliers. Most wedding receptions take place in their circular courtyard for a lovely al fresco feeling. Theres a redwood grove where ceremonies can be held, but its probably better for smaller weddings. Piedmont Community Hall can accommodate outdoor receptions with up to 200 guests and indoor receptions with up to 120 guests. Also on site is the Japanese Tea House where smaller wedding ceremonies can be held. It could also be used as a location for the bride to get ready.

Pricing is fully laid out in their brochure online. For weddings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, all packages include 8 hours and start at $2750 for residents and $3500 for residents. Tables and chairs are included, as is access to the kitchen. Only beer, wine and champagne can be served at the wedding and must be served by a licensed bartender. There are no other restrictions on vendor choices.

Amphitheatre At Old Mill Park In Mill Valley Ca

Old Mill Park is a public park in Mill Valley that is available for rental. In the middle of a redwood grove, the park has the historic Reed Mill, picnic and barbecue facilities, a lovely amphitheater that is perfect for wedding ceremonies and restrooms. The rental rates are extremely reasonable, at $20-$35/hr for Mill Valley residents and $30-$55/hr for non-residents, with a three hour minimum booking, making it perfect for an elopement! There are benches included, but for larger weddings you may need to bring in your own chairs.

Some couples have dinner either in the Amphitheatre location or the Group Picnic area, which requires an additional fee. Amplified music and sound is prohibited, however, so most couples have their reception/dancing at The Outdoor Art Club.

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Pros And Cons Of Having A Wedding In Santa Cruz

Pros:

• Many activitiesThere are lots of activities you can engage in when in Santa Cruz. From surfing to enjoying natural views, and so much more.
• Beautiful scenerySanta Cruz is a beautiful city with a pleasant environment and fascinating landscape.
• Vibrant art communityThere is access to a vibrant, unique, and abundant art community in Santa Cruz that art lovers can experience when in the city for a wedding.
• Great weatherSanta Cruz boasts pleasant weather year round, with an adequate amount of sunshine per year.

Cons:

• Small townSanta Cruz is a small town. There is always a great possibility of running into someone you know.
• High cost of livingThe cost of living in Santa Cruz is extremely high.
• HomelessnessThere are numerous homeless people begging on the streets of Santa Cruz that you will likely come across wherever your wedding is in the city.

We Had A Dream Wedding At The Dream Inn

I can’t rave enough about this venue. During my rehearsal, everyone in my wedding party “oohed and aahed” as they got to see the view for the first time. We chose the Dream Inn because Santa Cruz means a lot to us and we love how close it is to everything, especially the beaches and th Boardwalk . I loved working with Katie, who was super responsive to all the little questions that I had. I was very anxious about the planning, but she put me right at ease. Our ceremony and reception turned out beautiful. We had so much fun and our guests had positive feedback about the food. We stayed at The Dream Inn for the whole weekend and everyone was super helpful and made us feel special. We did a lot of the decor ourselves so we needed lots of help bringing items back and forth. Thank you, Dream Inn!

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Vibe: Serene Redwood Paradise Redwood Amphitheater For Ceremonies Outdoor And Indoor Reception Spaces Camping Cabins And Yurt Lodging For Guests Casual And Campy

Amipitheatre of the Redwoods is part of a Buddhist retreat center called Pema Osel Ling, so its tucked away in the most peaceful, quiet neck of the woods. This venue is a really down to earth, laid back kind of place for couples who want something made special by outdoor splendor without any frivolity. The feel of the grounds and the kind energy of the staff make it feel like youre having a backyard wedding at a good family friends place in a spectacular forest. The property is pretty huge and you or your guests can easily go exploring on a fun hike. The drive here is a fun and beautiful adventure on its own! Coming from highway 1, you follow a few backcountry roads that wind gently around past orchards and gorgeous forests. If you want a place to host all your friends overnight with a low-key and peaceful camp vibe, this is the spot.

Sidenote: The coordinators at Amphitheatre of the Redwoods are SO GREAT. Eden will take care of you in every possible way with a genuine smile on her face.

Vibe: Elegant And Peaceful Redwood Forest Retreat With An Upscale Feel Lodging Options

The Waterfall Lodge is a newly transformed venue with complete summer camp vibes! A gorgeous lodge made of salvaged wood serves as a dance zone. Receptions and ceremonies are held outside beneath huge redwoods. A patio with a fire pit is the perfect spot for cocktail hour. One of my favorite aspects of this venue are the little A-frame cabins dotting the property. They were built in the 70s and are the perfect way to bunk up all your tipsy friends after the party. Larger, nicer cottages are also available for guests whod like more room to spread out. I love this venue so much that I held my own wedding here in 2019! Check out a full post about Waterfall Lodge here.

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Stunning Santa Cruz Mountain Wedding Venues

When it comes to Santa Cruz wedding venues, we cant resist a stunning mountain location. They are a dream to photograph. A Santa Cruz Mountain wedding venue is perfect for adventurous couples, nature loving couples, wine enthusiasts, and really any couple that wants a beautiful and picturesque location for their wedding. So, if any of these things describe you, then youll want to seriously consider getting married in the Santa Cruz mountains.

Of course, as photographers, we love Santa Cruz Mountain wedding venues because of all the natural beauty that surrounds them. For couples searching for the perfect place to celebrate their wedding, the natural beauty of a Santa Cruz mountain wedding venue makes it super easy for you to plan and design a beautiful wedding.

There are so many amazing wedding venues tucked away in the gorgeous Santa Cruz mountains, we couldnt possibly list them all. But, we are excited to share with you some of our absolute favorite Santa Cruz Mountain wedding venues and why we love them.

Trocadero Clubhouse At Stern Grove In San Francisco Ca

This is another great budget-friendly option right in the heart of San Francisco. With beautiful redwoods and eucalyptus trees, youll be shocked youre in the middle of the city! Many reviews suggest that Trocadero Clubhouse is a little rustic and not always super clean, so budget some time on the wedding day to do some quick cleaning. That being said, everyone raves about the gorgeous redwood grove for ceremonies.

Reservation fees range from $1200-$1390 for the minimum 6 hours and the Trocadero Clubhouse can accommodate up to 120 guests according to their website. I would suggest taking measurements when you tour the venue, as some people have said it would be impossible to fit the full 120. Tables and chairs are included, but chairs cannot be used outside and have Stern Grove spray painted on the back, so many couples opt to bring in their own rentals.

Things to keep in mind: All weekend weddings require a security guard starting at 5PM. Furthermore, concerts are held at Stern Grove on Sundays in June, July, August so you cannot book those dates. If you have your heart set on a specific date for your wedding, you will need to arrive early exactly one year before as you can only book Stern Grove a year out. Overall, Trocadero Clubhouse at Stern Grove is a great option for a couple on a budget who are willing to put in some work!

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Vibe: Modern Barn On A Sunny Hillside Near Town Modestly Sized Grounds But Beautiful Open Surroundings

The UCSC Cowell Ranch Hay Barn is a gorgeous new barn right here in Santa Cruz on the westside of town. It sits on a sunny hillside on the front edge of the famously beautiful UC Santa Cruz campus. Just up the road are stunning views of the Monterey bay, the campus farm, and lush green redwoods . I especially love this venue in the springtime when the surrounding fields are still green! The barn is spacious and conveniently close to all the hotels your guests may be staying in. There isnt a lot of natural shade around the outside of the venue, but the barn itself creates a nice shady backdrop for an afternoon ceremony. Couples can also rent out a portion of the adjacent farm for their event too, which is a a walk away. The barn itself is beautiful and modern with plenty of space for dinner and dancing.

Santa Cruz Wedding Venues / Where To Get Married In And Around Santa Cruz California

Santa Cruz has long been a weekend getaway destination for the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Its no wonder why its also a great place to get married!

There arent many great or unsponsored resources about Santa Cruz wedding venues. Many of the resources available dont even have nice images that capture the spaces well. So I have compiled a few of my favorite wedding venues in the Santa Cruz region in hopes that it will offer some useful guidance to folks looking into getting married here! Ive tried to give a candid description of each one instead of merely sensationalizing them.

This post is being routinely updated. Last update in September, 2021!

Davenport Bluffs

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Mather Grove At Uc Berkeley Botanical Garden In Berkeley Ca

The beautiful Redwood Grove and Amphitheater in the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden is the perfect place to have a wedding ceremony. Up in the hills of Berkeley, guests are treated to a stunning view of the Bay as they drive up to the wedding. Couples having their wedding ceremony in the Redwood Grove can choose between a Conference Center or the Julia Morgan Hall for their receptions. Although the Redwood Grove accommodates up to 200 guests, the Conference Center only allows for 103 guests and Julia Morgan Hall only has capacity for 82 guests, so couples with larger wedding parties may want to consider alternative reception locations.

Ceremony only costs are $2200 for weekdays and $3000 for Saturdays and Sundays. Site fees include entrance to the Botanical Garden for all guests on the day of the wedding, seat cushions for the Amphitheater and access to the rest of the garden for wedding photos. The garden is beautifully maintained and has some really lovely areas, including the Garden of Old Roses, a Japanese pond, a cactus garden and arid greenhouses.

Seymour Marine Discovery Center

Rental fee: $3,350

Whether youre a fan of museums or not, youll find the Seymour Center to be one of the most fun Santa Cruz wedding venues. This package includes expansive views of Monterey Bay, all-day use of the La Feliz Room & Deck, private use of the aquarium and Shipwreck Deck after 5 p.m., and a staffed aquarium touch table in the exhibit hall during the reception for your guests. It is a beautiful setting with great options for stunning photos.

Rental fee: $1,875Deposit: $400 non-refundable

Specializing in micro-weddings of up to 30 people, there are six fairytale locations available. A rose-covered courtyard gazebo, classic European-style garden, and rock-strewn waterfall are among the favorites.x

Ceremony fee: $250Rental fee: $200 $2,000

Shadowbrook restaurant is located in nearby Capitola and probably the most romantic restaurant in the county. There are a number of options for location but the Creekside Patio is a personal favorite. The restaurants trolley is a must-have photo for the happy couple.

Ceremony Fee : $1,500Reception Fee : $275 $800

Here youll find the recently renovated Wedding Garden that features a lush lawn circled by a terrace featuring redwood bark décor and evergreen pear trees. The Inn at Pasatiempo also features indoor seating for up to 150 guests with three different rooms that can be booked for a reception dinner. A number of buffet menu packages are also available.

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Cordevalle In San Martin California

CordeValle, situated at the Santa Cruz Mountains’ foothills, has multiple wedding venues that will make your jaw drop. The Rose Garden, for example, is surrounded by hillsides and scented by the rose’s lovely fragrance. There’s also the Oak Terrace which stuns with a verdant lawn, a pergola-shaded patio and golf course views. Don’t miss CordeValle’s spa packages too for some pre and post-wedding pampering.

Planning Your Dream Wedding

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Secret Gardens: A Twilight Forest Wedding

Bodega Bay Secret Gardens is a wedding venue located in Northern California that offers couples over two acres of gardens to choose from. With hidden shaded pathways, secret bridges, and emerald greens, this venue provides the perfect backdrop for any wedding. Plus, with its convenient location near Bodega Bay, its easy to find and perfect for those who want a rustic wedding in Northern California.

Mountain House Estate Features Redwoods & A Natural Amphitheater Of Oak Trees: The Oak Tree Terrace

Mountain House Estate is a gorgeous 40-acre private, gated estate that featured Redwoods, Oak Trees, gardens, vineyards, and so much more. When you choose us for your wedding, you get so much more than redwoods we have over 30 unique photo opportunities around our property from ponds, to vineyards, to vintage trucks, barns, windmills, and so much more. Our venue is a short drive from the San Francisco Bay Area.

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Santa Cruz Museum Of Art & History

Rental fee: $4,200 $4,500

Art lovers will rejoice at a wedding at this Santa Cruz venue. With several ceremony locations including a rooftop sculpture garden, the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History can host up to 250 people. The full package includes nine hours however, shorter ceremony & brunch or reception-only options are available for lower rates.

Ceremony $700 $2,950Reception $4,500

Create your own magical day with Roaring Camp Railroads. While there are a number of options, the most charming takes you and 100 guests round trip on a 100 year old steam engine to a circle of three generations of redwoods. Follow with a ceremony at Bret Harte Hall with a wide variety of catering options. Youll have memorable and unique photos with this Santa Cruz wedding venue.

River House Ben Lomond Ca

A private yet easily accessible forest getaway a blend of rustic and country estate with gardens, grass, an epic barn, and redwoods

I had been driving past River House for years and never even realized it was there because all the trees, its a true hidden gem and part of what makes this the perfect forest wedding venue. Awesome privacy, convenient location, redwood forest paradise, what more can you want? Last year I had the opportunity to photograph a gorgeous spring wedding there. It is a totally great option for Santa Cruz wedding venues. It is fantastically beautiful, the gardens on the north end feel almost tropical, there are flowers of every kind and color and huge green ferns. There is a magical redwood grove on the south end of the property. It is also completely secluded from passersby. Ceremony location options include the vast insanely green 10,000 sqft. lawn with gazebo between the gardens and the house, the epic 3,500 sqft. barn next to the redwood trees, or even the redwood grove itself. This venue is best for a guest count for up to 250. An exclusive venue of The Wedding Connection.

Pro tip: If you have a large guest list, or just dont want to drive on windy mountain roads, arrange for a shuttle for efficient people movement

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