8 Things to Do at Wedding Reception Besides Dance

16+ Best Humboldt County Wedding Venues The Ultimate Guide to the 16+ Best Humboldt County Wedding Venues(with pricing and photos)  If you are looking for Humboldt County wedding venues, you have come to the right place! This area is perhaps best known for Redwoods National and State Parks as well as the Avenue of Giants. However, the area also includes various other beaches and preserves with small town charm of Eureka, Trinidad, and Arcata. With so many places to visit, you’ll find many excellent wedding venues in the area. Here is a list of the best Humboldt County wedding venues. Mitchell Grove (Eureka) Rental Fee : $5000Refundable Deposit : $500Event insurance required With so many places promoting all-inclusive service, Mitchell Grove takes the opposite approach, branding itself as a DIY wedding location. This Humboldt County wedding venue offers a relatively simple option for a wedding: simply pay to reserve the location for the day and get to work. In addition to the beautiful forested location and four ceremony areas, you will also receive use of a banquet hall that sits 88 people, two bars with taps, white wooden chairs, and arches. The rest is up to you! If you are looking for a beautiful backdrop to embrace your creativity, you can’t go wrong with Mitchell Grove! Benbow Historic Inn (Garberville) Rental Fees : $500 – $3000Refundable Deposit : $1000 Of all the Humboldt County wedding venues, the Benbow Historic Inn is one of the most photogenic settings. Consider exchanging vows on the lush lawn with a stone arched bridge as the background or perhaps directly in front of the stonework inn itself. A great option for photographs is on the smooth rocks beside the stream adjacent to the property. This venue also has room for up to 225 guests, making it a good choice for many different sizes of weddings. Ridgefield Weddings and Events (Arcata) Pricing: Starting at $7,500, and $85 per person for the all inclusive package Ridgefield is a private family-owned all-inclusive wedding venue in Arcata, CA. There’s nothing quite like the venue in Humboldt County. The estate offers a stately feeling of New England style. A touch of luxury and elegance in the heart of Arcata. They have over 15 years of experience renting the venue and coordinating beautiful events here.  Humboldt Botanical Garden (Eureka) Contact for pricing While many couples opt for redwood grandeur, Humboldt Botanical Garden provides a different option complete with just as much natural beauty. The area’s climate means a wide variety of flowers, shrubs, and trees can be cultivated. Choose from ten different gardens spread over 45 acres including views of Humboldt Bay. This provides many options for creating your perfect ceremony. The Ammon Ranch (Salyer) Packages : $4500 – $7500 With a gorgeous barn to welcome you onto the ranch, this location is one of the more eye catching rustic Humboldt County wedding venues on this list. Covering 200 acres, it also has several different houses to accommodate guests coming from out of town, making it a very convenient all in one location that fits up to 150 guests. Lost Whale Inn (Trinidad) Rental Fee : $300 – $25,000Ceremony Fee : $300Packages : $8,000 – $25,000 If you want a truly romantic setting, the Lost Whale Inn is definitely one of the top choices for Humboldt County wedding venues. Located minutes from Redwood National Park, enjoy the grandeur or redwoods and hilltop Pacific views in one setting. Wedding ceremonies are held on a romantic hill lined with pine trees overlooking the rocky Pacific coast. Weddings from late Fall through early May are for 50 guests or fewer while summer and early Fall weddings can accommodate 100. CONTACT ME TO DISCUSS WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY Sequoia Park Zoo (Eureka) Rental Fee: $2,000 – $2,500 If you want to add a little whimsy to your wedding, consider the Sequoia Park Zoo. This is also a great value as you can rent the entire grounds for you and 400 guests for $2,000 or the entire zoo for $2,500. This provides a variety of options for planning a unique ceremony to remember. The zoo also provides a wide range of add-on options to make this the wedding of your dreams. Fieldbrook Winery (McKinleyville) Packages : $2,000 – $6,000 Enjoy a Napa style wedding on the northern coast with this Humboldt County wedding venue. The Fieldbrook Winery provides a romantic location for up to 100 guests. Most people opt for outdoor weddings; however, rental of the venue comes with use of inside as well. This location has special packages for micro-weddings as well. The lake and foliage make for many beautiful ceremony locations while the grounds in general are simply elegant. Lost Coast Ranch (Ferndale) Contact for pricing Lost Coast Ranch provides panoramic views of the ocean and rolling forest-covered hills, making this a truly wonderful choice for exchanging vows. This Humboldt County wedding venue can take care of virtually any size and style of wedding. An outdoors loving couple may consider an extended stay at the ranch for a honeymoon, allowing them to explore hiking trails, kayak, and take in gourmet meals. Accommodations include lavishly adorned rooms with four post beds and Egyptian cotton sheets.  The Inn at Second & C (Eureka) Rental Fee : $1200 – $2000 A property of the historic Eagle House, the Inn at Second & C overlooks Humboldt Bay. Decorated with an Old World feel, you will find 23 guest rooms, a hotel bar, and a theatre ballroom. This is a truly romantic choice for a small, intimate wedding. Couples can also opt for a romance package add on which consists of a private tour of Old Town Eureka by horse and carriage followed by a romantic dinner. Humboldt Bay Social Club (Samoa) Rental Fee : $400 – $1200 The rustic Humboldt Bay Social Club is the ideal location for your destination wedding. This location is perfect for both indoor and outdoor weddings. You will get large halls with lofty ceilings, a concrete floor, and

Carmel Valley Wedding Venues The Ultimate Carmel Valley Wedding Venues Guide (with Pricing + Photos) Carmel Valley wedding venues offer an authentically Californian experience with wineries, rustic landscapes, and golf courses, making it a favorite choice for destination weddings. Just a short drive from the Pacific Ocean, Carmel Valley offers a rustic respite from the busy coastal life. Whether you live nearby or are traveling from around the world, there are plenty of perfect options for your Carmel Valley Wedding. Here are some of the top Carmel Valley wedding venues to consider! Gardner Ranch Rental Fee: $8,000 Gardner Ranch is a great location for wedding large and small alike. The sprawling estate provides many locations including three banquet rooms, a clubhouse, an outdoor patio, and many different lawn locations. The backdrop of the Santa Lucia Mountains makes for a great setting for an outdoor wedding in virtually any season. This is also surprisingly one of the more affordable Carmel Valley wedding venues given its elegance and charm. All weddings include exclusive use of Gardner Ranch, plenty of on-site parking, wine barrel cocktail tables, landscape lighting, wooden chairs, and plenty of other perks. This is one of the more popular Carmel Valley wedding venues around for good reason. Bernardus Lodge & Spa Rental Fee: $5,500 – $13,500  This is one of the larger Carmel Valley wedding venues that offers six different wedding locations that range from vineyard views to rose gardens. For intimate ceremonies or elopements of 10 people or less, the Vintner’s Suite is a favorite or can be used as a bridal suite. Of all the locations, the Wedding Garden is possibly the most beautiful with immaculate landscaping, over 100 varieties of roses, and the chef’s own vegetable garden. Wedding packages include luxury accommodations for the couple and an open bar with Bernardus’s own wines.  Los Laureles Lodge Rental Fee: $2,500 – $3,300 One of the more unique Carmel Valley wedding venues, Los Laureles Lodge is a ten-acre ranch with three different options for settings. The largest is the Terrace Garden, a stunning area beneath cascading oak trees where guests watch from wooden pews. This holds up to 200 people. Intimate weddings of up to 30 guests can celebrate at Hill House, a beautifully adorned home with a hillside deck. The Hill House has a full kitchen and, true to its namesake, supports sweeping views of Carmel Valley. Finally, the Terrace Garden Banquet Room can hold a small reception or rehearsal dinner. Quail Lodge & Golf Club (Carmel by the Sea) Contact for pricing Quail Lodge Golf Club provides six different options for your ceremony. Quail Meadows is likely the favorite for outdoor weddings, which features a lush meadow on the banks of a stream, creating a perfect location for wedding photos. The Peninsula Ballroom in the Clubhouse is a great choice for a reception whether opting for buffet style or a sit-down dinner. This venue specializes in weddings from small groups to up to 200 guests. This is one of the more affordable Carmel Valley wedding venues for the budget-conscious bride and groom, providing beauty at a lower price than many local venues. Stonepine Estate Resort Rental Fee: starts at $9,000 As you approach through a road lined with oak trees, you will soon catch a glimpse of Chateau Noel, an architectural experience that will have you thinking you have somehow landed in Tuscany. Guests can opt for a California Country package which includes use of the Paddock Lawns or a Chateau Exclusive which involves use of Chateau Noel. Can’t decide? Book the entire estate to have one of the most regal wedding venues in Carmel Valley all to yourself! For a more Old West style feel, try the Blacksmith Bar where guests can practice archery and horseshoes while drinking beer. Needless to say, this is one of the most varied Carmel Valley wedding venues on this list. Holman Ranch Packages: $18,000 – $35,500 Holman Ranch is one of the few Carmel Valley wedding venues that can accommodate a larger number of guests with a capacity of 500. With 400 acres of land, Holman Ranch provides several wedding location options, but most couples choose the recently restored 1928 stone hacienda, an iconic building with an intimate courtyard. Others opt for a stone terrace adorned with flowers with the Santa Lucia Mountains serving as a great backdrop. Combine your ceremony with an elegant reception at the Carriage House, allowing guests to dine beneath twinkling lights. This huge estate offers something for everyone! The Holly Farm Rental Fee: starts at $28,000 One of the most beautiful Carmel Valley wedding venues, The Holly Farm is filled with winding gravel paths, towering bamboo and banana trees, and rustic cottages. The unique design of the grounds presents a variety of options for photos, ensuring you will have plenty of mementos of your wedding. In addition to no corkage or cake cutting fees, you’ll also find a number of other perks including hundreds of island orchids for décor. CONTACT ME TO DISCUSS CARMEL VALLEY WEDDING VENUES Best Wedding Venues in Carmel Valley for Elopements Joullian Vineyards Rental Fee: starts at $6,500 Located high above Carmel Valley, Joullian Vineyards’ Venue in the Vines is a premier wedding location. This is a place for weddings of many sizes, able to accompany as few as 50 guests or as many as 250. Smaller parties may instead be interested in The Overlook, which allows couples to exchange nuptials in front of a wood and floral arch with the entire Carmel Valley as the backdrop. With 20 to 50 guests, this is one of the more popular Carmel Valley wedding venues that caters to smaller weddings. Best Outdoor Carmel Valley Wedding Venues Chateu Carmel Ranch Contact for pricing Holman Ranch is one of the few Carmel Valley wedding venues that can accommodate a larger number of guests with a capacity of 500. With 400 acres of land, Holman Ranch provides several wedding location options, but most couples choose the recently

How to Plan a Wedding in Muir Woods Ultimate Guide for Planning a Wedding in Muir Woods (with pricing, photos, and video) Planning a wedding in Muir Woods is a dream for many nature-loving couples. The towering redwoods, calming atmosphere, and intimate environment create the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable celebration. However, organizing a wedding in this iconic park requires careful planning, from obtaining permits to understanding the limitations at this popular elopement venue. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to plan the perfect wedding in Muir Woods – step by step. TLDR Muir Woods is easily walkable and centrally located between San Francisco and Napa Valley. Muir Woods weddings allow a maximum of 30 guests and require advance permit approval. Wedding permits include a $60 non-refundable application fee, with additional costs depending on the event category, staffing, and park impact. Weddings in Muir Woods are done before 10AM or after 4:30PM and are ceremony only, with no reception allowed. Cell phone service is limited, so timelines, meeting points, and vendor communication should be planned ahead. Ceremony options are limited, making Muir Woods best for simple, intimate weddings. Why a Wedding in Muir Woods  Muir Woods is a stunning location to visit, let alone get married in. The picturesque nature of Muir Woods and the central location between San Francisco and Napa Valley makes it a very popular spot to celebrate. It’s incredibly well-maintained (1.5 miles of ramps and mostly flat trails make it very easy to walk) and only allow ceremonies before 10AM or after 4:30PM, ensuring you and your guests have more privacy. A Muir Woods Elopement There are few areas more perfect and convenient than a Muir Woods elopement. An elopement in this Bay Area forest means you and your partner can have the perfect outdoor wedding surrounded by centuries old trees. Eloping here allows you time to focus on intention while allowing for some awesome photography. It’s an ideal location for a wedding that combines a love of the outdoors and an appreciation for nature. photo by Ian Chin Photography How to Book a Muir Woods Wedding Permit Application: Fill out a permit application at this site ($60 non – refundable application fee)Email: goga_permits@nps.gov Note: Submitting an application does NOT mean your permit request has been approved It takes 4-15 business days for initial permit application review Once your permit is approved, it can take several months for your permit specialist to write your permit NPS accepts applications up to a year in advance Muir Woods Fees / Muir Woods Wedding Permit and Size Muir Woods is a national park, so you will still need to complete a permit (starting at $60). Regardless of the size of your group (even if it’s just the marrying couple and an officiant), all events need to be processed and approved in advance, with appropriate permits Permits are required for any size group (maximum of 30 guests) Muir Woods Wedding Venue Restrictions Firstly, there is very LITTLE TO NO CELL SERVICE in this park so keep this in mind! Given the nature of the Park, no animals, chairs, decor, music, or reception is allowed. Having a wedding in Muir Woods means it is strictly a standing ceremony location (although there are a few benches) so plan on a reception elsewhere (read below for recommendations). Muir Woods Elopement Packages My photo packages start at $1400, and associate photographer packages start at $1000 for up to 2 hours. Videography packages start at $1000 which include a 2 – 3 minute highlight reel and all unedited footage. LETS TALK ABOUT YOUR WEDDING AT MUIR WOODS Best Months for a Wedding in Muir Woods This site shows the best hour by hour weather to help plan your wedding at Muir Woods Muir Woods Wedding Photography and Walkthrough https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHcJNX09nCk Post Ceremony Reception Ideas Since Muir Woods only allows ceremonies, you will need to find a reception location that best fits your style. If you want to minimize the commute, San Rafael provides a nice compromise for cuisine options and proximity, while San Francisco will have more variety. Check out my food and drink recommendations for San Francisco and my recommendations for San Rafael. Muir Woods Trails For those more adventurous types, perhaps adding a hike before or after your Muir Woods wedding speaks to you! Take a look at this trail guide to help in your planning. Conclusion Deciding on a Muir Woods wedding in my experience is best for couples who love the outdoors and want a gorgeous backdrop for their celebration, regardless of number of people. With its affordability and simple process to booking a wedding, Muir Woods is on top of many lists of best places to elope in San Francisco and is easily the most popular redwood wedding venue in Northern California. If you are flexible with location, check out these other Redwood Forest Wedding Venues. If you are looking for the North Bay specifically, these other Marin County Wedding Venues might help as well. Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com San Francisco, CA 94118 Related Blogs to Help with your Planning