Beltane Ranch Wedding Guide - Including Prices and Photos
Beltane Ranch weddings are truly one of a kind. Nestled in the heart of California's picturesque Sonoma Valley, Beltane Ranch is a hidden gem amid wine country. With its rolling vineyard-covered hills, charming yellow inn, and lush flower garden, this historic estate exudes timeless charm and natural beauty. If you are looking for a Sonoma wedding venue that is completely private, you can have a full bar and guests can stay on-site, look no further than Beltane Ranch.
Arrowood Photography
Hi, I’m Lindsey Nickel and if we haven’t met yet I’m a Sonoma and Napa wedding planner and my team and I have planned more than 100 weddings. Of all those wedding venues, I can honestly tell you that Beltane Ranch is truly a hidden gem thanks to the private setting, adorable yellow inn, and stunning views. Beltane Ranch is one of my favorite Sonoma wedding venues! From the historic yellow inn to the farm animals (including two longhorn cows), to the old oak tree at the ceremony site, I immediately fell in love with it and knew it was exactly what my clients were looking for.
Outline:
Natura Collective
Your Girl Mark Photography
About Beltane Ranch Weddings
Beltane Ranch is a family-owned and operated wedding venue, bed and breakfast, winery, and farm. It is surrounded by gardens, shaded by ancient oaks, and overlooking estate vineyards. There are endless opportunities to customize your unique wedding whether you have two or 200 guests. Their 105-acre private property offers an array of photo opportunities, a landmarked Victorian inn for your parents and wedding party, and friendly farm animals. Beltane Ranch is welcoming and a truly authentic wine country wedding experience.
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Who Owns Beltane Ranch?
For the past six generations, it has been under the ownership of the Benward family. The family is very involved with the Ranch. It’s not unusual to see Lauren and her brother moving furniture for a wedding, greeting guests, and jumping in wherever a hand is needed.
One of the great perks about having your wedding at a family-owned wedding venue is that there are hardly any “let me run that up to management” when you have a question or want to do something creative.
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You Can Have a Full Bar at Your Beltane Ranch Wedding (and why that matters)
When you start planning your Sonoma wedding, you will quickly discover that wineries are not permitted to serve liquor. Beltane Ranch is one of the few wedding venues in wine country where you can serve liquor at your bar (and, of course, beer and their wine). So, if a full bar is a must for your wedding, Beltane Ranch should be at the top of your list.
PRO TIP: To save money purchase your own liquor (for example at Costco or BevMo) rather than have the caterer provide it for you.
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Beltane Ranch Wedding Ceremony and Reception Sites
The Inn
Beltran Ranch is a sprawling 105-acre ranch steeped in history since the 1800s. The property boasts breathtaking vineyard views, an enchanting garden for guest arrival, and is truly one-of-a-kind. The centerpiece of Beltane Ranch is its iconic 1892 Victorian farmhouse converted into an inn, meticulously restored and tastefully updated for guests. It offers a blend of relaxation and modern comforts.
Christophe Genty Photography
Your Girl Mark Photography
Your Girl Mark Photography
Beltane Ranch Ceremony Site
Beltane Ranch wedding ceremonies are held under a majestic oak tree. Towering above, its branches outstretched like welcoming arms, it provides a breathtaking backdrop for couples to exchange their vows. The oak tree at Beltane Ranch stands as a symbol of strength, endurance, and enduring love, making it the perfect setting for couples to begin their journey together.
Arrowood Photography
Your Girl Mark Photography
Beltane Ranch Cocktail Hour Site
At Beltane Ranch, cocktail hour unfolds on the inn's shaded lawn and wrap-around porch, offering guests a shaded respite on warm days. Here, amidst the rolling vineyards, guests sip drinks, nibble on appetizers, and mingle with one another. Laughter fills the air as guests relax in the wine country charm of being in nature and meeting new people.
Your Girl Mark Photography
Beltane Ranch Dinner and Dancing Site
Dinner and dancing happen on the large lawn. The sweeping views of vineyards are a picturesque backdrop for dining. Guests dance the night away under the market lights strung between the large oak trees. For guests less interested in dancing they can gather around the fire pit.
At Beltane Ranch, dinner and dancing unfold on the expansive lawn, offering guests breathtaking views of vineyards while they dine. Beneath the twinkling market lights strung between oak trees, guests dance the night away while others gather around the fire pit to enjoy wine and dessert. It's a magical setting where every moment is filled with memories and celebration.
Natura Collective
Your Girl Mark Photography
Your Girl Mark Photography
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Eric James Photography
How Much Does a Beltane Ranch Wedding Cost?
One of the first things people ask when they start planning is “How much does a wedding at Beltane Ranch cost?” and “How much does a wedding in wine country cost?”
My first answer is “It depends.” I say that because it depends on a few variables like the number of guests, your personal tastes, and preferences. It’s like if someone were to ask you “How much does a car cost?” You would probably have a few follow-up questions (like how old of a car, what type of car, how many miles, etc.) because the answer to the price depends on a few factors.
Very, generally speaking, if you have 120 guests and are getting married at Beltane Ranch you need a starting point of $100,000 for your budget for your wedding vendors (venue, planner, caterer, florist, DJ/ band, photographer, rentals). This number does not include a wedding dress, rings, honeymoon, etc.
You’re probably thinking “Can I do it for less than $100,000?” and I would say yes if you are willing to make some concessions. Very confidently I can tell you that you can’t have a wedding for less than $85,000 if your guest count is more than 100 people. Also, you are not going to get the photographer that you love and have been following on Instagram, no band, and no videographer.
Natura Collective
AVERAGE Beltane Ranch Wedding Cost for 100 people
Venue - Depending on your package the price ranges from $22,500 - $42,500
$26,325 (2025 price)
Planner - Most planners offer services ranging from Event Management to Full service with design, prices usually range from $6,000 - $20,000+
$16,000
Caterer - Many, many variables go into the catering budget. A good starting point is $175 per person for food, service, and kitchen equipment that the caterer needs. Additional costs are largely based on menu additions, beverage service, and variables such as staffing and length of the event.
$21,000
Rentals - Depending on if you use what Beltane includes or not, plus what your caterer may or may not include this number can range greatly, from $4,000 - $20,000+
$12,000
Florist - Many florists have minimums so be sure to ask about that. Florist budget can range from $7,000 - $30,000
$15,000
DJ
$4,000+
Photographer
$7,000+
Videographer
$6,500+
TOTAL = $107,825
Note - If you want a band, are paying for hair and make-up for the wedding party, have signage, etc. those are all additional investments.
Jump down to Sarah and Lahiru’s Summer Beltane Ranch wedding
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How Many Rooms Does Beltane Ranch Have?
Accommodations at Beltane Ranch include five spacious rooms in the historic two-story Inn. There is a separate cottage with a private patio, perfect for getting ready before the ceremony and the wedding night. The rooms are all updated in a farmhouse chic design and have air conditioning, private baths, and private outdoor entrances and seating areas.
PRO TIP: The Inn at Beltane Ranch is perfect for VIP wedding guests such as family and wedding parties to stay in. The cottage is perfect for you and your new spouse to stay in.
Your Girl Mark Photography
Essential Wedding Items are Included in the Beltane Ranch Wedding Venue Price
One of the things that make planning a wedding at Beltane Ranch so easy is that they include quite a few items in their package, which saves you money by not having to rent more setup items. Of course, if you prefer to have your wedding planner design something totally custom and unique to your wedding, that is possible too.
Here are a few items that our couples have truly appreciated being included:
String lights for dinner and dancing for a beautiful ambiance
Luxury bathrooms for guests to use during the event
Parking lot for people who want to drive themselves
Charming vintage truck (a very popular photo opp.)
Round tables for dinner
Folding wood chairs for dinner and/or ceremony seating
Long wood “hairpin” tables that seat 20 people each or can be used for a dessert and coffee bar
Your Girl Mark Photography
Jerry Yoon Photography
Beltane Ranch Wedding Weekend Estate Package Option
Did you know that Beltane Ranch offers a weekend Estate package? This is a fantastic option if you want to get the most out of the Beltane Ranch experience and not worry about planning a ton of other wedding weekend events. I like to think of this package as the “wedding weekend package” because it includes a wine, cheese, and charcuterie welcome reception the day before your wedding, a glamping tent lounge on the wedding day, and a farewell brunch the day after your wedding. For a truly memorable, unique, and wine-country wedding experience, I highly recommend this package.
Natura Collective
Natura Collective
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Sarah and Lahiru's Summer Beltane Ranch Wedding
Their Wedding At A Glance:
guest count: 117
month: third week in August
ceremony under the oak tree
cocktail hour on the lawn around the inn
dinner and dancing on the big lawn
highlights: glamping tent set up as a lounge, super fun dance party, and wonderful summer weather
What do you get when an introvert and an extrovert plan a wedding? You get an epic dance party and thoughtful details. Sarah and Lahiru’s Beltane Ranch wedding was filled with romantic details and pops of color. Stunning colorful florals and an epic dance party made this a very memorable wedding, you can see all their swoon-worthy Beltane Ranch wedding photos below.
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The Couple
Sarah and Lahiru have a modern love story as met through a dating app while living in Boston, MA. Sarah is an introvert and Lahiru is an extrovert together they become an unstoppable team that also happens to be two of the nicest people you will ever meet. They were both very excited about their Beltane Ranch wedding as they wanted it to be as fun for the guests as it was for them.
The photos below are from Natura Collective
Why They Chose Beltane Ranch
When looking at Sonoma wedding venues, Sarah and Lahiru cared a lot about the guest experience. It was really important to them that their families and friends were going to all be together and they wanted them to all have a really wonderful weekend.
They had a clear taste and personal style (minimal aesthetic, simple, tasteful, not over the top) but they needed help with translating that into their perfect wedding day. The most important thing to them when planning their wedding was that everyone was happy and they were not stressed out.
Natura Collective
Sarah and Lahiru booked the Weekend Estate package for their Beltane Ranch wedding and it worked well because guests had a home base for the wedding weekend and could truly enjoy wine country. They decided on a weekend wedding schedule that started on Friday and included wine, cheese, and charcuterie for guests to stop by and say hi to Sarah and Lahiru. This was an open house style gathering and worked well because people could pop in before or after they checked into their hotels and before going to dinner. Then there was a ceremony at Beltane Ranch for the wedding party and immediate family plus a rehearsal dinner at Glen Ellen Star (if you haven’t been yet, you are missing out!) for the same group. Saturday was the wedding ceremony and it was absolute perfection! Sunday included a farewell brunch for all their guests at Beltane Ranch before everyone headed home.
For their honeymoon, Sarah and Lahiru went on an around-the-world trip for a year! They packed up their New York City apartment and hopped on a plane with only one backpack each. How cool is that!?!? It was really fun to follow along with their travels on Instagram stories.
The photos below are from Natura Collective
Beltane Ranch Wedding Planning
Sarah and Lahiru found us on the Beltane Ranch wedding vendor list. We meet most of our clients through this list, it’s a great place to start wedding planning.
Sarah’s parents attended the design meeting at Bright’s studio and the site visit and I was really to get to know them before the wedding. They were the perfect balance of attentiveness, yet let Sarah and Lahiru lead the decision-making. I must add they were incredibly kind too.
When I think back on this wedding, the first thing that stands out is how sweet Sarah, Lahiru, and their parents are. They were all calm, grateful to have everyone together, and excited to celebrate with family and friends. Each of their moms gave a very heartfelt toast and Sarah’s mom even wrote a poem that she read. Lahiru’s mom gave a completely improvised toast and it was hilarious! That is one mom that can tell a joke and make an audience laugh. You could tell that each of the moms spoke deeply from their hearts and were brimming with joy which makes the day that much better.
The photos below are from Natura Collective
Beltane Ranch Wedding Day
Sarah and Lahiru have a very sophisticated and timeless design taste. For their wedding color palette, they wanted warm colors that bring energy (peach, yellow, orange) and also neutrals. For their head table, they used the long wood hairpin tables from Beltane Ranch (they fit 20 people each) topped with colorful florals and gray tile table numbers. For the guest tables, they used the round tables included with the Beltane Ranch wedding rental fee. The guest tables were topped with off-white linens for a classic design and pops of color in the flowers. The table numbers were the one DIY project in which they found gray and white tiles for house numbers and glued them to little stands. It was the perfect neutral and classic touch.
Their wedding was on a very hot summer day in August but we did a Beltane Ranch wedding the year before on the same day in August and it was so chilly we had to rent heaters at the last minute. You never know what the weather has in store for Sonoma wedding venues, so be sure to have a plan for all types of weather.
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Lahiru and the groomsmen started their day with lunch at El Molina in Sonoma and then headed to an Airbnb near Beltane Ranch to get ready. A very classic accessory he made sure to include was a gorgeous gold pocket watch that was a perfect add-on to his green suit.
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Sarah and the bridesmaids started their day bright and early at the cottage at Beltane Ranch with hair and makeup. The cottage is the perfect place for getting ready because of the private side with tons of natural light and of course, it is on the Beltane Ranch property so no worries about getting to the event on time.
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From Their Sonoma Wedding Planner
One thing that I will never forget about this wedding is that there was a power outage in the area the morning of the wedding. Immediately Beltane Ranch staff jumped into action turning on generators so that hair and makeup could continue and the food would stay cold in the refrigerators. Next, we started working together to make a plan B and a plan C if the power did not turn on.
I was so thankful that Beltane Ranch had generators on site and ready to use. They did an excellent job keeping the ranch running despite this hurdle. About an hour before guests were set to arrive, the power came back on and everything went on as planned. Random power outages are very rare, so I'm sure we’ll all remember this for a while.
Natura Collective
“Lindsey and her team were exceptional. During the planning process, Lindsey made sure that nothing was missed and brought things to our attention that we would not have thought of otherwise. At first we were hesitant, but in the end her recommendations were always the best decision. In addition, we are certain that there were so many “behind the scenes” things that she did for us that helped make the process so smooth, it is hard to know just everything that goes into planning and executing such a large event. Everything was so well executed on the day of the wedding, that we could just sit back, relax, and enjoy the day with our friends and family. I am sure there were some issues that came up, however, Lindsey handled them all seamlessly and never brought any problems to us. Her communication style is perfect and kept us on track the entire day - so well that we had even some downtime before the ceremony! We are so grateful to Lindsey for always keeping a level head, maintaining the highest level of professionalism, and being an overall wonderful and friendly person to work with over the many months leading up to the event. Thank you so much for everything!”
Natura Collective
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Jessica and Abby's Fall Beltane Ranch Wedding
Arrowood Photography
Their Wedding At A Glance:
guest count: 130
month: First weekend in October
ceremony under the oak tree
cocktail hour on the lawn around the inn
dinner and dancing on the big lawn
highlights: handmade signs by Jessica, their dog Colby in the wedding photos, and stunning fall floral design
Jessica and Abby are two of the nicest and most fun-loving people around. This of course includes the love for their rescue dog Colby. Jessica and Abby were a lot of fun to wedding plan with. Every month we did a planning video call and toward the end of planning, I kept joking that we should have recorded all the meetings for a YouTube channel because we were always laughing so much. Their Beltane Ranch wedding was laid back, tasteful, and fun, just like them!
Arrowood Photography
Arrowood Photography
The Brides
Jessica and Abby both grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and live in the East Bay with their adorable rescue dog Colby. They met while they were undergrads and reconnected after they both graduated. They absolutely adore their dog Colby who has an impressive wardrobe including a bandana for every occasion and costume for every holiday. When they are not picking up a new bandana for Colby they like to travel, go wine tasting, and simply relax at home.
Fun fact, Abby and Lindsey (their wedding planner) attended the same high school, however, they were not there during the same years.
Arrowood Photography
Arrowood Photography
Why They Wanted a Beltane Ranch Wedding
Abby and Jessica spent a lot of time and effort looking for the perfect Sonoma wedding venue. They looked at venues all over Northern California. One must-have for their wedding was liquor for the bars (not just beer and wine). When most people start looking at Sonoma and Napa wedding venues they are surprised to learn that wineries are not permitted to serve liquor. One of the huge perks of a Beltane Ranch wedding is that they can serve liquor. When picking their venue it came down to Beltane Ranch and another venue nearby. They wanted rustic but not too rustic. Also, flowers were very important to both of them, so the florist made a stunning garland for the oak tree which was the perfect backdrop for their ceremony.
Arrowood Photography
Beltane Ranch Wedding Planning
They didn’t start wedding planning with a vision and said they hadn’t dreamed about their wedding day for their whole lives. It was important to them that the day was fun, they had all their favorite people with them, the experience mattered and they wanted it to be tasteful.
Jessica is very crafty and she hand-wrote all the signs for their wedding, which were a wonderful personal touch and looked very professional.
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Beltane Ranch Wedding Day Highlights
Jessica and Abby were married in early October which is a beautiful time for a wedding in Sonoma wine country. The leaves are changing and it is warm during the day but cool once the sun sets. The light at Beltane Ranch is always really soft around sunset in the Fall, which makes for stunning sunset photos of couples. They had a ton of fun taking photos all around Beltane Ranch and, of course, Colby joined in too.
Their ceremony was under the old oak tree at Beltane Ranch. They only had one attendant in their wedding party, who was of course their dog Colby. The ceremony was officiated by their dear friend and it was short and sweet. Each bride walked in escorted by her father. Jessica entered down the stairs of the inn and Abby entered from the cottage.
By pure chance, each bride wore a dress from the same designer (Mikaella Bridal) and they looked like they walked out of the pages of the catalog.
The photos below are by Arrowood Photography
From Their Sonoma Wedding Planner
Jessica and Abby found us on Beltane Ranch’s preferred vendor list. I was thrilled when they contacted me because Beltane Ranch is one of my favorite venues. We did a quick call to meet and for them to tell me about themselves and their wedding ideas. I liked them immediately and was thrilled when they booked.
Jessica and Abby were a lot of fun to work with. Every month we did a planning video call and toward the end of planning, I kept joking that we should have recorded all the meetings for a YouTube channel because we were always laughing so much.
One of the best parts about working with Jessica and Abby was that right away they trusted me to recommend vendors that would be a fit for their budget and style. We worked with one of our go-to florists, EV Floral. She created a stunning ceremony site inspired by Fall.
Arrowood Photography
“My wife and I absolutely loved working with Lindsey at Lovely Day Events! Throughout the entire wedding planning process, Lindsey was always there for us with any questions or concerns that we had. She kept us on track throughout the entire year leading up to our special day, and provided much needed support and suggestions along the way. Lindsey was also extremely supportive and optimistic, even in the midst of a pandemic. She really gave us hope throughout the entire process. I cannot recommend her enough - she understood our vision so well, and helped us make our wedding day an unforgettable event. Thank you Lindsey!”
The photos below are by Arrowood Photography
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