8 Reasons You Should Choose A Sonoma or Napa Wedding Venue

Arrowood Photography

Wine and weddings DO mix! Choosing a Sonoma or Napa wedding venue is the perfect way to celebrate your big day. Exquisite natural scenery, comfortable accommodations, and picturesque backgrounds make memories that will last a lifetime.  

Here are 8 reasons you should choose a Sonoma or Napa wedding venue for your destination wedding.

If we haven’t met yet, hi! I’m Lindsey Nickel and I’m a local Sonoma and Napa wedding planner and the owner of Lovely Day Events. My team and I have planned more than 140 destination weddings, so I can tell you firsthand that wine country weddings are something special. My clients want the ceremony to be outside, the food to be outstanding, and the dance parties to be epic. If this sounds like you, you’re in the right place.

Napa Valley as a Wedding Destination

The famous Napa Valley region tops the list of the best California wine counties. Although agricultural land protection ordinances prevent many Napa wineries from hosting events, there are some that can accommodate weddings and receptions. Another option is to choose from more than 130 nearby hotels (with 200,000 square feet of event space).  

Suzanne Karp Photography

Why choose a Napa Valley Wedding Venue? 

1. Romantic settings – imagine yourself with your loved one, saying “I do” in front of rolling hills of green.  

2. Stunning scenery – ditto.  (And your guests will enjoy the fresh air).

3. A special treat for yourself and your guests – how often do your friends and family get to visit a winery?

4. Photographic memories – Napa’s wedding venues make for exquisite backgrounds and are a beautiful stage.    

Napa Valley is also well known for its restaurant scene, including the famous award-winning French Laundry on Washington Street in Yountville. Napa’s many world-class restaurants are perfect for a casual or elegant wedding rehearsal dinner.

Milou & Olin Photography

Sonoma as a Wedding Venue Destination

Part of the San Francisco Bay Area, Sonoma County hosts more than 425 wineries – including some very big brand names. Sonoma wedding venues such as Gundlach Bundschu and Chateau St. Jean accommodate various-sized weddings and receptions.   

Why Choose a Sonoma Wedding Venue?

1. Historical venues – many locations date back to the 1800s.

2. Elegant Settings – fine crystal, linens, silver, and dishes are part of the setup.

3. Excellent wines – chardonnay, pinot noir, zinfandel, rosé …

4. Dreamlike scenery – your fantasy awaits!

A Girl And A Camera

Why Location and Ambiance Matter For Your Sonoma or Napa Wedding

What are you looking for in your Napa or Sonoma wedding venue experience? Locations in Napa and Sonoma offer casual and formal environments. Choose from:

• Garden settings

• Barn dance themes

• Farms and ranches

• Patios, decks, and terraces

• Golf course lawns

• Historical landmarks

• Traditional banquet halls

• Outdoor gazebos

• Trees

• Private estates 

Before booking a wedding venue, keep in mind the number of guests you plan to invite may or may not fit in any particular location. You don’t need an “official” list, but an estimate helps determine whether the locale of your dreams can handle the volume of guests.

Getting Started on Planning Your Sonoma or Napa Wedding

Planning a Napa or Sonoma wedding is a daunting task if you’re not completely organized. Maybe you’ve already set the date, but you must be flexible if you want a specific location. Most places are booked at least a year in advance. Will the wedding and reception be held at the same location? Choose a beautiful vineyard and the answer will most likely be yes unless you want to be married in a church or synagogue.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Sonoma or Napa Wedding Venue

Even in (usually) sunny California, the weather can be unpredictable. If the wedding and reception are set for outside, find out if the venue has an indoor backup plan (in case of rain). Depending on the time of year, it may be uncomfortably hot, so seating should be under a tent or large gazebo.   

Are there enough restrooms? There’s nothing worse than having to wait in a long line after enjoying the fruits of the winery. Are the restroom facilities accessible to guests with physical disabilities?

Does the venue have a getting-ready room for the bride and bridesmaids? (Oh, and the groom and his ushers, too).

Onsite parking is important. If the parking area is far from the venue, consider a shuttle service.  

Sonoma and Napa wedding venues may have other guests visiting during the time of your wedding.  Thus, rules against loud music or noise after a certain time may keep your revelers from partying into the wee hours of the night.

An Endless List 

Your wedding is one of the biggest days of your life, and you want it to be perfect.  Hiring a Sonoma or Napa wedding planner gives you peace of mind, but more importantly, it takes those frustrating little details out of your busy hands. Buy the dress and let someone else deal with the stress.  

Guest Post Writer -  Teri Silver is a journalist and outdoor enthusiast. She and her husband live on five acres with a vast lawn, three gardens, a farm, a pond, many trees, and a lot of yard work! The best parts of the year are summer and fall when home-grown veggies are on the dinner table.