Sonoma Wedding Planner
Pop the champagne, because you are engaged! Congratulations! You probably found this page because you are considering a Sonoma wedding, you might even be looking for a Sonoma wedding venue (check out my list of favorite Sonoma wedding venues below).
As a local Sonoma wedding planner for more than 10 years, I’m here to tell you that Sonoma is one of the most beautiful, timeless, and unique places to get married in all of wine country.
We'll help you every step of the way as you plan your Sonoma wedding. From selecting your perfect wedding vendors to picking the most delicious appetizers, we’re here to ensure your wedding planning is low-stress and fun.
Hi, Lindsey Nickel, a full-service Napa wedding planner
I’m a destination wedding planner and I specialize in Sonoma weddings that are timeless, beautiful, and fun. You may have seen my couples featured in The Knot, Brides.com, and Carats and Cake.
The first event I ever planned was a surprise birthday party for my best friend in seventh grade. I started Lovely Day Events in 2010 when I was living in Jackson Hole (where I spent a few years after college skiing and as a backpacking instructor). I think one of the reasons I love Sonoma weddings so much is because the ranches, open space, and sense of community are so similar to the weddings in Jackson Hole.
When I’m not adjusting the chairs on a wedding dinner diagram or replying to a vendor’s request for a vegetarian vendor meal, you can find me eating at a Sonoma restaurant (I love the Glen Ellen Star) or at Sonoma’s Tuesday Night Market on the plaza in the summer.
We cannot recommend Lovely Day Events highly enough!
“The whole wedding planning process was so easy for us thanks to Lindsey and her team. We chose Lovely Day Events because we knew absolutely nothing about weddings, and we were able to rely on Lindsey's expertise and connections to make sure that all our needs were covered. From the very start, she connected us with vendors who are truly the best in their fields, as well as our venue, which turned out to be exactly what we were looking for. She thought of everything, including services we didn't think we needed but turned out to be a huge asset on our wedding day. Lindsey is also very responsive and communicative and was a great liaison between us and our vendors. She was great at keeping us organized and on track. At the end, so many of our guests said it was the best wedding they had ever been to, and we are so grateful to Lindsey and her team for this amazing event!” - Jackie, Gundlach Bundshu winery wedding
Best Sonoma Wedding Venues
Beltane Ranch
Kenwood, California
Beltane Ranch is a family-owned wedding venue, bed and breakfast, winery, and ranch. Nestled among vibrant gardens and ancient oaks, it offers stunning views of estate vineyards. Whether your wedding is intimate with just two guests or a grand celebration with 200, there are endless opportunities to customize your special day. The 105-acre property provides unique photo opportunities, a historic Victorian inn for your parents and wedding party to stay in, a cottage for you and your fiance to stay in, and friendly farm animals. Beltane Ranch offers an inviting and authentic wine-country wedding experience.
A unique benefit of Beltane Ranch is its exclusivity. When you book the property for your wedding, you have the entire estate to yourself. This guarantees privacy and ensures that no uninvited guests or strangers will be wandering through your ceremony or reception.
Gundlach Bundschu Winery
Sonoma, California
Gundlach Bundschu Winery is a family-owned and operated winery and wedding venue. In fact, it is California’s oldest continually family-owned winery. The striking beauty of their 320-acre estate provides endless possibilities for planning a wedding that is truly unique and personal to your tastes. Their rolling vineyard views are quintessential wine country.
Gundlach Bundschu Winery offers two distinct wedding sites each with its own style: The Overlook and Block 19. Both wedding sites are nestled next to the vines, yet each has its own unique charm. The Overlook, the stunning primary wedding site, can accommodate events of up to 200 guests. Block 19, on the other hand, is perfect for smaller, more casual, and intimate weddings.
Chateau St Jean Winery
Kenwood, California
If you are dreaming of a wedding in a French chateau with a vineyard backdrop, but also want to get married in California then Chateau St. Jean is the perfect choice. With meticulously maintained French-inspired gardens, a huge grand lawn, and a charming arbor surrounded by olive trees, this Sonoma wedding venue offers multiple event spaces that can be mixed and matched to create your unique wedding vision. The elegant and romantic outdoor areas provide a sophisticated yet relaxed ambiance, surrounded by lush vineyards, picturesque mountains, and stunning French gardens, all with the historic Chateau as a magnificent backdrop.
Montage Healdsburg
Healdsburg, California
Weddings at Montage Healdsburg offer an unparalleled blend of luxury and natural beauty. It is easy to get to from San Francisco, yet you feel fully transported to a stunning and unique location. Nestled in the heart of Sonoma wine country, this stunning wedding venue provides breathtaking views of vineyards and majestic mountains. The sophisticated event spaces, both indoor and outdoor, are perfect for creating memorable ceremonies and receptions at any time of the year. With world-class amenities, exceptional service, and a serene atmosphere, Montage Healdsburg ensures an unforgettable wedding experience for you and your guests.
Are you planning a Sonoma wedding? Let’s chat!
Important Sonoma Wedding Information
Quick Background on Sonoma County
Sonoma County, California is famous for its amazing wines and stunning vineyards, as well as its rich history in farming and ranching. An attraction is the natural beauty, from our mountains, forests, rivers, valleys, and meadows, to all 55 miles of our Pacific Ocean coastline. Sonoma is a popular place for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and kayakers alike. Of course, they also have fabulous cuisine and quaint towns. Sonoma County truly has something for everyone.
Sonoma Weddings and Weather
The best weather for a Sonoma County wedding is typically in the late spring (May to June) and early fall (September to October). During these months, you can expect mild temperatures, minimal rainfall, and clear skies, which are ideal for an outdoor wedding. July and August tend to be hotter, but once the sun goes down behind the hills the temperature drops and is quite comfortable by the time dancing starts. It’s not unusual for a Sonoma wedding to have sunshine during the day and need a few heaters at night. Though it doesn’t snow in Sonoma, we do have all four seasons (and the Fall colors are stunning).
PRO TIP: When touring Sonoma wedding venues, be sure to ask what the backup rain plan is.
What airport do you fly into for a Sonoma wedding?
Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport (STS) is located in Santa Rosa (Sonoma County). It is a very small airport but worth checking out. It’s also the most adorable airport you’ve ever seen because it has a Charlie Brown and Peanuts theme.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the largest airport option
Oakland International Airport (OAK) is a good option too
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is the farthest, but worth considering depending on where in Sonoma your wedding is located
