Mendocino Wedding Venues
Mendocino Wedding Venues, Tips, & Pricing
The Mendocino coast is a magical, remote area on the northern coast of California. It’s known for its dramatic cliffs, grassy bluffs, and beautiful beaches. If you’re planning a wedding, this is the perfect area to bring your friends and family to get away for a while and escape the norms of every day life. The area is full of epic scenery, cliffside trails, and cozy restaurants. In this guide, we will discuss the available wedding venues in the area, as well as tips/advice on planning your Mendocino wedding.
Tips for Planning Your Wedding on the Mendocino Coast:
Plan a Wedding Weekend
The Mendocino area is a vacation spot. I recommend advising friends and family to arrive a couple of days before your wedding to get the full Mendocino experience. People will typically hold a welcome dinner the first day at a local restaurant, or at a picnic area, followed by a rehearsal dinner the second day at another restaurant, or at their venue. As a photographer, I’ve found that it can also be best to book one of my wedding weekend packages. We’ll shoot an adventure session the first day (aka engagement session), followed by a rehearsal dinner the second day, then ending with the wedding on the last day. This allows us to photograph a full scope of what Mendo has to offer.
2. Plan for a Variety of Weather
The Mendocino coast has some unique weather. It is relatively moderate all year, but can get pretty hot during the day, and cold at night. It can also be very windy. I highly recommend advising guests to bring layers. To prepare for rain, I highly recommend reserving a tent just in case. I also advise to order a bunch of clear, bubble umbrellas online. You only need one umbrella per two people. From a photographer’s perspective, clear umbrellas are much better than black or colored ones. They will allow me to photograph guest’s faces without obstruction or shading.
3. Hire a wedding planner
Planning a destination wedding can be tricky. If you are planning a wedding with a guest list that is larger than 50 people, I highly recommend considering hiring a wedding planner. Hiring a wedding planner saves you time because you are not having to do all of the research yourself. The planner will also be full of advice about vendors she knows and trusts. The planner may also be able to help you save money, as well as use your budget wisely. Click HERE to see a list of Mendocino wedding planners.
4. Create a Wedding Website
I recommend creating a wedding website with clothing advice and tips for things to do in the area. You can include your favorite restaurants and trails, so that people can easily plan their days without having to do a ton of research on their own. I have also included a list of the best areas for hiking/photos below.
Mendocino Wedding Venue List:
As promised, here’s a thorough list of wedding venues available in the Mendocino area. I have also included descriptions and price ranges where I could find them. Enjoy!
Barra Of Mendocino
“SET ON 50 ACRES OF BEAUTIFUL VINEYARD SURROUNDINGS PLANTED WITH CABERNET SAUVIGNON AND ZINFANDEL, THE BARRA OF MENDOCINO WINERY IS AN EXQUISITE SETTING FOR YOUR SPECIAL DAY. OUR 5,000 SQUARE FOOT TASTING ROOM OFFERS SEATING FOR UP TO 220 GUESTS AND OUR BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR GARDEN CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 400 PEOPLE. WITH OVER 10 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE HOSTING WEDDINGS AND SPECIAL EVENTS, THE STAFF AT BARRA OF MENDOCINO CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH RESOURCES FOR CATERERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, MUSICIANS AND MORE TO HELP ENSURE ALL YOUR WEDDING DAY DREAMS COME TRUE .”
Crown Hall
“CROWN HALL WAS BUILT IN 1901 BY PORTUGUESE SETTLERS FROM THE AZORES. THIS WONDERFUL HISTORIC BUILDING IS IN THE HEART OF MENDOCINO AND MAY BE THE PERFECT PLACE TO RENT FOR YOUR EVENT, WHETHER THAT EVENT IS A WEDDING RECEPTION, A CONCERT, A CRAFT FAIR. CROWN HALL IS THE LARGEST HALL AVAILABLE IN MENDOCINO. IT HAS A LARGE OPEN FLOORPLAN, A STAGE, A BAR AND A SEPARATE KITCHEN.”
Cuffey’s Cove Ranch
“CUFFEY'S COVE RANCH IS A FAMILY RUN PROPERTY ON THE MENDOCINO COAST, OFFERING SPECTACULAR VIEWS AND WONDERFULLY PRESERVED BARNS AND HOUSE, PERFECT FOR PRIVATE EVENTS AND WEDDINGS.”
Holly’s Ocean Meadow
The Inn at Newport Ranch
“HOW DO YOU MAKE A MEMORABLE SETTING? WITH MEMORABLE MATERIALS. OLD-GROWTH REDWOODS, ONE-TON STONES, AND A WATER TOWER BLEND BEAUTIFULLY, MAKING OUR OCEANSIDE FORT BRAGG INN AS STUNNING AS IT IS SECLUDED.”
The Land ($$$)
“SOPHISTICATED STAYS NESTLED IN NATURE, FARM-TO-TABLE FOOD, 162 ACRES TO EXPLORE, NEW YOGA STUDIO, AND A WORLD-CLASS CARING STAFF. THE LAND IS THE ULTIMATE PLACE TO RE-BOOT, CONNECT, AND CREATE.”
Toll House Inn at Bell Valley ($$$)
“NESTLED IN A PROTECTED WATERSHED, BELL VALLEY OFFERS A REFUGE FROM THE BUSTLE OF DAILY LIFE, PROVIDING RETREATS FOR GROUPS WORKING ON SOCIAL CHANGE AND PERSONAL GROWTH, AS WELL AS BUSINESSES DEEPENING THEIR STRATEGIES AND TEAM DYNAMICS. ALSO AVAILABLE FOR WEDDINGS AND RESTORATIVE VACATIONS, GUESTS CAN ENJOY THE UNIQUELY CRAFTED ACCOMMODATIONS AND EXPLORE THE INTERWOVEN TRAILS THROUGH THE OAK HILLS AND EXPANSIVE MEADOWS.”
Mendocino Lake Event Center
MacCallum House ($$$)
“MACCALLUM HOUSE PROVIDES THE SCENIC BEAUTY OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN AND A BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED VICTORIAN MANSION AS A BACKDROP FOR YOUR WEDDING CELEBRATION. WITH TWO ACRES OF GARDENS, EXPANSIVE LAWNS, A BAR AND RESTAURANT, AND 19 DISTINCTIVE ROOMS ON ONE PROPERTY, MACCALLUM HOUSE IS THE PERFECT WEDDING VENUE ON THE MENDOCINO COAST FOR YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO EXPERIENCE A DESTINATION WEDDING. LEARN MORE ABOUT MACCALLUM HOUSE WEDDINGS AND HOW YOU CAN TAILOR OUR MENDOCINO WEDDING VENUE TO YOUR DREAM.”
Mountain House Estate ($$)
“IMAGINE GETTING MARRIED ON 40 ACRES OF ROLLING HILLS AND NATIVE TREES AT AN EXCLUSIVE WEDDING VENUE IN CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY. BECAUSE WHEN YOU GET MARRIED AT MOUNTAIN HOUSE ESTATE, YOU’LL GET THAT AND SO MUCH MORE. OWNERS JOHN AND LANE WORK DILIGENTLY TO KEEP THE VENUE AND PROPERTY IMMACULATE FOR YOUR AND YOUR GUESTS. WITH MULTIPLE CEREMONY AND RECEPTION SITES, NO HIDDEN FEES, BONUSES LIKE BRINGING FOOD TRUCKS IF YOU CHOOSE AND ENDLESS CUSTOMIZATIONS, WE THINK YOU’LL FIND MOUNTAIN HOUSE ESTATE TO BE THE PERFECT WEDDING VENUE FOR YOU.”
Spring Ranch Mendocino
“SPRING RANCH IS ONE OF THE MOST TREASURED OLD COASTAL RANCHES IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, LOCATED ONE MILE FROM THE VILLAGE OF MENDOCINO CALIFORNIA. THIS HISTORIC PROPERTY HAS BEEN COMPLETELY RENOVATED USING ANTIQUE, SALVAGED MATERIALS. IT’S AN IDEAL VENUE FOR WEDDINGS, FAMILY GATHERINGS, RETREATS, AND JUST GETTING AWAY. STEP INSIDE THE FRONT DOOR AND BE SURROUNDED BY THE ELEGANCE OF THE 1860′S.”
Switzer Farm ($$$)
“SWITZER FARM IS THE MOST MAJESTIC AND SECLUDED WEDDING DESTINATION ON CALIFORNIA’S NORTH COAST. LOCATED 20 MINUTES NORTH OF FORT BRAGG, NEAR THE HISTORIC VILLAGE OF WESTPORT, THE RESTORED 1884 VICTORIAN FARMHOUSE SITS ATOP 22 PRIVATE OCEANFRONT ACRES DIRECTLY ABOVE THE WILD PACIFIC. WE ENJOY UNINTERRUPTED OCEAN VIEWS FROM THE HOUSE AND FROM EVERYWHERE ON THE PROPERTY. THE FARM IS COMPLETELY PRIVATE, NESTLED HUNDREDS OF YARDS FROM ITS NEAREST NEIGHBOR. THE ENTIRE PROPERTY SITS WEST OF THE ROADWAY — SO THERE IS NOTHING BETWEEN YOU AND THE OCEAN BUT OUR VERY PRIVATE MEADOW, HEADLANDS AND COASTAL CLIFFS.
Scenic Areas for Hiking + Photos:
Looking for a place to shoot some epic photos in the area? Or just a place to hike around and explore? Here are the prettiest spots in the area. These locations could also be used for an engagement session, adventure session, elopement, or family session.
Cypress Grove
CYPRESS GROVE DOESN’T HAVE A WEB PAGE, BUT THIS WOULD BE MY NUMBER ONE PICK FOR PHOTOS IN MENDOCINO. IT HAS CLIFFS, BLUFFS, TREES, ETC. YOU CAN ALSO HOLD YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY IN THE GROVE.
“LESS THAN THREE HOURS FROM SAN FRANCISCO IN THE HEART OF THE ANDERSON VALLEY WINE REGION, HENDY WOODS STATE PARK PROTECTS TWO GROVES OF TOWERING REDWOODS. SOME OF ITS TREES MAY BE MORE THAN 300 FEET TALL AND 1,000 YEARS OLD. FIVE MILES OF TRAILS, INCLUDING BIG HENDY GROVE’S WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE DISCOVERY TRAIL, LEAD THROUGH THE FERN-FILLED FOREST.”
Mailliard Woods State Nature Reserve
“MAILLIARD REDWOODS STATE NATURAL RESERVE WAS NAMED FOR CONSERVATIONIST JOHN WARD MAILLIARD JR., WHO BEFORE HIS DEATH IN 1954 WAS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE SAVE-THE-REDWOOD LEAGUE AND WHOSE SURVIVING FAMILY OWNS PROPERTY THAT SURROUNDS THE UNIT.
THE PURPOSE OF MAILLIARD REDWOODS STATE NATURAL RESERVE, IN MENDOCINO COUNTY, IS TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT, IN AN ESSENTIALLY NATURAL CONDITION, THE COAST REDWOOD FOREST AND ASSOCIATED WILDLIFE HABITAT WHICH OCCURS ALONG THE GARCIA RIVER AND ADJACENT WATERSHEDS.”
Montgomery Woods State Reserve
“HEAD TO THE HEART OF THE COAST RANGE AND STEP INTO THE MAJESTY OF MONTGOMERY WOODS STATE NATURAL RESERVE. YOU’LL FIND A WORLD RICH IN SOLITUDE, SILENCE, AND REMARKABLE GROVES OF COAST REDWOODS. A 367.5-FOOT REDWOOD AT MONTGOMERY WOODS WAS ONCE THOUGHT TO BE THE TALLEST TREE IN THE WORLD. TALLER TREES HAVE SINCE BEEN FOUND IN HUMBOLDT REDWOODS STATE PARK AND REDWOODS NATIONAL PARK, BUT MONTGOMERY WOODS IS STILL NOTED FOR ITS LOFTY GIANTS. A TWO-MILE-LONG LOOP TRAIL LEADS, STEEPLY AT FIRST, ON A REWARDING TOUR. A NINE-ACRE DONATION BY ROBERT ORR IN 1945 STARTED THE RESERVE, WHICH HAS BEEN ENLARGED TO 2,743 ACRES BY PURCHASES AND DONATIONS FROM SAVE THE REDWOODS LEAGUE.”
Mendocino Headlands State Park
“MENDOCINO HEADLANDS STATE PARK WITH ITS UNIQUE BLEND OF GENTLE TRAILS, RUGGED COASTLINE, SECLUDED BEACHES AND TIMELESS HISTORY SURROUNDS THE PICTURESQUE VILLAGE OF MENDOCINO ON THREE SIDES. MILES OF TRAILS WIND ALONG THE CLIFFS, GIVING THE CASUAL EXPLORER SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF SEA ARCHES AND HIDDEN GROTTOS.”
“JUST TWO MILES NORTH OF MENDOCINO, RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK COMBINES A THREE-MILE LEAFY CANYON WITH WINDSWEPT HEADLANDS AND PRISTINE BEACHES ALONG THE PARK’S ROCKY COASTLINE. INLAND, A 36-FOOT WATERFALL PLUNGES DOWN INTO A BOWER OF REDWOODS, MOSSES, AND FERNS. ALONG THE COAST, WAVES CRASH INTO A COLLAPSED SEA CAVE CALLED DEVIL’S PUNCHBOWL, AND THE PHOTOGENIC FREDERICK W. PANHORST BRIDGE RISES GRACEFULLY 100 FEET FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE GULCH.”
Navarro River Redwoods State Park
“AFTER WINDING OVER ROLLING HILLS AND THROUGH THE ANDERSON VALLEY, MOTORISTS TRAVELING ALONG HIGHWAY 128 SUDDENLY ENTER AN ELEVEN-MILE-LONG REDWOOD TUNNEL TO THE SEA. THE REDWOOD FOREST ALONG THE NAVARRO RIVER IS A MAGNIFICENT SIGHT. SECOND GROWTH REDWOOD GROVES STRETCH THE LENGTH OF THE PARK. THEY ARE HOME FOR RACCOONS, BLACK-TAIL DEER, AND RIVER-ORIENTED BIRDS SUCH AS THE BELTED KINGFISHER.”
“THREE MILES SOUTH OF MENDOCINO ON HIGHWAY ONE, VAN DAMME STATE PARK OFFERS A SCENIC BEACH, A LUSH FERN-FILLED FOREST, AND YEAR-ROUND CAMPING. “
About Me:
Hello, my name is Alix, and I’m a photographer living in Portland, OR. Natural, organic, non-posed imagery really captures my attention most. I love feeling the vibes you bring as a couple, and playing on those emotions with my imagery. I love to have fun at my weddings and shoots. We’ll laugh, play, shoot-the-shit, and create beautiful images that you’ll cherish for years to come.
Pricing:
$7,500
Includes:
Travel to Mendocino
Help with timeline planning and location ideas
8 hours of coverage
800 edited images in full resolution with full printing rights
An online, downloadable gallery that never expires