Sonoma County Wine Country Wedding Venue

California wine country is such a popular place for weddings that I'm always on on the hunt for fabulous weddings venues to share with my readers. So, I'm really glad I discovered the Inn at Occidental, located in Occidental, Sonoma County, just northwest of Sebastopol, and east of Bodega Bay.

Situated in the hills of the redwood forest, this little slice of Sonoma County is the perfect spot for a romantic wedding. There's plenty to do for you and your guests, from hiking in the nearby Armstrong Woods State Reserve to visiting the area wineries and sampling some outstanding wine. The Inn itself has been awarded 4 diamonds by AAA.

You can choose to have your ceremony at the Inn, or at one of the local churches, then have your reception at the Inn in one of their two reception sites: their dining room which accommodates up to 48 guests, or their outdoor courtyard, which can accommodate up to 104 people. The courtyard is surrounded by an English-cottage garden and bubbling fountain. Should you wish to have your wedding or reception in the garden, you do have to rent the entire inn, which includes 16 rooms and cottage, plus the use of the dining room and all its amenities, the patio, living room, and veranda.

I've included a YouTube video of the Inn at Occidental to give you an idea of what a wedding there might be like.



For more information you can go to their website at innatoccidental.com

Hot Air Balloon Weddings in California

Where are some of the top spots for a hot air balloon wedding in California? Certainly the wine country regions of Napa, Sonoma and Temecula would have to top the list, as does the Gold Country in Northern California. Here are several hot air balloon companies in California which offer wedding services while aloft in a balloon:

Napa and Sonoma County

Napa and Sonoma counties are probably the most recognized wine regions in California, and the views from a hot air balloon are awesome. A couple hot air balloon companies of note which provide weddings aboard their balloons include:

Napa Valley Balloons, Inc.
Yountville, California 94599
1-800-253-2224
Email: info@napavalleyballoons.com

Napa Valley Balloons, Inc. flies out of Yountville, located in the Napa Valley. In fact, the meeting spot is the Domaine Chandon winery, a lovely place to sample sparkling wine. Napa Valley Balloons has been flying over the Napa Valley for 28 years and has been featured on the Today Show, Oprah and the Travel Channel.

Wine Country Balloons
1-800-759-5638
Email: hotline@balloontours com

Wine Country Balloons flies over the beautiful Sonoma County and Napa County wine country, where you'll be treated to views of the Pacific Coast, San Francisco's Skyline, the Redwood Forests and the Russian River. Their chief pilot is a minister who can perform hot air balloon ceremonies while you drift gently above the beautiful country below. Or, if you prefer, he can perform the ceremony on the ground before the launch.

Temecula, California

California Dreamin'
1-800-373-3359 or 951-699-0601
Email: info@californiadreamin.com

Temecula is Southern California's other wine country. Located approximately 80 to 90 miles southeast of Los Angeles, Temecula is a great spot for a wine country wedding. California Dreamin' can coordinate weddings in their hot air balloons, using either your own minister, or one of their qualified ministers.

Gold Country, California

Sky Drifters
Coloma, California
1-888-FLY-0484
info@skydrifters.com

If you've never been to Gold Country, you're missing some beautiful scenery. Sky Drifters is located in Coloma, just 45 minutes east of Sacramento between Placerville and Auburn on Historic Highway 49. They launch the balloon from the banks of the American River near Sutter's Mill, giving you spectacular views of the American River Valley, flying over water and tall trees. Their pilots are legally qualified to perform weddings.

Wedding Venue in Pacific Palisades

Just a quick note about a venue in Pacific Palisades which boasts some of the finest views of the Santa Monica Bay you'll find. The Bel-Air Bay Club on Pacific Coast Highway was built in the late 20s as a place for the "leisure class" to go hang out.

The grounds sit on 14 acres, which includes a 1/4 mile of beachfront and picturesque bluffs overlooking the ocean. The Club consists of a Lower Clubhouse and an Upper Clubhouse, which provides guests with an unobstructed view of Santa Monica Bay and Catalina Island. And that, of course, makes for some pretty spectacular wedding photos:



If you'd like to schedule an appointment to view the property, you can contact them at: mfischer@belairbayclub.com

Location and Contact Info:

Bel-Air Bay Club
16801 Pacific Coast Highway
Pacific Palisades, Ca.
90272310
230-4705
http://www.belairbayclub.com/

A Word About Rehearsal Dinners

And, now, a word about the rehearsal dinner. A rehearsal dinner isn't mandatory. But it is an excellent way to bring together some of the wedding party and thank everyone for helping out. It also represents an opportunity to bring the parents of the bride and groom, and possibly the best man and maid of honor, together. In some cases, it will be the first time these wedding party members have even met.

No specific practices are set in stone, but there are some common elements.

• In theory, anyone who has a part in the ceremony may be invited. But again there are no rules set in stone here. Some couples choose to open it up to include close friends. Others want to restrict the rehearsal dinner to a much more intimate setting that includes only parents and the bride and groom.
• Printed invitations are still a good idea, though some of that activity has shifted online. This makes it easy to track who is coming and who isn't and saves on printing and mailing costs. Be sure to invite guests well in advance in either case.
• It isn't mandatory to eat at the most expensive restaurant in town. But if you plan to have a rehearsal dinner at all, something a little nicer than the usual is appropriate. Be sure to make reservations at least a week in advance.

Do you need to have your rehearsal dinner at a restaurant? Absolutely not. There's nothing that says you can't have a more relaxed, informal rehearsal dinner at someone's home. An at-home rehearsal dinner gives you an opportunity to organize some fun games where everyone can get to know the couple better, such as a game of charades where you act out scenes from the bride or groom's life.

Win a Winery Wedding in California!

Having a wedding at a winery in California tops the lists of many a couple. So, what could be better than having your wedding at a California winery? Winning it!

Deer Ridge Vineyards and TR3S Special Events Catering are giving you the opportunity to win a wedding package valued at $10,000 at the Deer Ridge Vineyards in Livermore, California. This package includes:

• Vineyard-view ceremony site
• Use of event center and reception facilities
• Complete 4-Star Menu Package
• Deer Ridge wines
• Dining tables
• Chairs and linens
• Flatware and glassware
• Flowers

The drawing will take place Dec. 19, at 3 pm at Deer Ridge Vineyards. You don't have to be present to win, but you do have to enter, which you can do by going to www.DeerRidgeVineyards.com/win-a-wedding.html.

Deer Ridge Vineyards is located on a portion of the Old Wetmore Ranch, which is the historic home of some of the oldest vineyards in California history. For weddings, they offer an outdoor patio, with an indoor dining room which can accommodate up to 128 guests. They also offer their Barrel Room for small, intimate ceremonies and receptions. The vineyards is also the recipient of the 2009 Bride's Choice Award from Wedding Wire.

Good luck!