Tan Weddings & Events

  • Weddings
    • Napa Wine Country
    • Sonoma Wine Country
  • Elopements
  • Officiating
  • Events
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Blog
  • Connect
  • Budget Calculator
  • Weddings
    • Napa Wine Country
    • Sonoma Wine Country
  • Elopements
  • Officiating
  • Events
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Blog
  • Connect
  • Budget Calculator

Finding Your Wedding Venue in Northern California

10/26/2021

3 Comments

 
bride and groom at Park Winters
Picking your wedding venue is such an important decision. You need a wedding venue that you love aesthetically, but you also need a venue that fits your wedding day needs! We highly recommend hiring your wedding planner first, as the planner can assist you with finding the perfect venue to match your vision, budget, and guest needs.

As planners in Northern California, we are experts at how to pick the right venue. We help our clients navigate all of the choices and help them select the one that fits their vision! Since we have planned events at most venues in this area, we know exactly what to look for and create layouts for every need.

When it comes to picking your wedding venue in Northern California, you'll want to keep a few things in mind!

How to Pick Your Wedding Venue
When selecting a venue, consider the following questions:

1. Does it accommodate ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing?
You might choose to have your ceremony venue and your reception venue be different, but it's important to understand what each venue can do for you. If you want to do everything at the same venue, be sure to ask if your entire event can be held on site. This includes having space for all of your events, as well as what rental items you might need.

2. Is there a "Plan B" option in case of inclement weather?
If you want an outdoor event, you'll need to make sure you're covered in case of less-than-ideal weather. Check with the venue if you can move the event inside if need be or if you can put a tent on the property! As wedding planners, we make sure that all of our couples have a Plan B for their event.

3. Are there other events going on at the same time on the property?
This is something that may or may not concern you. Some venues hold multiple events on the same day, which often means signs pointing guests to the correct wedding and sharing restrooms. If this concerns you, be sure to pick a venue that only holds one event a day!

4. Do you need accommodations on site for overnight, getting ready, rehearsal dinner, and farewell brunch?
You might decide to do some of these things elsewhere, but it's important to know upfront what your venue can accommodate. It might be easier (and cheaper) to go with a venue where you can do everything you need on-site. It also allows for easier transportation if all of the events can happen on the same property.

5. How is the accessibility for your guests regarding driving or shuttles, parking, ADA accessibility, and ease of walking on site?
In general, you want to make sure your venue is easily accessible to everyone, but this is particularly true if you have guests with disabilities. You'll want to make sure the venue can accommodate those guests. You’ll also want to understand the parking situation, so you can easily schedule any necessary transportation.

6. What are the restrictions regarding alcohol, sound, live music, and vendors not on the preferred list?
These are all things you need to be aware of in order to plan your wedding properly. Check with your potential wedding venue to see if they have any policies in place and see if any of those policies don't work for you. For example, if you have your heart set on a photographer but need to choose from a preferred vendor list, you might need to go elsewhere. Another thing to ask is how late your wedding can go. If you are dreaming of a late-night affair, make sure the venue has late-night hours.

7. Do additional restrooms need to be brought in?
This is an important detail that people tend to forget. You need to make sure you have enough bathrooms for your guests. The last thing you want is a long line to the bathroom!

8. Is there enough space for your projected guest count?
It's crucial that your venue can accommodate the number of people you're thinking of inviting. And it's just as essential to make sure it's not too crowded! If your venue holds 200 guests seated, and you want 200 guests and a lounge, large dance floor, and multiple bars, your venue might not be able to accommodate guests and rentals. That is another reason why you should have your wedding planner help you select your venue. As planners, we can let you know if your layouts and design details and guest count can fit within the space.

9. Is the space open to the public?
If you decide to have your wedding in a place that is open to the public, you might have guests that you didn't invite. Even if this doesn't concern you, it's good to know what the rules are!

10. How is the general ambient noise level on site?
​If there's a lot of noise around, like traffic noise, that might upset your big day. So, be sure to pay attention to the general noise level when you visit. This is particularly important for your ceremony. If you are dreaming of an outdoor ceremony, make sure that it is a quiet space.
Our Favorite Wedding Venues in Northern California​
Park Winters
​Park Winters is an ideal venue! It's quiet, and it has absolutely gorgeous grounds. Plus, it has a lot of areas to choose from with indoor and outdoor options. Park Winters even has great overnight and getting-ready spaces. Not to mention, there's the delicious food with ingredients sourced from their own farm and a quality bar! This amazing country estate also has the most attentive and caring staff. Plus, it's even an easy drive to hotels and the airport, and it's not far from Sacramento, Napa, Sonoma, San Francisco, and Tahoe. We love doing weddings at Park Winters!
Tips for finding the perfect venue for your Northern California Wedding
Northern California Wedding Venue Guide
Tan Wedding and Events planning
Park Winters wedding venue
bride and groom portraits at Park Winters
how to pick a wedding venue in Northern California
Park Winters wedding
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn
This amazing wedding venue also offers Sonoma Golf Club as a secluded venue option just a couple of miles away. The 
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn has a hotel, spa, and restaurant on site, as well as indoor and outdoor options for your wedding. The Inn has a high level of service, an amazing bar, and delicious food. It's close to many wineries in the Sonoma Valley and an easy drive to Napa Valley and San Francisco. Plus, it has a new after party location available on site, as well as options for rehearsal dinner and farewell brunch.

how to pick a wedding venue in Northern California
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn wedding
how to pick a wedding venue in Northern California
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn wedding
flower and greenery chandelier
bride and groom portraits at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn
Hiring your wedding planner before you pick your venue means you have help picking out that perfect location. We love helping our couples pull together their ideal wedding. Reach out to us, and we can help you find that amazing wedding venue in Northern California that's just right for your big day!​
Park Winters Wedding Vendors 
Photography | 
Milou + Olin
Planning, Design, Production & Officiant | Tan Weddings & Events
Venue, Catering, Bar & Accommodations | Park Winters
Florals | Flower Mama for The Pollen Mill
DJ | Function 45
HMUA | Christi Reynolds Beauty
Cake | Palette Cakes
Videography | Phillip Alan Films
Ceremony Words | Wedwordy
Rentals | Blossom Farm Vintage Rentals
Signage & Paperie | Meredith Law Design
Linens | La Tavola Fine Linen
Transportation | Five Star Limo
Dress | Willowby Watters at Miosa Bride

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn Wedding Vendors
Photography | The Edges 
Planning, Design, Coordination & Officiant | Tan Weddings & Events
Ceremony Words | Wedwordy 

Catering, Bar & Cake | Fairmont Sonoma 
Venue | Sonoma Golf Club
Band, String Quartet & MC | Vybe Society
Florals | Flourish Flowers
Rentals & Draping | Standard Party Rentals 
Linens | La Tavola Fine Linen
Signage & Paperie | Arrow Art Studios
Transportation | Pure Luxury Transportation
Invitations | Minted
Dress | Enzoani from White Dress Bridal Boutique

Tux | Brooks Brothers Custom
3 Comments
Windsong Tagaytay link
6/22/2022 04:59:37 am

Wonderful ideas! Cannot deny the magic of the place when you choose one of these <a href="https://www.windsongtagaytay.com" title="event's place" alt="event's place">event's place</a> for your special day. Thank you for these insights and for the ideas. This is a must-read for every person looking for a magical place like this!

Reply
Tex Hooper link
9/12/2022 06:19:28 pm

I didn't know that there were so many venues in Northern California. I need to get a wedding venue for my sister. She is getting married in December.

Reply
Jessie Holloway link
11/22/2022 02:29:48 pm

Thanks so much for the advice to make sure you know the rules of the venues you're looking at. I have a friend who's getting married soon and they're looking to find a venue for the big day. It's a great idea to make sure we understand the situation of certain environments the venues are in.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Our 2023 Preferred Vendor list is in - check out these awesome creatives!

    RSS Feed


    Picture
    Click the image to order the consultation kit.
    Picture
    Join the HoneyBook community of wedding creatives and build your business savvy!
    Picture
    You won't believe this fairytale wedding was planned in just 2 weeks! Click the image to see our feature in Style Me Pretty.
    Picture
    Click the pic to see our Santa Cruz Redwoods Elopement featured in My Wedding Magazine!
    PictureWe are proud supporters of VOW for Girls. Vow's vision is a world where no child is ever a bride.
    ​

    Picture
    Everly NYC streamlines bridesmaid dress shopping through their style quiz, virtual showroom, and wide assortment of dresses with free shipping & returns. Even better, we have a discount code too - TANWEDDINGS10
    Picture
    Visit this link to rest assured your wedding will be insured! Stay protected from the unplanned circumstances.
    Picture
    In need of wine or beverages for your wedding? Does your caterer or venue not provide? Check out One Hope Wine for some of the best quality wines for an amazing price point! Click the image to visit our direct shop link!
    Picture
    Robly makes email marketing easy! Visit the link above to check out a free trial to take your business tactics to the next level.
    Picture
    If you are looking for hi-end custom gifting for your wedding welcome gifts for all your out of towners, Bestowe Gifting is your answer for getting hi-quality, localized, and personalized gifts designed and delivered for your wedding or event. We specialize in Northern California weddings, but can localized to any area and any couple for one-of-a-kind experiences. Miniumum of 25 gifts per person.
    Picture
    When you have a suit that complements your shape and accentuates your best features, people take notice. We combine your measurements with our algorithm to create perfectly fitting suits that make you look and feel incredible. Click the link via the logo to receive $25 your order!
    Picture
    Click the above logo for an exclusive look into what Arbonne has to offer for all of your pampering & nutritional needs!
    Picture
    In need of business advice that is thorough, helpful, and all in one place? Braden Drake LLC has exactly that - visit the link via the logo to check it out!
    Picture
    Check out Reggie + Kai's Wedding on Real Weddings Blog! This lovely couple's day was truly "out of this world!"
    Picture
    Check out Ally & Zach's wedding published on the WeddingChicks blog. Click the photo above to read all about it!
    Picture
    In need of business legal advice? Not sure where to start? Check out Braden Drake's Not Your Average Law Firm to make sure all of your business needs are running smoothly and legally!
Picture
Weddings, Elopements, and Events in Napa, Sonoma, Carmel, and Destinations

info@tanweddingsandevents.com
​(530) 601-0914

Elopements
Planning
Events
Officiating
​
​Connect​


About
Q & A
​
Budget Calculator
​Pledge to Unity
Social Media Etiquette
Blog
Preferred Vendors
Media
​
Reviews
copyright TWE 2016-2023