Best Napa Sonoma Wine Country Wedding Venues

YOU’RE ENGAGED – whoop whoop!! Now that you’ve got that shiny ring and a dashing new spouse, one of the first stops of wedding planning is selecting a venue. So much depends on the venue – the date, amount of people you can invite, the overall budget, what vendors you need to hire vs. what’s included, etc. The best Napa Sonoma wine country wedding venues are not only hot destinations for California couples, but engaged couples allllllll over the world.

From private estates, to wineries, to Airbnbs, to grand hotels and resorts, it can be overwhelming to figure out where to start!

As a photographer, certain venues stick out as la creme de la creme, so today we’re sharing just a few of the best Napa-Sonoma wine country wedding venues to help make your search just a little bit easier!

Check out a recent wine country wedding we shot HERE!

1. Buena Vista Winery: Sonoma

2. Calistoga Ranch: Calistoga

(photo credit: Calistoga Ranch)

3. Silverado Resort: Napa

(photo credit: Here Comes the Guide)

4. B.R. Cohn: Sonoma

(photo credit: Here Comes the Guide)

5. Foley Sonoma

(photo credit: Foley Sonoma)

6. V. Sattui Winery: St. Helena

(photo credit: V. Sattui)

7. Culinary Institute of America: Napa

(photo credit: The Wedding Spot)

8. Chateau St. Jean: Sonoma

(photo credit: Bay Area Wedding Venues)

9. Chalk Hill Estate Winery: Healdsburg

 

(photo credit: Wedding Spot)

10. Las Alcobas Napa Valley: St. Helena

(photo credit: Here Comes the Guide)

Now that we’ve dived into the best Napa Sonoma wine country wedding venues, here are a few other things to consider:

1. Before you make any decisions, you need to decide on a budget. Don’t sign a contract with a venue, regardless of the price, only to realize down the line that you have no money left for things you also very much care about, like a photographer!
2. When touring, get clear on what comes with venue, including rentals (like tables and chairs), a food and beverage minimum you might have to meet with the winery, etc.
3. Ask about the rain plan. It doesn’t rain often around here, but if it does, you’ll have piece of mind knowing what the back up plan is, even if it meaning putting up a tent for the originally al fresco reception you had in mind.
4. Check out where you will be getting ready! Big rooms with neutral wall colors and furnishings will photograph best for moments like getting your wedding dress on.
5. Check out your ceremony site around the time you plan to get married – remember: you’ll want to have your ceremony at least 2-2.5 hours before sunset. In the winter, the sun sets as early as 5:30PM.
6. Ask about any vendors you have to use off their preferred vendor list – namely: catering and planners. Many venues prefer you using their tried and true vendors for people who will be using the physical structure of the venue. Don’t feel boxed into the photographers on the preferred vendor list, though – it is soooo nice to have a photographer who can approach your venue with a fresh eye.