Post # 1
Member
1191 posts
Bumble bee
It’s recently (even before we got engaged) been our desire to take our parents, siblings, and a few close friends and go to Napa (St. Helena) and have a small wedding. We have been several times and LOVE it and it just holds a special place in our hearts! Has anyone gone this route or currently planning? Have vendors/locations to share? We are trying to go as small as possible (less than 30 people invited, expect half to show up).
Post # 2
Member
9520 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
**edited: Sorry I think the suggestions I had made are for larger weddings! Auberge du Soleil may still be worth looking into. But in any case, I’m sure you’ll find something gorgeous up there. Seriously one of my favorite places in the whole world. 🙂
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This reply was modified 4 years ago by Grid.
Post # 3
Member
2240 posts
Buzzing bee
Enchantingelopements.com and Napavalleyweddings.com might be helpful sites.
I like the Hans Fahden elopements and weddings in particular. I’ve never been there, but I do like looking at the weddings and elopements that have taken place there.
Anyway, I hope the sites are of some help to you.
ETA: the weddings and elopements I’ve looked at are on YouTube.
Post # 4
Member
590 posts
Busy bee
- Wedding: March 2017 - Nepal
Do you want to have the ceremony and reception in one place, or are you open to holding the reception at a restaurant?
Post # 5
Member
1191 posts
Bumble bee
Schmashley :
we would prefer to have them at one place. We have connections at a home at a winery that we are fortunate to be able to stay at and had hoped to be able t have the ceremony outside there and then go to a restaurant or somewhere for the reception but apparently you have to get a permit for the ceremony and they are not easy to get, or so we have been told!
Post # 6
Member
1191 posts
Bumble bee
I’ve been in touch with runawaywithme.com and love that they do everything for you! I just wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything since we would be planning out of state. Thanks for the suggestions, off to look!
Post # 7
Member
345 posts
Helper bee
- Wedding: December 2016 - Presidio Log Cabin
Rhopalocera : my sister had a small wedding at Hans Fahden and it was to die for!
hillputaringonit : Napa proper has VERY few wineries that allow weddings due to a ton of restrictions, but as you mentioned, Calistoga and St. Helena are gorgeous choices!
Post # 8
Member
304 posts
Helper bee
hillputaringonit : Obviously getting married in Napa, see username 🙂
I live in the Bay Area so it’s not so much a destination wedding for me, but it’s definitely not super close to home either. We are getting married at Silverado Resort, and we are having a big wedding, but I believe they have some smaller venues at the resort as well too. So far my experience with them has been good! We visited the Vintage Estate in Yountville, and it was not quite for us, but beautiful! Otherwise would definitely look into the smaller winery venues there as you’re doing.
Our photographer is based in Marin and called Elle Jae – they are wonderful! I’d definitely recommend them.
Post # 9
Member
244 posts
Helper bee
We looked at runawaywithme.com in Napa when we were wedding planning (ended up getting married elsewhere though). Their events look so beautifully styled, and they take care of everything. It had a bit of a price tag though – I think 20 guests were going to run us about $20K CDN before travel expenses (lousy US-CDN exchange rate! I think it was about $15K USD at the time). We had also considered Hans Fahden and Meritage.
And kellykapoor’s right – very few wineries will actually host weddings! But what a beautiful place to get married in 🙂
Post # 10
Member
36 posts
Newbee
- Wedding: September 2017 - Ironwoods Beach, Maui
Replying to follow this thread since I have very similar ideas!