It's important to choose the perfect place for your wedding, and if Mendocino County is a consideration, you'll find that Mendocino weddings are among the most beautiful and romantic. The breathtaking scenery in Mendocino, whether coastal or inland, forms an awesome backdrop for your most special day. Just think of the photographs!
If you're thinking about a wedding ceremony and reception in Mendocino, there are lots of things to take into consideration, so start your planning early - especially if your wedding is to take place during the summer peak tourist season.
Location, location, location!
Mendocino wedding locations are plentiful but choosing the perfect one for you may require a little research. Some Mendocino wedding planners actually offer a "sight tour", giving prospective brides and grooms the chance to visit numerous wedding locations before they make a final decision.
Think about the possibilities! Many happy couples choose weddings overlooking the magnificent Pacific Ocean. Mendocino Coast weddings can take place on a bluff above the ocean, in the garden of a beautiful inn or bed and breakfast, or on the sandy shore.
Nearly any of the coastal towns offer good places for weddings. In the southern coastal region, you might choose Point Arena, with its picturesque lighthouse, or perhaps a country inn in neighboring Gualala, where your walk up the aisle will be among fragrant fruit trees and colorful coastal wildflowers.
On the North Coast, consider the tiny town of Little River, where you can choose from a number of elegant inns that have expansive grounds perfect for Mendocino weddings.
Travel a little further north and you'll find the village of Mendocino, where dozens of marriage ceremonies take place each year - especially during the summer. The village is full of B&Bs, guest houses, and inns, and most welcome you to hold your wedding ceremony on their property. These magnificent Victorian structures with their gazebos and colorful English gardens are perfect for your big day! Of course, the views are simply stunning!
Consider some of the smaller coastal towns as well, such as Elk. Because they're sometimes overlooked in favor of locations like Mendocino, prices in these smaller towns may be more affordable.
The vineyards of the Anderson Valley are ideal locations for weddings. As a matter of fact, several wineries in the valley offer wedding packages for those who want to marry among the picturesque rows of grapes or in the elaborate homes that often grace the premises of the region's up-and-coming vineyards. Receptions usually follow on the grounds of the winery, with an opportunity to sample the best new vintages.
Receptions and Accommodations
If you choose to hold your Mendocino wedding at an inn, bed and breakfast, or other commercial establishment that offers food, you can have your ceremony and reception both in one location, without the need to travel from place to place.
Many of these places of lodging offer full-service packages that include the ceremony, the reception, and even discounted lodging for you and your guests. If a B&B or inn is too small to accommodate all your guests, they'll often recommend neighboring accommodations that can meet your needs and house any overflow. If you'd like, you can even continue your honeymoon in the same location as your ceremony for a truly all-inclusive wedding package.
Receptions at these locations range from outdoor barbecue extravaganzas - overlooking the Pacific Ocean while you dine - to very formal sit-down affairs either inside or under a large tent. If your wedding is small and intimate, B&Bs or inns can provide you with a small room for a cozy affair.
If you choose to marry on the beach, there are a wealth of local restaurants in coastal towns such as Mendocino, Fort Bragg, or Gualala that offer packages for wedding receptions.
Planning Mendocino Weddings
Many couples enjoy making their wedding plans on their own, but for others, the services of a planner are essential. A Mendocino wedding planner is easy to find and all are well-versed as to the best locations for your ceremony and reception. Most of these planners will also help you secure the other services you need for your special day, such as photographers, videographers, clergy or Justice of the Peace, musicians, florists, and more. Leaving the details to an experienced wedding planner means you can better enjoy your wedding day as well as the weeks leading up to this special occasion.
