It’s time to start planning your wedding and find the best Sonoma wedding venues. In this blog post, you’ll find details on a variety of wedding venues in Sonoma County, each with its own distinct characteristics and amenities. You’ll learn about each venue’s event spaces, unique offerings, and capacity. Keep reading to discover the best Sonoma wedding venues from my ten years of experience as a Sonoma wedding photographer and Sonoma wedding planner.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Sonoma Wedding Venue
When choosing a Sonoma wedding venue, there are several things to keep in mind. The word “Sonoma” can mean a couple of different things—Sonoma County and the city of Sonoma, California. Sonoma County is the vast area where wine is produced. It has several distinct areas, is comprised of over thirty towns/cities, and is home to over 400 vineyards. Two of the most popular towns in Sonoma County are Sonoma and Healdsburg. The city of Sonoma is a historic town that features a quaint main square adorned with cute boutiques and local restaurants.
Sonoma is located just twelve miles from Napa, and both areas are less than 60 miles north of San Francisco. Napa is smaller in acreage than Sonoma, but it is also home to nearly 400 wineries. The most popular towns in Napa Valley are Napa, Yountville, and St. Helena. Both areas make for great California wedding locations, but as a Sonoma local, I’ll be highlighting the best Sonoma wedding venues in this post.
Top Wedding Venues in Sonoma
1. MacArthur Place, Sonoma
MacArthur Place is a lovely estate wedding venue in Sonoma County that features accommodations, a spa, and amazing culinary experiences. It’s the perfect size for small to medium-sized weddings and can host up to 80 guests. The Sonoma wedding venue offers both indoor and outdoor spaces for your ceremony and reception, and they have an in-house event team to help make the event run even smoother. One of the best parts? Dogs are allowed at your MacArthur Place wedding!
Your wedding guests will have the opportunity to stay on-site at the estate, which provides added convenience for them. The luxury accommodations include 64 chic hotel rooms, each decorated with soothing textures and natural materials. Each room features indoor and outdoor spaces for comfort and relaxation.
Take a peek at Kristen and Chris’s MacArthur Place wedding and Rebecca and Alex’s wedding!
2. Viansa Winery, Sonoma
Are you dreaming of an Italian-inspired wedding venue? Viansa Winery is a fourth-generation, family-owned winery in Sonoma. There are several options for ceremony and reception spaces, and the property has tons of great photo locations for your wedding party photos. The outdoor wedding space can hold up to 400 guests, and the indoor space can accommodate 220 guests.
With Italian countryside vibes, this exquisite Sonoma wedding venue is situated up on a hill overlooking the entire valley. It makes for unreal sunset views, but it can bring in some wind, so we recommend advising your guests to bring layers.
3. Buena Vista Winery, Sonoma
This dreamy historic Sonoma wedding venue is one of my favorites because it’s located just one mile from Sonoma Square. Buena Vista Winery is a California Historic Landmark and is home to a beautiful outdoor courtyard, the Champagne Cellar, and the Historic Wine Museum.
The Italian-inspired outdoor courtyard is just outside of the Champagne Cellar, which dates back to 1864. In the courtyard, you’ll find a sixteen-foot-wide fountain, romantic string lights, and charming cobblestone accents. It can hold 225 of your loved ones and is the perfect space for an outdoor wedding ceremony and reception.
There are several other venues that can accommodate a small reception or larger cocktail hour at Buena Vista Winery, like the Bubble Lounge in the Champagne Cellar, the Press House Tasting Room, and Middle Cave in the Champagne Cellar. The options are endless at this Sonoma wedding venue!
4. Olympia’s Valley Estate, Petaluma
Picture yourself saying your vows under romantic weeping willow trees overlooking the pond. Then, after a cocktail hour al fresco, you and your guests head into the elegant 150-year-old historic barn for the reception of your dreams. This could be you if you choose Olympia’s Valley as your Sonoma County wedding venue!
Olympia’s Valley offers gorgeous outdoor space for your wedding ceremony, a large indoor barn that makes for a great inclement weather backup plan, and a stunning meadow if you choose to host your wedding dinner outdoors. The hilltops are amazing wedding photo locations. It can hold up to 190 guests, and the venue has actually been a working farm since 1905. Their cows’ milk actually goes to Strauss Creamery for ice cream! I personally know the owners, a sister duo, and the pride they take in their venue is unmatched.
Additionally, booking your wedding at Olympia’s Valley allows you the use of the entire first floor of the 1865 Victorian home for one partner to get ready and take photos before the wedding ceremony. Plus, there is a separate cottage for the other partner to get ready and relax prior to the ceremony, as well. It truly has it all!
5. BR Cohn, Glen Ellen
BR Cohn is another historical wedding venue in Sonoma County. Founded in 1984, the founder, Bruce, began harvesting grapes and producing wine on the used-to-be dairy farm. In 1990, he also began harvesting olives from his property. BR Cohn became California’s first single-estate olive oil in over a century.
It’s an absolutely phenomenal location, and it’s known for hosting concerts and events. The large property can accommodate a variety of guest sizes. The Olive Grove is a perfectly manicured lawn lined with 160-year-old French Picholine olive trees that are decorated with white lights. It’s the ideal romantic and intimate location for your Sonoma County wedding reception. The Amphitheater can hold 250 seated guests and makes for a breathtaking ceremony or cocktail hour venue. It overlooks the vineyards and the Sonoma Mountain range.
6. Barndiva, Healdsburg
Barndiva is a Michelin Star restaurant and Sonoma County wedding venue located in the heart of downtown Healdsburg. Focused on local, seasonal ingredients, your guests will love the culinary experience that Barndiva offers. Booking your wedding at Barndiva gives you access to all of the rooms and gardens to choose from for your wedding venues.
Picture saying, “I do” under the heritage trees, mingling during cocktail hour in the art gallery, and eating dinner under the stars in the studio garden. Barndiva can host up to 225 guests, and depending on the size, Barndiva can host your winter wedding indoors inside the gallery. Barndiva’s intimate environment and impeccable hospitality make it one of my favorite Sonoma County wedding venues.
7. Garden Valley Ranch, Petaluma
Dreaming of a breathtaking outdoor wedding venue in Sonoma County? Garden Valley Ranch is the ultimate outdoor venue with a magical rose garden, a beautiful barn, and an impeccable patio! With over five acres, this venue has roughly 6,000 rose bushes that make for a delicious aroma and stunning character.
The historic property features a Queen Anne Victorian Belvedere that makes for a spectacular ceremony backdrop and an expansive brick patio that’s fit for dancing the night away under the stars. The Secret Garden is nestled behind the Belvedere and is the ideal place for your cocktail hour and wedding party photos.
There is a small Carriage House that provides an indoor-outdoor experience for dining and dancing. The main barn door of the Carriage House opens to a large courtyard that is great for ceremonies, cocktail hours, and receptions alike.
There are two separate spaces for the couple to get ready in beforehand, which are both very charming. The venue can hold 150 comfortably but can accommodate more with supplemental bathrooms and shuttles. As one of the more affordable wedding venues in Sonoma County, Garden Valley Ranch really has it all!
Check out Kelsey and Christian’s Garden Valley Ranch wedding for a peek at all Garden Valley Ranch has to offer!
8. Vintner’s Resort, Santa Rosa
This marvelous resort property is the perfect balance of luxury and laid-back charm! While here, your guests will escape day-to-day life to embrace your wedding weekend fully.
Vintner’s Resort has both indoor and outdoor event spaces. The spectacular Fontana Pavilion overlooks the vineyards and makes for a remarkable ceremony space. Indoors, there are two ballroom-size venues that are between beautiful flower gardens and courtyards. The award-winning in-house chef and catering team will help you curate a menu your guests will rave about.
Vintner’s Resort can accommodate up to 350 guests and has 78 rooms and suites for your and your guests’ convenience. While not necessary, you may choose a full buyout of the property for exclusive access to the hotel rooms, restaurants, spa, and recreation amenities.
9. Mountain House Estate, Cloverdale
Mountain House Estate is a quaint, family-owned Sonoma County wedding venue that is off the beaten path. This private estate is filled with charm and character and can accommodate up to 250 guests.
The most popular ceremony site at Mountain House Estate is the Oak Tree Terrace, but you can choose between there, along the private pond, in the barn, and under the Redwood trees. The property features lovely gardens and courtyards, and it has two separate getting-ready spaces.
10. Ru’s Farm, Healdsburg
At the center of Ru’s Farm is a charming barn that dates back to 1902. It’s surrounded by rolling vineyards, expansive gardens, and a majestic hundred-year-old oak tree. It’s situated overlooking the valley and is located just a mile and a half from Healdsburg Square.
With several options for your ceremony, cocktail, and reception venues, Ru’s Farm’s signature space is the barn with dramatic 25-foot ceilings and superb acoustics for dancing with your loved ones. It can accommodate up to 150 guests, and there are two farm cottages on site for you and several of your guests.
Bonus: Carneros Resort and Spa in Napa
If you are really wanting that picturesque wedding that includes both beautiful views and a fabulous venue, take a look at the nearby Carneros Resort and Spa in Napa. Take a look at these amazing photos from a recent Carneros Resort and Spa wedding to see for yourself! Not only does this location boast vineyard views, it also offers housing accommodations for guests, dining and on-site spa services.
Choosing the best Sonoma wedding venue can be tough
Each wedding venue in Sonoma offers a unique atmosphere and different amenities for you and your guests. That’s where we can help!
Michelle Angeli is a Sonoma wedding photographer and planner offering all-inclusive wedding planning, photography, videography, and floral packages for each of these Sonoma wedding venues. We also offer Napa & Sonoma micro wedding packages.
Reach out today for help planning your Sonoma wedding or for information about our other all-inclusive wedding services.
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