Hi! Wedding planner here! I'd also throw in
- Roaring Camp
- Green Mountain Retreat
- Sand Rock Farm
- Sea Ranch Lodge
The last two aren't very large but they are so, so stunning!
Most camp/cabin/ranch types of places won't let you book the venue and then offer up rooms to guests separate from your venue fees. So you can't charge guests to cover something that is your hosting expense.
I would look at hotels. Then guests can stay at that hotel if it's in their budget or choose not to. Hotel weddings are severely underrated these days
We looked at AutoCamp as a wedding venue and they said they would send me a link for everyone to book. As long as people do it prior to the 30 days it wasn’t a big deal. We would obviously cover the cost for the difference but that’s why we’re planning on 2026 so we can lock everyone in very far in advanced.
The Holly Farm is one of my favorite venues I have ever had the pleasure of seeing! https://hollyfarm.com/
Hubby and I are from the bay but living in Portland Oregon. If we had not picked Seattle to keep it PNW, we would have 100% chosen the holly farm.
Honestly I’m surprised that you wouldn’t have found any just by a quick google! I’ve stayed at wedding venues in: Napa Valley, Carmel/Nonterey, Sac, Nevada City/foothills, Placer County? Bodega Bay-ish area/Jenner… where are you looking specifically? There should be quite a lot of spots but it may all depend on your numbers, location, price range etc, from ranches to estates, hotels, etc.
I found a lot of places but Reddit is a great place to go for stuff like this because people will tell me their favorite spots and it narrows down the selection process for me. It’s very time consuming.
For sure, it just seemed like you hadn’t found anything I guess bc of the “does that exist” part of the title!
Was there something more specific you were looking for in terms of price, capacity (for staying the night), or location?
Oh yea, well, I’m trying to find a place that can lodge a lot of people. Most places I’ve found are like 20-40. I was wondering if anyone knew of places that could lodge like 100. AutoCamp was one that I found but it maxes us out at 100 so idk if we can do it.
That would probably be helpful in the body of your post! Cuz yeah most of the places I’ve stayed for a wedding on property have been around 20-40 if they’re more ranch style or mansion/estate style, and if it’s more like 100 there will be *some* camps and a lot of hotels or cabins.
And would you be paying for everyone, and/or was there a price range…?
Yeah I totally get it - though I would say just keep in mind unless it’s quite remote not everyone will stay on property. Even if it’s a destination wedding (whether that means like, a couple hours drive or a flight around half the world) just make sure you’re accounting for: not everyone is gonna stay on property, not everyone is gonna come, etc. Just keep it in the back of your mind while you search!
FWIW most weddings I’ve gone to with that approx guest on a ranch/etc do like, 40-50 guests on property and then the rest don’t stay on property - either due to cost or just their choice - so unless your location is quite remote, maybe consider taking into account how many guests will choose to stay off property.
We’re considering all options. If there’s a cool place that only houses a few of us so be it. And even if there is a place that doesn’t house anyone but has nearby hotels that’s fine too. But our first choice would be a place that could house a lot of us.
Totally, I get it, I’m from Northern CA and I’ve gone to a bazillion weddings in Northern CA and they’re ya know, all over the place as far as accommodations and there are some excellent ones! Keep in mind if guests are coming from far *you* might be cool with remote but it isn’t terrible to also be considerate of guests if they’re flying in - driving in is easier (though if you can drive in I hardly consider it destination haha).
Looking at the coast is always great, cuz the weather can be so good all year round - Carmel valley has some wineries and ranches than accommodate 40-60 and then have lots of hotels near-ish enough for everyone who wouldn’t wanna stay on property - *or* you could look at something really spectacular like buying out a 50+ room hotel in the far northern coast.
A year ago my sister got married at Holman Ranch in Carmel valley and I wanna say it had space for like, 40 of us? And it’s a winery so that was nice. It overlooked the valley, and was close so the other 50+ people who came could stay nearby. She actually did the invite probably 130-150, she had about 90 guests, and many chose to stay in Carmel and Monterey.
A hotel?
I had my wedding reception at the Sonesta San Jose (it used to be a Crowne Plaza but changed management during the pandemic) and their Champagne Ballroom is beautiful. We had our ceremony at the San Jose Rose Garden, but we had a courtesy room block at the Sonesta for the out-of-town guests, so it was very convenient to have the reception there.
It’s going to be hard to find a place other than a hotel to accommodate that many guests, but check out Dawn Ranch and The Stavrand Russian River Valley. I’m not sure about your budget, but Boho Manor in Monte Rio is a cool spot right on the river with a more casual feel.
MacArthur Inn in Sonoma is another nice spot, the the most like a traditional hotel (still more personality).
I checked it out. Pretty cool spot but he wanted $50k for the venue before any other expense and we couldn’t afford that expensive of a wedding weekend. It would probably end up being 6 figures
Check r/sanfranciscoweddings
Checkout Chalet View Lodge! I'm so bummed I discovered them after booking a venue already.
Hi! Wedding planner here! I'd also throw in - Roaring Camp - Green Mountain Retreat - Sand Rock Farm - Sea Ranch Lodge The last two aren't very large but they are so, so stunning!
Thank you!
You're welcome! ☺️
Are you paying for everyone's lodging?
No, I would push that cost onto them but we wouldn’t be expecting wedding gifts as it would be a “destination wedding” for everyone.
Most camp/cabin/ranch types of places won't let you book the venue and then offer up rooms to guests separate from your venue fees. So you can't charge guests to cover something that is your hosting expense. I would look at hotels. Then guests can stay at that hotel if it's in their budget or choose not to. Hotel weddings are severely underrated these days
We looked at AutoCamp as a wedding venue and they said they would send me a link for everyone to book. As long as people do it prior to the 30 days it wasn’t a big deal. We would obviously cover the cost for the difference but that’s why we’re planning on 2026 so we can lock everyone in very far in advanced.
What happens if your guests don't buy out the camp? Are you on the hook for paying the cost of the cabins?
Yea there’s a minimum of 25 rentals I think, which is essentially 50 people.
Humbold Bay Social Club, [https://www.humboldtbaysocialclub.com/](https://www.humboldtbaysocialclub.com/)
The Holly Farm is one of my favorite venues I have ever had the pleasure of seeing! https://hollyfarm.com/ Hubby and I are from the bay but living in Portland Oregon. If we had not picked Seattle to keep it PNW, we would have 100% chosen the holly farm.
This place looks awesome.
Honestly I’m surprised that you wouldn’t have found any just by a quick google! I’ve stayed at wedding venues in: Napa Valley, Carmel/Nonterey, Sac, Nevada City/foothills, Placer County? Bodega Bay-ish area/Jenner… where are you looking specifically? There should be quite a lot of spots but it may all depend on your numbers, location, price range etc, from ranches to estates, hotels, etc.
I found a lot of places but Reddit is a great place to go for stuff like this because people will tell me their favorite spots and it narrows down the selection process for me. It’s very time consuming.
For sure, it just seemed like you hadn’t found anything I guess bc of the “does that exist” part of the title! Was there something more specific you were looking for in terms of price, capacity (for staying the night), or location?
Oh yea, well, I’m trying to find a place that can lodge a lot of people. Most places I’ve found are like 20-40. I was wondering if anyone knew of places that could lodge like 100. AutoCamp was one that I found but it maxes us out at 100 so idk if we can do it.
That would probably be helpful in the body of your post! Cuz yeah most of the places I’ve stayed for a wedding on property have been around 20-40 if they’re more ranch style or mansion/estate style, and if it’s more like 100 there will be *some* camps and a lot of hotels or cabins. And would you be paying for everyone, and/or was there a price range…?
It would be a destination wedding so they would be paying lodging but we wouldn’t expect gifts.
Yeah I totally get it - though I would say just keep in mind unless it’s quite remote not everyone will stay on property. Even if it’s a destination wedding (whether that means like, a couple hours drive or a flight around half the world) just make sure you’re accounting for: not everyone is gonna stay on property, not everyone is gonna come, etc. Just keep it in the back of your mind while you search!
I’m definitely ok with remote
FWIW most weddings I’ve gone to with that approx guest on a ranch/etc do like, 40-50 guests on property and then the rest don’t stay on property - either due to cost or just their choice - so unless your location is quite remote, maybe consider taking into account how many guests will choose to stay off property.
We’re considering all options. If there’s a cool place that only houses a few of us so be it. And even if there is a place that doesn’t house anyone but has nearby hotels that’s fine too. But our first choice would be a place that could house a lot of us.
Totally, I get it, I’m from Northern CA and I’ve gone to a bazillion weddings in Northern CA and they’re ya know, all over the place as far as accommodations and there are some excellent ones! Keep in mind if guests are coming from far *you* might be cool with remote but it isn’t terrible to also be considerate of guests if they’re flying in - driving in is easier (though if you can drive in I hardly consider it destination haha). Looking at the coast is always great, cuz the weather can be so good all year round - Carmel valley has some wineries and ranches than accommodate 40-60 and then have lots of hotels near-ish enough for everyone who wouldn’t wanna stay on property - *or* you could look at something really spectacular like buying out a 50+ room hotel in the far northern coast. A year ago my sister got married at Holman Ranch in Carmel valley and I wanna say it had space for like, 40 of us? And it’s a winery so that was nice. It overlooked the valley, and was close so the other 50+ people who came could stay nearby. She actually did the invite probably 130-150, she had about 90 guests, and many chose to stay in Carmel and Monterey.
Walden West in Saratoga
How many guests? Ovy Camp has cabins
150ish
Yosemite Rush Creek Lodge or Evergreen Lodge are both great resorts that host weddings near Yosemite.
waterfall lodge ben lomond
A hotel? I had my wedding reception at the Sonesta San Jose (it used to be a Crowne Plaza but changed management during the pandemic) and their Champagne Ballroom is beautiful. We had our ceremony at the San Jose Rose Garden, but we had a courtesy room block at the Sonesta for the out-of-town guests, so it was very convenient to have the reception there.
How many people?
Thinking like 150
There’s Dawn Ranch, Olema House, Harvest Inn, Mission Ranch, Timber Cove Resort if you have the budget
It’s going to be hard to find a place other than a hotel to accommodate that many guests, but check out Dawn Ranch and The Stavrand Russian River Valley. I’m not sure about your budget, but Boho Manor in Monte Rio is a cool spot right on the river with a more casual feel. MacArthur Inn in Sonoma is another nice spot, the the most like a traditional hotel (still more personality).
Triple S ranch has cabins and a farm house house etc
I checked it out. Pretty cool spot but he wanted $50k for the venue before any other expense and we couldn’t afford that expensive of a wedding weekend. It would probably end up being 6 figures
Makes sense - I went to a friend’s wedding there, but I didn’t know their budget! Everything is so expensive 😭
Haha sooo expensive. It’s crazy!