What to Know About Planning a Wedding at a Winery
Part of what makes a winery wedding amazing is in the name — it’s no mystery, it’s the wine. Getting married at your favorite winery is a wonderful way to share your taste with the people you love. But wineries offer more than wine alone. They’re usually situated on beautiful grounds surrounded by pastoral fields, blanketed in vines, surrounded by oaks and are usually situated near quality accommodation, dining with quick access from the city.
Booking considerations
There are a couple important things to consider when booking a winery for your venue.
❤️ Wineries will often insist you only serve their wine, with the exception of champaign for the toasts. They also often don’t have a license to serve hard alcohol (you’ll need to consider if you’re happy serving only beer and wine).
❤️ In wine regions in Sonoma and Napa counties, sound ordinances dictate how loud your music can be and when the party ends. It can be earlier than you might expect. So check to make sure. Wineries often have an earlier end time compared to other types of venues.
❤️ If budget is a major consideration but you have your heart set on getting married at a winery, it’s worth checking out some other wineries in some of the less famous, nearby hidden gems.
❤️ Keep in mind that you’ll pay a premium during summer through harvest season on both the venue and accommodation.
❤️ Keep an eye out for big events that take place in wine country during the summer and choose another weekend.
How wineries/vineyards score in our Venue Quiz
Traditional vs. Non-Traditional 👉Typically have the space to support most cultural and all non-cultural events.
Guest count 👉 Depending on the size of the venue, most vineyards can support all sizes, but are typically better suited for parties over 50.
Fancy vs. Casual 👉 Get fancy, but not over the top.
Urban vs. Nature 👉 Perfect solution for nature lovers.
Location 👉 There are plenty of winery options all over California, and many other states.
Elderly/Special Needs 👉 Super 50/50 here! Most wineries are wide open and flat, but there are a select few on hills with no ADA compliance, and of course are often in the dirt.
DIY vs. Turnkey 👉 Typically, wineries are very turnkey as they are well-acquainted with weddings and their specialized needs.
Outdoor vs. Indoor 👉 Best of both worlds here! Most venues have both indoor and outdoor sites.
Personal Style 👉 Barn venues win the Classic with Warm Influence in our Stylegram™. Learn more about personal style and how it relates to your wedding here.
Budget Range 👉 Wineries are typically pretty pricey! Most wineries/vineyards have all-inclusive packages that add up to a pretty penny, but the select few that have an affordable price tag usually don't include much in their offering so you end up spending a bunch of money anyways.
