What To Consider When Looking for Northern California Outdoor Wedding Venues
When you’re looking for Northern California outdoor wedding venues, there are a number of things to consider, from the time of year, to the weather, to how the scenery will look like during the time you’re planning to get married. This holds especially true in Northern California wine country, as much of this area experiences a full four seasons.
1. Narrow down the location
Narrow down the location to the aesthetic you are looking for, such as on the beach, in a church, or in a country location with vineyards and a barn. The Highlands Estate is a true wine-country property with acres of beautiful Syrah vineyards and a modern yet rustic barn.
2. Time of Year & Weather
Let’s take a look at the top things to consider for your outdoor wedding venue broken down by season.
3. Spring
Vibrant green hillsides with shoots developing in the vineyard and filling out by the end of spring. With spring-time rain averaging around 2” per month and high temperatures near 80, having the ceremony and dinner outside under the stars is a real possibility, but with lows typically in the 50s, a heated indoor space will be welcomed later in the evening.
What to consider: Is there a heated indoor space should there be rain, or will you have to rent a tent?
4. Summer
The vineyards are lush and full, and along with old-growth oak trees, provide a striking contrast with the golden hills. With the sun at its highest point and the longest days of the year and almost no chance of rain, high temperatures are in the mid-nineties and the evening lows around sixty, summer is the perfect time for an outdoor wedding and dining under the stars.
What to consider: Is the ceremony area shaded or will your guests be in direct sun? Is there an air-conditioned space should it be a particularly warm day?
5. Fall
Shorter days bring more temperate days in the 80s and evenings in the 50s, with chances of rain increasing as winter approaches. Early fall is also harvest time, usually occurring the later part of September into early October, and coupled with the yellow, red and orange fall colors of the vineyard and softening light, make for spectacular photo opportunities.
What to consider: Is there an indoor space should there be rain, or will you have to rent a tent?
6. Winter
In the Yorkville Highlands wine region, the winter months have the most rainfall with over 8 inches per month and high temperatures in the upper 50s. While it’s certainly possible to get married outside and capture beautiful outdoor wedding photos, guests will appreciate being able to have the reception indoors in a heated “four seasons” barn.
What to consider: Is there and indoor space that is heated during the colder days and evenings? Can the indoor space, should there be rain, be utilized for a ceremony or will you have to rent a tent?
Regardless of the time of year, if you are looking for an outdoor wedding venue in Northern California wine country, having the proper shade and a heated and air-conditioned space, such as The Highlands Estate Four Season Barn, are important elements to make your outdoor wedding a success.
7. Lodging
Having lodging available on-site allows for a more relaxed experience while also providing more time to spend with family and friends. Besides having accommodations right on the property, there are multiple options just minutes away from The Highlands Estate.
8. Privacy
Some wedding venues, such as wineries or hotels, are open to the public: make sure you’re OK with strangers looking on to or wandering through your wedding. All aspects of The Highlands Estate are set back from the roadway by nearly 1,000 feet, providing a private and immersive experience with the natural surroundings.
9. Accessibility
Make sure to keep your elderly guests or those with mobility issues in mind when selecting a wedding venue. Is the venue ADA compliant? Will guests need to walk up a steep hill or long distances to get to the ceremony or other location? Is the ceremony site separate from the reception area? How much time will it take to get your guests from the ceremony location to the reception location?
10. Some of the great features of The Highlands Estate:
Weekend Packages with on-site lodging for up to twenty-two guests
Acres of beautiful vineyards
Vistas of hills and vineyards that extend for miles
Ceremony sites naturally shaded by old-growth oak trees
Modern yet rustic barn with heating and air-conditioning
