Planning a Wedding in the Napa Valley

Wedding Planning Tips to Tying the Knot in Wine Country

Weddings in Napa Valley’s wine country has become a vast industry over the last 20 years and growing by leaps and bounds every day. Napa Valley exudes romance with its Tuscan painted hills, miles and miles of rolling lush vineyards, charming boutique hotels, and 5-star restaurants. Who wouldn’t want to get married here? What a truly magical place to tie the knot. Lovebirds flock here in droves to find the perfect venue to celebrate their nuptials and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Photo by TJ Salsman

Ten reasons to tie the Knot in Napa Valley!!!!

The Napa Valley is Gorgeous during every season!
The Cuisine and Wine are internationally renowned!
Your family and friends have never been here!
You met your fiancé in Napa Valley!
Napa Valley was your first trip together!
Your favorite wine is from Napa Valley!
Bottle Rock is your favorite Music Event!
“Bottle Shock” is your favorite movie!
Because your honeymoon is not in Fiji!
And why KNOT!!!!

Photo by TJ Salsman

Over 90% of the wedding ceremonies performed in the Napa Valley are brides and grooms from all over the map. No wonder it is such big business! Weddings in the Napa Valley range from small elopement style weddings to large celebrity style galas; from a La Carte to all-inclusive; from small pocket-book to money is no object. Big or intimate, your perfect dream wedding awaits in the Napa Valley.

It’s twelve months before your big wedding day, and you really want that dream Napa Valley Wedding however you live far away and haven’t a clue on where to start or who to call. The thought is overwhelming at the prospect of doing this on your own; however, the world is virtually at your fingertips; a Napa Valley Wedding is just a Google away. But then you realize with all of the choices popping up on your iPad, who do you call first? This is, after all, going to be your perfect magical day, the wedding of your dreams! Your nerves are already fluttering at the excitement of your recent engagement and its only one short year to the “Big Day” when you will be Mr. and Mrs! Where to start?

Photo by TJ Salsman

The plethora of wine country wedding information is in abundance, yet rest assured with the assistance of your carefully selected wedding planner, your big day will come off without a glitch. Even if you decided not to use a wedding planner and choose to coordinate the details on your own, there is plenty of information to get you on your way. No matter who you speak with, they will all have plenty of great referrals and references to suit all of your wedding needs.

Photo by TJ Salsman

It used to be 20 years ago that weddings in the Napa Valley consisted of hosting weddings at hotels, resorts, and a few wineries or area restaurants. It has since opened up to a wide variety of venues comprised of high-class resorts, country clubs, restaurants, vineyard settings and a small selection of permitted wineries and private estates to name a few ideas. Keep in mind that due to county regulations, 99% of the Napa Valley wineries do not allow actual weddings at the wineries. For those that do have limited access through personal relationships, it is one of the most exclusive, elite, luxury destinations in California if not the world to commit your vows to the person you love.

And for those who do not have access to the coveted winery venues due to restrictive laws established to protect the beauty and bounty of our agricultural preserve, they offer such world-class resorts such as Meadowood, Auberge, Calistoga Ranch, Solage, The Meritage, Silverado Resort, Carneros Resort & Spa, The Estate in Yountville, and Los Alcobas Resort.

Photo by Art & Clarity

David Aten of David Aten Events, a well-known Napa Valley event planner commented, “There is an abundance of talent in the wedding, event, hospitality industry in the Napa Valley. You have some of the best planners, photographers, chefs, florists, and hospitality professionals to offer you the world-class wedding of your dreams!”

Establishing your venue is usually your first task and most important, as it will depend on the availability of your desired setting for the ceremony and reception and then, of course, locking in the dates of your perfect chosen venue. Once that is set in stone, then determining the wedding details are the next task at hand. Now that the biggest hurdle is done, the rest will all soon fall in to place. Let’s not forget \working within your budget.

Photo by TJ Salsman

Here are a few things to think about in your planning process: Wedding party accommodations, Officiant, rehearsal dinner location, reception food and beverages, event venue design and decor, music, florists, photographers/videographers and rental companies. Your selected event planner will help guide you through this process with recommendations and referrals for you to proceed with, or based on your style, tastes and budget they can handle every single detail every step of the way. Most wedding planners suggest Pinterest as an excellent place to gather ideas, though, even better just check out all of the information and photos you find on the internet for Napa Valley weddings.

Photo by Art & Clarity

Here are a few Napa Valley websites to get you started:

VisitNapaValley.com: They have a wedding planning guide that can help you discover the perfect vineyard, luscious garden, posh country club or luxurious resort.

NapaValleyWeddings.com: Wedding Packages, Elopement Packages, Officiants and Wedding Venues.

NapaValleyCustomEvents.com: Over 20 Years in Wedding Planning offering Custom events to suit every wedding need.

Axevent.com: Puttin’On the Glitz, David Aten knows how to put on a “Show Stopping” Event

Photo by TJ Salsman

Photographers (We all know photography is a personal choice. Here are a few favorites)

TJ Salsman

Art and Clarity

A few of the Big wedding sites can also be of help with your wedding coordination which includes such tools as a pocket wedding planner, budgeter, registry and creating your own wedding website.