A wedding is the most beautiful day in one’s life. Everyone dreams of having a wedding that is magical in all ways. It takes months of planning behind curating the best wedding. The couple and their family and friends give it all to select the perfect venue for the special day. We know that selecting the venue is a big task especially when there are a variety of venues to choose from.
Do you want to move outdoors for your wedding but don’t want to have a cliche rooftop or pool-side wedding?
Then the right place for you to get married is the Golden state. California is among the most beautiful states. Its natural beauty is something that drives people to the state. It has mountains, lakes, deserts, coastlines, and forests. Everything in just one single place!
Wait, What do you think about exchanging the rings amidst majestic forests?
If that sounds exciting then don’t wait! Dive right into this blog where we have hand-picked some of the best forest wedding venues for you.
When we talk about forest weddings the one place that comes to mind is California. California is home to the world’s most elegant redwood forests. It has epic locations and is the best if you are looking to have a wedding that stands out from the crowd. If you and your better-half are adventurous people then say no more, you have to check out these wedding venues.
There are historic National Parks and Forests in California that could provide stunning outdoor space for your wedding. There are numerous National Parks and you get to choose from numerous locations to get married.
1. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Having a wedding ceremony in the Sequoia and Kings National Parks makes a statement. There are gigantic redwood trees that can give a scenic touch to your whole wedding. It is known for the picturesque view that can create a natural backdrop for your ceremony.
If you looking to have a wedding ceremony that is intimate yet full of grandeur then you should try out the Wuksachi Lodge. It provides you with the best place for a wedding ceremony and reception as it has thousands of years old trees and provides you with a natural “Cathedral”.
If you are adventurous and would like to take a drive up to the park and enjoy the scenic beauty of Sequioa, then you can also choose to stay at The Redwood Ranch at Three Rivers.
As wedding ceremonies, receptions are equally important events. If you are looking for a reception venue then my personal favorites are the Grant Grove and the Cedar Grove.
2. Joshua Tree National Park
The Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most unique national parks in California. It has a lot of scenic features like the tall boulders, cactus that spread to miles, and the amazing Joshua trees. Imagine having all these elements in one frame?
If you want to have your special day at the Joshua Tree National Park then you will have to be flexible with your dates and your indoor/outdoor options. The weather is always extreme so you can either be flexible or embrace whatever comes along the way.
In planning a wedding at this National Park, guest planning is very important. Apart from taking the permits, you will also need to choose the location according to the number of guests.
If your guests are up to 25 then you can choose to organize your wedding at Live Oak, Rattlesnake Picnic Area, Cap Rock, or Split Rock among other locations. However, if your guests are numbered from 26 to 100, then you have to organize at the Indian Cove Amphitheatre.
All these locations are very elegant and would not upset you.
3. Tahoe National Forest
Tahoe National Forest provides a surreal experience to any visitor. It is the home to many wedding venues in California. There are wedding locations that seem like a gem. The top two preferred locations are the Chalet View Lodge and the Mitchells Meadows.
Both of these locations are like a personal canvas that you can paint in a way that you imagined. Both of the locations have their separate beauty.
Chalet View Lodge allows you to have an outdoor wedding with the trees in the back, have a party by the pond, and clink the glasses on the poolside terrace. While at Mitchells Meadows you can have a Rustic themed wedding and experience the creeks and the natural beauty.
San Bernandino holds an intimate location right in the middle of its landscape where you can have the best time of your life. The Arrowhead Pine Rose is the location! This wedding venue has 20-cabins that give you the adventurous feel of camping. You won’t get tired of its everlasting green vibe. At Arrowhead you can expect all your wedding pictures to have tree canopies which are rather magical.
5. Big Sur
The Big Sur offers you the view of the forests as well as a river flowing through it. You can achieve your forest wedding theme while staying comfortably at the Green Oaks. Green Oaks can fit up to 100 guests and is also ideal if you want to elope. With just a little hike you can reach right in midst of the forest and have your dream wedding. Staying at the Green Oaks gives you easy access to the forest.
If you are looking to mix nature with luxury then the Big Sur has the most luxurious resort called Ventana. Ventana gives you a high-end luxury experience. The most capturing thing about Ventana is that on one side you get the view of the Ocean and on the other side you can find the redwood trees. You can have your wedding on either side and create a mixed theme wedding.
While having a wedding in a National Park is dreamy, it also requires a lot of work. There are a few things you need to keep in mind to organize your wedding in a National Park like:
You will need to take Wedding Permits
Prepare for the necessary documents required
A location and venue that fits your needs
Pre-book all the wedding vendors like florists, caterers, photographers, and even your hairdresser
Visit the location in advance and plan accordingly
Plan to make sure you leave the National Park even better than when you entered. It is known as the “Leave No Trace” Principle
The National Parks and Forests may sound attractive, even the Botanical Gardens are no less when it comes to natural beauty.
Do you want a Forest Wedding look but don’t want to comprise your comfort?
Then botanical gardens could be the perfect choice for you. You don’t have to worry about the weather, flexible dates, guest lists, or anything.
Berkeley Botanical Garden
Tilden Botanical Garden
Pro Tip: Make sure to be updated with the weather conditions. You don’t want to get all drenched up or tanned on your wedding day.
Here are some more forest wedding venues in California to set your Redwood theme.
Yosemite National Park
Mount Tamalpais
Mammoth Lakes
Sunset Cliffs in San Diego
Death Valley
Santa Cruz
Point Reyes National Seashore
Santa Barbara
Time to say Goodbye!
We hope that this blog has helped you make your mind to choose the best forest wedding venue in California that suits you. If you want to explore more about different wedding venues then quickly check out our other wedding blogs.
