Five of My Favorite Mendocino Wedding Venues
I moved to Mendocino 16 years ago to start my wedding photography business. I was, and am passionate about capturing love stories set in an amazingly beautiful, and natural location. Just like setting a scene in a movie or a book, the location creates the tone and is absolutely a character in the story. Where you choose to start your life together speaks to who you are as a couple. Mendocino is full of natural beauty, and vintage architecture. Perched on the cliffs, surrounded by vineyards, redwoods, headlands, and sea; there is no shortage of awe inspiring locations to explore, embrace in, and whisper your words of devotion and love. I have had the great pleasure of documenting more than 400 of these Mendocino love stories over the last 16 years. I want to share some of my favorite spots to inspire you to find the right place for your Mendocino wedding.
What’s the criteria for my favorite Mendocino Wedding Venues?
Any venue in the vicinity of Coastal Mendocino is going to have a great location because of the awesomeness that is Mendocino, my favorite venues though offer a multitude of options that take full advantage of the dramatic natural scenery, and has intriguing architecture; ie- a historic house, or vintage barns.
Cuffey’s Cove Ranch in Elk, CA is definitely a favorite. The vintage house built in the 1800’s is crazy beautiful; the tongue and groove wood floors, winding staircase, and picture windows that looks out to the rugged coastline and more than a thousand acres of meadows, forest, and open fields. The house furnishings are on point. Definitely have to see it to get the full affect, but it feels like stepping back in time. And if that weren’t enough, there are two vintage barns, cows, and a hilltop with 360 views of the property, and surrounding coastline. Really crazy beautiful!
The Inn at Newport Ranch north of Fort Bragg, CA sits on 2,000 acres of open seaside cliffs, ranch land, redwood forest, and hilltop. The perfect spot for an intimate wedding. Gorgeous, Architectural digest worthy designed inn and accommodations, coupled with big open sea views, rocky cliffs, wandering wildlife and steer, and then the hidden gem, through the forest, at the top of the hill, 360 views of all of it. It’s like being on top of the world.
I have had a long standing love for MacCallum House. A little personal history tidbit: My prom date took me to their restaurant before we went to the dance when I was 18. It’s a restored Victorian House in the center of the Mendocino Village. It doesn’t have the land that some of the other Mendocino venues do, but it’s totally central giving easy access to beaches, headlands, and cliffs. And the chef Alan is truly inspired. Another personal note, it’s one of my favorite spots for me and my hubby on date nights.
Spring Ranch is all about the restored vintage event barn and “grand Victorian” mansion, but not to be ignored is the lovely private loft that makes for a great wedding night hideaway. And, there’s the Spring Ranch State Park across the street with lovely not restored vintage barns and cliff access, it’s a great spot for portraits. Outside the event barn is a large finished patio for alfresco dining under the eucalyptus trees, beside the open outdoor fireplace. Then inside the barn for dancing and celebrating.
A new favorite Mendocino wedding venue is Switzer Farm in Westport, CA. Seriously, you have to see this one. A restored 1884 Victorian farmhouse on 22 oceanfront acres. The house and views are everything. There is also the sweetest enclosed garden just outside the house for dining and dancing under the stars.
❤️ Cassandra, CYoung Photography