The Best Wedding Venues In Gold Country California

The Best Wedding Venues In Gold Country California

Gold Country has so many beautiful wedding venues to choose from. Many of the region's premier wedding venues are just minutes away from some of California’s most-awarded wineries.  With fantastic year round weather these Gold Country wedding venues are perfect for your rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, gorgeous ceremonies, and fun receptions! Keep reading for all of our favorite Gold Country California wedding venues. 

The Vow Gold Country

The Vow Gold Country Magazine was born of two local businesswomen in the wedding industry who saw a need for wedding inspiration in picturesque Gold Country California. The Vow strives to inspire people to host their special events, large or small, in our beautiful area of the world, the Gold Country in California. 

Gold Country stretches from the beautiful granite cliffs of Yosemite to the stunning wine country region of Amador County, the mountain areas of Bear Valley and Sonora Pass, and the foothills and ranches of Jamestown.

The Vow Gold Country features the newest trends in Gold Country weddings and trusted vendors who provide the highest caliber of work.  We hope brides gain the knowledge to create their dream wedding within our pages!  You can grab past issues of The Vow Gold Country here, and keep an eye out for our latest issue coming soon! 

Let’s chat about some of our amazing wedding venues in Gold Country! 

The Best Wedding Venues In Gold Country

Bear Valley Resort 

Bear Valley Resort, Bear Valley Lodge, and the Stanislaus National Forest provide an absolutely stunning setting for your special day. Can you imagine saying “I Do” on a mountaintop at 7,750 feet? How dreamy is that? 

Bear Valley Resort is the perfect place for your awe inspiring ceremony and the start of your happily ever after. If you love lakes, mountains,  wildflowers, towering granite walls, or snowy backdrops, then this is the wedding venue for you. Experience the grandeur of the Stanislaus National Forest, and provide an unforgettable wedding experience for both you and your guests.

After the ceremony, celebrate at the mountain or down in the village at the Bear Valley Lodge. The facilities at Bear Valley can accommodate receptions from 25-200 guests. It’s time to have fun on your special day!

Bear Valley Ceremony Locations Include: 

  • Mountain Top Vista - The breathtaking mountain top venue is just a short three minute chair lift ride up our high speed six-pack. Offers their signature 360-degree mountain view of the incredible Sierra Nevada Mountainscape as your backdrop. Seats 50-200. 

  • Scenic Vista - Located at the base of Bear Valley Resort, this venue offers a breathtaking view of the Mokelumne Peak. Seats 50-200. 

  • Creekside Patio -  Seasonal venue right off  the Creekside Dining Room. At this wedding venue you can enjoy the fresh mountain air while sitting next to a flowing stream and appreciating the sights and sounds of the Sierra. Seats 35-80. 

  • Cathedral Lounge - The beautiful indoor venue, located in the Bear Valley Lodge, creates a perfect rustic-chic setting, including a beautiful  four-story fireplace. Seats 50-150. 

Bear Valley Reception Locations Include: 

  • Cathedral Lounge - The largest indoor venue for your reception at Bear Valley, this gorgeous indoor setting will leave your guests dancing the night away. There is additional seating available at the Creekside Patio as well. Seats up to 120 guests. 

  • Creekside Dining Room - The ideal reception location for an elegant reception dinner. Seats up to 40 guests. There is additional seating available at the Cathedral Lounge.

  • Creekside Patio - Seasonal reception area is located outside, right off the Creekside Dining Room. Seats up to 80 guests. 

  • Sky High Pizza & Pub - Looking for a more relaxed reception, or a place to enjoy your late-night snack, try Sky High Pizza & Pub. Seating for up to 75 guests. 

  • Monte Wolfe Bar - Located at the base of Bear Valley Resort, adjacent to the Scenic Vista ceremony site.  This is the perfect spot for an intimate reception or to enjoy the scenic views a little longer with appetizers and cocktails. Seats up to 100 guests. 

Bear Valley Wedding Packages include the following:

  • Various Outdoor ceremony sites

  • Your choice of reception venue(s)

  • Floor-length white or ivory table linens and napkins

  • Signature hors d’oeuvres 

  • Buffet-style dinner menu 

  • Five-hour hosted bar — one hour for cocktail hour and four hours following dinner

  • House wine served with dinner (two bottles per table)

  • Wedding cake cutting and late-night coffee/tea

  • Selection of desserts

  • Accommodations at the Bear Valley Lodge and/or at our Scenic Glampground 

  • Shuttle services to wedding ceremony sites or site-seeing for your guests

  • Complimentary Bridal Suite for the evening of your wedding

Bear Valley Accommodations include: 

  • For The Newlyweds King Suite - this is included in both Bear Valley wedding packages. A romantic large corner room with a king sized bed, double bay window seats, large bathroom, and a full sized hot tub. 

  • For Family and Friends - there are five different room types available at Bear Valley Lodge including: 

    • Single Queen

    • Double Queen

    • Queen With Twin Bed

    • Family Studio

    • Single King

  • Glamping at Bear Valley - The Glamping Tents are located at the base of Bear Valley Resort, directly next to the Scenic Vista Ceremony Site. There are 15 canvas tents available for guests. Each tent includes a queen sized bed, wood-burning stove, personal balcony, solar and wind-powered electricity and free wifi. 

Bear Valley Photography Provided By: Jennifer Rapoza

Hurst Ranch

Evoking the past of shady groves and beautiful country roads, the Hurst Ranch wedding venue is an inviting place. From the rural ambience to the beautiful spaces for your ceremony and reception, Hurst Ranch lures all those in search of a special place to get married here. 

Think of Hurst Ranch as a blank canvas, and let your imagination run wild! If you would like more information on booking for a wedding, or to schedule a viewing, please make sure to contact them. 

Hurst Ranch Wedding Packages include: 

  • 3 Day Wedding Venue Rental

  • Tables + Chairs

  • Air Conditioned Bridal Quarters

  • Restrooms

  • Mini Train

  • Wine Barrels

  • Hay Bales and more!

Hurst Ranch Photography Provided By: Kim Sha Caton Photography

Mount Brow Vineyard

Mount Brow Vineyard is a place where memories are made! For owners Brandon and Jessica, this wedding venue is a labor of love and they are deeply committed to offering even more to their guests. Located in Sonora, Mount Brow is a beautiful vineyard, wedding venue & vacation retreat.  Nestled on 82 acres of rolling foothill charm, with both stunning sunrises & sunsets, they offer space for weddings, events, photoshoots, and vacations!

The large indoor 2,500 sq ft barn offers space for up to 200 guests, and this blank canvas is perfect for helping couples design a personalized experience for their family and friends. Located within the barn area is a beautifully remodeled bridal suite with bathroom & kitchenette. It makes the best spot for you and your bride tribe to get ready on the big day! 

The main house is 3,300 sq ft that comfortably sleeps 14 with a large gourmet kitchen, pool table, built in swimming pool/spa and more. It’s offered as an AirBnB to guests. 

Mount Brow’s ceremony site options include beautiful oak trees, rolling hills, serene meadows, with a background of majestic mountains. There is a year round creek & vineyard that are all picture perfect ready for your wedding day.

Rent it all and your wedding weekend is completely covered with weekend accommodations, wedding prep area, ceremony and reception site wrapped into one breathtaking location.

Included With Mount Brow Wedding Venue: 

  • 3 day Use of Wedding Venue

  • Friday Setup/Rehearsal (7 am - 7 pm)

  • Saturday Wedding (7 am - 10pm)

  • Sunday Cleanup (7 am - 3 pm)

  • Outdoor reception (ending no later than 10pm)

  • Use of Barn

  • Use of Ceremony Sites

  • 8ft rectangle tables (18) 

  • White Plastic Folding Chairs (30)

  • 8ft wood benches (18)

  • Bridal Suite & Groom Suite Day Use

  • MISC Items: Arch, Wine barrels, Bar tops, Water troughs

  • 1 Parking Attendant

  • Parking (during dry summer months)

  • Winter dates guests may have to be shuttled in

  • Mount Brow Vineyard Staff onsite at all times

You will need to provide: 

  • Portable Restrooms (1 extra if parking trailers) - We love Powder Room Luxury Restrooms 

  • 3 Day Event/Wedding Venue Insurance

  • Setup and cleanup/trash removal (Additional fee for Mount Brow Vineyard cleanup/trash removal)

  • All other off site vendors & services

Mount Brow Photography Provided By: Beth Sweitzer Photography

Twain Harte Tree Farm 

Twain Harte Tree Farm offers a scenic setting that features a pond, a stream, and a meadow, surrounded by majestic forested hillsides perfect for weddings. They don’t cater weddings, but we’ve got a fantastic list of caterers for you here! Wedding venue rental fees include tables and chairs, limited use of a bedroom in our home for bridal preparation, set up, clean up and parking attendants. 

At this boutique wedding venue, they only book one event per weekend so you won't feel rushed on your very special day.

Twain Harte Tree Farm’s wedding season runs from May 1st through Labor Day weekend (September). The wedding venue is set up to host around 100 people. 

It’s perfect for couples that prefer a more intimate, family-oriented gathering to celebrate their love. Creekside is the wedding ceremony site of your dreams if you love that Secret Garden vibe. Featuring an expansive lawn with several options for your beautiful ceremony. 

Twain Harte Tree Farm also has a permanent dance floor, an elevated stage, and a food serving area. This gorgeous setting includes multiple bridges, a rambling brook, and overlooks a scenic pond. 

Twain Harte Tree Farm Photography Provided By: Viera Photographics

Washington Hotel

The beautiful Washington Hotel is the place for you if you want a stunning outdoor space for your wedding. This gorgeous space is situated on the Stanislaus River in the 100-person town of historic Knights Ferry.  

The Washington Hotel is a replica of the original hotel that burnt down in 1896. Today this beautiful remodeled wedding venue offers 5 bedrooms that are used as a vacation rental, weddings,  and events. 

The Washington Hotel has a game room with pool table and darts perfect for the groom and his boys to relax in before the wedding. The spacious 3 room master suite with a sauna/spa, or the upstairs suite with private viewing deck is the perfect place for the bride and her tribe to get ready. The Washington Hotel also offers an updated kitchen with double ovens ideal for cooking for large crowds and outdoor seating with a smoker/grill and views of the river.

They can accommodate a wedding of up to 200 with indoor or outdoor seating. The huge shop next to the yard can seat up to 200 as well. The Washington Hotel is currently adding a second restroom inside the shop with serving areas and prep areas for caterers and servers. 

Have an idyllic ceremony riverside followed by dining inside, or your entire wedding can be on the beautiful grounds overlooking the Stanislaus River.

The house and event area generally rent separately but for a wedding or event they offer a package on the

We highly recommend the Washington Hotel in Knights Ferry for your wedding venue, especially if you’re getting married in the Spring when the gorgeous flowers will be in bloom!

Washington Hotel Photography Provided By: Storybook Photography

We invite you to experience the grandeur and beauty that Gold Country California has to offer. If you are looking for your perfect wedding venues - Gold Country has your back!

Susan Kelleher