Mendocino California is just south of Fort Bragg on the Pacific coast. Named one of the top three places to visit by the New York Times, the city is known for it's massive redwood trees and rocky beaches. The area has many attractions for outdoor enthusiasts, including hiking and poking around incredible tide pools. Couples may enjoy a romantic horseback ride on the beach or taking a charter boat to see whales surface.
With highs of 60s in the summer, the area is well suited for seeing the lovely coast from an indoor vantage point, such as the Point Arena Lighthouse. Lovers can take a drive to see the New England style architecture of the local residences, or visit the only Chinese temple left on the Pacific coast from the 1800s. The area also boasts some of the finest wines from vineyards located just inland of Mendocino.
Wedding venues in Mendocino include ranches, clubs, barns, and churches. Enamored duos can choose a picturesque setting with the ocean in the background framed by towering redwoods or they may prefer the rolling green hills of a golf course.
A rustic, yet upscale barn is a simple, elegant option that will leave guests in awe. Other ranch style options include dining by candle light beneath the rough cut beams of a vintage farmhouse or sharing drinks around an outdoor fire.
Relaxed wedding ceremonies in Mendocino can be held on the pebbled shores of the Pacific Ocean with the waves crashing on the rocks behind the devoted couple. Lovers may instead choose to hold their ocean side affair in the evening and use the sunset as their background.
For more upscale wedding receptions in Mendocino, couples may prefer a clubhouse with a fireplace lounge and a picture window overlooking the water. Couples of a variety of denominations will find quaint churches for a more traditional ceremony.
The city's many bed and breakfast locations are of resort quality, and many offer packages to couples that include the ceremony, reception and honeymoon options. Some even offer packages with overnight accommodations for wedding guests, so couples should be sure to ask their venue of choice about this option before their guests find other lodging.
Couples should also make sure to book their wedding date far in advance, as these locations are popular for both weddings and tourists and they fill up quickly. In addition, wedding venues in Mendocino tend to have maximum capacities from 80 to 130 people, so couples should make sure to check with the venue of their choice if they have a larger guest list.
Wedding venue prices average $12,000, though prices vary considerably depending on whether the couple desires only a simple ceremony or a complete package with lodging from a bed and breakfast.