Your wedding is a very important event in your life and the place you select for your nuptials is one of the most important decisions you’ll make about your wedding day. In this article I’ll mention a few beautiful wedding venues near Auburn, California.
What will you choose – a beach, a winery, a golf course, a Victorian home, or _____ ? Vineyards and wineries are among the most popular but with a little imagination, your options are almost endless. Ceremonies might be held at the same site as the reception; perhaps the ceremony will be outdoors at one venue, then move (still on the same property) so the reception follows indoors. Lots of ceremonies are still done in churches and synagogues and receptions can take place almost anywhere.
Auburn is above Sacramento on the way to Reno on Interstate 80. I fondly remember several stops at a restaurant called Lou La Bonte’s, which is still there with excellent food and service. Historic Old TownAuburn is a delightful place for your guests to spend a little time sightseeing, shopping, and dining in some of the area eateries.
The first beautiful wedding site is the historic Headquarter House at the Raspberry Hill Golf Course. This public nine-hole golf course is just minutes from downtown Auburn off of I-80. They have venues which can handle up to 200 guests indoors and 350 people outside. Your guests can enjoy simple elegance in a somewhat rustic setting as they watch you exchange vows under one of the gazebos. Waterfalls, beautiful plants and flowers along with views of the countryside will surround you.
Their catering staff is pleased to offer a variety of buffets ranging from a Hawaiian style luau buffet to an Italian repast. They can provide a hosted or no-host bar, beer, wine and champagne, and non-alcoholic drinks. (There is a corkage fee if you prefer to bring your own wine.) A wedding coordinator will work with you to finalize all the details of your wedding. Only one wedding (or other private event) is allowed each day so your wedding will be the exclusive event of the day. A dance floor can be set up. Inside events must end by 12 midnight and outdoor events by 11pm (some restrictions may apply). (Visit headquarterhouse.com for details.)
A Victorian tearoom and bed and breakfast is the next beautiful wedding venue in Auburn. With new ownership in 2004, this original mansion underwent extensive renovation, and, with the acquisition of nearby land parcels has become a wonderful location for a destination wedding. Underneath a century old oak tree, a Victorian style gazebo was constructed and paved stone gardens and waterfalls were added nearby.
A 3,000 square foot event center was built and it’s now known as the Power’s Mansion Wedding and Event Center. In 2007, the Power’s Mansion Tea Room was added; it has terrific facilities for smaller events such as showers or a bridesmaid’s luncheon. The B & B was named the Auburn Journal’s coveted “Best of the Best” bed and breakfast for both 2006 and 2007.
Each of its 15 themed guestrooms has a private bathroom, telephone and satellite television, yet still offer a historic ambience from a bygone era. The event center can handle up to 150 guests and both the Queen Anne Victorian Gazebo Wedding Site and the Tropical Waterfall Wedding Site are spectacular outdoor venues. Their catering staff will work with you to create a menu and wedding cake especially for you. Or, they will work with other caterers on their preferred list of vendors. Additional staff will help finalize all the details of your nuptials. (Please visit powersmansion.com for more information.)
The final beautiful wedding venue is the Ridge Golf Course and Event Center. Imagine exchanging vows under the lacy branches of a century old blue oak tree. Photos can be taken among the stately oaks and ponds on the golf course. A cocktail hour might precede or follow the nuptials on the outdoor patio and your reception can be held in the Grand Ballroom.
The ballroom can handle up to 250 guests and several smaller rooms are available for more intimate wedding receptions or functions like a rehearsal dinner. The Ridge will provide two suites for the entire bridal party to prepare and relax in before the ceremony, a water station near the outdoor ceremony site and “golf cart” limousine service to bring your guests to the main building. A wedding coordinator and the catering chef will work out the menu and other details with you to create an unforgettable wedding day. (Check out ridgegc.com for additional information)
When planning your event near Auburn, please keep in mind the possibility of hot or inclement weather if your venue is outdoors. Also remember that traffic in the area may increase the drive time for guests not staying in the immediate area.
Many wedding locations book up very quickly, sometimes 18 to 24 months in advance. Please be sure to reserve your site as early as possible.
There are many more beautiful wedding venues in the Auburn area. These are just a few places to help you get started in looking at the various sites in this part of the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Happy wedding planning!
