|
Let's party…
Choosing the
perfect reception location
By Andrea Gifford
Santa Cruz County offers something for everyone
when it comes to choosing a location for your wedding reception.
Whether your dream includes a romantic forest setting or
a luau at the beach, the Santa Cruz area offers a wide range
of different wedding and reception venues that are sure
to capture the feeling you want for your special day.
Because choosing a venue can be a huge and
daunting task requiring a lot of research, a great place
to begin is by hiring a wedding planner. A wedding planner
knows what's available and she can help you sift through
the hundreds of choices to help you select a few that will
capture your personal style and vision for your wedding.
Once you've created a short list of possible locations,
your wedding planner can arrange for a tour of each location
and pick up information like special
features, approved caterers and a price list - that will
help you make your final choice.
Whether you hire a wedding planner or go
it alone, the first thing to consider when choosing a location
is your guest list and the type of event you wish to plan.
Many locations have strict rules when it comes to the number
of guests allowed, live music and/or DJ's and even which
caterer or baker you can use, so make sure to ask lots of
questions and keep your must-haves in mind. Once you have
a list of your favorite options, start making site tour
appointments right away, since some locations are booked
out a year or more in advance. Here are just a few ideas
if you're having a hard time getting started:
If you've always dreamed of digging your
toes into the sand while saying your vows, one of the Central
Coast's many beaches would be a good choice. From Santa
Cruz to Watsonville, there's no shortage of beautiful oceanside
venues to choose from. Many public beaches in the area do
not require a permit (or a fee!) for wedding ceremonies,
and many offer picnic areas that can be reserved for private
parties. Make sure to contact the Santa Cruz County Parks
Department at www.scparks.com or (831) 454-7900 for more
information on reserving a beachside venue.
Perhaps an ocean view is what you're searching
for, but the thought of sand in your shoes just isn't your
cup of tea. The famous Cocoanut Grove at the Santa Cruz
Beach Boardwalk offers a picturesque setting along with
full-service catering for buffet or table service. With
a tiered stage, elegant décor and fabulous wood dance floor,
the Cocoanut Grove's historic Grand Ballroom reflects the
glamour and romance of the big band era. The ballroom can
accommodate up to 480 guests (375 with dancing). The Sun
Room accommodates up to 400 (275 with dancing) and offers
a fantastic retractable glass ceiling for sunshine and fresh
ocean breezes during the day and glittering elegance in
the evening. Visit www.cocoanutgrovesantacruz.com
or call (831) 423-2053 for more info.
If the mountains are calling your name,
consider a wedding at the historic Roaring Camp Railroad,
where you can say your vows in a redwood "cathedral" of
2,000-year-old trees. They host weddings from 25-300 guests
and have indoor and outdoor reception facilities (831) 335-4484.
For a unique location, consider a winery,
museum or flower farm. Bargetto Winery's creekside courtyard
and historic wine cellars are unique options for your special
day (831) 475-2258. Create a one-of-a-kind event at the
Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History. This beautiful space
offers a glass atrium and outdoor courtyard, plus your guests
can enjoy a private viewing of current exhibitions at no
extra charge (831) 429-1964, ext. 30. Or, recite your vows
surrounded by 10 acres of fresh roses and a 100 year-old
farmhouse at Country Essences Flower Ranch in Watsonville
(831) 722-4549.
No matter which site you choose, the Central
Coast is the perfect place to create a lasting
memory of your wedding day. For more information, visit
the Santa Cruz County Visitors Council wedding site web
search at:
http://www.scccvc.org/conf_
wed/wedsearch.cfm.
|
