Santa Cruz County, CA, United States
Please reach out to us through our contact us page if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Outdoor events Northern California have a season. The outdoor event season is mid spring to mid fall after because the winters in the forest can be quite unpredictable. Unlike a corporate wedding factory commercial facility there are no offseason discounts at our properties only smaller group offerings. We do not offer services to groups of 40 November -March due to potential for major storms.
Summertime is the best season for a wedding at BOTH the Secret Garden Estate and the Secret Redwood Retreat. The reason is simple, the days are longer, there is less chance of rain and of fire and the Earth and trees are not that dry yet. The average temperature is 66-75 every day in the summer due to the cooling by the Pacific Ocean. Yes, it can get warmer however, we are located just about 7 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean and it is usually moderately warm or quite cool all summer compared to other redwood venues in the San Lorenzo Valley like Felton, Ben Lomond or Boulder Creek. Again, the prices are not increased for this season.
Spring is the second-best season. Everything is magically in bloom, mossy and the is a new green haze on the tree canopies from new growth.
Fall can still be nice, but the days are shorter, and the landscape is very dry. The redwoods, though evergreen, are browning out as they conserve their resources they prepare to needle shed. Each bout of wind in fall will continue to drop the needles leaving a heavy debris. Fall is also when the weather becomes less predictable bringing wind and rain.
As a 20-year outdoor event professional, I can tell you that outdoor events have a season in Northern California and Winter is the biggest gamble at ANY venue property that does not have an indoor event space. Our winter season is limited to events with up to 16-20 guests. This way we have more options for not only the ceremony and for covered dining. We do not want the couple to be rained out for their wedding or even worse not be able to enjoy because the winds are creating unsafe conditions under the tree canopies and their wedding to cost even more by having to add a tent. Tents can cost couples anywhere from $2500-$5000 if trying to reserve due to rain.
Winter is a season for recharging and enjoying the holidays. We do not offer any Thanksgiving or Christmas/New Years Weddings. Please respect that we have friends and families as well and wish to spend this time celebrating with our friends and families far and wide.
Seasonal Discounts: Unfortunately, our boutique operation does not offer any seasonal discounts. We find each event has it's own challenges and takes an extraordinary amount of effort to pull off with the size and scale of each property and amount of set up and clean up involved. Winter will present even more challenges at an outdoor venue due to weather.
We are currently trying to keep our wedding services to Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays, Wednesdays. Occasionally, an exception can be made.
**There can be exceptions for good reasons like work schedules and deployments, however, our vendor support team is also more prepared to work the larger events on the weekends. The other days of the week would be days off for our venue manager and days we could schedule any major maintenance in advance. Thank you for your understanding.
FRIDAYS are check in days and on-site rehearsal days. The Secret Redwood Retreat has on-site landscape maintenance during the afternoon making it challenging to set up for a Friday event.
There are big differences between the elopement and intimate wedding packages.
Please reach us through our contact us page if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Yes, let's talk about your micro-celebration vision. No, the Secret Garden Estate is an exclusive micro-event and wedding venue which caters to generally 30 or less guests. Up to 40 guests with the intimate wedding package.
No, both properties require a professional licensed and insured caterer is required for sit-down from the vendors we love section of our website.
Yes, Yes and No. We offer a very limited number of ceremony + dining on-site event per year with table seating and with full estate usage. Please inquire about pricing. This reception will be a lot more intimate and a little less predictable than your typical wedding factory reception. It will be a casual and relaxed experience for you and your guests. The private properties natural features including mountain terrain, terraced gardens, stairs and steep inclines is unfortunately, not recommended for groups with mobility issues. If you need assistance with locating a more suitable venue, we can provide several local recommendations.
We want you to get what you want, however first dances are welcome but dance parties need to happen at the Secret Redwood Retreat. DJ's and Live Bands are not welcome due to sound limitations at the Secret Garden Estate. Music is played through bluetooth speakers. No illegal drugs are allowed at the Estate or Retreat.
Please reach out to us through our contact us page if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Communication is so essential when planning a curated wedding. First, you must reach out and be willing to provide your contact information including phone number and email address (use one you actually check as we do not sell your information). I will reach out to you within 3 days and provide you the requested information. If you after reviewing the information you want to have a site tour, we will first schedule a phone call. I want to make sure everyone is on the same page and is not desiring an event that is not allowed at the estate. Time is precious and I don't want to waste yours. During the call we will schedule a mutually workable site tour day and time usually on the weekends for 1 hour. Both partners need to be present for the in-person consultation and please let me know in advance if anyone else is joining the site tours and their names and relationship. Keep in mind tours cannot happen when setting up for or during other events so days/times are limited in the event season May-October. So the best thing to do is get in contact right away so we can find a workable time to meet.
Then after your site tour, I will send you a contract and invoice. A signed contract and deposit is due right away to reserve your date. There are no date holds without a deposit and signed agreement. I look forward to meeting you both!!
It actually does NOT cost more. If you get the required permits with all the add on's like a planner support, day of coordination and all the rentals the State Park Ceremony will cost more. The Secret Garden Estate is an exclusive, controlled and very private venue meaning hikers, dog walkers, mountain bikers and others won't be going through your ceremony. Secret Garden Ceremonies allows and includes more services than a State Park like clean private restrooms, event insurance (when purchasing any package), labor for set up and cleanup of ceremony chairs and decor, changing areas, officiant, decor, water and non-alcoholic beverage service, chairs and guaranteed private parking, parking assistance, etc. However, some State and County Parks may offer more suitable accommodations for guests with mobility issues depending on the park and the desired ceremony location.
We understand that you want your pets to be a part of the wedding photography. We want you to get what you want, however only well-behaved, leashed pets (dog, cat, bird, bunny) are **considered** and a maximum of 2 (1 for each partner). You will need to discuss your specific ideas and it is not guaranteed you will be approved. **Additional deposit may be required**. Keep in mind that animals can detract from wedding ceremonies and are difficult to control with wild birds and squirrels running through the trees. Wedding guests' pets are not allowed on the property at all.
This is a wild woodland redwood forested private estate with wild animals and estate animals. Considered pets need to be leash handled by a competent adult at all times and you need to clean up after your pet. Pets are not allowed to urinate on estate lawn area, property fixtures, vehicles or furnishings. Pets are 100% your liability and responsibility and are not covered under the event insurance policy. Your pets are NOT allowed to meet and greet the on-site cat, dog, goats or chickens. Your guests may NOT bring their pets on-site unless it is a legitimate service dog. Service dog paperwork needs to be provided in advance. Unfortunately, due to guest pet allergies we offer no indoor on-site pet accommodations but can recommend some options based on your overall plan. No livestock or horses allowed.
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