Santa Cruz County, CA, United States
Choose Your Micro-Ceremony Location
Romance in the Redwoods
Elope in the Secret Garden
Romance in the Redwoods
The Redwood Grove creates a natural, sustainable setting for your ceremony. Accommodates up to 30 guests easily using the arch or redwood log altar as part of your ceremony or another option allows 10 or less guests can be lower next to the trees.
Celebrate with Roses
Elope in the Secret Garden
Romance in the Redwoods
A true micro-wedding backdrop. The Rose Gazebo allows for 10 seated and possibly a few more seated on the grand staircase that leads down. Best for 10-12 guests.
Elope in the Secret Garden
Elope in the Secret Garden
Elope in the Secret Garden
A magical backdrop for the most intimate of ceremonies. Classic European garden details and ivy define this quaint setting. Perfect location for the couple plus two witnesses.
Estate Lawn STairs
Let's talk about Love
Elope in the Secret Garden
The Grand Estate Lawn and Staircase creates a classical garden setting for your ceremony.
Accommodates 40 guests easily.
Waterfall Ceremony
Let's talk about Love
Let's talk about Love
A waterfall is a ceremony location that symbolizes the descent of gods, consciousness, light, and abundance. Accommodates 40 guests easily.
Let's talk about Love
Let's talk about Love
Let's talk about Love
There are many photography backdrop opportunities that you can explore with your photographer after your ceremony while the guests take advantage of the light reception.
Pricing and General Information
A glimpse of your special day - see below for DIY package
There are many directions you can choose for your special day, but, here is our basic package information and photography location requirements for your micro-wedding, vow renewal or commitment ceremony. Custom-built packages are possible when available.
Please note: All packages on the Secret Garden Sundays are interactive, collaborative and curated. We collaborate and work together to make the ceremony work based on your and your groups unique needs. All sites may not be suitable for your group. All packages require the couple to show up for an in-person site consultation. These packages are unique, but they do not include full service event planning or day of coordination and are not a suitable destination wedding option unless the couple makes the investment to attend a site tour.
Private Estate 2023 DELUXE Ceremony Package Available Sundays in 2023 & 2024
2023 ceremony location package includes the setting for your ceremony up to 30 guests depending on location. DELUXE package INCLUDES:
- Ceremony Filming or Photography Location
- Ceremony Officiant*
- Rustic Wood Arch or Circle Arch
- House Floral & Drape Installation
- 30-45 min. Friday rehearsal walk through for Sunday ceremonies
- Private sanitized restroom facilities
- 2 Private changing areas for couples to utilize to get dressed
- Ceremony chair rental (one style included, other styles require additional fees)
- Welcome table includes linen or redwood table
- Non-alcoholic beverage station for guests with 3 choices in addition to water includes linen
- On-site parking for up to 10 standard vehicles (ride sharing encouraged)
- Ceremony chairs (Crossback Vineyard or Natural Wood Folding Chairs) includes set up and breakdown
- Photography location clean up
- Restroom cleaning and disinfecting
- Event Insurance ($125 value)
- Day of assistance with timeline at Secret Garden Ceremonies
- Light Snack and Beverage Reception (standing)
This package EXCLUDES:
- Licensed and Insured Photographer
- Wedding or intricate ceremony coordination
- Custom floral and drape installations
- Hair and Makeup Applications on-site
- Any food, food service or dining tables set up on-site
- Full-service event planning
For Dining packages please inquire and specify date and number of guests.
DELUXE ceremony package in 2023-2024 for couple plus up to 30 guests starts at $2575 for Sundays- other dates are possible if mutually agreeable. This includes venue use 10 a.m.-6 p.m. with up to 3 hours of guests on-site.
Typical timeline is decor and floral set-up from 9 a.m.-noon, wedding party and guests onsite between noon-4 p.m. Departure begins at 3:45-6 p.m. Design your day to work for your schedule.
Sample Timeline Includes up to 5 hours on-site (All guests on-site up to 3 Hours):
Noon- 2 p.m. (2 Hours) Ceremony Area Set Up / Couple Getting Ready / First Look Photos
2 p.m. (30 Min.) Guest Arrivals
2:30 p.m. (30 Min.) Ceremony
3 p.m. (1 Hour) Post Ceremony Photography
4 p.m.-5 p.m. Light Reception with snack
5 p.m. Guest Departure to restaurant or reception location
5 p.m.- 6 p.m. (1 Hour) Ceremony Site breakdown and clean up
For 2023 Ceremony and Event date reservations 50% non-refundable reservation fee is due upon signing of contract and to confirm reservation. 2024 non-refundable date reservations are $400. Balance is due in full 30 days prior to ceremony date. Reservation fees accepted by check or ACH payment (1.5% fee) upon signing of contract and credit cards are accepted for final payment for a 3.6% additional fee.
* You may elect to bring your own minister, priest or ceremony officiant at your own additional cost, but, there is no credit applied to the deluxe package. Designated officiant is also the site manager and will need to be present.
Professional Photography and/or filming is required
A professional licensed photographer is required due to the site requirements. Guests or family members are encouraged to turn off their phones during the ceremony so that the photographer can focus on taking the ceremony photos. The guests are there to be present, mindful and enjoy the sharing of love and the couple's ceremony.
Please see our Vendors we Love page for recommendations.
Pre-approved Vendors
Only approved and local insured vendors will be allowed to work at the Secret Garden Ceremonies locations. If you have a pre-existing contract with a professional licensed and insured photographer prior to inquiry they can be approved by submitting copy of business license and a Certificate of General Liability Insurance with waiver of subrogation. One professional photographer is required for use of the ceremony photography locations.
What about the reception?
Secret Garden Ceremonies is a ceremony only and photography location option. When it comes to your reception; if you can dream it, you can design it. Your micro-celebration day can be as lavish or as minimal as you desire. We will provide a list of possible restaurants, vacation rentals, private chefs and Santa Cruz County park hall rentals to aid you in your decision making. There is also an option to dine on-site for groups of 30 (including couple) or less.
YOU CAN HOST A LIGHT RECEPTION AFTER YOUR CEREMONY.
IF YOU'D LOVE TO HOST A HAPPY HOUR TYPE (FINGER FOODS) RECEPTION AT THE SECRET GARDEN ESTATE AFTER YOUR CEREMONY is now included. All food service is the responsibility of the client to provide and accepts responsibility for set up and all liability for their choices. This offer is for up to 30 guests.
LIGHT RECEPTION ON THE ESTATE LAWN WOULD INCLUDE:
- RECEPTION TABLES INCLUDED - BEVERAGE TABLE (1), SNACK TABLE (1) INCL. LINENS/ SET UP & CLEAN UP
- 4 Wine Barrel Snack/Cocktail table set up and clean up
- CHAMPAGNE & WINE /WATER GLASSWARE SET UP & CLEAN UP
- ICE BUCKETS & ICE
- CAKE OR DESSERT TABLE SET UP & CLEAN UP
- 2 HOURS ADDITIONAL TIME ON-SITE including clean up time
- CLEAN UP FROM HAPPY HOUR SNACK FOOD & BEVERAGE SERVICE
- CORNHOLE and POOL TABLE
Investment: $2575
Includes: Ceremony Location and Ligh Reception time at the Estate.
Does not include food, food service or spirits. Food should be served in cups, disposable plates or on display trays. Does not include plates or silverware. All food set up is the responsibility of the caterer or client. Prep kitchen space is not included. Does not include day of coordinator. Venue coordinator will be on-site.
LUNCH RECEPTION on the ESTATE LAWN
Investment: $4375
Includes: Ceremony Location and Luncheon Reception time at the Estate for up to 30 guests. In-house tables, linens, dishware, glassware, silverware, set up, clean up and 3 hours extra guest time on-site. Guests depart by 5:30 p.m.
Does not include food, food service or food set up or spirits. A licensed caterer or private chef and one catering staff member is required for this package. Does not include day of coordinator. Venue coordinator will be on-site.
WANT TO DO A FRIDAY OR SUNDAY EVENING FULL DINING ON-SITE WEDDING EVENT? PLEASE INQUIRE FOR PRICING AND AVAILABILITY.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD WE CONSIDER?
REQUIRED or Additional costs:
- Event Insurance with waiver of subrogation ($125* AVERAGE WEDDING INSURANCE Cost - included in package)
- $180* Average cost for other types of events and not included.
- Professional Photography (Cost Varies)
- All on-site Vendors need to provide a COI for general liability, commercial vehicle insurance and workers compensation if applicable.
- Guest List- With full names
All Ceremony packages EXCLUDE:
- Ceremony arch or ceremony site set up services other than in-house offerings
- Site Clean Up or trash disposal for catering (please pack out what you pack in)
- Arch rentals other than in house rectangle wood or gold circle arch
- Photographer
- Wedding or ceremony coordination
- Wedding or event planning
- Custom floral and drape installations
- Any other rental items besides welcome table and specified tables and chairs
- Hair and Makeup Applications on-site
- Any food, food service or seated dining on-site
- Officiants, Priests or Ministers other than the in-house Universal Life celebrant officiant
- Wedding License
- All ceremony site location choices are in a private natural, hilly, woodland environment and may not be conducive to certain mobility or health limitations. It is the wedding couple's responsibility to choose a wedding site and/or venue that works for their needs and their guests needs. The ceremony and photography venue excludes any responsibility for the couples choice.
- Pets or Animals On-site (Please inquire about including your personal pet). Not all pets or animals will be necessarily approved, and approval is at the sole discretion of management. Guests pets are not allowed unless animal is a certified companion animal.
How do I set up a consultation or book?
First please request our virtual tour, then we will schedule a phone consultation with both partners and during the phone consultation and budget meeting we will make an appointment for an on-site tour if your group size and ideas align with what we offer.
Have your own arch, ceremony design and officiant in mind?
You Can Always bring your own DESIGN ideas - available sundays - Set UP of Own Design is not include
WHAT ELSE SHOULD WE CONSIDER:
REQUIRED (Additional costs):
Event Insurance with waiver of subrogation ($125* AVERAGE WEDDING INSURANCE Cost - included in package)
$180* Average cost for other types of events and not included.
Professional Photography (Cost Varies)
All Vendors need to provide a COI for general liability, commercial vehicle insurance and workers compensation if applicable.
Guest List- With full names
All Ceremony packages EXCLUDE:
Ceremony arch or ceremony site set up services other than in house offerings
Site Clean Up or trash disposal for catering (please pack out what you pack in)
Arch rentals other than in house rectangle wood or gold circle arch
Photographer
Wedding or ceremony coordination
Wedding or event planning
Custom floral and drape installations or any personal wedding decor installations
Any other rental items besides inhouse tables, decor and chairs
Hair and Makeup Applications on-site
Any food, food service or seated dining on-site
Officiants other than the in-house Universal Life celebrant officiant
Wedding License - Couple needs to get a wedding license directly from their County of residence and is responsible for all associated fees.
All ceremony site location choices are in a private natural, hilly, woodland environment and may not be conducive to certain mobility or health limitations. It is the wedding couple's responsibility to choose a wedding site and/or venue that works for their needs and their guests needs. The ceremony and photography venue does not accept any responsibility for the couple's choice.
Pets or Animals On-site - Please inquire about including your personal pet. Not all pets or animals will be necessarily approved, and approval is at the sole discretion of management. The couples' guests pets are not allowed unless animal is a certified companion animal.
Awards & Commitments
