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 30 guests easily.
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 our complimentary non-alcoholic beverage station.
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. For a more custom-built package, we are happy to work with you.
Please note: All packages on the Secret Garden Sundays are interactive, collaborative and curated. We collaborate and work together to make the ceremony work. These packages require the couple to show up for an in-person site consultation. These packages are unique, but they do not include day of coordination and are not a suitable destination wedding option unless the couple makes the investment to attend a site tour or adds a full-service planning option.
Private Estate 2023 DELUXE Ceremony Package Available Sundays in 2023
2022 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
- 45 min. Friday rehearsal walk through for Saturday and 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
- 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
This package EXCLUDES:
- Photographer
- Wedding or intricate ceremony coordination
- Custom floral and drape installations
- Hair and Makeup Applications on-site
- Any food, food service or dining on-site
For Dining packages please inquire and specify date and number of guests.
DELUXE ceremony package in 2023 for couple plus up to 30 guests starts at $1875 for Friday day (Redwood Grove only) or Sundays. This includes venue use 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
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 3:45-5 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 2 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. Guest Departure to restaurant or reception location
4 p.m.- 5 p.m. (1 Hour) Ceremony Site breakdown and clean up
Weekday elopements in 2023 includes deluxe package for couple plus up to 30 guests, based on availability, for $1725 (Tuesday or Wednesday -based on availability)
For 2023 Ceremony and Event date reservation a $400 non-refundable reservation fee is due upon signing of contract and to confirm reservation. Balance is due in full 30 days prior to ceremony date. Full amount can be transferable to a mutually agreeable new date if couple contracts Covid19. Reservation fee accepted by check 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 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 location.
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 high-quality 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.
WANT TO HOST A LIGHT RECEPTION or LUNCHEON AFTER YOUR CEREMONY?
IF YOU'D LOVE TO HOST A HAPPY HOUR TYPE (FINGER FOODS) RECEPTION AT THE SECRET GARDEN ESTATE AFTER YOUR CEREMONY.
Cost is $750 for 2 extra hours at the estate plus cocktail tables and barware set up and clean up.
LIGHT RECEPTION IN THE REDWOODS WOULD INCLUDE:
- RECEPTION TABLES RENTAL - BAR TABLE (1), SNACK TABLE (1) INCL. LINENS/ SET UP & CLEAN UP
- 4 Wine Barrel Cocktail table rentals with set up and clean up
- CHAMPAGNE & WINE GLASSWARE SET UP & CLEAN UP
- ICE BUCKETS & ICE
- CAKE OR DESSERT TABLE SET UP & CLEAN UP
- 2 HOURS ADDITIONAL GUEST TIME ON-SITE
- CLEAN UP FROM HAPPY HOUR SNACK FOOD & BEVERAGE SERVICE
- CORNHOLE and POOL TABLE
Investment: $2625
Includes: Ceremony Location and Light Cocktail Hour type Reception time at the Estate.
Does not include food, food service or spirits. Food to be served should be served in cups or on display trays. Does not include plates or silverware. 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. 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.
How do I set up a consultation or book?
First view our virtual tour, then we will schedule a phone consultation 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?
Ceremony- bring your own DESIGN ideas - available sundays
$1375 plus event insurance costs
2022/2023 SUNDAY DIY ceremony location package includes:
Ceremony location rental for up to 5 hours (see sample timeline below) with up to 30 guests depending on location. ($10 each additional guest up to 40) Ridesharing is required.
- Ceremony Filming or Photography Location (Entire Estate Grounds Available for Photography)
- Private sanitized restroom facilities
- 2 Private changing areas for couples to utilize to get dressed
- Natural Wood Folding Ceremony chair rental & Set Up & Breakdown (one style included, other styles require additional fees) Vineyard Crossback Chairs and pads (Add $5 per chair)
- Welcome table (Does Not Include Linen)
- Parking Assistance + On-site secured parking for up to 10 standard vehicles (ride sharing encouraged)
- Restroom cleaning and disinfecting
- Changing Area Set Up and Clean Up
REQUIRED (Additional costs):
Event Insurance with waiver of subrogation ($118* AVERAGE WEDDING INSURANCE Cost) $180* Average cost for other types of events.
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
This package EXCLUDES:
Event Insurance
Ceremony arch or ceremony site set up services
Site Clean Up or trash disposal (please pack out what you pack in)
Arch rental
Photographer
Wedding or ceremony coordination
Custom floral and drape installations
Any other rental items besides welcome table and chairs
Hair and Makeup Applications on-site
Any food, food service or dining on-site
Officiating
Wedding License
ADA Accessibility
Pets or Animals On-site (Please inquire about including your personal pet)
*Pricing for insurance is an estimate and an event insurance quote will be provided at the time of booking
Sample Timeline Includes up to 5 hours on-site (You can design your own timeline with all guests on-site up to 2 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. Guest Departure to restaurant or reception location
4 p.m.- 5 p.m. (1 Hour) Ceremony Site breakdown and clean up
WANT TO HOST A LIGHT RECEPTION IN THE REDWOODS AFTER YOUR CEREMONY?
IF YOU'D LOVE TO HOST A HAPPY HOUR TYPE (FINGER FOODS) RECEPTION AT THE SECRET GARDEN ESTATE AFTER YOUR CEREMONY INQUIRE ABOUT COSTS FOR A STANDING ONLY (NO DINING TABLES) LIGHT RECEPTION - WE NEED TO DISCUSS YOUR IDEAS, GUEST COUNT AND VISION.
LIGHT REDWOOD RECEPTION WOULD INCLUDE:
RECEPTION TABLES RENTAL - BAR TABLE (1), SNACK TABLE (1) INCL. LINENS/ SET UP & CLEAN UP
(4) WINE BARREL COCKTAIL TABLES
CHAMPAGNE & WINE GLASSWARE SET UP & CLEAN UP
ICE BUCKETS & ICE
CAKE TABLE SET UP & CLEAN UP
1.5 HOURS ADDITIONAL GUEST TIME ON-SITE
CLEAN UP FROM HAPPY HOUR SNACK FOOD & BEVERAGE SERVICE
Design Your Wedding Day Your Way
All LoVE & AlL IDEAS ARE WELCOME
LET'S START PLANNING YOUR 2023 MICRO-WEDDING DAY OR SPECIAL CELEBRATION!
Awards & Commitments
