When and where is the wedding taking place?
The wedding will be held at the Mendocino Woodlands State Park, which is a National Historic Landmark located 10 miles inland from the coastal town of Mendocino in Northern California. The wedding will take place over the weekend of Friday, October 2nd to Monday, October 5th, and the wedding is on Saturday, October 3rd.
What will the weather be like?
Early October on the Mendocino Coast is known for its beautiful, shifting moods, so be prepared for a wardrobe change throughout the day. Please note: Northern California and Southern California are very different climates! Mendocino weather is pleasant, but typically much cooler than what you might be familiar with if you’ve spent time in Los Angeles or San Diego. The mornings start off cool, often with that famous coastal fog, before warming up into pleasant, sunny afternoons with highs typically in the mid-60s, then lows in the 50s at night. Early October is typically not the rainy season, but we’ll know more the closer we get to the date!
What are the recommended options for getting to Mendocino?
Driving is the easiest and most flexible option, and it is the only way to get directly to and from Mendocino Woodlands State Park. If you are flying, the closest airport is Charles Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS) in Santa Rosa, which is approximately a two-hour drive away. Other regional airport options include the Bay Area airports—San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Metropolitan Oakland International Airport (OAK), and Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)—or Sacramento International Airport (SMF), from which the drive is about three to four hours depending on traffic. There are also shuttle services that can be booked in advance.
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Where should we stay?
With us, please! There are historic cabins available for all guests for the full weekend, from Friday, October 2nd (after noon) through Monday morning, October 5th. A recommended contribution of $35 per person, per night, is requested to help cover the costs of accommodations and additional provided amenities and food for on site guests throughout the weekend. We also wanted to be able to offer this option as a lower cost alternative to local accommodations. This contribution is recommended, not required, and will be detailed further when you RSVP.
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Are children welcome?
Children under the age of three are welcome to stay on-site with their caregivers throughout the weekend. Unfortunately, children over the age of three, outside of the immediate family of the couple, will not be able to stay in the on-site accommodations. Children of all ages are welcome at the Friday welcome dinner and the Sunday brunch/hangout. On Saturday, only children under age three may attend the wedding, dinner, and reception festivities.
Recommendations for local babysitters from trusted community contacts will be shared in advance for those may wish to secure childcare for Saturday afternoon/evening. We are also willing to connect interested families who would like to self-organize and pool together for group care, which you can indicate on your RSVP.
What are the on-site cabin accommodations like?
The accommodations are historic, rustic cabins that are a National Historic Landmark, originally built in the 1930s. Each cabin is fully enclosed and features four cots and mattresses (two singles can be pushed together for a queen bed), a cozy wood-burning fireplace, a closet, and a balcony. Nearby each cluster of cabins is a fully equipped bathroom facility that provides flush toilets, sinks, hot showers, and electrical outlets for personal use.
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What meals will be provided?
For those staying on site, food will be provided for all meals from Friday dinner through Sunday brunch, so no need to leave the property or bring groceries unless you’d like to. The plan includes a Welcome Dinner on Friday, self-serve breakfast/brunch items and light fare on Saturday, followed by the Cocktail Hour and catered wedding meal that evening, and brunch items and leftovers on Sunday. Compostable plates and cutlery will also be available for guest use.
If you prefer to bring or cook your own food or have specific dietary requirements, a full-sized commercial kitchen and walk-in fridge are also available for all guests’ use throughout the weekend.
What if I have accessibility needs or require 24/7 power access?
If you have mobility concerns or need constant power for a medical device, please indicate this on your RSVP. We will ensure you are placed in a suitable cabin, such as the one available cabin with electricity, running water, and a private bathroom, or an easily accessible cabin near the road.
What about connectivity and emergency access?
Cell phone service is not reliable on the property, and there is no open Internet access. We will provide a shared emergency phone number and email address in advance that will be pre-loaded on iPads that will allow guests to send or receive messages or calls via Starlink satellite WiFi at any time. If you have an issue or emergency that requires access to internet services on your own personal phone, the WiFi Starlink internet access will be available to guests upon request for essential connectivity. Due to limited capacity, please do not plan on unlimited access throughout the weekend.
What amenities will be provided, and what should I bring?
We will provide bedding for guests who are traveling by plane to attend (those driving to the weekend should bring their own pillows and bedding). We will also provide lanterns, firewood, starter logs, sunscreen, bug spray, and a basic first aid kit. You should plan to bring appropriate clothing and footwear (see below), a personal water bottle, and any personal alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages they may want outside of the provided wine and beer.
Read more on Travel & Stay.
What clothing/footwear will I need?
Daytime when it’s sunny can feel quite warm, with highs in the mid-60s, and evening/nighttime can feel quite chilly, with lows in the 50s. Your secret weapon is layers: think cozy sweaters, a warm jacket, and potentially a hat/gloves for the evening, as the temperature drops significantly after sunset, to ensure you stay warm and comfortable for the nighttime throughout the weekend. Be sure to also bring cozy warm pajamas for your cabins which can be heated by wood burning fireplaces at night.
You should bring shoes appropriate for walking on unpaved and at times uneven trail paths with some hills and steps, comfortable for walking around the property throughout the weekend. We also recommend bringing easy slide-on/off shoes for walking to the bathroom from your cabin.
We are keeping the dress code simple: cocktail attire - we want folks to get spiffed up real nice for a wedding in the woods, whatever that looks like for you. Since our venue has unpaved trails and natural terrain throughout the woods and there will be walking involved to move around the site, we highly recommend choosing practical footwear over formal heels. Sturdy flats or wedges are ideal for navigating the pathways safely and comfortably. Please leave the stilettos at home unless you want to aerate the forest floor (but don’t please)!
Can I bring my pet?
Mendocino Woodlands is a state park, and the rules prohibit pets of any kind on the property. We will provide recommendations for pet-friendly hotel/rental options and pet boarding services in the local area to assist with planning.
What are my options if I prefer to stay off-site?
If you prefer alternative lodging or are traveling with children over age three who cannot be hosted on-site, the towns of Mendocino and Fort Bragg are a 15–20 minute drive away and offer numerous hotels and vacation rental options through platforms like Airbnb and VRBO.