Jen and Mack's Wedding

 

    When it comes to planning a wedding, inspiration is everywhere. From Pinterest to wedding blogs, there are creative ideas to suit every couple for their big day. One of our recent couples, Jen and Mack, found several elements to fit their Midsummer Night's Dream inspired wedding. With a little help from family members and friends, they were able to create a romantic, inviting atmosphere for their nuptials at Hidden Valley. 

    Armed with lace and vibrantly colored floral arrangements, they truly made the property their own. Yards of cream colored fabric were hung on the wedding stage, summoning an image reminiscent of a Shakespearean sonnet. Richly colored roses in every shade adorned the stage and added a midsummer's eve element to the location of their vows.  

   After the ceremony, guests were guided to a gorgeous, white tent complete with draped fabric and lanterns covered in flowers. After the sun went down, this beautifully constructed area echoed an ethereal quality with dimly lit twinkle lights lining the perimeter. Details became more romantic and the space more intimate as they celebrated with their loved ones.  

  

                                            

    

Congratulations to Jen and Mack!

Ordering Rentals is Easy

While we offer the ability for our groups to bring in their own vendors, including rentals, we also have the option of renting directly from our venue. We offer assorted tables, chairs, linens, dishes, chocolate fountain, coffee pots, and even staffing for set-up, tear-down, and parking. We have kept the costs comparable to many other rental companies, but we do not charge the delivery fee. You have the ease of having your rentals on-site when needed. On top of that, when you rent from us, you get the rentals for the entire weekend.

We recently created a form to make ordering these rentals easy! Using formstack, all you have to do is enter the amounts of each item you'd like to rent, and our form totals everything for you. After finishing your order, you can easily make a payment through our secure service, or you can always coordinate payment with our office. 

To view our new form click here.

Introducing: Aimee and Michael

Couples have been carrying on the trend of creating their own engagement and wedding websites for years now. As a wedding venue, we've seen a lot of our brides and grooms create unique, amazing websites, and we absolutely love exploring them! From photo stories to fun descriptions, our couples have the best ideas! The purpose of these websites is to provide information about the couple, their wedding party, the location of the ceremony, and even their gift registry. We recently saw a couple's website that we just had to share: Aimee and Michael. They are getting married at Hidden Valley Retreat on April 21, 2012. Like all of our couples, they will be hosting their very own weekend wedding. 

Aimee and Michael's website stood out to us because of their description of our property. Their website not only explains how our property works, but gives specific directions on how the weekend will play out for each of their guests. They allow their guests to choose if they will be staying at Hidden Valley or at a hotel. They also give their guests the option of being part of the "cleaning crew" to pay for their stay, or to donate money to alleviate the cost of the property. 

Here is what they said about us:

"The Hidden Valley Retreat has some accommodation onsite to the tune of about 40 spots for April 20th and 21st. A little over half of those spots are group bedding situations: combinations of bunk beds and rollaways. There are 4 small single bedrooms, and then a combination of a few Queens and Twins to make up the rest.

Once we send out invitations and begin receiving RSVPs we will start divvying up the spots, prioritizing the wedding party, the out-of-towners, and the immediate family who are arriving at Hidden Valley Retreat on the 20th of April, and working out from there.

If you’re willing to actively participate in the wedding preparations and clean-up, then your spots at the facility are complementary for the nights of the 20th and the 21st. If however you would rather take that time to enjoy the surrounding countryside or the facilities of the property then we would ask that you instead make a financial contribution to the tune of whatever you feel is appropriate for the accommodation. Any money received in this manner will go directly to offsetting the costs of the facility.

It should also be noted that there are only six bathrooms on site and thus if you are a particularly picky person who wouldn’t necessarily appreciate the dorm type atmosphere you may want to consider alternative accommodation. There are hotels relatively near the site and once we understand how many people are interested in hotel accommodation we will begin looking into obtaining group rates and possibly a shuttle service to go between the wedding and the hotel."

On top of the great description they have about Hidden Valley Retreat, they also have fun descriptions of their wedding party, and stories about themselves. Following in the ways of the eco-friendly couple, they have the option of viewing their Save the Date online, and having their guests print it out themselves.. On top of that, they are holding a group cruise as part of their honeymoon, how cool is that?! 

Aimee and Michael are an exemplary couple, and we fully encourage our future couples  to emulate their description of our property. You can see how perfect their website is HERE.

More to come in April! Congratulations to Aimee and Michael, we can't wait to have you!

Weekend Wedding Trend

We were all proud of ourselves for coming up with the weekend wedding idea when we realized that it is a growing trend across the country.  That being said, Hidden Valley does put its own special twist on it.  Below is an article written by Tracy Curnette on how she plans weekend weddings in Sonoma, CA.  Read on to see how we do things in SoCal.

Tips for Planning a Weekend Wedding

Would you like to turn your wedding into a full weekend of fun? The growing trend toward weekend weddings, filled with fun which can range from spa treatments to golf touraments for your guests, has caught on at destinations everywhere. This month, we talk with Tracy Curnette, Event Manager and Marriott Certified Wedding Event Planner for The Lodge at Sonoma for her tips on planning a weekend wedding--whether in Sonoma, California or elsewhere.



For brides planning a weekend wedding, what nearby attractions or on property activities are of special interest for their guests?

Sonoma: Well of course the Spa! But as I have already mentioned that, there are some wonderful winery tours to experience. We also have a number of historic landmarks, a wonderful downtown plaza with fabulous unique shops, art museums, and hot-air balloon rides.

Hidden Valley: While San Diego has all these activities to offer and more, we at Hidden Valley also like to take it easy and enjoy the simpler pleasures in life.  Our activites include taking a walk, picking fruit, playing horseshoes or pool, read a book, relax by the pool, or cook a family meal.  Sure we have the world famous Wild Animal park just minutes away but you can aslo stay in and enjoy Grandma's wold famous chocolate chip cookies too.  You want spa treatments?  We can arrange for you to enjoy them right on property as well.


Why do you think there has been a trend lately toward more weekend weddings?


Sonoma: Brides, grooms and their families are putting a great deal of care and planning into their weddings today. Often weddings are planned for one to two years in advance. A weekend wedding insures that the most possible invited will be able to attend. In addition, the fun is not limited to the day of the wedding alone. Activities can be planned to enrich and engage your guests for two or three days.

Hidden Valley: People are on tight budgets these days so a weekend wedding has many advantages for those of us who need to watch our spending.
   1. You can make it a wedding/ family reunion.  If people are flying across the country you might as well be able to actually spend time with them.
   2. At Hidden Valley there are places for 40 to sleep at no extra costs.  Meaning: no hotel rooms.
   3. A budget bride is a DIY bride.  At a weekend wedding you family is there to help you.  Need chairs set up?  Favors wrapped?  Isn't that what cousins are for?
   4. You get to actually spend time with your family.  Enough said.

How can weekend weddings help join families and make everyone feel more comfortable?


Sonoma: With a weekend wedding family and friends are not seeing each other for the first time at the wedding ceremony. They have had relaxed opportunities to rekindle friendships and enjoy one another’s company in a less formal venue. This contributes to a warm and comfortable atmosphere at the wedding.


Hidden Valley:  Yes, we agree. 



What types of activities have you helped weekend wedding brides arrange for guests?


Sonoma: Again the Spa! I have arranged Spa treatments for all of the bridal party and delightful luncheons in the Spa Garden. These can be planned for the day before the wedding or the morning of the wedding.

The groom and groomsmen are usually fond of a golf outing at one of our premier golf clubs. Infineon Raceway is also just minutes away. For the adventurous, ESPN Russell Racing Schools offer a full spectrum of open wheel racing courses, karting classes, driving courses and group adventures!

And of course, it is great fun to get friends and family together in a plush, luxury limousine bus, where speed is definitely not the focal point, and sample Sonoma’s wine.

Hidden Valley: Sure we can help you but most of the time families want to plan their own outings.  A trip to the beach or the San Diego Zoo. San Diego has so much to offer but don't forget to leave time to relax and smell the roses.


What functions are especially appropriate for the day after the wedding?

Sonoma: Post-wedding bunches are very popular. Friends and family can get together one last time, enjoy delicious cuisine and sip mimosas or fresh peach Bellini’s. Some brides have even tied in their gift opening with this event. Don't we all want to see the presents?!

Hidden Valley: Mmmm...brunch.  We think brunch is a fabulous idea but, not when it costs $50 per person.  Why not take your newly integrated family and share some favorite family recipes.  We have 2 kitchens so why not use them?

April Winchell shares her wedding planning wisdom.

While perusing wedding sites I came across a column written by April Winchell for Brides Magazine.  She is in the process of planning her own wedding and had been commissioned to write each month about her experiences.  This being her second marriage and the creator of regretsy.com, she has been there and done that.  This creates a candor and frankness that when applied to weddings leaves nothing but a meaningful event for all.

I have pulled some snippets from her articles that I think descibe our feelings towards weddings.

"...I'm not talking about spending money. It doesn't matter what favors are on the tables if you never stop to say hello to your guests; and your bridesmaids won't care about Tiffany key chains if you've been on full-throttle Midol alert for six weeks. I'm talking about thinking about others, and doing meaningful things to ensure lasting memories for everyone. It's a concept that's hard to keep in mind when everyone keeps insisting that it's "all about you." "

The reason behind the weekend wedding.  A wedding where you actually get to see and spend time with your family beyond the receiving line.


"...the wedding is not your marriage. It's really just the best party you can afford to throw for the people who love you most." 

Do what you love.  Make the memory of your wedding include the time you spent with your family, not the cost of it.

"All I really know is that if I'm true to myself, I can keep my wedding from turning into something I can never get right. I can have what I truly want, and not pile a lot of expensive and ultimately meaningless gestures into something that already has enough meaning to last a lifetime."  Enough said :)

"To be fair, choosing the venue is probably the hardest part of this whole exercise. I know it's been almost impossible for my fiancé and me. For one thing, our families live on opposite coasts, so someone's going to have to travel. But who?" 

Well if you have it at Hidden Valley at least they will have a place to stay when they get there...

April goes on (very hilariously) about her DIY wedding.  To read more you can pick up a copy of Brides magazine or go to http://www.brides.com/wedding-answers-tools/2010/08/April_Winchell_Column_3

Enjoy!!

Jessica and James's Wedding

Hi Everyone,

We are very happy as our 2010 wedding season comes to an end. We would like to share with you a few of the photos and details from Jessica and James’s wedding. Jessica’s mom, Pam, acted as the planner of the entire weekend wedding. The event was beautiful! The ceremony was held at the Garden Stage with musicians playing on one of the terraces followed by an outdoor reception. The bride and groom took advantage of our gorgeous nature views and took beautiful pictures by the Garden Stage, the Orchards and the Amazon Fountain. Here is what Pam had to say after the event was over:
“We had a wonderful time, everything was absolutely perfect. The Weekend Wedding went super well and everyone loved the place. Thanks so much for everything.”-Pam Wertz (Mother of the Bride) 10/26/10

*We wish all of our 2010 couples all the best, and thank them for allowing us to be a part of the most important day of their lives.*

Special thanks to Paul with Photography by Paul for the wonderful pictures he sent us.

Happy 1st Wedding Anniversary Eric and Marie!

We would like to congratulate Eric and Marie on their 1^st Wedding Anniversary! They are the couple that won our free wedding contest last year and were the first couple to hold their wedding at Hidden Valley. We have a lot to celebrate because Eric and Marie just gave us the great news of the baby boy they had! His name is Noah and is just 2 months old. We received his picture and he is an adorable baby and looks just like his mommy. We are very happy to know that their love is getting stronger and we are sure that little Noah is making this 1^st anniversary that more special. We wish them many more anniversaries like this one, full of love, family and great news!