Celebrating A Russian River Wedding at The Highland Dell Lodge

The Russian River has long been a favorite place for couples to get married. The beauty of the location, combined with its small-town vibe and numerous outdoor activities, make it an ideal location for a wedding. A Russian River wedding can take many forms. You may choose to have an outdoor ceremony in one of the many vineyards or parks. Or you may prefer an indoor venue such as the Highland Dell Lodge. This charming little hotel has been renovated to provide the perfect setting for a small group of friends or family members to stay together and enjoy their time together before and after the wedding. That’s because you don’t need large, formal ballrooms to have a memorable event. Instead, you can plan on getting married in front of a roaring fire with your nearest friends and family as witnesses. Here are some helpful tips, courtesy of Willa Weddings Photography team, about how to plan and execute your own intimate private residence wedding at The Highland Dell Lodge

Ask the Right Questions

When meeting with the Highland Dell Lodge or other prospective venues, be sure to ask plenty of questions. Talk through how many guests you can accommodate, what amenities are available and how long you can stay in the venue before or after you get married. Even if you are planning a very small wedding, you want to ensure that the place you choose is equipped for your needs. A hotel with a rustic charm is the perfect choice for a small, casual wedding. You can extend the invitation to just friends and family, or you can invite everyone in your community who will undoubtedly want to come see the place where the wedding will take place. Willa Weddings loves the ease and accommodations that the Highland Dell Lodge staff provides for all of their Russian River wedding days.

Plan Your Menu in Advance

Whatever type of wedding you have, you’ll need to plan your menu in advance. This is particularly true if you are having a brunch or dinner reception at a private residence such as The Highland Dell Lodge. Do some research on caterers who specialize in more intimate affairs. You may also want to consider hiring a local chef or cooking the food yourself. If you are planning to have a buffet-style dinner, you can purchase disposable plates, cups and silverware. If you would like your guests to have real dishes and silverware, you can rent them. Another option is purchasing inexpensive plates and cups, and then having them professionally cleaned after the wedding so you can use them again at home for special occasions. Another thing to think about is whether you want alcohol at your event. If so, find out what permit your caterer or event venue needs to obtain. Some municipalities have strict rules about where and how alcohol can be served.

Select the Right Vendors

When it comes time to select your vendors, make sure you do some research. Ask around to see who has done good work for others. You can also ask for recommendations from the venue where you are planning to get married. You will want to select vendors who are experienced with small-scale private residence weddings. If you are having a large wedding, you may not want an officiant who has done a lot of small weddings, as he or she may not be as comfortable in front of a large audience. So how much do you need to budget? Your best bet is to budget for the worst-case scenario. You never know what might come up, and it’s better to have money left over than to not have enough to pay for everything you need.

Decide on a Ceremony Location

When deciding on a ceremony location, think about how best to highlight the charm of the location where you are getting married. For example, a vineyard may have a vine-covered gazebo, while a park may have beautiful views. If you are having an indoor ceremony, you can add some floral touches to the room to make it feel more special. Just make sure you give the venue staff enough notice so they can add it to their cleaning schedule. The Highland Dell Lodge Hotel has an amazing outdoor location for wedding ceremonies and this overlooks the stunning Monte Rio river and historic bridge. The perfect location for your Russian River Wedding Day.

Wrap Up

After you and your spouse have said “I do,” you can celebrate with your closest friends and family in any way you wish. Some couples prefer an informal gathering, while others prefer something a bit more formal. No matter what you decide, make sure you savor every moment of your special day. It’s something you’ll never forget. These are some of the best reasons to have a Russian River wedding. With its small-town charm, rich history and sheer beauty, this location is a one-of-a-kind setting for a wedding. If you are planning to get married in this location, remember to book your hotel rooms well in advance to ensure you get the best rates possible.

To learn more or to book Willa Weddings for your Highland Dell Lodge Russian River wedding day, please click below.