Northern California

Jan 13

Featured Estate of the Week: Sebastopol Sanctuary, Sonoma Event Venue

This Bali- inspired architectural gem is the perfect fusion between the contemporary and the natural.  Sebastopol Sanctuary is the ideal green event venue. Set on 8.5 acres, this Sonoma Estate features a lavender farm, olive trees, and a pinot noir vineyard, truly surrounding its guests with the essence of Sonoma. Enjoy the scenery from the hardwood deck with cocktails and gourmet hors d’oeuvres made with ingredients from the estate’s own garden. Dance the night away underneath the Sonoma stars following dinner on the lush lawn, while strung market lights, wildflowers, and breezes smelling of lavender create a natural ambiance unlike you’ve ever experienced.

The estate features a commercial kitchen, wine cellar, a bocce ball court, private lake and much more!  Overnight accommodations are available for up to 8 guests.  To receive a custom quote for your next event, click the picture above to receive additional information about the estate.

Jan 9

Making the Most of a Winter Wedding

When it comes to planning an unforgettable wedding, spring and summer shouldn’t be the only seasons that you consider. For a unique twist, you should think about tying the knot during the winter. Winter weddings are ideal for couples who prefer to eschew convention. A winter wedding can be every bit as fabulous as a spring or summer wedding; the trick is choosing the right venue and throwing in plenty of special touches. Pick up a few tips for making the most of a winter wedding below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location is Everything

In regions that experience cold winters, choosing the right wedding location is especially important. It’s easy to assume that finding a fabulous wedding venue during the winter will be difficult, but that’s typically not the case at all. Whether you’re planning a New York wedding or a Colorado wedding, the trick to having an amazing day is selecting an unforgettable location. Estate wedding venues, mansions and other wedding venues should be at the top of your list.

What makes mansions and estate venues such ideal choices for winter weddings? A great perk is that popular estate venues are typically decked out in gorgeous holiday decor at that time of year, which simplifies the process of decorating the venue for your big day. Depending on your specific needs, you could select a venue that includes a beautiful fireplace or large picture windows that allow guests to take in snow-covered vistas.

Fun Ideas for Winter Weddings

After selecting the perfect winter wedding venue, you should come up with a few winter-themed touches to make things even more exciting. For wedding favors, why not opt for lovely ornaments for each guest? They could include the date of the wedding and the names of the bride and groom. For refreshments, you can opt for unique options like spiced wine, eggnog or hot chocolate. In terms of decor, incorporating things like crystal details (to mirror the look of snow) or a color palate of whites, blues, and silvers will help your guests feel as thought they are celebrating in a Winter Wonderland.

Plan Your Winter Wedding Today!

Planning a winter wedding isn’t all that different than planning spring or summer nuptials. The most important thing is choosing a venue that lets the beauty of the season shine through during your big day. Winter is far from peak season for weddings, so you will be able to take your pick from a wide range of options. Kick-start your winter wedding plans by selecting a fantastic venue today! Click here to browse estates

 

View more posts on the wedding planning process:

Engagement Season is in the Air

You got engaged! Now What? 5 things that you should book now, and 5 that can wait.

Tips: Finding Inspiration for a Unique Event Theme

 

 

Jan 6

Top 10 Private Estate Wedding Venues

Estate Weddings and Events Ranked Our Top 10 estates for 2011. From Rustic Ranches to Luxurious Mansions, to backyard Garden Weddings, Check it out to see if your estate venue made the list

1. Emma Estate

Located in Rancho Santa Fe area of San Diego, California. Provides the perfect backdrop for an intimate Backyard Garden Wedding or Large Corporate Events.

Emma Estate

2. Chateau De Beverly Hills

If you are looking for a luxury event location or plan to live like the stars and have a Celebrity Wedding, This exclusive Los Angeles Mansion is our number one choice for Luxury Entertainment.

3. Beach Rose Farm

The Beach Rose Farm in Maine is our top choice for Maine wedding Venues and Maine Vacation Rentals with accommodations up to 36 guests makes this ocean view venue the ideal destination.

4. Lower Lake Ranch

With its Colorado Mountain Views, the Lower Lake Ranch is located outside of Denver Colorado is the perfect setting for a Ranch wedding and also offers a Colorado Bed and Breakfast for large group accommodations, retreats and vacation rentals.

5. Abbey Estate

The Abbey Estate in Montecito is our choice for our top Ocean view Venue. Santa Barbara Estate Weddings feature an elegant setting and also offers Luxury Accommodations as a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental.

Santa Barbara, California

6. Sebastopol Sanctuary

This unique Sonoma Estate, located in the Sonoma Wine Country, is our top choice for Eco Friendly Weddings and Green Events. The estate is LED Certified, has a certified Organic Garden and Vineyard, private lake, and much more. If you are looking for a Sonoma Wedding Venue or a Green event venue, Sebastopol Sanctuary is the place for you.

7. Le Bac Estate

This South Africa Wedding Venue, located in Western Cape, South Africa, is our choice for the perfect destination wedding location or luxury vacation rental in South Africa.

8. Castle Ladyhawke

This Scottish inspired Castle, located outside of Asheville, North Carolina, is our top choice for a unique venue. Set on over 60 acres of private land and offer overnight accommodations for the perfect North Carolina Vacation Rental.


9. Gridley Ranch

Gridley Ranch, located in Ojai, California, is the ideal setting for Rustic Weddings or Ranch Style Weddings. This intimate estate is perfect for small intimate Ojai Wedding receptions and also is a place for a luxury vacation rentals.

10. Infinity Bali Villa

Island Weddings are truly unique and intimate. This Bali Villa, located on the Island of Bali, Indonesia, can accommodate 25 guests for a holiday rental and is the perfect destination for a destination wedding.


Jan 4

Top Incentive Travel Trends

Estate Weddings and Events is no stranger to the love and gratitude for a trip well planned and even more deserved. Specializing in the renting of luxury retreats throughout California and more recently, the world, we know the joy of experiencing unfamiliar lands and reaping the benefits of an all new adventure perfect for Corporate events.

If this year could talk, 2011 would sure have a lot of advice to give. One thing we’ve been noticing is a change in company incentives. For years employees have been rewarded for their brilliant work through award ceremonies, bonuses, health and wellness activities, team bonding and even lavish products.

One program in particular that seems to be in everyone’s minds and hopefully sights, is the gift of  Luxury travel. Check out a few reasons why crafting a travel incentive program with Estate Weddings and Events is sure to catch the attention of your hardworking team.

Universality

Why take weeks comparing the likelihood your entire office will feel motivation to push the limits to be the next proud owner of a 40” flat screen TV or the next generation Tablet? Let’s face it, one of the things that makes any company so great is the diversity of their employees.

The goal of any incentive program is to act as pure inspiration and a nudge of determination, something you would be hard pressed to find in any department store. A few days away from the office with a tropical drink in hand and sunset the color of sherbet? You bet.

Experience vs Product

In this economy, buying decisions are made with extreme care.

Year after year, the value of a wonderful week away cannot be beat. There will always be the “next big thing”, however there will never be another time to make today memorable.

Feel Like a Team

While incentive trips have every intention to motivate, they’re never meant to create tension from in-house competition. If this is an issue you would like to simply wipe clean, let us draw up a program created for the enjoyment of a group of exceptional workers.

Knock out a couple birds with one stone with a few team building activities (hey, yoga on the beach counts) and open bar within your exclusive estate rental. Plan far enough in advance and watch as water cooler talk shifts solely to room assignments.

January marks the start of a new year and Estate Weddings and Events would love to help create the perfect travel experience for your office. Whether a Southern California Coastal camp will light the fire in the eyes of your amazing office or a Balinesian estate venue, we’d love to be a part of making this your best year yet!

Oct 27

Creative Team Building Ideas

Is it just us, or did October bulldoze it’s way into our lives at a remarkably quick pace? One minute we were daydreaming about strawberry-picking and lemonade stands and the next, we’re tripping over hay stacks and caramel apples in this seasons hottest spot, the pumpkin patch. Before we wrap 2011 up for good, gather your team of hard working employees and take some time getting to know one another before the next chapter begins.

Over the course of a year, a lot can happen to a growing company. New faces flutter in, familiar faces move onward and upward, and somewhere in the middle of all this transitioning, the notion of camaraderie and connectivity may get lost along the way. Let’s not forget, even a business that employs hundreds relies on every member of their company to be truly successful.Whether you’re part of a brand new Internet start-up stationed in Silicon Valley or a notorious film studio filming out of Los Angeles, our properties are the perfect venue to bond with your employees or co-workers. Team bonding doesn’t have to mean forming a Conga line and taking a trust walk; the women of Estate Weddings and Events have loads of creative ideas to keep your day light, fun and effective.

 


 

Hoping to get away from the stagnant office air? 

Check out the Caballo Estate in Northern California, fully equipped with all the lawn space an energetic desk-mate would want, we can create an afternoon filled with yoga, scavenger hunts, team trivia and the all American favorite, baseball!

Thinking your employees may prefer something a little less, sporty?

Check out the Cairo estate in San Juan Capistrano. With room for hundreds of participants on this amazing Southern California property, there’s space for cross-company Bingo, a night of “Who Done It?” or even a cooking class.

Perhaps your team has a taste for the sophisticated…

…And in that case, gather round the Sebastopol Sanctuary and we’ll take you for a day in wine country. Test your taste buds and truly enjoy a calm afternoon out of the office and away from the city.

 

No one knows your business better than you so give us a call and let us in on what makes your company unique. We’d be thrilled to provide you with a ton of options that would fit your particular team. From Karaoke Killers to Rock Climbing Adventurers, Estate Weddings and Events can’t wait to help you discover the next office inside joke!

Oct 6

6 Reasons to Rent Your Home As an Event Space

Let’s face it. The economy is still struggling, and those of us with our heads above water are only taking minor breaks between bouts of treading water. We’ll be the first to admit that celebrating the milestones of life or thanking a company that’s performed some major hustle over the past few years isn’t something to toss aside. While some may be in a bad spot financially, that doesn’t mean we appreciate one another any less.

This year, be a part of the merriment by renting out your own personal home or vacation home to all those still feeling the joy! Why simply watch couples tie the knot on weTV or hear about lavish corporate parties with champagne towers when you can be a part of them? Here are five reasons renting your home with Estate Weddings and Events not only expands your wallet but your grin.

Chateau de Beverly Hills
Chateau de Beverly Hills

1.  Earn Extra Income

Whether you’re gainfully employed or run the house with all it’s bells and whistles, your house can become a very lucrative transaction or excess income. Renting your home for a week can definitely put some money in your pocket. Renting your home for one day often generates the same amount of income if not more. Why skip town for a full weekend when you can take the afternoon off, return home and sleep well knowing you were a big part of a fabulous evening!

2.  Write off home improvements

We all have a laundry list of home improvements that we just can’t seem to squeeze into our schedules. Always wanted to replace that old tired tile work for brand new terracotta? Thinking the bathroom needs a pick me up? When renting out your home for a private event, these to-dos can get placed back at the top of your list! By improving your home for your business, you can count these expenses as a tax right off!

3.  Tax Free income

Want to rent out your personal home without spending too long away? Legally, if you rent out your full-time residence for less than 15 days in one year, this generated revenue is not considered a business and is 100% tax free! I know, one of the few times hearing a lot about figures and numbers is a good thing!

4.   Hassle Free

Already thought about renting but confused by all the legal jargon? No problem, If you qualify for an exclusive listing not only do we know all of the zoning laws backwards and forwards but we handle all of the necessary paperwork. Heck, after some specifications by you, the homeowner, when you begin working with us, the rest is entirely smooth sailing. We know what you want, what you don’t want and exactly what you’d like out of the event so leave all of the negotiations, the contracts, the staff, and of course, the clean-up to us. Grab a glass of wine, watch those old episodes of Law and Order SVU you’ve been meaning to catch up on and have that much more money in your bank account simply for relaxing.

5.  Advertise your Home

Planning on selling your home in the near future? We know it may be a while, so allow us to make your home the next big topic of conversation. Ever wonder how they make those extravagant and hyper-realistic sets of Hollywood blockbusters? We’ve worked with a variety of studios and film productions to bring their projects to life. Trust us, it feels pretty awesome seeing your backyard on screen as the deluxe hotel relaxation station. Who wouldn’t want to seriously consider living in a home like that fresh on the market?

6.  Give Back

Whether yours concerns animals, children, health or more, we all have a charity that strikes a special chord in our heart. For some, this may involve donating time, funds or an afternoon to assist in hands on work toward this unbelievable cause. For home owners who list their homes as the ideal event space, this may also include helping out a non-profit in a BIG way. While plenty of these companies may have the notoriety of for-profit businesses, it doesn’t mean their budgets share any of the same DNA. Donate your estate or provide further cost incentive for these altruistic celebrations and be a part of something tremendous. It’s more than opening your heart, it’s opening your home.

 

If you are an estate or venue manager looking to generate more business for your estate venue sign up for basic and premium listings and receive qualified leads directly to your mailbox.

Think this is something you’d like to learn more about? We’d love to hear from you! Shoot us an email over to info@estateeventgroup.com  and we’ll gladly give you further information. Event aficionados by nature, we also dabble in landscape and architecture appreciation. Give us a call, we’d love to hear more about your wonderful home!

Villa Bali Infinity
Villa Bali Infinity
Sep 2

What to expect for an Estate Event

Have you ever considered having an estate event with us but you aren’t sure what to expect?

We’ve put together a list of things to keep in mind when planning an estate wedding with Estate Weddings and Events!

 

Some of the pros:

  1. You get the intimacy and privacy of having a garden wedding, without worrying about all the prep work and cleanup associated with having it in your own backyard!
  2. Break away from traditional hotel reception halls and their restrictions, and find a stunning estate of your dreams! (See our previous blog entry on our top 5 reasons to pick an estate vs. hotel.)
  3. Customize every aspect of your event from your linens to catering and beverage services, without anyone dictating your options to you.
  4. Ranch properties are a great blank slate to get your creative juices flowing, bring in tenting or dance the evening away under the glow of our market lighting, the possibilities are endless!
  5. The estate is available to you for a total of 12 hours on your special day, and usually 5 of which are for your event time, but additional hours can always be added on, and customized requests are always welcome.
  6. Holding both your wedding and reception at the estate will be more convenient for both you and your guests and will give you more time to spend with one another.
  7. We provide staffing to manage the estate on your wedding day to ensure that everything goes smoothly on the property.
  8. We provide special events insurance which protects both the homeowners and the clients in case of property damage.

 

Some of the cons:

  1. Although music at the majority of our venues must end at 10pm due to noise ordinance laws, that either means you have more time to go out afterward, or spend some quality pre-honeymoon time with your new spouse!
  2. Expect to pay more for a private estate than you would for a traditional hotel/reception hall venue.  You will need to bring in everything including tables and chairs, lighting, dancefloor, to some more unusual rentals like luxury restroom rentals, generators, and build out kitchens for your caterer. 
  3. In case of bad weather, you might have to leave room in the budget to bring in tenting to keep your guests dry and warm for any outdoor weddings.
  4. We require either valet or shuttle service at our estates, but some estates only have a shuttle option as there is not enough space for all of the guests to park at the venue.

 

Next week we will have some Frequently Asked Questions answered for you regarding having your event at a private estate.