NAPA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
MY EXPERIENCE AS A
When I started my photography business over ten years ago, I was dreamt of crossing over to wine country and experiencing joy of being a Napa wedding photographer. Since then, I've had the pleasure of photographing many incredible weddings at various Napa wedding venues such as the Meritage Resort and Spa, the Estate Yountville, Carneros Resort, Calistoga Ranch, Hans Fahden and more. Here you'll find specific links to some of my favorite weddings and venues for Napa wedding photography.
The best time of year for Napa weddings is May, with a close second being October. I love that springtime in Napa because the flowers are usually in full bloom, the vines have grown in, and the landscape looks gorgeous.
June-Sep can be extremely hot until weather cools down in October (though early October can still sometimes be quite warm). October is beautiful, but the risk is potential fires in the summer which can affect your fall wedding plans in wine country. Getting into November and after the vines are harvested and the fields of vineyards become less pretty until they start growing again in Spring.
HOW'S THE WEATHER?
IDEAL TIME OF YEAR FOR NAPA WEDDINGS
DESTINATION: NAPA
One of the most appealing aspects of having a wedding in Napa is the ability to group all your guests in one resort. There's also plenty of ways to keep your guests entertained for a longer weekend of celebration—incredible wineries, cute little towns and shops all along the Napa Valley and some great access to beautiful hikes in the area. My personal favorite area as a Napa wedding photographer is probably Yountville, but it's really hard to go wrong!
DESTINATION WEDDINGS IN NAPA
The Napa Valley includes a lot of towns offering many different venues throughout primarily along Highway 29 or Silverado Trail. Many of the ones I've photographed have been between Yountville and Calistoga. Below are some of my favorites!
NAPA WEDDING VENUES
The Estate Yountville is definitely one of my favorite venues and one that I've photographed several times. It has a number of different spaces and with the addition of the Social, can accommodate both larger weddings and more intimate gatherings. The resort itself is in the heart of Yountville making it a wonderful destination for guests as well before and after the wedding.
YOUNTVILLE, CALIFORNIA
THE ESTATE YOUNTVILLE
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The Meritage Resort and Spa is a stunning property just south of downtown Napa. The breath-taking ceremony space sits atop a hill offering sweeping views of the vineyards and property. While it has large ballrooms that can accommodate a larger reception, it also has an Estate cave for intimate dinners.
NAPA, CALIFORNIA
MERITAGE RESORT & SPA
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Hans Fahden is a stunning property tucked away along Petrified Forest Road in Calistoga. It features a beautiful pond filled with lily pads and a stunning garden to hold more intimate ceremonies. The receptions are typically held in the estate cave with dancing continuing out in the pavilion.
CALISTOGA, CALIFORNIA
HANS FAHDEN
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The Carneros Resort can be found along the southern part of Napa along Sonoma Highway. It's a stunning, expansive property with multiple event spaces including the Arbor, the Vineyard Lawn, and the Hilltop reception space. The resort features charming bungalows which is a perfect way to keep your guests together!
NAPA, CALIFORNIA
CARNEROS RESORT
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Beaulieu Garden is an absolute favorite Napa wedding venue of mine. It's located just off of Highway 29 in Rutherford. It features an expansive natural setting and magical locations for the ceremony and reception dinner. I cannot wait to come back for another wedding here!
RUTHERFORD, CALIFORNIA
BEAULIEU GARDEN
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Mont La Salle sits atop Mount Veeder with sweeping views of surrounding vineyards. It truly feels like you've been teleported to a European Countryside. The property's architecture features notes of Spanish design and includes a Chapel for those inclined towards a more traditional ceremony setting. The open courtyards are the perfect setting for dinner and dancing.