Plan a Wow Wedding in Del Norte County

From Beach Weddings to Weddings Under a Redwood Grove, Del Norte County, California is a Special Place to Tie the Knot

Wedding planning can be a beast. Developing budgets and guest lists, negotiating with vendors, wrangling family and of course securing the ideal wedding venue. You’ll discover Del Norte County weddings have a chill vibe that keeps the stress at bay and creates an affordable destination wedding location your guests won’t forget. From the Northern California beaches of Crescent City to riverfront inns and lodges to canopies of redwood trees, say “I Do” in Del Norte County where nature outnumbers people.

What’s your style? Go for a bespoke beach dream, walking down a sandy aisle that overlooks the Pacific. Channel the magic between you and your sweetie with an intimate forest fairytale wedding in the redwoods. Or leave it all to the pros at a one-stop-ceremony venue.

Breezy Beach Betrothals: Beach Wedding Venues & Ideas

The wide, picturesque shoreline of South Beach in Crescent City makes an inspiring backdrop for your wedding. Let the breeze carry your crew just a few steps to Crescent City Harbour District for a seaside dinner. The Chart Room​ can host a wedding reception — or a post-wedding beach party — just steps from the sand.

Tie the knot high above the sea stacks and crashing waves on a bluff along Crescent City’s Pebble Beach Road. The views are guaranteed to make hearts soar. Pebble Beach Road is also a palatial stretch of residential properties, making it easy for your guests to wander to a nearby vacation rental or bed and breakfast like ​Scopa at the Sea​ for a cozy reception with lodging.

Have you ever had to wait for low tide to get to a wedding venue? Battery Point Lighthouse is a truly unique place for a ceremony. Your guests will always remember crossing over tidepools to witness you taking your vows in front of a striking historic landmark. Be sure to contact the ​Del Norte County Historical Society​ for their Battery Point Lighthouse wedding policy.

Endert’s Beach Overlook​ is another awe-mazing place to say “I do” in Crescent City. The Pacific Ocean beach views are vast and wide from this ocean overlook. There’s a trail leading down to the actual beach where you can frolic for photos.

Fairytale Forest Affairs in the Redwoods: Plan a Redwoods Wedding

Looking to tie the knot under some of the tallest trees in the world? ​Trees of Mystery​ is a magical wedding venue surrounded by gargantuan redwood trees in Klamath, California. The Cathedral Tree features nine beautiful trees that have entwined with each other to create a stellar backdrop for your ceremony. Keep things simple but still enchanting with a reception around the Brotherhood Tree or in the Forest Cafe. If you have a small guest list and want to create a unique experience, take the SkyTrail gondola up to Ted’s Ridge. Nestled in a blissful canopy of redwoods, you also score sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. If you have friends and family coming for the big day, ​Motel Trees​ provides a vintage roadside motel experience with 23 nature-themed rooms (including several pet-friendly rooms) conveniently located across the road from Trees of Mystery.

Instead of ‘something blue,’ go for something green. ​Rock Creek Ranch​ in Smith River, California, provides a sustainable wedding venue along the emerald waters of the Smith River. Rock Creek Ranch is a 175-acre ranch and conservation nonprofit just 30 minutes from Crescent City. The ranch aims to be off the grid, using a combination of solar and micro-hydroelectric power. The remnants of an old stone lodge, swept away in 1955, make for a captivating ceremony space. Host the reception on their outdoor deck with a spectacular river view. Retire to the ranch house which can sleep 12 people. For a fee, camping is also permitted.

Del Norte County has an abundance of parks to host your dream woodsy wedding within the Redwoods National Park. Leave the paper lanterns, tulle and Pinterest greenery ideas behind for the natural beauty of places like Templeman Grove in Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park and Lost Man Creek Gate in Redwood National and State Parks. Your easy-going guests can ​camp or find a sweet RV site​. Crescent City hotels are also nearby.

If you’re looking for a forest fairytale but with a few amenities such as seating, check out Prairie Creek Amphitheater within Prairie Creek Redwood State Park’s Elk Prairie Campground. Available October 25-May 1, the scenery of thick ferns and moss-covered redwoods cannot be beat. Plus, you don’t have to rent seating!

For any whimsical wedding within Del Norte County’s state parks, don’t forget to ​snag a permit ​from the Parks Service.

The Del Norte County Golf Course, located 20 minutes from Crescent City near Hiouchi, is set up nicely to host weddings. Exchange vows on lush green lawn with redwoods towering above then ride off into the sunset in a golf cart to a catered after-party at the golf course clubhouse.

Lodges are for Lovers

Strike a balance between the raw beauty of the outdoors and the ease of indoor amenities by planning a wedding at a lodge. Located in Klamath, ​Gold River Lodge​ can host intimate affairs or a monumental bash. Have your ceremony on the shore of the Klamath River. Your guests can plan memorable adventures like fly fishing and then set up camp right on the property. The lodge has three bedrooms plus a loft so some folks can sink into some luxury.

The possibilities are endless at the ​Historic Requa Inn​ including river and ocean view lodging and famously delicious food. You have your pick of ceremony backdrops from a garden gazebo to an ocean overlook. After the celebration, kick up your feet in a cozy cottage complete with a wood-burning stove and view of the Klamath River. The inn is available for private events November 1 – April 1.

The Patrick Creek Historic Lodge in Gasquet has been around since 1926 and boasts a whole lot of rustic, vintage cabin-like charm. Surrounded by the Six Rivers National Forest with the Smith River nearby, this 30-room lodge has private cabins, a restaurant and bar, a swimming pool, and even a campground across the road. With many nature-first attractions nearby like world-class fishing, whitewater rafting, kayaking and tubing, swimming, hiking, mountain biking, botanical trails, and of course, the Redwoods State and National Parks — your wedding guests will not want to leave.

Let It Ride for Love

The casinos of Del Norte County  offer worry-free wedding planning. Guests can stay in full-service comfort while enjoying the ​recreation and attractions​ that make the area an unforgettable destination.

Redwood Hotel and Casino in Klamath features a sprawling outdoor patio for a starry night reception. Tap into the history of the area by serving a traditional Yurok salmon bake. Options are endless at Lucky 7 Casino & Hotel in Smith River with 6,400 square feet of flexible space. Music, lighting and staging are at your fingertips so you can effortlessly dance the night away. Elk Valley Casino is nestled in Crescent City so guests have plenty to see and do, plus take in the excitement of the slots or poker table. Elk Valley also takes its stellar service on the road, offering catering offsite.

Wander with Us Down the Aisle

We hope you will ​wander with us​ down the aisle (or trail… or beach… or dune… or lakeshore).