As a local Carmel photographer, I’m happy to be featuring Carmel Valley Ranch as the second venue in our Venue Feature Series. CVR is an incredible venue with 500 acres of sprawling hills, viewpoints, and beauty. Carmel Valley Ranch offers the premiere full weekend experience. It is perfect for the bride that wants an all-inclusive space with plenty to do and see!

Plus, it’s so convenient given that it’s right by The Cottage! In fact, you’ll end up passing by my office on your way to the ranch. I personally spend a lot of time there. It’s always been such a soft and welcoming space.

Wedding Vibes: Carmel Valley Ranch

There are 3 ballrooms, two ceremony sites, and seven rehearsal dinner spots. Their amenities include Spa Aiyana, which has a pool that overlooks Carmel Valley hills, golf, and private yoga sessions. Everything about the property is jaw dropping in its natural California charm. Guests are guaranteed to be in awe of the greenery and scale.

Some of the notable amenities are the indoor and outdoor hot tubs in their suites and the beautiful yoga deck that overlooks the hills. CVR even has an activities coordinator that creates fun wedding wars for the wedding party!

Full Weekend Experience: Carmel Valley Ranch

CVR offers the perfect full weekend experience. They will shuttle all of your friends and family to wherever they need to be on property if you don’t want to walk through their beautiful picturesque trails. You have the option to sneak away to look for one of their four wooden swings that hang from the trees. In short, Carmel Valley Ranch offers a unique and all inclusive experience for brides who want to focus on quality time with family and friends. Here’s a sample timeline for the full weekend experience:

Thursday

Imagine practicing your wedding rehearsal with your closest friends and family as the sun sets behind the hills.

Friday

Bride and her Bridal party can enjoy a spa day while the Groom and his Groomsmen play a round of golf, which transitions into a Friday night rehearsal dinner that overlooks the vineyard.

Saturday

Wedding Day with me, your local Carmel photographer!

Sunday

Enjoy a refreshed brunch with friends and family before a loving departure.

Bride Report: Carmel Valley Ranch

At CVR, the bride and groom receive one complimentary night stay the night of the wedding as well as an option of a couples massage, round of golf, or property activity.

One of the ceremony sites is the Vineyard Lawn. A short shuttle away from the reception space, it it a lush grass lawn for ceremony and cocktail hour. A remote kitchen and restrooms are included in this area.

The second ceremony site is the Clubhouse. This location is not a traditional space; it’s not a ballroom. A quiet ceremony space with delicately chirping birds is hidden by the pine trees with freckled flat stones in the grass. The inside of the clubhouse has a wooden pavilion ceiling with sleek modern decor, a grey tone bar, and wraparound windows facing the lush green hills.

As a local Carmel photographer, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of knowing your venue. Insight on hours of the gorgeous light over the mountains, blooming seasons, and having these connections with the venue itself are all aspects of the job I pride myself in having.

Bonus

One of CVR’s unique spaces is an organic garden. Swank Farms Vegetables gifted CVR different flowers, vegetables, and herbs, which are utilized in CVR’s kitchen and events. Events in the past included games throughout the garden for a welcome reception- perfect for the boho bride!

Summary

Carmel Valley Ranch is the premier destination for brides who want to focus on quality family time in an all-inclusive setting. The property offers so many different locations; you never feel like you’re in the same space! And if the beauty isn’t spectacular enough, have we mentioned the breathtaking awe of their sunset views?

Cheers!

Want more insight from your local Carmel photographer? Read about our other venue features here!