Are you or a family member planning a destination Sea Ranch wedding?
Great news! The Sea Ranch Lodge, now under new ownership and management, just announced they are taking reservations for events and weddings! However, they continue with renovations to their rooms. Therefore, if you need a space to stay we of course recommend booking Abalone Bay! We also are able to recommend other homes in the Sea Ranch for your wedding party as well.
Our Family’s Sea Ranch Wedding
While we resided in Chile, our daughter decided she wanted a destination wedding. I thought, “Great! Santiago, Chile is a destination, let everyone come here!” However, she had a different idea. She decided she wanted a destination wedding- on the Sonoma Coast. And where else?
Why at The Sea Ranch, of course- they would be married at The Sea Ranch Lodge!
Reunion with a Wedding Attached
Actually, it was more a reunion with a wedding attached as our family resided in Chile and the groom’s family in Michigan. My brother, the officiate also resided in Michigan. And then there was family coming in from Oregon, Los Angeles area, Northern California, and various others across the states in between. Plus we had family coming from Canada, Spain and a few friends from Peru. It was an international homecoming of sorts and we loved that it was happening in The Sea Ranch!
Childhood Memories
The idea of a Sea Ranch wedding was drawn from her fondest memories our family visiting the Sonoma coast to dive for abalone while she was young. While mom and dad would go diving for abalone she remained behind with friends and family eagerly wondering if dinner would be provided. Then we’d pop out of the ocean with our harvest bags full. We’d celebrate our luck and then feast on freshly harvest abalones. There was nothing better than to enjoy the camaraderie of friend, family and this fabulously fresh feast.
California Is More than a Cliché
More than anything, our daughter wanted to show her new family members that there is so much more to California than the cliches. California was more than palm trees on a picture postcard. There were redwoods that towered over them as they drove along the Russian River Road. And of course the river communities along it!
Nature’s Beauty
Here in The Sea Ranch, in one spot, was a peaceful, tranquil location. It was the perfect location given their love of nature. There was a magical rhythm that encompassed the ocean’s ebb and flow as the meadow grasses swayed in cadence conducted by the sea breezes. Stalwart redwoods loom on the hills above as tall sentries over the coastal expanse below. Sea Ranch quickly became everyone’s favorite location.
Activities Galore
And for those family members who needed a bit more than nature to appease them, they found plenty to do at the three recreation centers. Swimming and tennis kept them very busy.
The playground at One Eyed Jack’s allowed the little ones to expend their pent-up energies.
Those who didn’t bring their own bikes were able to rent from The Sea Ranch Supply while kayaking the Gualala River was another adventure guests enjoyed.
And it goes without saying, our Spanish relatives enjoyed the escape to The Sea Ranch Golf Course taking on the challenge of the landing a ball between a herd of deer.
A Space for Everyone
Wedding party and family members joining us for the occasion of course needed a space to stay. We booked many vacation rentals as well as the rooms available at The Sea Ranch Lodge.
Currently the Lodge is not accepting room reservations as it is under renovation and remodel. However, they are taking event reservations, including weddings. If you have a Sea Ranch wedding in the future and need housing for your guests, let us know and we’ll be happy to not only book our home for your stay but also recommend other homes to your group.
Family Reunites at Salt Point
One of the best ideas our daughter had was to have a gathering of the clans held at Gerstle Cove in Salt Point State Park. This way we were able to allow party revelers to be as rambunctious and loud as they wanted without disturbing the peace and zen of the residents and others at The Sea Ranch.
During the week’s stay, we actually spent more time on the picnic preparations that included team-building games such as water carry, piñata busting, and of course blueberry pie eating.
Adapting Our Reunion Idea
Another option for those of you also considering a reunion or gathering of the clans is to book the picnic area at The Sea Ranch. One Eyed Jacks. The picnic area is a wonderful location right at Sea Ranch for family and friends to gather for special occasions. It offers tables, barbecues and port-a-potties and play areas for both children and adults. To view the picnic area action see photos of our Volunteer Fire Department’s Annual Picnic event held there.
The party goers may also enjoy a short walk through the mystical Cyprus hedgerow.
They’ll delight in the discovery it leads them to the Tide Pool and Shell Beach ocean bluff area
Partying Away From Sea Ranch
Actually, taking our large and festive group away from The Sea Ranch was the best idea ever!
We strongly advise you consider doing the same for your wedding party or other reunion events. Sea Ranch loves its zenful ambience. So any partying in the neighborhood is strictly frowned upon.
Sea Ranch Rules Reminder
Should also plan to book homes for your wedding party be aware that The Sea Ranch HOA rules require that there be no noise after 9 P.M. Should you book a house, including our Sea Ranch Abalone Bay, you will be required to follow all the noise, parking, and home occupancy restrictions that are now required.
You may view our Terms and Policies for staying at Abalone Bay to give you an idea of what to expect.
New Nuisance and Enforcement Rules
In fact, guests can now be fined for being too rowdy and gleefully celebrating loudly. The Sea Ranch Quiet Hours are between 9 pm and 7am daily. Guests must conduct indoor and outdoor activities in a prudent and respectful manner that will not disturb your neighbors, especially during quiet hours. Maximum quiet hours decibels is 55dBA, about equal to a conversation from 3 feet away.Particular to noise, The Sea Ranch security now has equipment that checks on the amount of noise as measured in decibels:
Non-Quiet Hours Limits
- 65 dBA intermittent
- 55 dBA constant
Quiet Hours Limits
- 55 dBA intermittent
- 45 dBA constant
The Sea Ranch Wedding Leads to Owning Abalone Bay
To facilitate the gathering of our families and friends for the Sea Ranch Wedding, many of whom we hadn’t seen each other for many years, we rented vacation homes for the week at Sea Ranch.
It was the best idea ever!
Extended Holiday
Many of our family and friends made it an extended holiday. Those from far away took the opportunity to learn more about California by touring it further before and after the wedding. Their excursions included side trips along the coast as far as Santa Cruz, an extended stay at San Francisco, and sampling the Napa-Sonoma wineries.
Getting Reacquainted
By staying longer at Sea Ranch we were able to become reacquainted with our extended families. It allowed us the precious gift of time to really know each other and have a relaxing moment or two while we prepared for the ceremony at the week’s end.
The Rest Was History
Once we arrived at Sea Ranch, we knew we were in a special place. It was then that we decided we would want to have a place where we could call our own. The next year we made the jump to purchasing Abalone Bay
We hope that our home will become your home away from home for your special gathering as well.
Memories of Our Daughter’s Sea Ranch Wedding:
Enjoy!
Kristina & Ian | Sea Ranch Wedding Videography from Seaglass Cinema on Vimeo.
[…] …or glass of champagne… […]