Our Magical Wedding Weekend at Sonoma Forest Sanctuary: Tips and Highlights
By Kirsten & Danny
Planning a wedding is no small feat, especially when it's a weekend-long celebration in the heart of nature. Our wedding at Sonoma Forest Sanctuary was an incredible experience, and we wanted to share some tips that made our special day unforgettable. Here are five things we did that contributed to a magical weekend:
1. The Eco-Pods & Clear Communication with Guests
Our outdoor dwellings are remarkable Eco-Pods, designed to feel like a cozy bedroom rather than a tent. Each Eco-Pod features a Queen-size bed and is nestled within the serene forest. To ensure our guests felt comfortable and prepared for our event-filled weekend, we prioritized clear communication. We created a bi-weekly WhatsApp “newsletter” for guests staying on the property, providing updates and answering questions. We also appointed “Glampmasters” to lead each Eco-Pod zone, so that guests were well-connected, taking care of meal planning outside of our events, and ultimately allowing us to enjoy our celebration without having to manage everyone individually.
2. Comfortable Guest Amenities
We wanted our guests to feel pampered even while staying in the outdoor Eco-Pods. While Sonoma Forest Sanctuary does have an outdoor bathroom within walking distance to the pods, we brought in all-terrain UTVs for easy transportation around the property and added a few extra bathrooms and showers. We filled each camping zone with clothes steamers, eye masks, ear plugs, and Advil. We also invested in redundancy with generators for parties and while the site has Fiber-optic wifi, we also set up StarLink satellite internet as a backup. These amenities ensured our guests felt taken care of and could comfortably enjoy the weekend.
3. The Pre-Party Prep
Many guests were concerned about getting ready for a nice wedding while sleeping in the Eco-Pods outdoors. To alleviate these concerns, we set up vanity areas with mirrors, blow dryers, and curling irons, and organized shower schedules. This thoughtful preparation helped our guests feel at ease and ready for the festivities.
4. Our Weekend Itinerary
We curated a whole weekend experience through our well-thought-out itinerary:
Day 1: Rehearsal, dinner, and a welcome party.
Day 2: Ceremony on the ridge and reception at the temple.
Day 3: Forest massages, BBQ, and a sunset concert.
Day 4: Pack up and leave.
5. Detailed Logistics Planning
With 50 people on the property and another 70 staying in nearby Airbnbs and hotels, logistics were crucial. We limited transportation to shuttles for off-property guests, preventing congestion and making sure no one got lost. Collecting guests' accommodation details in advance helped us optimize shuttle routes and ensure smooth transportation.
6. Hiring a Wedding Planner
Despite our experience with event planning, hiring a wedding planner was one of the best decisions we made. Our planner was instrumental in bringing our vision to life and managing the complex logistics. Her expertise allowed us to focus on enjoying our wedding without worrying about the details. Contact the team at Sonoma Forest Sanctuary to receive their preferred vendor list to get the contact of our exact wedding planner!
…Looking back…
Our wedding at Sonoma Forest Sanctuary was a dream come true, thanks to careful planning, clear communication, and the support of a fantastic planner. If you're planning a wedding there, we hope these tips help make your special day as magical as ours was.
Cheers to love and adventure!
-Kirsten & Danny