If you've ever dreamt of getting married surrounded by sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean framed by stunning mid-century architecture, the Sea Ranch Lodge in Northern California is the place for you. Here’s everything you need to know about planning your wedding at the Sea Ranch Lodge.


What is the Sea Ranch Lodge? 

The Sea Ranch Lodge is at the heart of Sea Ranch, a thoughtfully designed community spanning ten scenic miles along California’s Sonoma Coast. This unique destination emphasizes sustainability, seamlessly blending with its natural surroundings — from coastal bluffs to lush forests — while prioritizing minimal environmental impact and "living lightly on the land." Originally constructed in the 1960s and fully renovated in 2020, the Lodge now features 17 stylish, modern, and inviting guest rooms. Each room intentionally excludes televisions, encouraging guests to fully immerse themselves in the breathtaking ocean views and tranquil ambiance, creating an unforgettable overnight experience.


Why Choose The Sea Ranch Lodge for Your Wedding?

The Sea Ranch Lodge is renowned for its natural beauty, sustainable architecture, and elegant simplicity. The Lodge provides a perfect balance of sophistication and rugged wilderness. Whether you’re envisioning an intimate elopement or a grand celebration, the Sea Ranch Lodge can accommodate your needs with its versatile event spaces and top-tier service.

Wedding ceremony with an officiant and couple surrounded by floral arrangements at the Barn Meadow at the Sea Ranch Lodge.
Modern wooden deck with portal framing the Pacific Ocean at the Sea Ranch Lodge.
Rustic Sea Ranch wooden barn sits on grassy coastal hillside overlooking blue ocean waters on a sunny day.
Coastal cliffs overlook a curving sandy beach with white waves crashing along the Pacific shoreline, taken on Bihler Point at Sea Ranch.
The Sea Ranch Lodge guest rooms at sunset, taken on film.

What Type of Celebration is Best for Your Wedding? 

The Sea Ranch Lodge has three different types of reservations, depending on your event size, vision, and budget:

  • Sea Ranch Celebrations
  • Intimate Celebrations
  • Elopements


Sea Ranch Celebrations are designed for weddings with 76 - 120 guests. For parties this large, a full buyout of the property is required to allow your guests the space, privacy, and exclusivity of the Lodge. This package includes a welcome party, ceremony, and reception.


Sea Ranch Celebration pricing for 2026 events range from $22.5k–35k+ depending on your date, package, and add-ons. Buyouts also require booking all 17 rooms at an additional cost.


Intimate Celebrations are for parties between 21 – 75. It is required to book at least three guest rooms overnight as part of the package. This is a partial buyout of the property, and depending on what areas your event is taking place, other spots in the Lodge may remain operational. 


Intimate Celebration pricing for 2026 events range from $4.5-9k+ depending on your date, package, and add-ons.


Elopements are designed for just the two of you, or an intimate celebration with up to 20 guests. 1 hour of private ceremony space along with furnishings, a 2 hour dinner reservation for up to 15 guests, and an overnight guest room offered at a discounted rate. Additional options including a private cocktail hour and dinner event space are available to add-on depending on your vision and availability.


Elopement pricing for 2026 events range from $2-7k+ depending on your date, package, and add-ons.


Dinner & Catering

Every aspect of your wedding dining experience at Sea Ranch Lodge is fully customized, from the event menu to dinner service details and bar setup. The Lodge’s culinary philosophy is rooted in “rustically refined cuisine, beautifully presented to reflect [their] commitment to living lightly on the land.” Ingredients are thoughtfully sourced, with many harvested directly from the in-house Sea Ranch farm or carefully selected from local farmers and producers, ensuring fresh, seasonal, and high-quality dishes that perfectly complement your celebration.


Sample menus from the Dining Room are available to view on the Lodge's website, with more detailed information about dinner and bar packages available upon submitting your wedding inquiry.

Elegant wedding reception table setting with wooden walls and large windows at the Sea Ranch Lodge Dining Room.
Black and white photograph of a couple sitting together on their wedding day in a Sea Ranch Lodge guest room.
Outdoor wedding ceremony setup with wooden chairs arranged on a foggy bluff in the Sea Ranch Lodge's barn meadow.

Steps to Getting Married at the Sea Ranch Lodge


1. Secure Your Date.

The first step to planning your Sea Ranch wedding is to contact the Lodge and check availability. Due to popularity, booking well in advance is recommended, particularly for weekend weddings and full buyouts.


2. Understand the Venue Options

The Sea Ranch Lodge offers a variety of indoor and outdoor event spaces to fit your wedding style.


Ceremony areas: 

  • Barn Meadow: A small meadow next to the historic Black Pointe Barn that allows couples to wed framed against the Pacific Ocean. This area is recommended for ceremonies as it is slightly shielded from the wind and has space for all ceremony sizes. 
  • Bihler Point: Some smaller weddings opt to exchange vows on the bluff.


Reception and cocktail hour areas:

  • Ocean Meadow: Outdoor grassy space overlooking the ocean, just in front of the Lodge. Some weddings set up one long dramatic dinner table, joining all guests together for an unforgettable meal.
  • The Solarium: Indoor space with sweeping ocean views from the large windows, perfect for smaller dinner parties with 35 guests or fewer.
  • The Dining Room: Formal dining space with larger capacity. Outside of events, the Dining Room hosts restaurant guests here for dinner.
  • The Fireside Lounge: Cozy area with a retro fireplace and decor. Perfect for dance parties or lounging with your guests.
  • The Ocean Deck: A blend of outdoor charm overlooking the Ocean Meadow, allowing guests to enjoy cocktails with panoramic ocean scenery on the main deck.
  • The Meadow: This large outdoor space is best for tented structures and custom reception patios.


Working with your wedding planner and the experienced Sea Ranch Lodge events team will help you figure out which spaces fit your vision best.


3. Plan Your Guest List and Accommodations

The venue can accommodate both small and large weddings, but for events exceeding 75 guests, a full property buyout is required. This ensures privacy for your celebration and exclusive use of the Lodge’s amenities. Guests can stay on property in one of the 17 guest rooms or at nearby vacation rentals in Sea Ranch, Jenner, or Gualala.


If you are buying out the property, you have a few additional options, including renting a custom glamping setup in the Meadow.

View of the Sea Ranch Lodge guest rooms and large cypress trees against the blue sky.
Dark interior room with corner windows overlooking the Pacific Ocean, featuring two wicker chairs at a wooden table.
Sea Ranch Lodge flat lay with Polaroid photographs, a postcard, and a room key.
Modern Sea Ranch Lodge room interior with light wood platform bed, white bedding, built-in nightstands and blue accent chair.

4. Select Your Dinner Menu and Bar Package

Sea Ranch Lodge provides an exceptional culinary experience, featuring thoughtfully curated, fresh dishes that will delight your guests and leave a lasting impression. Understanding how challenging it can be to finalize the perfect wedding menu, Sea Ranch Lodge offers couples a complimentary tasting experience for up to four guests. Additional guests are welcome to join the tasting at a special reduced rate. This personalized approach ensures your wedding menu reflects your unique tastes and expectations, allowing you and your guests to savor every moment of your special day.


5. Hire Your Wedding Planner

Hiring a professional wedding planner is one of the best investments you can make to ensure a seamless and stress-free wedding day. With their expertise in event coordination, vendor management, and budgeting, a planner helps bring your vision to life while handling all the intricate details behind the scenes. A skilled wedding planner ensures that your timeline runs smoothly, your décor is flawlessly executed, and every moment is captured beautifully.


For weddings with 51 or more guests, a full-service wedding planner is required; for weddings with 50 or fewer, a day-of planner is required.


In addition to your wedding planner, the experienced Sea Ranch event service managers are here for you throughout the pre-planning process and all on-site details.


6. Prepare for the Weather

The Sea Ranch is known for its cool coastal climate and high winds. Even in summer, temperatures can be breezy and foggy. Consider providing blankets or heat lamps for guests, and opt for wedding attire suited to the coastal weather.

Wedding portraits around the Sea Ranch Lodge.
Two Adirondack chairs on a wooden deck overlooking the coast with a glass-enclosed structure nearby.
Dark hallway with pendant lights opens to a wooden deck and scenic outdoor view through framed rectangular opening.
Vintage polaroid photo shows modern apartment building with dark and light sections against cloudy sky and grassy hill.

Final Tips for a Seamless Sea Ranch Lodge Wedding

  1. Consider your wedding day vision and guest list to inform what type of celebration you are planning (buyout, partial buyout, elopement).
  2. Book early to secure your date and preferred vendors.
  3. Collaborate with your wedding planner and the Lodge's event team to plan the celebration of your dreams.
  4. Embrace the natural beauty of the Sea Ranch and get excited — you are about to get married in one of the most beautiful places on earth!


Looking for a Sea Ranch Wedding Photographer?

Your wedding photos should reflect the joy, beauty, and intimacy of your Sea Ranch Lodge wedding day. As a film and digital photojournalistic photographer, I am focused on capturing your genuine moments and emotions. Let’s create memories that you’ll cherish forever.

Silhouetted wedding reception scene in modern wood-paneled venue.
A couple embracing at their wedding on Bihler Point in Sea Ranch, California.
Black and white architectural interior shot through window frames.
Photographer in olive green shirt holds professional camera against white background.
About the author

hi, i'm annalee, a wedding photographer based in san francisco.

You deserve to look back on your wedding photos and remember how the day felt — all of your nerves, your laughter, and, of course, your overwhelming joy. Together, we'll tell your story how you want it told, striking a balance between creating gorgeous moments with documentary-style gentle observation on digital and film.

The Sea Ranch Lodge Wedding Photographer, Sea Ranch Wedding, San Francisco Wedding Photographer, Northern California Bride, Bay Area Brides