Located on the northern end of the Monterey Peninsula, Santa Cruz offers a wide variety of choices for bridal events. Couples can easily arrange the Santa Cruz wedding of their choice, whether it’s a relaxed, intimate beach wedding overlooking the Boardwalk and the wharf, a wedding in a secluded and serene redwood grove, a mountain winery wedding or an elaborate resort wedding—like a Seascape Beach Resort Wedding—with in-house coordinators, black-tie service and striking beach and mountain views.
There are many Santa Cruz wedding coordinators available outside of the resorts that are available to help with planning the special day. Couples interested in saving the cost of a coordinator will also find that the area is brimming with options for wedding day services. Those who come from outside the Monterey Peninsula have the option of consulting our business directory for local services, or if they’re staying in a hotel or resort, they can find an in-house coordinator or facilitator who can help to accommodate their needs.
Santa Cruz weddings seem most popular during the summer and late fall months, when the often crisp climate of the Monterey Bay is noticeably warmer and sunny days are abundant. Those who love the colder weather will find that other times of year afford foggy, almost mystical days at the beach and in the mountains.
Many Santa Cruz restaurants offer outstanding settings for rehearsal dinners or even receptions. Monterey County dining options include wharf-side restaurants that overlook the Pacific, restaurants tucked into the redwoods and five-star restaurants on cliffs or in resorts. While restaurants along the Northern California coast are renowned for their seafood selections, there is incredible diversity among them. Everything from fusion dishes and inspired preparations of New American fare to French cuisine and deftly executed Italian favorites prove abundant among elegantly plated preparations of fresh seafood. And for desert? There are numerous cake bakeries in the Santa Cruz area, such as the designer bakery Cake Expressions, happy to provide everything from wedding cakes to cupcakes that will be perfect for the celebration.
Much like the dining scene, the realm of Santa Cruz accommodations is broad, offering brides and grooms an array of options for the night. There are charming hideaways, cozy lodges and romantic, beachside inns for almost every price range around the Santa Cruz area. Some of the resident favorites in the romantic category include the Babbling Brook Inn, the West Cliff Inn and the Inn at Pasatiempo. Those interested in more luxe accommodations might enjoy the Seascape Resort or the Inn at Depot Hill. World-class destinations like Spanish Bay and the Bernardus Lodge are also within an easy half-hour drive of Santa Cruz. Couples who are inclined towards more affordable accommodations will find they don’t have to break the bank for a Jacuzzi suite at the Best Western Rose Garden Inn or for beautiful ocean views at the Seaway Inn.
