Cavaignac, A Country Estate: A Northern California Wedding Venue That’s Bringing All The Charm
If your dream wedding takes place at a fairytale-esque, countryside estate where you can picture yourself holding your dress up and running barefoot across the lawn, do I have the place for you! Cavaignac, a Country Estate, is truly one of the most gorgeous Northern California wedding venues I’ve ever seen. And I can’t WAIT to share my top tips for planning your wedding there, as your Northern California wedding photographer!
Cavaignac, A Country Estate: The Overview
Walking into Cavaignac, A Country Estate, literally feels like stepping out of California and into Renaissance-era Europe. Or into the setting of Pride and Prejudice. Its European-style farmhouse, rolling lawns, expansive vineyards, and waterfront lounge make it absolutely unmatched. This is the kind of wedding venue that you just can’t stop dreaming of, and it’s right here in Walnut Grove!
Before we get into ALL the goodness, here’s an overview of what your Cavignac wedding would look like:
Address: 13530 Leary Road, Walnut Grove, CA
Contact: info@cavaignac.com
Maximum Capacity: 250 guests
Weddings year-round? No, they host weddings April to November
Planner required?: Yes
Dogs allowed?: Yes
What’s Included at a Cavaignac, A Country Estate, Wedding?
- 10 hours of exclusive venue access
- Access to overnight accommodations
- Up to 250 guests. Guests are allowed on site for up to 8 hours
- Getting-ready suite
- Three beautiful ceremony site options
- Three socktail hour site options (the vineyard, the waterfront, or on the front lawn)
- Decor, including wine barrels, arches, and white umbrellas
- Reception set up with LED lighting to dance the night away
- Venue staff on-site to direct parking
- Tables and chairs
- Golf cart transport, if needed
What Wedding Packages are Offered at Cavaignac?
There are three different package options for your Cavaignac, A Country Estate wedding. See which one fits your vision best!
- The Ceremony and Reception Package
This is the most common package booked here, and not only does it include everything mentioned above, but it also is a Friday-Sunday rental! You get exclusive use of the venue all weekend. So, you can either plan out your dream wedding weekend or take some time to start setting up the night before to relax a little bit day of.
- The Luxury Package
This includes all of the same bells and whistles, but also allows for overnight accommodation Friday-Sunday in the farmhouse. This honestly makes planning a breeze, because you don’t have to stress about where you and your crew will be staying. Plus, it’s SUCH a romantic space for your first night together as a married couple!
- The Micro-Wedding Package
The micro-wedding package is only available on Thursdays and some Fridays, and gives you 1 pm-10 pm venue access for you to say “I do” with up to 50 of your fave people. If you love the idea of an intimate wedding at a gorgeous estate, this could be the package for you!
What Accommodations are Available at Cavaignac, A Country Estate?
There are a few accommodations available inside the farmhouse, and believe me when I say that they are FILLED with old-world charm. There are 5 bedrooms there that can hold up to 11 people and a small kitchen, so it’s the perfect space for your bridal party to crash the night before!
What is Required for a Cavaignac, A Country Estate Wedding?
- A professional wedding planner or coordinator
- Vendors must provide proof of insurance
- Bring-your-own alcohol and a licensed bartender
- A full-service caterer
- Event liability insurance
- A fully refundable $2,000 security deposit
A Photographer’s Guide to Cavaignac, A Country Estate
With there being SO many gorgeous spaces here, it can 100% get overwhelming to narrow down which areas you want to utilize for photos, which is why booking a Northern California wedding photographer who’s experienced shooting at the venue (hi 😉) is a major plus. And that’s why I’ve compiled a list of my favorite spaces for your ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, and portraits at Cavaignac, A Country Estate!
Ceremony Sites:
Your ceremony can either be held in the estate’s driveway (underneath rows of trees), the front lawn in front of the farmhouse, or in front of the water. Each one is just as gorgeous as the last. The driveway gives you that charming, woodsy feel, the front lawn gives you that European feel, and the waterfront option gives you that classy, timeless feel.
Cocktail Hour Sites:
Cocktail hour can be held on the lawn, at the vineyard, or waterfront as well. A bar, white umbrellas, and wine barrels are provided for this, and the venue is complemented beautifully, no matter where you set it all up.
Reception Sites:
The reception is typically held on the lawn, and you can choose to have either the farmhouse or the lush woods and gardens in the background. Since it’s a wide-open space, you can virtually set up your reception any way you want, so you get to use full creativity here, which I absolutely love for you.
Must-Use Photo-Op Spots
My absolute must-get shots for a Cavaignac, A Country Estate, wedding are editorial shots in front of the house, vineyard portraits, and driveway photos. My hands-down favorite way to do this is bridal portraits with the farmhouse in the background, family and bridal photos in front of the vineyards, and couple photos underneath the trees covering the driveway, although I for sure want to whisk you two away to as many places as you’ll let me!
More Tips for Planning Your Cavaignac, A Country Estate Wedding
- My #1 tip for planning a wedding at Cavaignac is to book a vendor team that knows what they’re doing. The AMAZING vendors that made up this gorgeous day were:
Coordinator / Signage: Sandra with Savvy Weddings
Florals: Oat and Petal
Bridal Hair: Hair by Lauren Kayli
Bridal Makeup: Sarah Nika Glam
Rentals: Pleasanton Rentals
Linens: Napa Valley Linen
Menswear: Friar Tux
Dress: Faye Gown Rentals
Stationery: ENORA Creative Co
Host: Christa B Photography
- Rent a tent for your wedding day. The venue doesn’t have an indoor space, so make sure to rent a tent in case of rain on your wedding day!
- Create a location plan that flows. Since there are so many beautiful spaces making up the venue, you want to utilize as much as possible in a way that flows naturally!
- Incorporate European-inspired design. Seriously, this space is made for a European-inspired wedding and thrives with whites and lush greens as decor.
- Sneak away for golden hour pictures. Just trust me, you won’t regret it. California sunsets are too magical for you to pass this up!
FAQs About The Venue
When is the best time of year to plan my Cavaignac wedding?
My absolute favorite time of year at Cavaignac, A Country Estate, is springtime. It brings blooms of roses, as if this place couldn’t get any more magical. However, I do have to say that the fall months are also STUNNING with the rich colors of the changing leaves!
Keep in mind that Cavaignac is only open April-November, so before choosing your wedding date, make sure the venue is available! Also, note that there are no indoor spaces available at the venue, so summer may get a little uncomfortable temperature-wise for your guests.
What Does the Rain/Inclement Weather Plan Look Like at Cavaignac, A Country Estate?
Since there isn’t an indoor portion to the venue, they WILL recommend that you get a tent as a just-in-case precaution, and I couldn’t agree more. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, even if you don’t end up using the tent!
What is There to Do in Walnut Grove?
Walnut Grove is a hidden California gem, and being just outside of Sacramento, opportunities are endless as far as things to do! As a Sacramento-based wedding photographer, let me let you in on some of my favorite things to do in Sacramento for you to pass along to your out-of-town guests! You can’t miss the Crocker Art Museum, the Old Sacramento Waterfront, or the Cabana Club.
Is a Rehearsal Dinner Included In My Wedding Package?
Yes! With pending availability, the venue allows you two hours on the day prior to your wedding for a rehearsal dinner.
Grace Thao | Northern California Wedding Photographer
Have you fallen head over heels in love with Cavaignac, A Country Estate, yet? I thought so, because SAME. Get all the inspo for a luxury wedding here, from another Northern California wedding day, and see another dreamy day here. If you’re ready to book your dream wedding at Cavaignac, count me in! Inquire with me to capture your special day here if you like what you see from these photos.
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