Church, River or Garden Wedding?
Getting Married in Style in Coloma-Lotus
Lots of couples tie the knot in the Coloma-Lotus Valley, and for a multitude of great reasons. Wedding and reception settings in this photogenic, historic valley can range from simple to sumptuous. Two small historic churches in Marshall Gold State Historic Park, Emmanuel Church and St. John's Church, both offer old-fashioned storybook romance.
Are your wedding dates between May and October? If so, consider a romantic outdoor garden setting. See the list below for locations that vary from lush gardens to spectacular valley views.
For many couples, the beautiful, clear-flowing South Fork of the American River provides a perfect casual backdrop for the recitation of wedding vows. Some young couples have met here while working as river guides, for example, and so the river offers a fitting ambiance. Camp Lotus, the American River Resort and Coloma Resort all have hosted riverside weddings. Most of these resorts have full commercial kitchen facilities.
Amy Stewart shares her own experience with a romantic riverside wedding in her story, A Wedding by the River.
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Wedding Sites and Facilities
American River Inn - Just up the hill in historic Georgetown, the historic this inn, with 12 rooms and three suites, offers wedding packages and a beautiful year-round setting for weddings and receptions, accommodating up to 40 guests from October through mid April and 80 guests from April to October.
Coloma Country Inn - In the heart of historic Coloma and next door to the churches mentioned above, the Inn offers a spectacular garden setting from May to October for weddings and receptions, with a pond, gazebo, manicured lawns and flowering shrubs. Full-service and custom packages are available.
David Girard Vineyards - A new vineyard, David Girard offers spectacular outdoor settings and can host up to 250 people at a time.
Emmanuel Church & St. John's Church - These two small historic churches in Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park offer old-fashioned romantic settings. Emmanuel Church seats 150 people, and St. John's Church will accommodate 65. The Emmanuel Church rents for $500, and St. John's for $400 for a three-hour time block. Beeswax candles and an antique pump organ in each of the churches complete the old-time theme. A number of vendors have worked with the park over the years, offering such amenities as horse-drawn carriages or old-time acoustic music. Since the 1850s, when the churches were built, hundreds of couples have married here. For more information, contact the Park's special events coordinator at 530-622-3069. The park recommends that wedding parties book their dates three to six months ahead of time.
Gold Hill Retreat - A few miles from Coloma, lush orchards and pastures of Gold Hill surround the Gold Hill Retreat event and vacation ranch. The contemporary ranch home, which rents to only one group at a time, can sleep up to 15 people and features a 40,000-gallon swimming pool, spa, elegant kitchen and large yard for weddings and other group events.
Gold Hill Vineyard - Located just above the Coloma Valley, Gold Hill has two outdoor wedding sites, complete with facilities. At the top of the vineyard, a 2500-square-foot building that can accommodate up to 186 guests features an incredible view and many amenities. Or drive to the lower part of the vineyard to the locale called Cornelia's Meadow. Edged by vineyards and a pond, the setting, with room for 300 guests, is beautiful.
Historic IOOF Hall and Grange Hall - Two historic Coloma structures, each with large kitchens, offer simple, functional settings for receptions. The rustic 1854 I.O.O.F. Hall handles groups of up to 110 people (be prepared to get really cozy if you bring this many) while the cavernous Grange Hall can accommodate hundreds of guests. Contact the I.O.O.F. at 530-622-2578 or the Grange at 530-622-6055 for more information.
Sierra Nevada House - Conveniently located at the junction of Highway 49 and Lotus Road, the Sierra Nevada House offers year-round wedding and reception accommodations for up to 150 people. The look can be formal with candlelight and white linens, for example, or casual. Hotel, full bar and restaurant services are right on the premises.
Venezio Vineyard and Winery - Just a few miles north of Lotus, on Highway 49, up to 200 guests can celebrate your wedding. An outdoor canopy covers 3,000 square feet in case of inclement weather. No kitchen facilities are available.
Wedding Caterers
Wedding groups will be pleased to find that great food can be had right in the valley. Many of the reception locations listed above can provide full-service catering, or you can contact one of the businesses listed here.
Love at First Bite Gourmet Catering - They can prepare on-premise feasts for groups of 50 or more.
Sierra Rizing Bakery - Each of their unique wedding cakes is created with the most exacting of ingredients after a careful consultation with the wedding group.
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