a secluded mountainside venue that overlooks monterey bay
One of our favorite things to do is find and spotlight unique venues for our couples and we’ve found an insanely cool property in California that is not only surrounded by ancient redwoods, but it actually overlooks Monterey Bay (cue the Big Little Lies intro song). Kennolyn is a 300+ acre estate that’s home to two separate venues–the Hilltop Hacienda and their Stone Creek Village. And the best part? They have all-inclusive wedding weekend packages, so all you have to do is show up and say, “I do”.
the hilltop hacienda
You and your guests will fall in love with the Spanish-style architecture, fountains, courtyards, and expansive lawn, but what really makes this venue unforgettable are the terraces that overlook the ocean. When it comes to ceremony locations, there are so many to choose from–and it’s hard to pick a favorite. One of the beautifully manicured gardens would be a scenic spot to tie the knot, with the lush redwood forest as a backdrop. Or you could get really lean into the nature of it all and have your ceremony nestled in the trees in the redwood grove with a petal-lined aisle.
Treat your guests to a cocktail hour al-fresco in the hacienda’s charming courtyard. Guests can take in the sights and sip on a custom cocktail while they enjoy the antique walls trimmed with soft trumpet vines and a serene stone fountain in the center.
Then, imagine your reception on the back terrace. After the sun sets and you’ve enjoyed a dinner curated especially for you by their executive chef, you and your guests can move to the courtyard where you’ll dance the night away under the stars. And don’t worry, there are plenty of string lights to set the mood and (most importantly) heaters to warm that crisp mountain air. There’s also a cozy fireplace lounge where guests can relax and kick up their feet between songs.
stone creek village
If you’re interested in turning your wedding day into a wedding weekend, then their Stone Creek Village is just the spot! You and your bridal party can settle into one of their cozy cottages and roast marshmallows around a twilight campfire after a quick stress-free rehearsal. Enjoy the pool, tennis and volleyball courts, hiking trails, a putting green, or the outdoor amphitheater, then relax and take your time getting ready. Simply walk outside to your ceremony on the open lawn or amongst the redwoods. The rustic village makes the perfect setting for a relaxed outdoor reception.
an exclusive natural retreat
Whenever you book Kennolyn, you’ll have exclusive use of the property for your event. That means no hotel guests awkwardly watching your ceremony from their balcony, no noisy overserved execs at a corporate party in the banquet room next door. Because Kennolyn is an all-inclusive venue, they provide their couples with on-site event coordinators who make sure everything runs smoothly and that your vision comes to life. And just wait till you try their food! Their executive chef will impress you and your guests with a gourmet menu that you’ll be talking about for years to come. Many couples are considering the environmental footprint of their wedding, so you’ll be happy to hear that Kennolyn actively recycles and composts almost 100% of their garbage and uses non-disposable products whenever possible.
Follow @kennolynevents on Instagram to see how real couples are styling this unique venue.
We partnered with Kennolyn to bring you this secluded mountainside venue. As always, thanks for supporting our sponsors!
- Venues: Kennolyn
- Wedding Photographers: Lynn Chang Lewis
- Wedding Photographers: Focal Foto
- Wedding Photographers: Fitz Carlie Photography