Outdoor Weddings: Where Vows Meet the Forest and Your Dreams Begin
If you’re in search of a picturesque spot to exchange your long-awaited vows, look no further than the great outdoors — especially when it’s as stunning a property as Twenty Mile House. The historic, 200-acre private estate wedding venue in Graeagle, California, stuns with its towering sugar pines and cottonwood trees, misty peaks of the nearby Sierra Nevada Mountains, a rushing river and a winding creek, and a well-manicured garden full of showstopping blooms.
Its scenic beauty is truly unmatched, but don’t think that’s the only perk to tying the knot amid the forested surrounds. Other benefits include more space to host a larger guest list, natural lighting for that perfect golden-hour portrait session, and plenty of activities to turn your day into an entire wedding weekend event you (and your guests) will never forget. Still not convinced? Read on for even more reasons why you should host your dreamiest wedding outdoors.
7 Reasons To Consider an Outdoor Wedding
1 Serenity for Your Big Day
Although natural beauty isn’t the only reason to choose an outdoor wedding in California, there's something to be said about being secluded among the natural world that just feels magical. It puts you at ease; it inspires you; and it quite literally de-stresses you. (Many studies have shown that spending 20 minutes in nature can help reduce stress hormone levels — something every soon-to-wed couple could benefit from before walking down the aisle.) That’s what makes Twenty Mile House’s forested environment the perfect place to seek serenity.
In fact, since it was built 179 years ago as a stagecoach stop and trading post, Twenty Mile Househas offered travelers a sanctuary and a place for respite. Now, the historic property serves as aone-of-a-kind wedding venue (the owners were married here, too), where brides and grooms canfind that same stress-reducing solace — the fresh air, the blue skies, the pine trees swaying in the breeze, the calming sounds of Jackson Creek and Middle Fork Feather River — on one of the biggest days of their lives.
2. Endless Activities for Everyone
The guest list has been made. The bridal party has been chosen. And the invitations have been sent. Now, to make the wedding a truly memorable experience for everyone who RSVPs “yes.” An outdoor venue affords couples with so many opportunities to do just that. First, consider a locale with on-site lodging so guests can share in all the experiences together. Then, look for those extra perks only an outdoor venue can provide — think: scenic hikes, a relaxing float down a river, or evening gatherings around an outdoor fireplace.
At Twenty Mile House, you can turn your big day into a wedding vacation. There is on-site lodging for up to 54 guests, including the historic main guest house, the cozy Creekside cabin, the secluded Trackside cabin (aptly named for its proximity to the historic train tracks, which still rumble with a freight train during the day), and the stunning Mountain View Escape, a log cabin complete with floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase sweeping views of the nearby Sierra Nevada Mountains. As for outdoor activities, everything from hiking, biking and skiing to horseback riding and more is offered at the property or in the neighboring towns.
3. Dog-Friendly Vows
A 2020 WeddingWire survey found that 38 percent of pet owners included their furry friends in their wedding ceremony or engagement. If you’re hoping to do the same, an outdoor venue gives you that opportunity. Let your pets take part in the celebration—whether dressed in their finest for a trot down the aisle as the flower dog or ring bearer, or simply standing (or sitting) at the altar with the bridal party during your vows. And for family photos, don’t forget to plan a few extra snaps with your canine best friend.
4. Photo-Ready Breathtaking Scenery
Another benefit of hosting a wedding in the lush, forested surrounds of the great outdoors: fewer decorations to plan. It gives you creative license to keep things simple with flower arrangements and let the picture-perfect background work its magic. What’s more, every season offers something new, such as fresh spring flowers, tall summer grasses, or the gorgeous colors of fall’s changing leaves. At Twenty Mile House, there are 200 acres of scenic beautyat the ready — whether you choose the garden, forest, or river locales for your ceremony, reception, or first look photos.
5. All The Space To Spread Out
Send those invitations! The wide-open spaces of an outdoor wedding venue allows for more flexibility to comfortably accommodate a larger guest list. Especially when the venue offers top-notch planning and execution. For example, the expert team at Twenty Mile House handles everything from start to finish — making sure each and every friend or family member is taken care of, thus ensuring a stress-free, memorable wedding experience. And while there is room on-property for up to 54 wedding guests to stay overnight, the Twenty Mile House team has plenty of recommendations for nearby lodging everyone will love.
6. Perfect Golden-Hour Glow
When it comes to your wedding photos, nothing beats natural lighting. And when you’re reciting your vows in front of your closest friends and family out in the great outdoors, you can always count on having plenty of natural light at your disposal. Photographers find shooting outside lends a gentle glow to wedding photos, highlighting everyone in their best light, and it lets them capture that perfect golden-hour lighting of the late afternoon. There are hundreds of picture-perfect spots at Twenty Mile House for first look photos and beyond — two longtime favorites are the bridge over Jackson Creek, with its rustic and rocky feel, and the woodsy and weathered Miner’s Cabin, where soft light filters through the treetops.
7. Stress-Free Flexibility
We love a fancy wedding, with everyone dressed to the nines, dancing the night away in their black-tie finest. And we’re also big fans of a more relaxed and informal atmosphere, where couples and their guests can kick back, celebrate their love, and enjoy the day. That’s the thing about outdoor wedding venues — you’ve got the flexibility to do whatever you want, whether you’re seeking a wistful, romantic vibe in a flower-filled garden or something a little more casual on a riverbank. Your wedding day should reflect you and your style, and no one understands that better than the team of wedding planners at Twenty Mile House. They’ll help bring your vision to life, creating a custom wedding that you and your love will never forget.
Twenty Mile House Can Help You Plan the Perfect Outdoor Wedding
There are so many perks to getting married in the great outdoors, and we pride ourselves on helping you discover them all.
Schedule a tour of Twenty Mile House today to see just how beautiful your outdoor wedding can be.