Weddings and Events in Guerneville
Spectacular weddings, corporate seminars, low-key birthday parties, family reunions for multiple generations—no matter what type of event you're hosting near the Russian River, Dawn Ranch has the indoor and outdoor space for you. Additionally, our property is permitted for live music, amplified sound, and year-round bonfires with limited restrictions. Furthermore, the property's liquor license extends to the entire site, allowing for flexibility in hosting outdoor events.
Request InformationRussian River Wedding Venues
Whether you want an outdoor setting in the Kitchen Garden or you want an intimate affair inside our lodge and restaurant, we have the right space for your rehearsal dinner. Gather with your guests on the great lawn, at the historic boathouse, or around the bonfire. Our unique Sonoma wedding venue delivers both sophisticated glamping and cherished memories.
Learn MoreFantastic Outdoor Event Venue
Dawn Ranch features some of the best outdoor event spaces in Sonoma County. A beautiful meadow surrounded by ancient redwoods, a historic orchard, and a secluded garden, as well as the outdoor bandshell, combine to offer some of the most desirable outdoor spaces in the region.
Learn MoreRequest Information
Do you want to start planning the party of a lifetime or the wedding you’ll never forget? Let’s talk! Contact us immediately and we can begin building the next event you’re sure to love.
Learn MoreOur Wedding and Event Venues
Located on the far Western edge of the property, the Boathouse Building offers 1,060 square feet of indoor meeting space. It opens up to the large Boathouse Lawn under the shade of two Dawn Redwood trees, a rare species discovered in 1941 in China and planted at Dawn Ranch during the Murphy ownership. The Boathouse and surrounding area has permits for a 250 on-site guest restaurant and bar, and the owners have plans to convert the boathouse into a whiskey bar, offering an opportunity for alternative revenues.
Located adjacent to the bar in the main restaurant, the Fireside Room accommodates group meals or meetings for up to 30 people.
At the center of the property lies The Meadow, one of our showcase venues. The Meadow accommodates up to 500 guests for private events or up to 5,000 for fundraisers. Access is easy, allowing groups to rent tents or other structures to address weather concerns. Power is available on the northern edge of the space for weddings and events.
The Apple Orchard lies across Fife's Creek, along the Russian River. It contains old apple trees (Heirloom Apples) which predate the building of the resort. The centers of the trees are hollowed from age, with props in place to preserve them. The setting is perfect for a wedding ceremony and reception or corporate reception. The Apple Orchard has an outbuilding with a staging kitchen and men's and women's restrooms with showers, which could also serve the possible addition of 30 glamping sites.
The third largest area is the Boathouse Lawn, which accommodates up to 250 guests. The lawn resides next to the Boathouse and features a large fire pit and the main access trail to the Russian River. Power is also available from the Boathouse, providing additional areas for power.
Adjacent to the Meadow, this fenced-in area located on the site of a large garden was developed to grow herbs and produce for the restaurant. Designed to host group dinners or small receptions, the Kitchen Garden is fenced to protect against hungry wildlife.
Our property features a 3,200-square-foot band shell and surrounding area, the last of 37 band shells at the Russian River from the Big Band Era. When riverboats went up and down the river, guests could see the bands and dance at the different venues. This historical use allows the resort to provide amplified music for any of its functions. Of course, management is sensitive to any objections by its neighbors. Today, the band shell is used for special events and the property's Saturday night concert series.