Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Ben Lomond, Waterfall Lodge stands as a beacon of elegance and tranquility, offering an unforgettable venue for weddings and events. As someone who has staffed numerous occasions at this remarkable location, I can attest to its splendor and charm.
The moment you arrive at Waterfall Lodge, you are greeted by the soothing sounds of cascading water and enveloped by the lush greenery that surrounds the property. The lodge itself exudes rustic charm, with its timber architecture seamlessly blending into the natural beauty of the surroundings.
One of the standout features of Waterfall Lodge is undoubtedly its breathtaking backdrop. Situated amidst towering trees and overlooking a serene waterfall, the setting is nothing short of magical. Whether bathed in the soft hues of dawn or illuminated by the golden rays of sunset, the scenery never fails to captivate both guests and staff alike.
Beyond its stunning aesthetics, Waterfall Lodge boasts impeccable amenities and facilities. The spacious interiors are tastefully decorated, providing a warm and inviting atmosphere for celebrations of all kinds. From intimate gatherings to grand affairs, the venue effortlessly accommodates every need, ensuring that each event is executed flawlessly.
What truly sets Waterfall Lodge apart, however, is its dedicated staff. Having staffed numerous weddings at the venue, I can attest to the professionalism and expertise of the team. From the attentive event coordinators who meticulously plan every detail to the friendly servers and bartenders who ensure seamless service throughout the day, the staff at Waterfall Lodge go above and beyond to exceed expectations.
In addition to its stunning natural beauty and exceptional service, Waterfall Lodge offers unparalleled flexibility and customization options. Whether you envision a romantic outdoor ceremony by the waterfall or an elegant reception in the lodge, the venue can be tailored to suit your specific preferences, ensuring that your special day is truly one-of-a-kind.
In conclusion, Waterfall Lodge in Ben Lomond is a hidden gem tucked away amidst the beauty of nature. With its enchanting surroundings, impeccable facilities, and dedicated staff, it is the perfect choice for couples seeking a magical and unforgettable wedding experience. I wholeheartedly recommend Waterfall Lodge to anyone looking for a venue that seamlessly combines rustic charm with...
Read moreWaterfall Lodge & Retreat is even more romantic and beautiful in person. You may already know this and have seen tons of photos already, so let's dive into my honest review, from start to finish!
As we were looking into venues, Waterfall Lodge & Retreat (WFL) also stood out for my husband and I. It was literally everything we were looking for, they offered/included tables, chairs, couches, wine barrels, etc. They have so much land, that we were able to do our ceremony, rehersal and party all on the same property! In fact, they have the beautiful rustic and romantic cabins for guests to stay in.
Let's talk about Cristina, who I believe is WFL's point of contact/ administrator. WOW! The email correspondace with her is 10/10. Any questions or concern I may have ad during the wedding planning process, she responded in a timely manner! Cristina even took the time to review our wedding website as I wanted to make sure I communicated to guests the correct informations. Not only did she review it, but also offered clarifiying or wording sections a certain way!
When it came to the cabins, Cristina provided handouts/worsheets to help set us up for success when coordinating/assigning cabins to our guests. Extremely helpful!
WFL orginally had a golf cart shuttle to help shuttle guests, but on the day of our wedding the "golf cart shuttle" got upgraded to a big SUV vehicle! It was a nice upgrade!
Please note, WFL does have 2-3 things that are required: you need insurance, super easy, I think I went online through eWeb nsurance and it was about $130 (08/2024 WEDDING) I think you need about half of the cabins to be booked, so like 15 or 16, something like that and there is 32 cabin I believe you need a day of wedding coordinator. We went with Event by Dawn , 10/10, 80% of her clients have their wedding at WFL our day went so smooth & it's because of Dawn and her experience.
Overall WFL was my dream wedding venue, it offered everything that we wanted and more! The staff is amazing, just all the support you get start to finish is spectacular! If you want an outdoor venue, immersed in the redwoods, with options to have ceremony, rehersal, & party this is it. Oh! I can't forget the option for guests & for you and your future life time partner to stay the night of the wedding, look no further! Once you check in, literally there is no traveling needed...
Read moreI honestly couldn't have imagined a better venue to get married. My wife and I share a huge love for the redwoods, and even visited the tallest tree in the world together in Redwood National Park. These trees are special — they symbolize endurance and longevity — and we knew we wanted to get married in a place with a redwood grove.
After looking at dozens of redwood venues in the Bay Area, we both agreed that Waterfall Lodge is easily the most stunning venue of them all. Unlike other venues, the redwoods here are very tall and they even have some old growths — particularly in the dinner area behind the barn. Here are some tips I would give to anyone planning a wedding here:
Try to avoid fire season if you can help it. We chose a mid April date in 2022, and got super lucky that it didn't rain during our ceremony and dinner time. But Waterfall Lodge did have a pretty bad fire (CZU complex) come to the edge of the property in August of 2020. We didn't want to even think about the possibility of smoke or fire impacting our wedding day, especially with so many flying in to be there.
Book Dawn Sternadel as your wedding coordinator. Dawn is just an absolute pro and has worked hundreds of weddings here. She's the best and will help you keep your big day on a good schedule.
Transportation to/from the Lodge for larger weddings can be tricky. We opted to hire a shuttle bus company (Sub Shuttle) and paid $2700 to shuttle about 100 people. I would recommend them to others as they seemed to be significantly less expensive than other transportation options.
Ask if they have any single day Saturday weddings available. We somehow got one (I think because the next day was Easter Sunday) and saved a ton of money by not having to buy the two day package. Highly recommend this option.
Our vendors were: Love, Lorraine for photography Sleight of Hand Pizza for dinner The Whiskey Chaser for bartending/drinks Tart & Tin for dessert Lia Adams events for serving staff Alexis Party Rentals for dinner rentals Santa Cruz DJ Company for DJ The Booth Bus for photo booth Sub Shuttle for transportation
Highly recommend all of these vendors, they...
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