The International Polo Club
Wellington, Florida
The International Polo Club (IPC) is nestled into 230 acres of equestrian preserve that includes nine polo fields, trails, manicured landscaping, and exceptional club facilities. In addition, the surrounding area is home to several of the the country’s most prestigious equestrian events of all disciplines.
An entire staff of planners and experts is on hand to help create and execute whatever your vision might be. The club provides a list of well-vetted vendors to ensure you achieve only the highest-quality event. There is a wide assortment of outdoor settings and indoor venues, each lavish and romantic. The lush green of the polo field can be adorned with an arch or gazebo with more than enough room for even the largest wedding party, and elegant poolside parties at the Mallet Grille allow for intimacy.
An 11,000-square-foot pavilion, located field-side, houses International Polo Club Catering, headed by Aaron Menitoff. Menitoff had catered weddings, polo matches, and other events at IPC with great success for years before moving to the current facility in 2010, where he now creates exquisite dishes for large parties and weddings. His wife, Julie Larson, manages catering on the club side, where a wide variety of weddings are fed in style as well.
Sogno Del Fiore
Santa Ynez, California
Panoramic mountain views surround this private vineyard, lined with Italian olive trees and accented with rose trellises. The warm California nights allow for open-air parties under the night sky and string lights, transporting guests to the vine-studded hills of Italy. In addition to wining, dining, and dancing, cocktail receptions here include fire pits and bocce courts.
This exclusive setting hosts just a handful of weddings each year, making it a sought-after and unique venue. A special aspect of Sogno del Fiore is the private bridal suite, where the bride and her party can relax and prepare in a luxurious and pampering space while the gentlemen enjoy some horseshoes on the lawn outside.
Property rentals give couples eight hours and include outdoor lighting and furniture. Located in the wine country of Santa Ynez, just 10 minutes from the charming town of Solvang, the authentic vineyard is a destination wedding location that guests can easily access. A picturesque road leads to the vineyard, which hosts wine tastings of local varieties (though none are actually made on the premises).
Two cozy cottages are available for rent, both as part of the wedding package or separately, which makes it a venue you can return to on your anniversaries to come.
DEERHURST RANCH
Santa Margarita, California
The charming Deerhurst Ranch is located near Saint Luis Obispo and sits on nearly 3,000 acres bordering Los Padres National Forest. Though its natural beauty is the obvious attraction, a variety of accommodations allows couples to tailor the experience their guests will have at this secluded ranch.
Before the ceremony, many couples choose to have guests relax by the Cobble Cottage Cellar, an enchanting stone cottage housing casks and bottles of wine. A stone pathway descends through a series of pergolas draped in roses, where wedding ceremonies are held in front of the breathtaking mountain backdrop. Receptions can be held in the vintage red barn, which offers plenty of room for dancing and makes for great photos.
The ranch offers catering packages by Popolo Catering, from a traditional prime rib or grilled salmon to a relaxed barbecue-style meal.
The rental includes overnight accommodations for the bride and groom in two of the cozy cabins, which are decorated in fun, colorful ways and accented by various vintage ranch items, such as horseshoe towel racks and cast-iron wood stoves. The feeling of the place is rustic and down home. Couples looking for a comfortable escape and unbeatable vistas will no doubt find their perfect wedding here.
CROOKED WILLOW RANCH
Larkspur, Colorado
A wide variety of lawns, courtyards, alluring buildings, and gorgeous scenery are offered to couples looking to marry in a warm atmosphere of rustic elegance. The Events Lawn is a huge, manicured open space that welcomes visitors and seats up to 2,000 guests under incredible views of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. But extravagance is complemented by warm charm, as spaces on the property range from magnificent to quaint.
Lola’s Loft, for example, is a small space suitable for parties under 100 guests. Designed with hammered-steel railings, cathedral windows, and circular stairs, the hand-crafted turret entrance is as grand as the entire property. Sconces provide soft illumination as you travel to the second-floor loft that delivers a warm and rustic setting for any event layout. Original red oak floors are accented by a soft glow emanating from wagon-wheel chandeliers suspended above. For added atmosphere, the barn doors can be opened for star gazing and refreshing Colorado evening air.
A full-service list of caterers is provided to those renting space at Crooked Willow, and the venue also suggests incorporating a few ancillary activities for your guests into your event, such as carriage rides and equestrian tours.