Frequently Asked Questions
Wedding and Event FAQ
At a Glance
Experiences
1-day, 3-day, 5-day
Requirements
Capacity
Deposit
General
The seamless blend of spaciousness and privacy (80 acres, to be exact), just a short two miles from Arcata, sets us apart. We’re all inclusive, and family-owned. The colonial charm of our home, the formal terrace garden, and the enchanting redwood grove ceremony space, located a mere 200 feet away, collectively create a distinctive ambiance. Guests often say, “This doesn’t look like Humboldt!” – a compliment we cherish.
Ridgefield was named after the town in southern Connecticut where the owner, Scott, grew up. The name Ridgefield also perfectly describes our location. Nestled atop a ridge and surrounded by fields, it reflects the scenic beauty of our venue.
The exact number varies, but we intentionally limit the number of weddings we host each year to ensure every celebration receives our full attention. Fewer events allow our team to be deeply present throughout your planning process and your wedding weekend, creating a more personal, curated, and well-supported experience from start to finish.
Couples consistently tell us that Ridgefield feels so specific to them. They love the enveloping quiet of the redwoods and the sense of privacy. They love the mist in the mornings, the way light filters through the trees, the easy flow between ceremony and reception spaces, and how their guests instantly relax into the weekend. Many say the estate feels like a world of its own: intimate enough to feel personal, yet expansive enough to explore.
Ceremonies are often held under the white arbor on the terrace or in “the Grove,” a scenic redwood forest area just 200 feet from our terrace gardens. Cocktail hours unfold on the terrace or deck in the lounge area. We’re currently in the process of adding an ADA-compliant bathroom. With ample space for parking in a meadow, we offer a private room for the bridal party and another for the groomsmen to prepare.
Countless photo opportunities abound – in front of the house with its pillars and front door, at the white wedding arbor in the terrace garden, on the stairs with ivy-covered stone walls, in the Grove ceremony space amidst the redwood forest, and on the deck/lounge area with balustrades and the forest as a backdrop. The meadows and garden offer additional picturesque spots limited only by your imagination.
Ample parking is available in the meadow.
We specialize in hosting upscale, private, and personalized weekend weddings featuring our colonial manor house, redwood forest, and curated, all-inclusive amenities.
We work with an excellent team of curated, local catering providers that you will love. Otherwise, ask us to create a custom package just for you!
Venue
- Our entire private 80-acre property with the option to add on our Wild Iris Suite and Manor House for overnight stays
- In-house wedding planner
- Management of Catering, Florals, DJ, Dessert
- Access to bridal suite & grooms room (ready rooms)
- Rehearsal time (dinner not included)
- Tables & Chairs
- Choice of Ceremony and Reception Sites
- Parking Area
- Preferred Vendor list
- Lighting features
Experience the versatility of our outdoor spaces, including a stone terrace, an inviting deck, picturesque meadows, a breathtaking Redwood forest grove, and a tent-lawn area. This last option adds an extra touch of sophistication to your event.
Rest assured, we’ve got you covered. In case of unexpected weather changes, we have some indoor spaces within the main house and a pagoda tent with bisto lighting to ensure your celebration goes seamlessly.
Absolutely! We encourage you to personalize your event to your heart’s content. Feel free to bring in your own decorations to create a space that truly reflects your style and vision.
Elevate the ambiance with our string lighting that gracefully illuminates the entire terrace garden. It adds a magical touch to your celebration, creating a warm and enchanting atmosphere.
We offer designated ready rooms for both the bridal party and the groom and groomsmen. These spaces are designed to provide comfort and convenience as you prepare for your special day.
Leave the logistics to us. We take care of both the setup and teardown of tables and chairs, ensuring that every detail is meticulously arranged for your event.
We understand that pets are cherished members of the family, and we welcome them to be a part of your special day. If there is a beloved family pet that the couple wishes to include in the ceremony, we ask that someone be appointed to look after the pet on a leash. Following the ceremony, we kindly request that the pet be returned home to ensure the comfort and safety of all our guests.
Planning and Booking
Absolutely. Ridgefield is ideal for couples seeking a private, nature-rich setting that feels like an escape yet is still easy for guests to reach. With its secluded redwood surroundings, curated vendor partnerships, multi-day experiences, and proximity to ACV Airport, it’s one of Northern California’s most effortless destination wedding locations.
A 3-day wedding weekend at Ridgefield gives you the space to slow down and fully immerse yourself in the experience. Instead of rushing through a single day, couples have time to settle in, welcome guests, and enjoy the property at their own pace. The estate’s quiet seclusion creates a sense of retreat, while our planning support ensures everything feels effortless.
Rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, and brunch unfold naturally across the weekend. Allowing you and your guests to feel like you’ve stepped into a getaway, not just an event. Couples often tell us that their parents barely remember their wedding, but their experience at Ridgefield will be with them forever.
Access to the venue begins at 9 am on the wedding day, allowing ample time for preparations and setup.
To ensure a smooth flow of events, all guests must conclude their time on-site by 9:30 pm unless they are staying overnight.
Yes, we have liability insurance to provide additional peace of mind for you and your guests.
The celebration is to conclude by 9:30 pm, ensuring a timely and comfortable conclusion to your special day.
The final payment is due 60-120 days before the scheduled event.
Logistics and Activities
Travel to Ridgefield is simple and surprisingly quick for guests flying in. The Arcata–Eureka Airport (ACV) offers daily nonstop flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Denver, making it one of the easiest redwood destinations in Northern California to reach. Once you land, the estate is just a short, scenic drive away.
Many couples choose Ridgefield specifically because it feels worlds away while remaining incredibly accessible.
California Redwood Coast – Humboldt County Airport, also known as Arcata–Eureka Airport and Arcata Airport, is in Humboldt County, California, United States, 8 miles north of Arcata and 15 miles north of Eureka, in McKinleyville.
ACV offers direct service to San Francisco (45 minutes), Los Angeles (1hr 20 minutes), as well as direct flights to Denver, Las Vegas, and Burbank. It is small, calm, and easy to navigate, which makes arrivals smooth for guests and vendors alike.
Ridgefield is conveniently located in the Arcata area:
-
10 minutes from downtown Arcata
-
20–25 minutes from Eureka and Humboldt Bay
This makes it easy for guests to explore local restaurants, breweries, beaches, and redwood hikes throughout the weekend.
The surrounding area offers a plethora of cultural and outdoor activities for guests to enjoy, including shopping, hiking, sampling local restaurants, and birdwatching.
Yes! Our venue provides access to a private gate into the Arcata Community Forest, which boasts miles of groomed trails perfect for hiking, biking, and even horseback riding. It’s an ideal opportunity for guests to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the surroundings.
- Days Inn by Wyndham Eureka CA
- Location: Downtown Eureka
- Average Price: $88 per night
- Motel 6 Arcata, CA – Cal Poly Humboldt
- Location: Pacific
- Average Price: $71 per night
- Clarion Hotel By Humboldt Bay
- Location: Eureka
- Average Price: $102 per night
- Hotel Arcata
- Location: Arcata
- Average Price: $119 per night
- Hampton Inn & Suites Arcata
- Location: Pacific
- Average Price: $144 per night
- Bayside Inn & Suites
- Location: Downtown Eureka
- Average Price: $100 per night
- Pinc Lady Mansion
- Location: Old Town Eureka
- Average Price: $180 per night
- Ramada by Wyndham Arcata
- Location: Pacific
- Average Price: $96 per night
- Best Western Arcata Inn
- Location: Pacific
- Average Price: $119 per night
- Super 8 by Wyndham Arcata
- Location: Pacific
- Average Price: $67 per night
- Blue Lake Casino & Hotel
- Average Price: $149 per night
- Red Lion Hotel Eureka
- Location: Downtown Eureka
- Average Price: $113 per night
- Bayside Inn & Suites
- Location: Downtown Eureka
- Average Price: $100 per night
- Super 8 by Wyndham Eureka
- Location: Downtown Eureka
- Average Price: $95 per night
- Eureka Inn, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
- Location: Eureka
- Average Price: $113 per night
- Super 8 by Wyndham Eureka
- Location: Downtown Eureka
- Average Price: $95 per night
- Town House Motel – Historic Old Town Eureka
- Location: Downtown Eureka
- Average Price: $80 per night
- Days Inn by Wyndham Eureka CA
- Location: Downtown Eureka
- Average Price: $88 per night
- Best Western Plus Humboldt Bay Inn
- Location: Downtown Eureka
- Average Price: $135 per night
- Travelodge by Wyndham Eureka
- Location: Downtown Eureka
- Average Price: $85 per night
- The Inn at 2nd & C
- Location: Downtown Eureka
- Average Price: $229 per night
- Studio 6 Eureka, CA – Old Town
- Location: Downtown Eureka
- Average Price: $77 per night
- Carter House Inns
- Location: Downtown Eureka
- Average Price: $210 per night
- Holiday Inn Express Arcata / Eureka – Airport Area, an IHG Hotel
- Location: McKinleyville
- Average Price: $132 per night
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Eureka, an IHG Hotel
- Location: Eureka
- Average Price: $145 per night
- Motel 6 Eureka, CA – Redwood Coast
- Location: Eureka
- Average Price: $75 per night
- Motel 6 Eureka, CA – Redwood Coast
- Location: Eureka
- Average Price: $75 per night
- Best Western Plus Bayshore Inn
- Location: Eureka
- Average Price: $127 per night
- Comfort Inn Eureka
- Location: Eureka, 8.9 mi from Arcata
- Average Price: $109 per night
- Emerald Forest Cabins
- Location: Entire home, 14.6 mi from Arcata
- Average Price: $139 per night
- Bear River Casino Resort
- Location: 17.85 mi from Arcata
- Average Price: $169 per night
- Turtle Rocks Oceanfront Inn
- Location: 18.05 mi from Arcata
- Average Price: $376 per night
- View Crest Lodge
- Location: 18.07 mi from Arcata
- Average Price: $115 per night
- Travel Inn
- Location: 19.25 mi from Arcata
- Average Price: $109 per night
- Super 8 by Wyndham Fortuna
- Location: 20.21 mi from Arcata
- Average Price: $121 per night
- The Redwood Riverwalk, A Boutique Motel
- Location: 20.25 mi from Arcata
- Average Price: $127 per night
- Comfort Inn & Suites Redwood Country
- Location: 20.31 mi from Arcata
- Average Price: $140 per night
- Best Western Country Inn
- Location: 20.33 mi from Arcata
- Average Price: $130 per night
- Gingerbread Mansion Inn
- Location: 22.19 mi from Arcata
- Average Price: $245 per night
- Redwood Suites
- Location: 22.23 mi from Arcata
- Average Price: $188 per night
- Victorian Inn
- Location: 22.24 mi from Arcata
- Average Price: $278 per night
- Ye Olde Danish Inn
- Location: 22.25 mi from Arcata
- Average Price: $136 per night
Yes, we can recommend local entertainment options such as live bands, DJs, or other performers.
Yes. Multi-day experiences open the door to welcome dinners, morning yoga, forest walks, lawn games, brunch gatherings, and more. We help couples envision how each day of the weekend can unfold so the celebration feels intentional, relaxed, and personalized. Some experiences are included in certain packages, while others can be added based on availability.
Yes, we have partnerships with local businesses for services such as photography, florists, and catering. We can provide recommendations based on your preferences.
