After “yes!” comes “I do!”—and the time between can be a whirlwind of decision-making. One of the first wedding decisions to make involves choosing a venue. For El Dorado Hills couples who would like to stay close to home, lots of spots could fit the bill. With the wine country right next door, the American River and Folsom Lake right here, and Lake Tahoe just up the highway—not to mention a slew of dedicated and talented wedding professionals (planners, photographers, cakemakers, and florists)—this community provides everything couples need to plan their perfect day in a gorgeous location. Here are just a few possibilities.
Wedgewood Sequoia Mansion
This historic 1800s mansion sits within half a mile of downtown Placerville and combines vintage charm with contemporary sensibility, putting “Victorian” in the same sentence as “chic.” With dramatic wood rafters, an original grand staircase, a hard-carved 19th-century fireplace and stained glass windows, Sequoia Mansion has plenty of picturesque options for vow-taking, including the lush front lawn, the patio beneath a skyscraping sequoia, or a sun-splashed veranda. Couples can curate their experience to take advantage of the unique mix of features: the private bar, the front porch with adjoining parlor, the manicured grounds, and many period details sprinkled throughout the property. As a Wedgewood venue, the Sequoia Mansion comes with all-inclusive, customizable packages and seasoned professionals to help. wedgewoodweddings.com/sequoiamansion
Serrano Country Club
With a ceremony site beneath a stately oak that’s more than 130 years old, overlooking the hillsides and Folsom Lake, Serrano Country Club provides a wedding experience that is just about as local as a couple can get. Country club membership is not required! Highly trained staff—including an event planner—will work with couples to plan the event, and then they’ll see to the details, including the menu, the wine, the day-of schedule, and more. The elegant clubhouse, designed in the Prairie School style of architecture pioneered by Frank Lloyd Wright, is an exquisite reception site, with views of the lake, the golf course, and the surrounding grounds. When the Serrano community was masterplanned, preservation of the natural foothills topography was a priority, and it creates a splendid backdrop for the big day. serranocountryclub.org
Lake Natoma Inn
This venue near the banks of the American River in Historic Folsom has more than 10,000 square feet of flexible space, including two outdoor ceremony sites, a fireside patio, a gazebo, a pavilion, and several ballrooms. Lake Natoma Inn’s wedding pavilion has draped ceilings and chandeliers and window views to the serene, tree-lined patios. Couples also can choose to say their vows in the gazebo or on the patio beside plush green grass and floral hedges, beneath a wedding arch or simply the natural tree canopy. The venue’s close proximity to the American River bike trail provides opportunities for stunning photographs beside the water, with beautiful bridge arches in the background. Knowledgeable staff can help couples plan their perfect event. lakenatomainn.com
Saluti Vineyards
At Saluti Cellars, which is nestled in a 600-acre private valley in the heart of the El Dorado County wine country, couples can exchange vows beneath a rose-laced arbor overlooking a serene pond, beneath a timber pavilion beside an antique windmill, or in a wine cave. Packages include two nights of lodging, tables and chairs and stemware, exclusive use of the facility, a classic antique wagon (pulled by an antique tractor) to deliver the bride and groom to the reception, and much more. Saluti staff can help with arrangements for transportation and accommodations beyond the property, and work with couples to craft their most extraordinary event possible among the beautifully tended vineyards. saluticellars.com
Edgewood Tahoe
One of Lake Tahoe’s most spectacular lakefront wedding venues, Edgewood provides an idyllic alpine stage regardless of season or size of event. The lake and Sierra dazzle, only to be outdone by the bride. At Edgewood, an experienced team, including a dedicated wedding specialist, will make sure all goes smoothly from planning stages through the big party. Reception spaces include the North Room, with floor-to-ceiling windows showing panoramic views of the lake, and the 17th Green, an expansive outdoor space mere steps from the water’s edge. (The South Room, under construction, will be available in January 2027.) Wedding packages include lodging for the newlyweds, and brides may choose to rent salon space in Edgewood Spa for getting ready with their best friends. edgewoodtahoe.com
David Girard Winery
David Girard Vineyards in Placerville has breathtaking views and an unforgettable setting for both ceremonies and receptions. Nestled in the heart of wine country, the vineyard combines elegance with a relaxed atmosphere. Couples can choose from a variety of sites, including The Colonnade, an Ancient Greece-inspired spot with Corinthian columns, perched on a vineyard hilltop overlooking a pond; The Galleria, with a spacious veranda showing off sunset views; The Waterfall Terrace, with brilliant flowers and natural shade from towering oaks with, of course, a waterfall; and The Vineyard Overlook, which has a meandering path among the oaks—perfect for the bride’s grand entrance—and expansive vineyard views. davidgirardvineyards.com
For El Dorado Hills couples who would like to stay close to home, lots of spots could fit the bill.