Details

Meritage Resort Cave Reception

Meritage Resort and Spa, Napa, California All-Inclusive Wedding Venue

The Meritage Resort and Spa, located in Napa Valley in Sonoma County, is the perfect spot for a luxurious vacation full of activities, such as enjoying the great outdoors or taking a look at the amazing culture.

Not only can people vacation, but it also serves as a prime spot for couples who are looking to get married. If someone were to get married on the Meritage they would have a choice between four venues. These venues include the vineyard deck, the Estate Cave, the Carneros Ballroom, or the Meritage Ballroom. Each of these venues has their own unique style and personality. For example, the Vineyard deck is very open with a beautiful view looking over the vineyard; while on the other hand, the estate cave is a darker, more intimate venue featuring a more mysterious feel. Each of these venues can hold around 25 to 200 people except the Meritage ballroom which can hold up to 650 guests.

Not only is the bride treated with the venue of her dreams, but also gets to participate in many special things such as going to the spa while the men enjoy hanging out in the lounge. Even though guests may want to relax throughout their vacation they can also stay active by going to the fitness studio or hiking through the trail while enjoying the nature. Not only is wine tasting offered, but also a sports bar featuring bowling lanes, a pool table, and even shuffle board. In addition to nature, the Meritage also provides many opportunities to enjoy its beautiful grounds keeping where it features fireplaces, fountains and covered terraces.

If guests are interested in getting outdoors and experiencing what Napa really has to offer they are able to take bike tours through the beautiful scenery, while also stopping for wine tasting from the Meritage’s “Trinitas Cellars Portfolio” which is only offered seasonally. Guests can also experience a new adventure through the hot air balloon tours and playing golf on the championship golf courses nearby.

In the resort, guests have the option between six fine dining areas including sit down restaurants and smaller bars. Guests can choose between the Sienna, Crush lounge, Blend, the lobby bar, the terrace bar, and finally Trinitas Cellar Tasting room located in the estate cave. All of the restaurants and bars are open for rental and can be used to host bachelorette parties, team buildings, etc.

Guests can also enjoy their vacation with their best friend by their side. The Meritage is pet-friendly and allows pets to be comfortable during their stay. Guests are allowed to bring their dogs with a one-time cleaning fee of 50 dollars per dog, with an 80 pounds weight limit. The Meritage provides a dog bed, a dog bowl, and a treat basket to allow the guest’s pet to be comfortable during their stay. The resort also provides trails and areas where dogs can play and be walked by their owners. The Meritage Resort and Spa provides a new and exciting way to spend a vacation.

From the bride:

Simply traditional with a touch of elegance. There was no specific type of theme such as vintage, modern, etc. it's just about our story, 'the 2nd time around'. The venue set the tone and atmosphere on it's own. Colors were fuchsia, plum, & white/ivory.

We are opposites, truth of the saying they do attract. Blending our cultures and families make us unique in itself. Being the 2nd time around, we have the opportunity to reconnect of love that clearly was never lost, going into this being older & wiser.

We met 17 years ago, coming into each other's lives with toddlers. Then we found out our families knew one another through earlier generations was a plus. We were engaged after 4 months and married the following year in 1999. We had a son in 2000, but unfortunately separated/divorced after 8 years. However after 8 years of continued up/down friendship and a co-parent relationship, we reconnected in 2014, engaged after a week and we got married less than a year later in 2015.

We are in the mist of getting a new home. We would love more children, but looks like we will look forward to Grandchildren one day. We are truly just enjoying having our entire family back together, although our children are older we still manage to go on family vacations, Sunday dinners and continue to make family memories as though there was never a 8 year break. We see in the future just growing, exploring, and living in the moments, now. We were given this 2nd time around together and it's been better than we ever could have imagined. It feels like the happiest we have ever been and who would've thought being divorced brought us back to a much better place in life together than when we first got married.

There was one special touch that was more personal to the bride. I had a special charm attached on my bouquet to have my Dad in spirit walk me down the aisle, he passed away in 2013. However, 2 of my son's walked me down the aisle. We decided to do traditional and read our own vows which in turn learned something about one another, the true feelings we felt. It was truly a special moment. We had a '2nd' dance that included 2 of our sons, that was special. Also, had a small memorial acknowledging groom's grandfather's and bride's Dad.

I would have to say to be realistic with your budget and expectations. It's easy to say you have a budget and then in the mist of planning you start agreeing to add this or pay more for that. Stick to the budget, you will be so glad you did and not having to then stress about paying off the debt during your first years of marriage over one day. Try not to let too many people question your decisions or let negativity expressed take you away of what you & your fiancé vision is for YOUR wedding. Someone will always have something to say about your wedding, don't take it person and again it's about YOU TWO. Don't loose sight of the bigger picture, which is you and your fiancé new life together. It's more than just the wedding day, it's a life you are going to share as husband and wife. Lastly it's so important to communicate through the process, with the stress and so much to plan it can start to pull you apart. Always, always fit in time for dates and use that time "not" to talk about the wedding planning and just be together. It will bring you back to reality so to speak. :)

Venue: Meritage Resort and Spa, Napa California

Location: 875 Bordeaux Way, Napa, CA 94558.