On the Road with I Do Venues: Carmel/Monterey

Photography by Allyson Wiley

Spotlight on Carmel and Monterey

Pure magic. The outstanding Monterey County is truly one of California's most mystical locations! You will find picturesque scenery that will blow you away. You will also find the quaint town of Carmel-by-the-Sea (Carmel for short), known for its rich historic architecture and gorgeous natural beauty. The phenomenal architecture in this area is heavily influenced by Spanish settlers with many beautiful ranchos, haciendas and Spanish villas. On the other hand, you have gigantic towering redwoods, vineyards and the amazing rugged coast of the Pacific Ocean. This area is so special that for all these reasons and more, making it a breathtaking location to marry the one you love.

Photography by Scott Andrew

On the Road with I Do Venues

For our very first "On the Road with I Do Venues," our wonderful Account Manager, Karyn Selby-Miller, traveled to the Monterey Peninsula. After three days of endless touring, she reports back to us with the first-hand scoop on six amazing Monterey venues you have to read about!

Casa Munras (Monterey): Located in the heart of Old-Town Monterey, Casa Munras is a charming, bungalow-style hotel that has lovely garden spaces for ceremonies, as well as a few indoor event rooms. True to its Spanish heritage, this hacienda-inspired hotel embraces its outdoor spaces while offering cozy rooms for the wedding party. There are many intimate settings, most with fireplaces and dramatic outdoor lighting. The beautiful Sano Spa offers all the services a Bride and her wedding party needs, including a private jacuzzi spa that is perfect for 'girl-time' before the ceremony!

Karyn's Bottom Line: This affordable venue is great for a destination wedding, since the quaint hotel is perfectly located for exploring the sites of Monterey. Check out behind the scenes tour photos on our Instagram page!

Casa Munras

Seascape Golf Club (Aptos): Up in the rolling hills of Aptos, on the Monterey Bay, Seascape Golf Club has so much to offer as a venue.  As with all country clubs, the Seascape grounds are impeccably kept, very lush and lined with beautiful cypress trees.  The view from the ceremony site is incredible, looking out towards the Bay with stunning views of the manicured course and grounds. The reception hall, which also looks over the Bay, can seat up to 240 people (another outstanding attribute for this affordable venue!)  Sunset weddings are very popular here, as the afternoon light through the trees is gorgeous!

Karyn's Bottom Line:Seascape Golf Club has incredibly flexible wedding packages, with in-house catering by their top rated Executive Chef, this is a beautiful country club with outstanding views. Check out behind the scenes tour photos on our Instagram page!

The Perry House (Monterey): Absolutely stunning! This brand new refurbished venue, with authentic old-world-charm feel, offers an ideal destination for any special occasion. Lovingly restored and surrounded by lush   gardens, this historical Queen Anne vernacular-style Victorian home provides the perfect backdrop for your cherished memories. This family-owned venue has unbeatable views of the Monterey Bay, and impeccable details for everything. There are so many picture perfect photo-ops, both indoors and out, that make The Perry House a photographer's dream. The passion that the owners have for their venue is contagious! One of the most impressionable details is the fact that their daughter and son-in-law offer the on site, award-winning catering.

Karyn's Bottom Line: The Perry House is one of my favorite venues in Monterey! Not a huge space, but so perfectly appointed and thought out that it makes for a very special, organized, enjoyable event. Check out behind the scenes tour photos on our Instagram page!

Gatherings (Monterey): For the Bride who is looking for a very intimate and romantic setting, this venue is the perfect spot. Gatherings was created to offer you and your guests timeless ambiance, unforgettable food and five-star service. Many Brides feel they have found a hidden gem for such a great price! If you are searching for an affordable yet classy venue for your wedding, this may be just the place! Due to the proximity to Lover's Point & Berwick Park, two beautiful beach wedding locations, many couples find Gatherings to be the perfect place for their reception.

Karyn's Bottom Line: If you are looking to get married on the shores of the Monterey Bay, this five-star service venue offers beautiful beach locations! Check out behind the scenes tour photos on our Instagram page!

The Clement Monterey, Intercontinental (Monterey): The Clement is the epitome of contemporary glamour! From the minute you walk into the hotel lobby, you know this will be a renowned, modern, urban event with unparalleled Bay views and sea life so close you can almost touch it! The Clement combines luxurious interior decor with the sights and sounds of the surf and sea. Brides will always be the center of attention on the Ocean Terrace, but the views of the ocean and sunset behind her will remain with the guests for a lifetime. It feels as if you can have your own private, intimate ceremony right in the middle of a great big party! Offering Brides a combination of local Monterey surroundings, with a contemporary, 'city' setting.

Karyn's Bottom Line: If you want something city-chic right on the Monterey Bay, The Clement is the venue for you. Everything is so crisp, clean and modern - and you're right in the middle of Cannery Row! Check out behind the scenes tour photos on our Instagram page!

Pasadera Country Club (Monterey): One word - breathtaking! Just 15 minutes outside of downtown Monterey, visiting the Pasadera Country Club is like taking a trip to Spain. As soon as you enter the Country Club area, the rolling greens hills and the vast open space is absolutely stunning. You know immediately you are entering a special and unique place. That feeling continues with every room and every detail of the Pasadera Country Club. Every room is appointed with fabulous antiques, hand painted walls and murals. The courtyard offers two perfect ceremony set-ups, next to the three-tiered fountain or with the rustic Ranch-style doors as your backdrop. The southwest side of the property also offers two other ceremony locations, one is under the vast Oak tree, the other against the hacienda-style porch.

Karyn's Bottom Line: This is one of the most beautiful places I've seen! With a mixture of grand rooms, several courtyards with huge stone fireplaces and the newly completed five-suite hotel (perfect for the Bridal party or out of town guests). The Club is ten-years old, yet has all the amenities of a new venue with the charm, character and grandiosity of an old-world Spanish hacienda! Check out behind the scenes tour photos on our Instagram page!