River Highlands Ranch is a tranquil wedding venue located in Smartsville, California. The 433-acre ranch features an elegant 7500 sq/ft barn including a vast bridal suite with full kitchen. The vast outdoor space is surrounded by rolling hills, a vineyard, pond, fountains, blooming gardens, and plenty of green lawn for games.
*Please note that all phone and on-site meetings are by appointment
HIGHLIGHTS (and why you'll love getting married here)
12 hour access to our venue, no need for you to rush!
Beautiful 7500 s.f. temperature controlled barn includes indoor dimmable lighting, draping, and chandeliers.
Our massive 18' double barn doors open on each end of the barn to give you a seamless indoor/outdoor feel
Vast outdoor space with rolling vineyards, pond, tiered lawns, gardens, and fountains
Dimmable bistro lighting and plenty of space for outdoor lawn games
Year round fire pit!
3 ceremony sites to choose from
Use of our vineyard collection wood farm tables, benches, chairs, and cocktail tables ($2500+ rental value)
Leather lounge furniture collection
Large bridal suite with full kitchen for you to get ready
BYOB- Bring your own alcohol with no corkage fees
Our beautiful secluded "duckpond cabin" with waterfalls, indoor/outdoor shower, and fireplace make the perfect spot for getting ready photos and honeymoon suite.
Also available; on-site add ons including: custom LOVE sign, arches, photo booth, and decorative rentals
Location
Nestled in the scenic foothills of northern California, the ranch is situated on the border of Nevada and Yuba Counties. Your out-of-town guests will appreciate this venue’s convenient location, as it is only one hour from Sacramento and about two and a half hours from San Francisco with lodging, excellent restaurants, and wineries available in the darling towns of Grass Valley and Nevada City within a 20 minute drive.
Facilities and Capacity
This venue serves as an ideal location for weddings and other special events, from intimate affairs to large gatherings. Both indoor and outdoor event spaces are available to host your special day. The meticulously-manicured lawns allow plenty of space to say your vows, play lawn games, mingle with guests, or dine in the fresh air. This area’s stone-top stage works especially well for ceremonies creating a striking backdrop as you prepare to say “I do.” Couples and their guests can meander through the gardens while enjoying the lavender, roses, and the lemon and olive trees. You can also make use of the fire pit as the sun starts to set. Here, you and your loved ones can roast s’mores and enjoy the cozy ambiance given by the crackling fire. Majestic trees offer a bit of shade for those warmer days, and market lights help create a welcoming atmosphere for evening events. For indoor celebrations, River Highlands Ranch features a 7,500-square-foot barn. This charming structure boasts lofted ceilings and expansive barn doors that open up to scenic views of the gardens and vineyards. Eight glass chandeliers hang from the ceilings, adding a delicate touch of elegance. The barn also includes heating/air conditioning, installed string lights and drapery, and indoor restrooms. A full kitchen provides space for your caterer to prep your wedding meal. In addition, a spacious on-site bridal suite is a comfortable space to get ready before the festivities begin.
Services Offered
River Highlands Ranch is able to provide event space for a variety of wedding-related celebrations, including engagement parties, showers, elopements, rehearsal dinners, ceremonies, and receptions. The venue’s professional staff is dedicated to providing each couple with an unforgettable experience that is as stress-free as possible. They know that getting married is a truly special occasion, and they delight in assisting you to find the vendors that will help bring your dream wedding to life. Please also consider renting our very private "Duck Pond" cabin as a honeymoon cabin.
Hanging lanternRiver Highlands RanchSpring Green!7500 Sq.Ft. Indoor Space.Sierra Foothills Terrain.Year 'round use of fire pit!Plenty of Room For Everyone!Vineyard Fun Photo Shoot!Private Honeymoon Cabin.Vineyard Barn.Photos in the vineyard!Gold Country SpectacularVineyard Oak CeremonyImpressive Barn Entry.The Proud Dad Walk.Bride's Three Rm. Suite.Spectacular Dance Spots.Rent a Picture Perfect GetawaySierra Foothill Views.Gorgeous Barn Doors for Pics!Boots Were Made For Dancin'Hundreds of Oaks.Simple Wood Walls for BackdropOne of Three Ceremony Sites.Ranch Elegant Barn Dining.Can You Beat This First Dance?Room for Great Details!Air Conditioned Barn!Details!Details!Rustic Elegance.Rain Won't Spoil Her Day!Wow! First Dance!Springtime Green Backdrop.Air Conditioned Bridal Suite.Details!Great Light for Photos!Easily Visible Vows for GuestsVineyard BarnOutdoor Dining Options.Great LightMemorable VowsFarm Tables Included.Dramatic Annouce In!Plenty of Space.Year-Round Fire Pit.Ponds.Outdoor Dancing.Market Lights.Bird's Eye from Bride's Suite.Lawn Games!Indoor/Outdoor Dancing!Bird's Eye View for Group ShotCuteness.Bride's Suite.Golden Hills View.Indoor/Outdoor Dining.Summer Evening Spectacular.Lots of green!Happy Dad!Romantic Spring Green.Dreamy Lighting.Spring Green.Big Views.Spruced Up!Water!Air Conditioned Dining.Bring in Fun Details!Great BackdropsBride's Suite.Outdoor wedding receptionHanging lanternRiver Highlands RanchSpring Green!
We got married at RHR in October 2018 and I cannot say enough amazing things about the venue and the staff. Everyone went above and beyond to make our day exceptional. Our coordinators, Elizabeth and Stephanie, were truly amazing. The venue is gorgeous, unique, and very private. It was the first venue that we looked at and ended up booking it immediately. The ceremony site is beautiful, even with the minimal decoration that we did. The barn is absolutely breathtaking and was able to accommodate our fairly large wedding of 155+ people very comfortably. The beautiful wooden farm tables were what sold me from day one. I would highly recommend this wedding venue - the price for the area is a really great bargain.
Sent on 11/08/2018
Melanie
· Married on 07/16/2018
5.0
Quality of service:
5.0
Responsiveness:
5.0
Value:
5.0
Flexibility:
5.0
Professionalism:
5.0
Amazing venue!
As wedding photographers, my husband and I have photographed almost every wedding venue in the Sacramento area and Sierra Foothills area- When it came time to plan our own wedding, we chose to get married here because it’s SO amazing!
The barn is elegant and upscale, with rolling vineyards, blooming gardens and so much more.
A HUGE bonus was their beautiful rentals which were included with the venue- Farm tables, benches, chairs- all this saved us thousands of dollars in rentals!
The barn and property are so huge, yet it works well for both large and small weddings. We chose to have a small wedding/reception, with our ceremony under the oak tree. It was the perfect setting for an intimate wedding and is beautiful year round. Our guests loved everything about the ranch- even having a bonfire in the heat of summer!
Sent on 04/23/2020
River Highlands Ranch's reply:
Thank you, Andrew and Melanie! We so love the beautiful photos you've taken over the years at our venue and continue to be honored that you chose us, out of all the lovely venues out there, to host your wedding.
Tricia
· Married on 09/29/2012
4.4
Quality of service:
5.0
Responsiveness:
4.5
Value:
4.0
Flexibility:
4.0
Professionalism:
5.0
This place is beautiful!!! It is so well designed and decorated, that I didnt really need to anything. They have tables, chairs, etc on site. There is a rental charge, but it is low and makes the logistics of it all very easy. There is very little outside lighting, but they have twinkle lights and candles all through the landscaping so it is beautiful, if not bright. There is housing on site as well. Very thoughtful details.
Sent on 10/10/2012
Awards
3
River Highlands Ranch FAQ
Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?
Yes
What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?
$ 8500
What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?
$ 7200
Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?
No
Which of the following are included in starting site fee?
Bridal Suite
Chairs
Lighting/Sound
Parking
Tables
How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?
Multiple indoor and outdoor
Describe your venue:
Barn
Farm/Ranch
Garden
Winery
What kind of settings are available?
Indoor
Uncovered Outdoor
Scenic Views
Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?
