What makes Black Oak Mountain Vineyard weddings so special to photograph?
I adored capturing Thomas and Karina’s wedding at Black Oak Mountain Vineyards in Cool, California! The venue truly is breathtaking and I am excited to see and capture all of the different ceremony spots and ways that my couples choose to design their wedding days at this massive property. The getting ready spaces are designed really beautifully which makes it easy to get really fun, natural getting ready photos and detail shots before the first look! This venue really does feel like a retreat for everyone that is staying onsite, and I think guests pick up on that energy and really enjoy the experience!
My wedding day photography coverage for Black Oak Mountain Vineyard begins at $6,500 and includes a second photographer and 35mm film photography.
Black Oak Mountain Vineyard Wedding Photography Guide
Black Oak Mountain Vineyard Wedding Venue Details: Location, Capacity & Parking Info
Location: 2480 CA-193, Cool, California 95614
Parking: Wedding guests have access to a complimentary parking lot onsite with easy access to the reception area. There is a second parking lot reserved closer to the ceremony site and getting ready suites for the wedding party to use. The venue also is prompt with golf carts that help guests get from the parking lot to the ceremony site.
Capacity: Black Oak Mountain Vineyard has a maximum capacity for 150 guests.
A Look at the History Behind Black Oak Mountain Vineyard, One of California’s Most Scenic Wedding Venues
While Black Mountain Vineyards is a wedding venue known for its grandeur, this venue comes from humble origins. The surrounding town of Cool was once filled with miners hoping to hit it big in the mountains. They left disappointed. As you travel around the property, there is a chance you might stumble on one of the stories of the past over at the original miner’s cabin. Keep traveling off the property, and you’ll find an old stagecoach shop once frequented by the pioneers who didn’t realize the treasure of the mountains was never tangible. Today, the 150 acres are privately owned and offer you an oasis away from the rest of the world. The team focuses on sustainability so they can continue to provide a haven for travelers in the future.
Black Oak Mountain Vineyard Wedding Photography Tips
Getting Ready Space Details
I adore this getting ready space! It has so much space and feels like you’ve walked into a beautiful boutique hotel! The outdoor shower has a beautiful succulent wall and is so incredibly peaceful. The colors and light create a breathtaking backdrop and having a kitchen within the space makes morning mimosas and espresso easy. A let’s not forget the infinity pool outside!! Perfect for photos with your wedding party and as a first look location…
My favorite spots to shoot getting ready photos at Black Oak Mountain Vineyard:
Drinking champagne in cute getting ready outfits by the pool
Bridal getting ready portraits with the beautiful succulent wall by the outdoor shower
Jumping on the bed with your wedding party celebrating the day to come
Ceremony Options at Black Oak Mountain Vineyards
The venue boasts four primary outdoor ceremony sites you can use for your wedding. Perhaps the most jaw-dropping is the 360-degree Edge of the World Site. As its name might have already suggested, this space is going to bring you to the brink of the surrounding wilderness. Your guests will be seated on the lawn as you and your beloved stand on a landing in front of miles and miles of mountainside. The Meadow Hiking Site puts you a little closer to the ground, giving you a lush meadow where you can exchange your vows. You will have a paved aisle that you will walk down for your grand entrance.
The Viewing Deck at the Villa will keep you next to the amenities of the indoors while still giving you the mountain views. You will have a terrace with a covered ground so you don’t have to worry about your dress’s train changing colors from the mountain dust. Lastly is the Grand Oak Tree. This historic tree will provide you with shade while serving as your backdrop. Many couples choose to decorate the site with vibrant botanicals, complimenting the nature that makes this space so memorable. Once it is time for your reception, you will head over to the Black Oak Vineyard Club. Outside of its doors, you will have a patio with pergolas that offer shade from the California sun. You will get the chance to set up lawn games that your guests can enjoy before the celebration formally starts. This area gives you plenty of room for dancing.
Cocktail Hour And Beyond At Your Black Oak Mountain Vineyards Wedding
You can choose from several options for your cocktail hour. Inside the Black Oak Vineyard Club, you will find an existing bar where your guests can order from your bartender. If you would prefer an outdoor cocktail hour, you can use the Edge-of-the-World Infinity Terrace so your guests can enjoy drinks with a view. Over in the Mountain Modern Villa, you will have access to the bridal suite, 2 guest rooms with ensuites, the terrace and garden room, and 4 restrooms. You can stay here throughout your wedding weekend and have a comfortable space to get ready before the ceremony begins. The thing that sets this venue apart is its seclusion. As you go through your wedding day, you
will feel as though you are in a paradise all of your own. The exterior of the villa offers an infinity pool where you can swim in the days leading up to your wedding. Throughout your actual event, you will constantly be at the intersection of modernity and luxury. The interior of the club offers spiral staircases, sleek windows, and velvet furniture. The outside is lit up by bistro lights, and you will get the chance to transform the grounds in accordance with your unique vision.
Venue Flexibility
Perhaps the best thing about Black Oak Mountain Vineyards is how adaptable it is to your wedding plans. This is a spot for the dreamers who know exactly what they want for their wedding day. They let you bring in your own caterers and build your perfect meal. You will also be able to bring your own drinks and won’t have to worry about a corkage fee. Your reception will have wood-crafted tables as well as chairs and benches. They also have shade structures that you can arrange however you’d like. Black Oak Mountain lets you rent the venue for 10 hours and allows overnight rentals. They will include hanging basket swings and games that your guests can enjoy throughout the day. The venue will also provide you with two staff members.
What are the best Getting Ready Hotels near Black Oak Mountain Vineyard?
Black Oak Vineyard is located in Cool, California which is a VERY small town. You’ll want to look for guest accommodation in Placerville or Auburn, which is about a 30 minute drive from the venue. I also recommend booking as early as possible because of the limited choices, they will book up fast. Here are a few of my favorite hotels for rehearsal dinners and guest blocks if you are getting married at Black Oak Mountain Vineyard.
Eden Vale Inn - 26 minute drive from venue
Historic Cary House Hotel - 36 minute drive from venue
Black Oak Vineyard also offers guest lodging for a small group.
I’m so happy you’re here!
Hello!
I’m Reyna, the heart and soul behind Sea Circus Weddings. With over 12 years of experience as a wedding photographer, I’m based in Minneapolis but have had the joy of capturing love stories across the country. My journey also led me to capture beautiful moments in Bali, ranch weddings in Carmel-by-the-Sea California, engagement shoots in New York Sea and on the shores of New Buffalo Michigan! I am always ready for an adventure to capture a beautiful love story.
My passion for photography blossomed from witnessing the profound love my grandparents share. At 86 and 84, their enduring bond is beautifully preserved in their wedding photos, which have become cherished heirlooms in our family. The timeless color tones and raw, natural emotions in their images inspire me to create heirloom, film-inspired photography for the couples I work with. I love capturing celebration, people on their happiest days, the intricacies of deep love, and beautiful flowers!
I live in a charming Tudor house in Minneapolis with my husband, our two little girls, and our cuddly cat, Goose—named after Gooseberry Falls, where we tied the knot in 2019! In my free time, you’ll often find us enjoying dance parties, embarking on camping adventures, or cuddling up with a good book (currently, I'm captivated by The Secret History by Donna Tart!).
