Business Details
12 Years
experience
Your Dream Wedding Venue in Northern California Wine Country
The Highlands Estate was founded by Gard and Whitney, who transformed their shared vision of creating a wedding destination blending rustic elegance with Northern California's natural beauty. Nestled on 21 acres of vineyards and oak-dotted hills, the venue offers couples a choice of ceremony locations, including a climate-controlled barn, shaded arbor, and ancient oak tree settings. With on-site lodging for 22 guests and capacity for 200 attendees, the estate provides a seamless weekend retreat experience.The property's design prioritizes photographic opportunities, panoramic vistas, and modern amenities while maintaining rustic charm. Located 30 minutes from Healdsburg in wine country, it serves international couples seeking a flexible, all-inclusive venue with personalized service and meticulous attention to detail.
Services
Weekend Package
Day Package
Intimate Package
On-Site Lodging
Ceremony Locations
Photo Sessions
Vendor Coordination
Event Planning
Accommodations
Venue Rental
Details
- Year established: 2014
Highlights and features
- We offer on-site lodging for 22 guests with 7,000+ sq ft of luxury space
- Choose from three unique ceremony locations including a climate-controlled barn
- Enjoy panoramic vineyard vistas from every room and event space
- We provide over $5,000 in included amenities with every venue rental
- Our international experience serves couples from six continents
What people say
Stunning natural beauty
Thoughtful details
Exceptional hospitality
Seamless planning process
Breathtaking vistas
Services
Weekend Wedding Package
Our weekend package includes exclusive access to the entire estate for three days. This option accommodates up to 200 guests and includes lodging for 22 people across multiple bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. The package features use of the Four Seasons Barn, outdoor ceremony sites, and all venue amenities. Couples benefit from extended time to celebrate and create memories across the 21-acre property with panoramic vineyard views.
On-Site Lodging
The Estate provides luxury lodging for up to 22 guests across multiple bedrooms with private bathrooms. Our accommodations include modern amenities like a billiard room, gym, and yoga deck. The space features a massive outdoor deck overlooking vineyards and a fully equipped kitchen. This option allows wedding parties to extend celebrations and enjoy a true weekend retreat experience in wine country.
Ceremony Locations
Choose from three distinct ceremony options: the ancient Oak Tree site, shaded Arbor location, or climate-controlled Four Seasons Barn. Each venue offers unique photographic opportunities with vineyard backdrops. The barn features heating and air conditioning for year-round use, while outdoor locations provide natural beauty with oak trees and valley vistas. All spaces accommodate up to 200 guests with easy access to reception areas.
Vendor Coordination
We provide pre-vetted vendor recommendations including caterers, photographers, and decorators familiar with our venue. Our team offers guidance on logistics, setup, and day-of coordination. This service simplifies planning while ensuring vendors understand our property's unique requirements. Couples receive support with layout planning, equipment needs, and contingency preparations for weather or other unexpected issues.
Photo Sessions
The property offers over 21 acres of diverse photographic backdrops including vineyards, oak groves, and rustic barn interiors. Our venues feature market lights, handcrafted tables, and natural vistas that enhance wedding photography. The estate's layout provides multiple scenic routes for couple and group photos. Professional photographers benefit from consistent lighting conditions and varied settings within a single location.
People
Gard Cookson
Co-Owner & Venue Designer
Gard co-founded The Highlands Estate with his wife Whitney after recognizing a gap in quality wedding venues during family event planning. He personally designed and built the venue's signature farm tables and climate-controlled barn. With extensive experience in property development and event logistics, Gard oversees venue operations and technical aspects of event execution.
Whitney Cookson
Co-Owner & Client Relations
Whitney co-founded The Highlands Estate with Gard, bringing expertise in hospitality and client services. She manages guest relations, vendor coordination, and day-of event support. Known for her responsive communication and attention to detail, Whitney ensures couples receive personalized guidance throughout their planning process. She developed the venue's preferred vendor network and guest accommodation systems.
Questions
What wedding packages do you offer?
We offer three packages: Weekend Package with lodging for 22 guests, Day Package for single-day events, and Intimate Package for smaller gatherings. Each includes venue access, basic amenities, and owner support.
What is included in the venue rental?
Rentals include use of all ceremony/reception spaces, handcrafted farm tables, climate-controlled barn, parking facilities, and basic lighting. Over $5,000 in amenities are included across packages.
How far are you from major wine country attractions?
We're 30 minutes from Healdsburg's plaza and Dry Creek Valley wineries, 1.5 hours from San Francisco, and centrally located between multiple Northern California wine regions.
Do you allow outside vendors?
We require use of our pre-vetted vendor list for key services like catering and audio-visual equipment. This ensures quality control and smooth event execution at our venue.
What happens if it rains during an outdoor event?
Our Four Seasons Barn provides a climate-controlled backup space with full audio-visual capabilities. The barn can accommodate full reception activities including dining and dancing.
