Sonoma Wine Country for Gay Marriage and Honeymoons
SONOMA, CA, June 10, 2008. Just 30 minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge, the Sonoma Wine Country has long been the year-round destination of choice for gays and lesbians seeking sunshine, great food and wine, and the natural beauty of redwood forests, cool rivers and the stunning ocean coast. Now that gay and lesbian marriages are permitted in California, Sonoma County is a natural destination for couples seeking getaway weddings or the perfect honeymoon destination.
Several Sonoma County inns and hotels are offering gay wedding and honeymoon packages, that offer a range of accommodations, prices and options including couples massage, pampering, adventure outings, garden tours and intimate dinners. More information can be found at www.sonomacounty.com/gay.
The Glenelly Inn in the Sonoma Valley will accommodate intimate ceremonies fireside or in the rose garden that include sparkling wine, choice of bouquets or boutonni`eres, a Scandinavian Princess Cake and a suite or cottage for the couple. The price is $300. The honeymoon package includes three-nights in a Glenelly Garden Cottage that starts with a rose petal foot soak and 30-minute foot massage for the newlyweds while they enjoy a selection of hand-picked Sonoma County artisan cheese, truffles and sparkling wine. The honeymoon cottage is decorated with seasonal flowers, candles and a basket of sensuous bath products. The couple will also each enjoy a 90 minute simultaneous Personal Synergy Blend Massage with a customized celebration and love aromatherapy oil blend to take home after the massage. The all-inclusive honeymoon price is $1995.
At the Gaige House in Glen Ellen, the professional staff at this intimate wine country estate will take care of everything, including on-site coordination of the wedding, an officiant and license, ceremony in the garden, wedding cake, sparkling California wine and a two-night stay in the lavish Zen suite. The enclosed 600-square-foot Zen garden graces each of the eight Zen suites ensuring the ultimate in privacy. Plus, the granite tubs are perfect for a couple's soak after a duo massage.
The Gay Elopement Package at the Hope Merrill House in Geyserville includes two nights accommodation in the inn's Peacock Room with two person Jacuzzi and fireplace, the services of a non-denominational minister, a bridal bouquet and boutonniere, a 6" wedding cake, a bottle of champagne with light appetizers, celebration photos, a $75 dinner voucher and four full gourmet breakfasts at the inn for $2,750 weekends and $2,250 weekdays. Their Honeymoon Package includes two nights in the Sterling Suite, a Couples Aromatherapy Massage at Health Spa Healdsburg, a bottle of J Champagne, chocolate truffles, a private wine & cheese pairing at Michel-Schlumberger, two $75 dinner vouchers one for Taverna Santi and one for Applewood Inn Restaurant, and breakfast each morning for $916.
Weddings up to 100 people are welcome at the Rio Villa Beach Resort in Monte Rio. Their Small Wedding Ceremony Packages, for groups of 25 or fewer, include the choice of several settings overlooking the Russian River, seating and the wedding official for $500 weekends and $250 midweek. The Honeymoon Package includes two nights in a Russian River view room decorated with fresh cut flowers, a welcome wine and cheese basket, two 60-minute massages, golfing in the redwoods and a Continental breakfast every morning. The package price varies depending on room size and amenities but starts at $645.
The Sonoma Orchid Inn in Guerneville combination Gay Floral Wedding and Honeymoon Package includes a small vanilla orchid bean commitment cake decorated with candied flowers, fresh flowers in the honeymoon room, dual aromatherapy massages at a local spa and exclusive green house tours of local nurseries so that the couple can choose a plant to commemorate the occasion and their commitment to a future together.
At the Highlands Resort, a primarily gay resort in Guerneville, the Honeymoon Package offers two nights in an individual cabin with a private porch under the redwoods. The cabin's king size bed, oversized 2-person soaking tub and gas fireplace provides the backdrop for a truly memorable honeymoon. The package includes a breakfast of coffee, orange juice, homemade granola, yogurt, milk, fresh fruit and their famous homemade muffins delivered to the door each morning so the couple can enjoy breakfast in bed, two 60-minute massages outdoors in a fairy ring of mature redwoods, a self-guided wine tasting tour created by the inn's wine concierge specifically for the couple, and a gourmet picnic for two. The package is $625.00 plus tax.
Romance means shared adventures at the charming Creekside Inn & Resort's cottages and rooms among the redwoods. The Inn plans adventure options for gay honeymooners including kayaking or canoeing on the glorious Russian River, horseback riding among the majestic redwoods at Armstrong Redwood State Preserve or a peewee golf outing. The Inn has dog friendly rooms and provides a list of Sonoma County dog-friendly venues if couples decide to bring the family pet on their adventure honeymoon. Price ranges from $98 to $270 per night depending on room size and amenities. Discounted adventure prices and reservations are arranged by the inn but paid to the individual supplier.
Village Inn & Restaurant on the Russian River in Monte Rio provides a honeymoon romance package with two nights in a river view studio room with private balcony and Sonoma County champagne on arrival. A romantic three-course dinner for two in the award-winning restaurant rounds out this romantic getaway. The package is $460 to $530 depending on room size and amenities.
The historic Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa in Santa Rosa is offering a Romance Spa Package that includes a one night stay in an Executive King Room, a bottle of wine, a couples massage at the on-site Montecito Heights Spa, a spa gift, complimentary health club passes and tennis at the five-star Montecito Heights Health Club and Continental breakfast at the Resort's Terrace Grille for the all inclusive (taxes and tips included) $379 weekdays and $429 weekends.
In Santa Rosa the Melitta Station Inn's Gay Honeymoon Midweek Spa Special includes two nights luxury accommodations paired with gourmet breakfasts and a Lovers' massage consisting of two 45-minute sessions in the Inn's on-site massage room, together with use of the 40 jet spa hot-tub. The experience is rounded out with a complimentary wine tasting passport for two to more than 20 wineries in Sonoma Valley. Available Sunday through Thursday, the package price is $369 to $429 ($50 supplement for weekends) depending on room size and amenities.
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