Wedding Planning FAQS

Are there any other events or weddings planned at Holman Ranch on the same day as our wedding?

Weekend Getaway & Carpe Diem packages receive private, exclusive access to the entire Holman Ranch event site.

Is our wedding date available at Holman Ranch?

Please contact our Event Sales Manager to learn more about availability & pricing.

Do we have to be a member of the Holman Ranch Wine Club to book the venue for our wedding day?

Holman Ranch offers two (2) primary wedding packages (Wedding Getaway & Carpe Diem). Additionally, we offer Sweetheart Ceremonies, small weddings or elopements for 50 or fewer guests. Please contact our Event Sales Manager for more information about Sweetheart Ceremonies.

Wedding Getaway & Carpe Diem packages include:

Exclusive access to the Holman Ranch event site
Dedicated rehearsal time (varies on selected package)
Two (2) on-site dressing rooms for the wedding party
On-site parking & parking attendant
Golf cart shuttles for guests to/from parking area to event site
Forty (40) 8-foot banquet tables
Three-hundred (300) wooden chairs with vinyl cushions
Market umbrellas to help block direct sunlight
Fire pits with seating
Five (5) propane heaters with fuel tank
Six (6) bathrooms (no portables needed)
Market lights over Carriage House lawn
Twinkle lights strung throughout Carriage House
Electricity (no generators needed)
Setup/breakdown of Holman Ranch equipment by Holman Ranch staff
Designated Holman Ranch venue contact to help with logistics, assist with any venue & insurance questions, and lead additional setup/breakdown staff
On-site caterer’s prep kitchen with refrigerator, freezer, and ice-maker
Holman Ranch staff on-site entire day of wedding

What is included in the Holman Ranch venue rental fee? Do you offer multiple wedding packages from which to choose?

Wedding Getaway & Carpe Diem packages include:

Exclusive access to the Holman Ranch event site
Dedicated rehearsal time (varies on selected package)
Two (2) on-site dressing rooms for the wedding party
On-site parking & parking attendant
Golf cart shuttles for guests to/from parking area to event site
Forty (40) 8-foot banquet tables
Three-hundred (300) wooden chairs with vinyl cushions
Market umbrellas to help block direct sunlight
Fire pits with seating
Five (5) propane heaters with fuel tank
Six (6) bathrooms (no portables needed)
Market lights over Carriage House lawn
Twinkle lights strung throughout Carriage House
Electricity (no generators needed)
Setup/breakdown of Holman Ranch equipment by Holman Ranch staff
Designated Holman Ranch venue contact to help with logistics, assist with any venue & insurance questions, and lead additional setup/breakdown staff
On-site caterer’s prep kitchen with refrigerator, freezer, and ice-maker
Holman Ranch staff on-site entire day of wedding

Is there a difference in the rental fee if we book on a weekend versus a weekday?

Generally, yes. Please contact our Event Sales Manager to learn more about the Holman Ranch wedding package options and pricing.

Do you offer different rates for peak season versus non-peak season wedding dates?

Generally, yes. Please contact our Event Sales Manager to learn more about the Holman Ranch wedding package options and pricing.

How long will we have access to the venue?

Venue access times vary based on the package selected.

Weekend Getaway packages include fourteen (14) guest suites for two (2) nights with a 4:00 PM arrival the day prior to the event and a 10:00 AM departure the day after the event. Vendors will have access to the property starting at 8:00 AM on the day of the event.

Carpe Diem package clients & vendors may arrive on property at 2:00 PM on the day of the event with the event ending at 10:00 PM. Based on availability, additional setup hours may be added for an additional fee.

Guests typically begin to arrive 30 minutes prior to the event starting. On the day of your event, amplified music must conclude by 10:00 PM, due to Monterey County’s sound ordinance. Any vendors or guests not staying on-site at Holman Ranch must exit the property by 11:00 PM.

Do you offer overnight accommodations for our guests who may want to stay at Holman Ranch?

Yes! We have fourteen (14) on-site guest suites available. Please refer to our Guest Room Packet to learn more about the accommodations available at Holman Ranch.

The Weekend Getaway package includes all fourteen (14) guest suites for a two (2) night minimum, which is ideal for your family and/or wedding party.

Any number of guest suites may be added à la carte to Carpe Diem packages, if available.

Does your venue offer a professional wedding planner or coordinator to help us?

Holman Ranch provides a venue contact to help with logistics and assist with any venue or insurance questions. Holman Ranch staff will be present throughout the event day for setup/ breakdown of Holman Ranch equipment. We highly recommend working with a professional wedding planner to ensure that everything is prepared to your liking on your wedding day.

What if it rains on my wedding day?

Holman Ranch is an outdoor wedding venue. Carmel Valley primarily experiences beautiful sunshine; however, rain does occur on occasion. Our team will help make suggestions and weather accommodations, to the extent possible, to ensure the event runs smoothly.

How many guests can Holman Ranch accommodate?

Holman Ranch can accommodate up to five-hundred (500) guests for a standing reception or up to three-hundred-and-fifty (350) guests for a seated reception.

Please contact our Event Sales Manager for assistance in selecting the best spaces to accommodate you and your wedding guests.

Please note: Additional equipment may be needed to accommodate guest counts above ~250.

What about any guests who may need additional assistance?

All Holman Ranch event spaces are ADA compliant with the exception of two (2) bathrooms in the Carriage House. We have an ADA compliant pathway surrounding the Ceremony Lawn & Hacienda Lawn to ensure all guests can enjoy the wedding festivities.

Please view our full property maps and contact our Event Sales Manager for more assistance.

Does your venue offer ample parking for our wedding guests? If not, do you offer a shuttle service for off-site parking?

Holman Ranch provides on-site parking for all guests. Fourteen (14) parking spaces are located beside the guest suites & event site, which are designated for your overnight guests, as well as two (2) parking spaces reserved for your caterers. Holman Ranch offers additional parking for guests located near our wine caves. Golf carts will shuttle guests to/from the wine cave parking area to the event site.

If you’ve selected a package without overnight accommodations, the fourteen (14) VIP parking spaces may be assigned to specific guests or vendors.

We provide a list to help you designate who will use the VIP parking spaces, which should be turned in no later than 14 days prior to your event.

Is Holman Ranch easy to find?

Yes! Guests will see two (2) signs on Carmel Valley Road as they approach the turn for

Holman Ranch. On the day of your event, a Holman Ranch staff member will direct your guests to the parking area. We also provide two (2) A-frame chalkboards to direct you and your VIP guests to the VIP parking area.

Please contact our Event Sales Manager to learn about customizable sign options.

What are the payment and cancellation policies at Holman Ranch?

To secure your wedding date at Holman Ranch, we require a signed contract and a non-

refundable deposit (i.e. your first payment), which is equivalent to one-third (1/3) of your total balance. Your second payment, which is equal to one-half (1/2) of your remaining balance, is due six (6) months prior to your event. The final payment is due thirty (30) days prior to your event.

Please note: All payments are non-refundable.

We accept all major credit cards, checks, and money orders. There is a 3% convenience fee applied to credit card payments.

Are we able to use our own vendors, or does Holman Ranch require us to use preferred vendors?

While we do provide a list of preferred vendors who are familiar with our property to help plan your special day, we welcome any outside vendors as long as they provide proof of insurance, agree to our Vendor Guidelines, and follow all Holman Ranch property rules, policies, & procedures. We are happy to provide this information should you wish to hire other vendors.

Do you provide linens, glassware, silverware, and plates?

Holman Ranch does not provide glassware, silverware, or plates for events. These items can typically be rented through your caterer, bartender, and/or rental service.

We do provide chairs, tables, umbrellas, fire pits, and propane heaters for your event. For an additional cost, we can also provide lawn games and/or a photobooth with two (2) prints per photo for you & your guests to enjoy during your event.

Please contact our Event Sales Manager to ensure you have all equipment

Are we required to serve Holman Ranch wines at our wedding?

You are not required to serve Holman Ranch wines during your event.

There is a minimum wine purchase to waive a corkage fee: Six (6) cases of Holman Ranch or Jarman still wine and six (6) bottles of Jarman Sparkling Brut Rosé. Once this purchase has been made, you are free to bring any other alcohol to your event. There is no requirement to serve Holman Ranch wine during your event.

Are there any restrictions in booking a band or DJ for our wedding reception?

We welcome any music provider.

However, Monterey County’s sound ordinance specifies that all amplified music must be played indoors (typically in the Carriage House) and must end by 10:00 PM sharp.