A Stonepine Winter Wedding: Your Month-by-Month Planning Guide

'Tis the season to be jolly — and engaged! Statistically speaking, December is the most popular month for getting down on one knee and popping the much-awaited question, and it’s easy to see why. It's the season of giving and joy. Homes are decked out in brightly lit, elaborate displays, ovens are warm with decadent desserts, tables are heavy with fanciful feasts, and love is, most definitely, in the air. In other words, the entire month is a tailor-made opportunity for tender moments and new beginnings with your significant other. So, if you’re a newly engaged couple looking for a magical setting to exchange your “I dos,” you’ve come to the right place. 

Stonepine Estate’s 407-acre property, surrounded by some of the most awe-inspiring views of Carmel Valley, can be likened to a fairytale. Think: sun-dappled rolling hills, towering oaks and pines, meticulously maintained gardens, and even a ranch with majestic horses. In the center of it all is Chateau Noel, a century-old Tuscan-inspired villa — one of the most prototypical storybook castles you’ll come across in these parts. So, if you have your heart set on a winter wedding in Northern California, we’ve put together a month-by-month guide filled with inspiration on transforming our venue into a veritable winter wonderland. Take a scroll below for planning pointers and decor ideas to make your nuptials truly unforgettable.

1. January – February: Set Your Foundation (and the Numbers)

After you’ve popped the bubbly and soaked in the excitement of your engagement, it’s time to lay the groundwork for your big celebration. For starters, you’ll need to secure your wedding venue, which will likely influence every aesthetic decision you’ll make. If you’re looking to tie the knot in December at Stonepine Estate, lock in your date early; the holiday season is famously a busy time. If you’re dreaming of planning a multi-day affair, explore the possibility of providing on-site accommodations for your guests with a full-property buyout. Between our villa and houses, there are 16 suites available to choose from. 

At this stage, it’s also important to determine your guest count. Are you looking to host a lavish, grand affair, or do you prefer a quieter, more intimate celebration? At Stonepine, we can accommodate a wide range of wedding sizes, from cozy gatherings to grand celebrations. Finally, if your budget allows, find a wedding planner — a right-hand partner with years of experience and a vast knowledge of the industry at their fingertips. If you opt to plan your own nuptials, consider hiring a day-of coordinator for on-the-ground support when the big day rolls around.

2. March – April: Build Your Dream Team and Vision

First things first: you will need to figure out your wedding style. This overarching concept will set the tone of your nuptials and help guide most of your aesthetic decisions. Do you envision transforming our gardens into a winter wonderland with a frosty, white-on-white palette? Do you picture a dark and moody candlelit affair with a vintage-inspired vibe? Maybe it’s an old-world, romantic aesthetic that you’re after. The best way to nail down a vision is to start assembling your mood board and then paring it down to your favorites. 

Then, with your wedding planner’s help, secure your key vendors and creative partners — your photographer, florist, decorator, caterer, and entertainment expert — who will help bring that vision to life. Wedding planners often have a robust list of tried-and-tested vendors and know exactly who would be the perfect match for the look and feel you’re hoping to achieve. 

3. May – June: Design the Details

With your dream team in place, your next move is to design the finer touches. Work with your planner, decorator, and florist to shape your decor concept — layering textures and floral elements that reflect the season. Throwing an ethereal, wintry affair? Pull your event together with faux-snow-dusted trees and organic table arrangements. Think: sprigs of juniper, holly, eucalyptus, and bursts of white roses. Leaning into holiday colors? Weave in whimsical red petals into your floral arches and ceremony backdrop. Gold-accented tableware, vintage linens, and tapered candles are all elegant ways to add a touch of warmth to your cold-weather nuptials. 

Now’s also the right time to say “yes” to your big-day getup. (This is especially true if you’re planning on wearing multiple looks for your ceremony, reception, and after-party.) What’s more, think of how your wedding party’s attire will tie into your wintry theme. You can rely on festive tones to set the mood — emeralds, burgundies, golds — and weave them into your wedding party’s dresses or suits, or even smaller details like ties and boutonnieres. Lastly, don’t forget to design your wedding stationery and send out your save-the-date cards. 

4. July – August: Taste, Try, and Refine

The holidays revolve heavily around food, so now’s your opportunity to incorporate some of the most joyful, well-loved flavors of the season into your big day — in your own way, of course. Work with your caterer to dream up your ideal menu, whether it’s roasted butternut squash, herb-crusted rack of lamb, or even a festive dessert station. Summer is also the perfect season to schedule your cake design consultation and sample your signature cocktails. Word to the wise: Although California winters are typically mild, the temps are known to drop in the evenings, so it’s never a bad idea to serve hot chocolate, mulled wine, and warm apple cider. 

Also, have you thought about your wedding-day music? At Stonepine Estate, you can make a memorable first impression by greeting your guests with a string quartet in front of Chateau Noel’s picturesque building. For your reception, you will have to decide between hiring a DJ or a live band. Either way, Chateau Noel’s spacious lawns and lush gardens are ready to welcome all of your musical moments on a black-and-white checkered dance floor. 

5. September – October: Finalize and Fine-Tune

As autumn settles in, you’ll start to see your vision come together and begin locking in those finishing touches. Try on your wedding-day attire to confirm that alterations are on track, and discuss any beauty trials for hair and makeup. Also on your wedding-planning checklist: Sending out your invitations, finalizing your seating chart, and confirming transportation and accommodation details for guests. 

With your wedding just a few months away, you’ll also need to decide if you’ll be bookending your nuptials with pre- and post-wedding events. Besides your ceremony and reception, there are so many other ways to inject fun into the experience. Consider a festive welcome party, a straight-from-a-storybook luncheon in our garden, a cozy spa retreat, or a farewell tea ceremony in our historic villa. 

6. November – December: Prepare for the Magic

The days are growing shorter and the air is turning crisp, which means your winter wedding is right around the corner! If you haven’t already, start dreaming up a potential itinerary for your guests to experience the beauty of Northern California — especially if you’re planning to stretch out your big-day festivities over the whole weekend. (Not familiar with the area? Don’t fret. Our experts have done your homework and compiled well-thought-out guides for you to lean on — from ways to explore Monterey Peninsula to easy day trips from our address.)

Then, it’s time for the final details. Host your final walk-through with your planner and vendors, and confirm all delivery times, setup details, and backup plans for weather. Treat yourself to a bit of self-care this month — schedule some spa time, write your vows, and pack your wedding-day essentials (and your suitcases if you’re visiting from out of town). A whole year of planning has led to this moment — so when it finally comes, have fun and enjoy the happy occasion!

Looking to make the most of your stay and extend your celebrations at Stonepine Estate? Contact us to start planning an unforgettable multi-day gathering.