60 Holman Road
Carmel Valley, CA
93924
View their website
Average Base Cost: $22,000
Our average base cost for a Holman Ranch wedding is calculated by figuring a 100-person guest list using the Carpe Diem Off-Peak Season Saturday package with a food/beverage catering price of $100/pp. Entertainment, additional decorations and rentals, transportation, and photography are not included. Price is rounded up to the nearest thousand. Gratuity and sales tax included.
*Prices subject to change
How it breaks down:
Facility Rental Fee:Â
- Wedding Retreat Peak Season (May – October): $28,000 – $35,500 (includes lodging for 2 or 3 night stay at the ranch and optional features)
- Wedding Retreat Off-Peak Season (November – April): $22,000 – $29,500 (includes lodging for 2 or 3 night stay at the ranch and optional features)
- Carpe Diem Peak Season Sunday (May – October): $12,750
- Carpe Diem Peak Season Monday-Thursday (May – October): $10,000
- Carpe Diem Off-Peak Season Saturday: $10,000
- Carpe Diem Off-Peak Season Sunday OR Friday: $9,000
- Carpe Diem Off-Peak Season Monday – Thursday: $7,000
- Micro Wedding (priced the same throughout the year): $1,000 – $14,000 (ceremony for 2 up to ceremony + reception for 50)
Read more about their wedding packages here.
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What’s Included:Â Included in the packages are tables (rectangular), chairs, market umbrellas, heaters, exclusive use of the property, setup and cleanup time, photo booth, Holman Ranch staff (for help in setup and cleanup, as well as parking and shuttle drivers), bocce ball, game room with billiards, darts and jukebox, horseshoes, and fire pits.
Vendors: For both the Carpe Diem and Wedding Retreat packages, couples can bring in their own caters and vendors (florists, wedding planner, dj/band, etc). They can also bring in their own alcohol, however they must have a licensed bartender to serve alcohol. The venue has a preferred professional list, but they do not require clients to use those vendors. For the Micro Weddings, they provide all the services for the client and they cannot bring in their own vendors.  Holman Ranch will provide the photographer, cake, flowers, and catering.
Extras: With both the Carpe Diem and Wedding Retreat packages, there is a six case minimum wine purchase (all of varying cost/varietals) from Holman Ranch in order to avoid corkage fees. If 7 cases or more are purchased, then the wine is discounted 30% on all cases. If the minimum wine purchase is not met, there is a $25/bottle corkage fee.
More Stats:
Space Type: Inside/Outside
Size:Â Seated capacity is between 150-200 guests depending on location
Bridal Suite: Yes
Parking: Yes
How Will Grandma Get There? Holman Ranch is located 12 miles from Highway One, off Carmel Valley Road, and 20 minutes from the Monterey Airport (2 hours from SFO).
Ideally Grandma would stay on the property in one of the 10 guest rooms available. Rental fees can be collected directly from the guests. During peak season, the rooms average $375/night plus tax (10.5%). Other hotels nearby include the Contenta Inn, Los Laureles Lodge, and Bernardus Lodge.
Party On! Events can go until 10 p.m., with all vendors out by 11 p.m.
The Report:
Under the Crown of Spain, the ranch was part of the lands given to the Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo. When the Mexican government secularized the mission lands, one of the first ranchers in Carmel Valley, Don Jose Manuel Boronda, was granted the Los Laureles Rancho—6,625 acres that included what is now Holman Ranch. In 1928 San Francisco businessman Gordon Armsby purchased 600 acres in the Los Laureles area of the Valley, including what would be Holman Ranch. Armsby hired Clarence Tantau (of Del Monte Hotel fame) to design the home that would reside on his new property. Tantau and Armsby chose a classic Spanish-style hacienda with stone walls built from local Carmel stone, Mexican terracotta roofing and hand-carved oak-beamed ceilings. Nicknamed “Casa Escondida” (or “Hidden House”), the estate served as a hideaway for Hollywood celebrities including Charlie Chaplin and Theda Bara. After passing several hands throughout the years, the property was purchased by Thomas and Jarman Lowder in 2006, followed by a complete renovation in 2009. The property now includes vineyards and a winery featuring 100% estate-grown varietals.
Woman Getting Married Says:
How dreamy is this wedding venue location? I love the history of the property and there are so many options when it comes to whether you want an intimate wedding ceremony or a large group event. I definitely suggest talking to their wedding coordinator to get the lowdown on which one is perfect for you. Budget-wise I’m a fan of the Off-season Wedding Retreat Package, aiming for an early November wedding to capitalize on both the reduced pricing and ideal weather. Overall if you’re looking for a gorgeous destination wedding location (or even a getaway spot if you’re a local), this is definitely worth checking out.
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