Month: February 2026

When you envision your ceremony, do you imagine rows of vines and golden light shining through the leaves, surrounded by loved ones on a charming brick patio or a beautiful lawn surrounded by nature? We’ve hosted hundreds of vineyard ceremonies here at Willow Creek Winery, and we’ve seen firsthand what makes outdoor vows feel effortless and meaningful. Here are the details that truly make a difference on your day. 

A vineyard ceremony at Willow Creek Winery offers a picturesque and seamless experience with stunning views, customizable options, and thoughtful planning. Choose between the Winemaker’s Patio or Estate Lawn based on your guest count, timing, and light preferences. With smooth transitions to cocktail hour, a dedicated coordinator, and personalized touches, your ceremony will reflect your style while ensuring a stress-free celebration.

Planning Your Ceremony in a Cape May Vineyard Vineyard 

ceremonies may look effortless, but a few decisions early on can make the day flow beautifully. You’ll want to consider your guest count, the season, and how everyone will transition from one moment to the next. At Willow Creek Winery, we have experience and understand both what makes ceremonies shine and what couples tend to worry about most. So let’s walk through choices that help shape a seamless and memorable ceremony. 

Choose Your Ceremony Spot Based on Your Guest Count 

We offer two beautiful outdoor ceremony locations, each with its own distinct feel. The Winemaker’s Patio is a charming brick setting that comfortably accommodates your guests and flows seamlessly into cocktail hour, so everyone can move easily from ceremony to celebration. The Estate Lawn, located at the front of our 50-acre vineyard, offers sweeping panoramic views of the vines and is ideal for couples who prefer a separate ceremony setting. If your guest list is 75 or more, we recommend seeing both locations so you can experience the flow of each space firsthand. 

Think About Timing and Light 

Golden hour truly shines at Willow Creek Winery, as the sun filters through the vineyard and illuminates the ceremony space in warm, romantic lighting, particularly in late spring and early fall. To capture this glow, we recommend scheduling your ceremony for late afternoon or early evening, depending on your date. 

Midday ceremonies can be a great option as well, especially if you’re hoping for more lighting or a day-time celebration. Just keep in mind that the sun can be strong in the summer, so we always encourage couples to consider guest comfort. Shade is limited at both locations, but the Winemaker’s Patio offers beautiful covered space beneath its statement porch for guests that need it. You may also wish to consider parasols or other unique touches to enhance your guests’ comfort and elevate the ambiance of your ceremony. 

Keep Your Ceremony Setup Straightforward 

We provide classic white padded chairs for your guests. If you’d like to add florals, or a ceremony arch, your florist is welcome to set up earlier in the day. An arbor is also available for rental and can be styled to complement your ceremony décor. We also have our Rosé Room. It is the private bridal dressing suite that is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on wedding days, giving you and your wedding party a comfortable space to relax and prepare while details come together. 

Sound is an important detail that can sometimes be overlooked. Since both locations are open, it’s helpful to coordinate with your DJ or musicians in advance to ensure optimal speaker placement for clear, comfortable audio throughout your ceremony. Both ceremony locations offer ample electrical access for lighting, sound, and any additional enhancements you may wish to include. 

Transition Smoothly to Cocktail Hour 

After your ceremony, guests will transition to The Vineyard Bar Patio to enjoy hors d’oeuvres and wine service (wine provided by the winery; outside alcohol vendors permitted). Your guests can sip our wines, enjoy passed appetizers, and take in the vineyard views while watching the sun set over the tree line. 

If you choose the Estate Lawn for your ceremony, we’ll help coordinate timing so your guests can be transported to the Vineyard Bar Patio while you take advantage of the grounds for photos. The transition flows seamlessly, and your coordinator will be there every step of the way to keep things running smoothly. 

Conclusion 

Your ceremony should feel like a true reflection of you. If you’re drawn to rolling vines, open skies, and a team that handles every detail, we’d love to connect. We’ll walk you through the ceremony logistics, answer your questions, and help you plan a day that flows beautifully from your vows all the way to the dance floor. 

Ready to see the vineyard for yourself? Book a personalized tour and consultation or call us at 609.770.8782 to start planning your Cape May wedding. 

FAQs 

Can we have our ceremony on the Estate Lawn if we’re having a smaller wedding? 

Yes. The Estate Lawn works for any guest count, though couples with fewer than 75 guests often prefer the Winemaker’s Patio because it feels more intimate. We’ll review both locations during your tour so you can decide which setting fits your vision. 

What happens if it rains on our ceremony day? 

If rain is in the forecast on your ceremony day, we recommend either renting a tent or moving the ceremony indoors. Your event coordinator will stay in close communication with you as your date approaches, and will help you decide which option will work best for your special day. 

Do you allow outside vendors for ceremony music or officiant services? 

Yes, you’re welcome to bring your own officiant or musicians. We provide a list of trusted vendors, but the choice is yours! Your event coordinator will communicate with your vendors and help ensure everything flows smoothly. 

Is there a fee for having our ceremony on site? 

Yes, there is a ceremony fee for using the Winemaker’s Patio or Estate Lawn. The fee varies by day and season. Your coordinator will go over all costs during your consultation so you can budget accurately.

When you’re planning an indoor wedding at a winery, you want a space that feels alive with natural charm but keeps the weather out of the equation. We built Willow Creek Winery & Farm Tasting Room with exactly that in mind. The post-and-beam ceiling and sweeping stone fireplace bring vineyard character inside, and the room seats up to 300 guests without losing its warmth. 

Plan an indoor wedding by using the Tasting Room for your ceremony and reception, then organizing guest flow from covered cocktail spaces into dinner and dancing. Confirm what is included like tables, linens, staffing, and catering, and choose add-ons if needed. Reserve on-site cottages early and build photo time into the schedule. 

Planning an indoor celebration here means you can lock in your timeline without tracking hourly weather forecasts or building backup plans around wind and rain. Your ceremony can flow into cocktails and dinner without your coordinator hovering over a radar app, and your guests can focus on the toast instead of whether they need an umbrella. The space does the work for you.

Indoor Space That Works for Real Celebrations

Our Tasting Room is where most couples host their seated dinner or cocktail reception. The space holds up to 300 for full wedding receptions with a dance floor. You’ll find 60-inch round tables that seat up to ten, wooden cross-back chairs, and floor-length ivory damask linens already included. The stone fireplace anchors one end of the room, and the post-and-beam ceiling keeps the vibe cozy even when the guest list grows. If you’re working with a planner or florist, they’ll appreciate the neutral palette and the natural texture the space already offers.

We keep planning simple with a single main contact through our events department. Your venue coordinator walks you through table layouts, timing, and vendor coordination so you’re not juggling emails with five different people. You’ll also receive an exclusive list of highly recommended service providers who know the property and how to make the most of the indoor spaces.

Ceremony Options That Keep You Covered

Some couples choose to say their vows outside on the Winemaker’s Patio or the Estate Lawn, then move indoors for cocktails and dinner. Others hold the entire event inside the Tasting Room. Both work well. If the weather is unpredictable or you simply prefer the intimacy of an indoor ceremony, the Tasting Room can be set for chairs facing the fireplace or the French doors. The room transitions quickly, so your ceremony setup flows into cocktail hour without a long wait for your guests.

We also offer a tent option if you want an outdoor ceremony with a weather backup. You’re not locked into one choice months in advance.

How Guests Move Through Your Event

For a traditional indoor wedding, the flow usually starts with cocktails on the Vineyard Bar Patio, where guests sip wine under cover and enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres. Then everyone moves into the Tasting Room for dinner. You’ll have access to butler service for appetizers, a salad course, your choice of two entrées plus a vegan option, and a coffee and tea station. Cake cutting is included in the package.

If you’re hosting a cocktail-style reception, the Tasting Room still anchors the event. You’ll have two displayed hors d’oeuvres, six butler-served items, a salad display, and three hours of service. This setup works well for 25 to 100 guests who want to mingle rather than sit for a plated meal.

What Comes Standard and What You Can Add

Every wedding at Willow Creek includes your venue coordinator, the linens, tables, chairs, flatware, china, and wine and water glasses. You’ll also have access to the grounds for photos before or after the ceremony, even if you’re hosting the reception indoors. On-site parking is included, and the venue is wheelchair accessible.

If you want to extend your event beyond five hours, add a fire pit for cocktail hour, or include a sangria bar; these are available as enhancements. Gold Chiavari chairs, additional bartenders, a champagne toast setup, and late-night snack stations are also on the list. You can review the full menu of add-ons with your coordinator once your date is secured.

Service and Staffing You Can Count On

We provide trained bartenders for every event. Our bar serves wine only, but you’re welcome to bring in beer and liquor from designated local distributors. After the event, we secure any remaining alcohol for the next day’s pickup. A minimum wine purchase applies to all weddings, and we recommend planning for at least one case per every 40 guests and one favor bottle per every two guests age 21 and over. That way, everyone has a chance to enjoy what we grow and produce here.

If you need help finding vendors for decorations or entertainment, our events team can point you in the right direction. We’ve worked with florists, DJs, and photographers who understand the layout of the Tasting Room and know how to use the natural light and architectural details to your advantage.

Lodging and Nearby Stays

We have six on-site rental cottages available year-round. Each cottage includes a kitchen, seating, and proximity to the winery, beaches, and downtown Cape May. These book up quickly during summer, fall harvest, and spring bloom, so reserve early if you want to offer them to your wedding party or family.

Our sister property, The Southern Mansion, is a boutique hotel in Cape May’s historic district with 1.5 acres of landscaped gardens. It’s a five-minute walk to beaches, shops, and restaurants, and it includes newly renovated private bathrooms with hand-painted tile showers, a full gourmet breakfast, and complimentary on-site parking.

Photo Opportunities Around the Property

Even if you’re hosting your reception indoors, you’ll have access to the vineyard vistas, spectacular gardens, and the life-sized Alice in Wonderland fantasy chessboard for photos. The scenic vineyard road and rolling vines create a strong backdrop for portraits, and the natural light in late afternoon works well for both couples and group shots. Your photographer will appreciate the variety, and your guests can explore the grounds during cocktail hour if the weather cooperates.

We’re minutes from downtown Cape May and the beach, so if you want to plan a portrait session at a nearby landmark, that’s easy to coordinate. Your events team can help you map out a timeline that includes travel time and makes the most of the indoor and outdoor spaces on our property.

Conclusion

We’ve hosted weddings with 25 guests gathered around the fireplace and receptions with 300 people dancing under the post-and-beam ceiling. The Tasting Room adapts, and our team makes sure the details work for your group size and your vision. If you’re ready to see the space in person and talk through your timeline, let’s get you on the calendar.

Book a personalized tour and consultation by calling 609.770.8782 or emailing info@willowcreekwinerycapemay.com. We’ll walk you through the Tasting Room, show you the ceremony options, and answer your questions about service, timing, and what’s included with your booking.

FAQs

What is the maximum capacity for an indoor wedding reception at Willow Creek Winery?
The Tasting Room comfortably accommodates up to 300 guests with a dance floor for a full wedding reception. 

Can we hold both our ceremony and reception indoors?
Yes. The Tasting Room can be set for an indoor ceremony and then transitioned for your reception. You can also choose to hold your ceremony outdoors on the Winemaker’s Patio or Estate Lawn and move indoors for dinner. A tent option is available as a weather backup for outdoor ceremonies.

What is included with our indoor wedding booking at Willow Creek Winery?
Your booking includes a venue coordinator, floor-length ivory damask linens, 60-inch round reception and cocktail tables, wooden cross-back chairs, flatware, china, wine and water glasses, cake cutting, a coffee and tea station, and children and vendor accommodations. You’ll also have access to the grounds for photos and on-site parking.

When is the final headcount due, and can we make adjustments?
Your final headcount is due 28 days before your wedding, along with each guest’s meal selection and any food allergy information. If you need to discuss adjustments before that deadline, reach out to your venue coordinator to review your options.