A Switzer Farm wedding is the kind of celebration where guests aren’t just showing up for a few hours. They get to slow down and experience the entire weekend together. As a Mendocino wedding photographer, I’m always drawn to weddings like this, and Switzer Farm is the perfect setting for it.

Rachel and Caleb’s wedding here felt so special! The couple traveled from the Midwest to the Northern California coast for an intimate destination wedding surrounded only by their closest people. From handwritten vows overlooking the Pacific to candlelit dinner conversations beneath the wraparound porch of the Victorian farmhouse, every part of the weekend felt super intentional.

For couples dreaming of a private coastal wedding with breathtaking scenery, a Switzer Farm wedding is such an incredible option!

Table of contents: 
Why I Love Photographing Here
What Makes Switzer Farm Special
Ceremony & Reception Spaces
Type of Couple Who Will Love It
Favorite Photo Locations
Switzer Farm Wedding Cost

Why I Love Photographing a Switzer Farm Wedding

Switzer Farm is one of those places where the landscape really does the work for you. The property sits perched above the Pacific Ocean near the small historic village of Westport, and everywhere you turn there’s another incredible backdrop. It has coastal cliffs, wildflower meadows, historic barns, and ocean views. 

What I especially love about photographing a Switzer Farm wedding is how peaceful the entire experience feels. Since couples receive exclusive use of the property for three days and three nights, you won’t feel rushed during any part of it. Everyone settles in, slows down, and fully experiences the weekend together.

What Makes Switzer Farm Special

One of the biggest things that sets Switzer Farm apart is the privacy. They only host one wedding at a time. When couples book Switzer Farm, they receive exclusive access to the entire 22-acre oceanfront property, including:

• the restored 1884 Victorian farmhouse
• the garden cottage
• the ocean-view lawns
• blufftop ceremony spaces
• meadows and gardens
• historic barns

The property truly feels tucked away from the rest of the world. At the same time, guests still have convenient accommodations nearby in Westport. There are even several local inns and vacation rentals within walking distance of Switzer Farm. That balance of seclusion and accessibility makes the experience feel especially intimate because everyone stays close together throughout the weekend.

Another thing I love about a Switzer Farm wedding is how naturally it supports a full destination wedding experience. Up to twenty guests can spend mornings drinking coffee overlooking the ocean, gather for dinners outside, explore the coast together, and feel immersed in the setting rather than simply attending a single-day event.

The venue also includes an on-site manager throughout the weekend, Delores, who helps make everything feel smooth and easy.

Ceremony & Reception Spaces at Switzer Farm

One of the best parts of a Switzer Farm wedding is how many beautiful spaces the property offers while still feeling cohesive and connected.

The venue also offers several event spaces, including:

• the ocean-view south lawn
• the farmhouse veranda
• meadow ceremony locations
• garden spaces
• historic barn exteriors for portraits
• open lawns for tented receptions or dancing

Rachel and Caleb chose to hold their ceremony in the meadow overlooking the ocean, where they exchanged handwritten vows surrounded by the sound of the waves and the dramatic Northern California coastline behind them. 

Cocktail hour for Rachel and Caleb took place in the gardens surrounding the farmhouse while everything was in bloom. Guests wandered through the space with drinks in hand while enjoying the laid-back atmosphere.

Their reception dinner was held beneath the wraparound porch of the Victorian home, which created such a beautiful indoor-outdoor flow throughout the evening. A long family-style table was lined with candles, and guests shared heartfelt toasts over dinner.

One detail I especially loved was how the cake and desserts were displayed just inside the house. Guests naturally moved between the porch, gardens, and interior spaces throughout the night, which made the celebration feel incredibly organic.

Because the property is so expansive, couples can really shape the weekend around the type of atmosphere they want to create.

The Type of Couple Who Will Love a Switzer Farm Wedding

Switzer Farm is perfect for couples who want their wedding to feel less like a traditional event and more like a getaway with their favorite people.

This venue especially fits couples who:

• want a destination wedding experience in California
• value privacy and exclusivity
• love nature and coastal landscapes
• want guests to stay together throughout the weekend
• care about creating an intentional atmosphere rather than a highly produced event

For couples traveling in from out of state, like Rachel and Caleb, it’s an especially strong option because it allows everyone to fully immerse themselves in the destination together.

Favorite Photo Locations at Switzer Farm

As a Mendocino wedding photographer, this venue honestly feels endless when it comes to portrait locations. Some of my favorite areas throughout the property include:

The Bluffside Areas & Coastal Meadows

The ocean views here are absolutely incredible, especially during sunset portraits.

The Victorian Farmhouse

The wraparound porch, historic details, and textures throughout the home create such a timeless backdrop for portraits and detail photos.

The Gardens

When everything is blooming, the garden areas feel romantic and lush while still maintaining the relaxed coastal atmosphere the property is known for.

Switzer Farm Wedding Cost & Guest Capacity

Switzer Farm currently hosts weddings with up to 99 guests.

The venue rental cost is $23,000 for 2026 and $25,000 for 2027 and 2028. This includes:

• exclusive three-day / three-night access
• lodging for 20+ guests
• use of the entire 22-acre property

Liability insurance is required, and the venue can provide guidelines and make recommendations for this.

Planning Your Switzer Farm Wedding?

It’s easy to see why so many couples fall in love with Switzer Farm for their wedding weekend.

Rachel and Caleb’s celebration was such a beautiful reminder that destination weddings don’t have to feel overly complicated or extravagant to be meaningful!

If you’re planning a Switzer Farm wedding and are searching for a Mendocino wedding photographer who values storytelling, editorial imagery, and documenting the full experience of the weekend, I’d love to connect. Get in touch today to start planning your wedding photography experience!

Switzer Farm at a Glance

• Website: https://switzerfarm.com/
• Phone: 707-409-0383
• Location: 36700 North Highway 1 Westport, California 95488
• Setting: Private oceanfront coastal property
• Capacity: Up to 99 guests
• Lodging: Farmhouse + garden cottage sleeps 20+ guests
• Rental Length: 3 days / 3 nights, exclusive use

Associate shot for Kaybebe Photography.