Vineyard + Modern Barn Wedding Venue in California
Greater Sacramento Area
Service area
Holds ceremonies and receptions
Deals
Custom discountExpires on 12/29/2025
Save Up to $1,000 on Early 2026 Dates!
Melanie Soleil Mishler
DIRECTOR OF SALES
Typically responds within 24h
River Highlands Ranch is a serene wedding venue located about an hour from Sacramento in Smartville, CA. The 400-acre ranch features an elegant 7,500 sq/ft barn, including a beautiful get-ready suite with a full kitchen, making it easy for day-of wedding prep. River Highlands Ranch is surrounded by picture-perfect rolling hills, vineyards, a pond, fountains, blooming gardens, and plenty of green lawns for socializing and games.
Couples are given 12-hour access to our venue, allowing them ample time to relax and enjoy their day without rushing. The beautiful 7,500-square-foot barn is temperature-controlled and includes indoor dimmable lighting, draping, and chandeliers. Massive 18-foot double barn doors open for a seamless indoor/outdoor feel. River Highlands Ranch, as a venue, also provides endless photo opportunities to capture memories of your special day.
There are two ceremony sites to suit every unique theme and tone. Use of the vineyard collection of wood farm tables, chairs, and cocktail tables is available upon request. A large private suite is on-site with a full kitchen for the newlyweds to get ready before the ceremony. The beautiful, secluded "duckpond cabin" with waterfalls, indoor/outdoor shower, and fireplace is perfect for getting ready photos and a honeymoon suite.
Nestled in the panoramic foothills of Northern California, the River Highlands Ranch is situated in Nevada and Yuba Counties. Ideal for out-of-town guests, the venue is situated just one hour from Sacramento and approximately two and a half hours from San Francisco. It offers lodging, excellent restaurants, and wineries available in the darling towns of Grass Valley and Nevada City within a 20-minute drive.
The beautifully manicured lawns offer plenty of room to exchange vows, play lawn games, mingle with loved ones, or enjoy an outdoor dinner together. This area's stone-top stage works exceptionally well for ceremonies, creating a striking backdrop as couples say, "I do." Nearlyweds and their guests can meander through the gardens while enjoying the lavender, roses, lemon, and olive trees. As the sunset begins, couples can gather around the cozy fire pit with their guests. Here, you can roast s'mores with your loved ones and soak in the warmth of the crackling fire. Towering trees provide welcome shade on warm days, while twinkling market lights set a magical ambiance as evening falls.
For indoor celebrations, River Highlands Ranch features a 7,500 sq. ft. barn. This charming structure boasts lofted ceilings and expansive barn doors that open to scenic views of the gardens and vineyards. Eight glass chandeliers hang from the ceilings, adding a delicate touch.
This venue is ideal for weddings and special events, from intimate affairs to large gatherings. You'll have your choice of indoor and outdoor settings to realize your vision for your dream day.
River Highlands Ranch and Vineyards is a wedding venue located in Smartsville, CA.
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Guest Capacity
Up to 250
Settings
Barn
Farm & Ranch
Garden
Trees
Vineyard & Winery
Venue Service Offerings
Rentals & Equipment
Any questions?
Meet the team
Melanie Soleil Mishler
Director of Sales
As a wedding photographer in the Sierra Foothills for the past 17 years, I've experienced hundreds of venues throughout California, yet River Highlands remains my absolute favorite wedding venue. In fact, my husband and I got married here in 2018! This gorgeous and magical 433 acres will wow you and your guests and create lifelong memories, I can't wait to share it with you.
Reviews
4.4
out of 5.010 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
River Highlands Ranch is a stunning wedding venue that offers both indoor and outdoor options, with beautiful wildflowers on the property. The staff, including Andrew, Melanie, Michelle, and Drake, received high praise for their attentiveness and professionalism. Planning was made easy with vetted vendors and excellent coordination on the day of the wedding, ensuring a stress-free experience. Guests were impressed by the modern and elegant barn, making the day unforgettable.Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 7
Morgan Z
Highlighted review.
5.0
6/06/2023
I can't believe how few reviews RHR has on here, but if you're in the market for a northern California wedding venue, it is a MUST visit!!!!! We had it on our list because it was close to home, and were absolutely blown away the first time we visited. We just knew it was the right place for our wedding. If you want that outdoor/rustic feel, I really don't think you can do better.
I have no regrets, and our guests could not stop talking about how beautiful it was!!! If I could go there every weekend just to hang out, I would.
Melanie and Andrew (who you'll work with if you book here) are both wonderful people, and they are so helpful both before the wedding and on the day itself.
Thanks RHR for making our wedding magical :)
Response from River Highlands Ranch and Vineyards on 08/02/2024
Thank you for your amazing review of River Highlands Ranch. We've been under new managemen...
t since 2020 and we're slowly building up more reviews as we host more and more weddings. We're so glad you enjoyed your special day, it was an honor for our team to host it and share in your big day!
Our team, including Melanie and Andy work very hard to make sure all our couples have the best day ever and we're glad to hear they were helpful.
Danielle R
5.0
7/23/2024
This place is great for an indoor reception. The ceremony can be either indoor our outdoor. I chose outdoor, weather permitting. It was so beautiful. The ladies’ getting ready area is just above the ceremony space, so we could watch people. Clean facility. Prompt a courteous staff.
Response from River Highlands Ranch and Vineyards on 08/02/2024
Thank you for your wonderful review. We're so glad you enjoyed your special day.
Any questions?
Chad F
5.0
7/11/2024
My wife and I got married here in May 2024. Our wedding experience was amazing from start to finish. Everything about this venue exceeded our expectations, and our guests, mostly who came from out of town, were blown away by how beautiful it was.
The setting itself is absolutely beautiful. On our wedding day, the whole property had wildflowers everywhere. What really made the difference for us was the incredible staff at River Highlands Ranch. From our first meeting to the big day, they were incredibly supportive and attentive. They were always available to answer questions, offer suggestions, and make sure every detail was just right. Their professionalism and dedication took so much stress off our shoulders and allowed us to completely enjoy our day.
One of the things we really appreciated was how easy it was to plan. We just selected all our vendors off their list, and everyone we worked with was professional, attentive, and wonderful. Each vendor we worked with was top-notch and clearly experienced in working at this venue, which made everything run so smoothly. We felt confident in all our choices because the venue had vetted these vendors and stood by their quality.
On the day of the wedding, the staff were on point. They coordinated everything seamlessly, from the setup to the timing of the events. Every member of the team was friendly and genuinely cared about making our day special. They went above and beyond to ensure our guests were comfortable and that we had everything we needed. Andy went so far as to bring a blanket from home for my grandma, who is cold no matter how warm it is outside. Their attention to detail and commitment to excellence were evident throughout the entire day.
Thank you to everyone at River Highlands Ranch for making our wedding day so memorable!
Response from River Highlands Ranch and Vineyards on 08/02/2024
Thank you for choosing River Highlands Ranch to host your wedding day. We're honored to ha...
ve been part of your special day. Our team works very heard to provide the best experiences for all our couples, we're glad you feel the same way!
Melania V
5.0
6/25/2024
We had our wedding here in April and it was AMAZING; we can’t say enough good things about this venue and their staff who made our day perfect. We toured many barns but this one was the most modern and elegant. Our guests were completely wowed.
The staff, especially Andrew, Melanie, Michelle, and Drake, were incredible. They handled everything, even though we had to move inside due to rain. I didn't have to worry about a thing they set up, took care of every detail, and made sure the day was perfect. Our ceremony was beautiful, and I was so thankful that we could move inside since the day was rainy. But even though we were inside, we had a gorgeous view of the garden with the barn doors open. It was so beautiful
We live out of state, and planning was so easy using their preferred vendors- our caterer Antionio’s Catering and planner Gianna from Wild and Lovely events were amazing. Everyone was on the same page, super professional, and it all came together so smoothly. Honestly, it felt like they were all friends by the end of it.
If you're planning your wedding, I can't recommend this place enough. They made our day unforgettable.
Response from River Highlands Ranch and Vineyards on 10/28/2025
Thank you so much, Melania! We loved hosting your special wedding day at River Highlands R...
anch. Our team takes pride in being one of Northern California’s most versatile vineyard and ranch wedding venues — offering both indoor and outdoor ceremony options so every couple has a beautiful experience, rain or shine.
It was such a joy working with you and your vendors to create a seamless, elegant celebration. We’re so glad the modern barn, panoramic garden views, and our dedicated staff helped make your day unforgettable. Wishing you both endless happiness and hope to welcome you back for future celebrations!
Shauna D
4.0
1/30/2024
My husband and I got married here and it was beautiful. The staff and property managers were all super helpful and overall we had a great experience. The one thing that really bothered us was the fact that we weren’t told the beautiful Ivy outlining the barn door was completely cut back. When you drive up to the venue the money maker is their gorgeous green barn door with the Ivy grown all around it. It was beautiful! It was definitely one of the things that drew us to the venue. Not to mention all of the pictures we saw taken here.. I was excited about wedding photos at this spot. When we arrived at the venue to set up, it was completely cut back and just brown dead branches. It was super ugly and definitely changed the look of the barn. We weren’t told about this beforehand which was really disappointing. We could have possibly planned something with our florist if we would have been given a heads up. We asked about it and were given two different answers from the property managers so clearly the stories one of them was telling was false. Other than this we really have no complaints.
Response from River Highlands Ranch and Vineyards on 10/28/2025
Thank you, Shauna — we absolutely loved hosting your wedding day at River Highlands Ranch....
Thanks for the feedback about our team, as they work hard to make every couple's wedding day experience special.
We appreciate your notes about the ivy on the barn and completely understand how important photo backdrops are for our couples. As a Northern California vineyard and ranch wedding venue, we regularly refresh our garden and barn areas to maintain the health of the property and keep the space vibrant year-round. We’re always striving to provide clear updates about seasonal changes and landscaping, and your note helps us improve communication moving forward.
Thank you again for choosing River Highlands Ranch — we’re so happy to have been part of your day!
Rebecca M
5.0
10/14/2021
Beautiful venue- all the feels
Our guests raved about the venue. The setting is quiet, peaceful, indoor and outdoor, bride’s room, full kitchen, stunning barn… The outdoor stage for the ceremony is perfect with rolling hills in the background. The large upscale barn with wood tables made for a gorgeous reception. Dancing on the patio under market lights while guests strolled the grounds enjoying the fire pit, lawn area….. was a dream. It really is a perfect wedding venue and while you definitely pay$ for it, it is worth it. Melanie was nice to work with and we can’t rave enough about the ranch- best decision for our daughter’s dream wedding!!
Response from River Highlands Ranch and Vineyards on 11/19/2021
We're so happy you had a memorable time at your daughters wedding! It was an honor to hos...
t you and your family, and we hope you come visit us again soon. Keep an eye out for summer events (concert series, food truck nights, etc) where you can come visit the ranch and relive the big day. :)
Bre H
1.0
8/30/2020
We booked our daughters wedding in January and due to covid the venue could no longer hold up to their end of the contract, ie # of guest, use of facility, camping etc. We were forced to move the wedding to our home which cost us more than it was going to cost at RHR. RHR refused to refund our $5840.00 deposit. They said they had already used the funds to maintain their property, they did however offer us and every other booked wedding the venue a year from now. That was not an option as our daughter was starting a 2 year nursing program right after the wedding. I would not recommend booking there unless you are willing to lose your deposit. The owners were impossible to negotiate with, we even offered to only receive half of the deposit and they refused. Poor business people.
Response from River Highlands Ranch and Vineyards on 10/28/2025
Thank you sharing your perspective about your daughter's wedding. We’re truly sorry for th...
e stress all newly engaged couples experienced during the COVID pandemic government mandated shutdowns. River Highlands Ranch came under new ownership and management in 2020, and despite challenging, unprecedented circumstances we did our best to work with couples who booked with prior owners/management.
Thankfully COVID is in the rearview mirror for everyone, and we're proud to see the Grass Valley community emerged strong and more resilient than ever! Today, as a Northern California vineyard and ranch wedding venue, we focus on creating seamless and memorable Wedding Day celebrations for couples seeking an elegant barn wedding or a full outdoor garden ceremony for an affordable price.
Alicia K
5.0
6/20/2013
This place doesn't advertise, it seems they don't need to. We rented the ENTIRE place for the WHOLE weekend. My wedding was not only beautiful, but having Friday to set up and Sunday to clean up made it stress free. The site staff is so nice, and easy to negotiate with. They are amazing to work with, and the venue is well kept. A great gem in Smartsville!
Response from River Highlands Ranch and Vineyards on 10/28/2025
Thank you so much, Alicia! We love looking back at memories like yours — River Highlands R...
anch has been a beloved Northern California vineyard and ranch wedding venue for over a decade, and we're proud as new owners/management since 2020 to carry on that tradition.
We're honored as River Highlands Ranch continues to host weddings for couples from the Grass Valley, Sacramento metro, and Nevada County areas. Since your wedding in 2013, we’ve hosted hundreds more celebrations and continue to evolve while keeping that same charm you described.
And you’re right, RHR didn’t advertise much back then, but these days we proudly share our story to help more newly engaged couples discover this hidden wedding venue gem in Smartsville!
Leah F
5.0
11/06/2012
The ranch was amazing and made our wedding day absolutely perfect! It is a little expensive and hard to find put worth every penny! I would highly recommend it to anyone.
Response from River Highlands Ranch and Vineyards on 10/28/2025
Thank you so much, Leah! Our team loves reading reviews from couples who celebrated here y...
ears ago. Under new ownership in 2020, River Highlands Ranch has continued to grow as one of Northern California’s most loved vineyard and ranch wedding venues proud to host newly engaged couples from the Grass Valley, Sacramento metro, and Nevada County areas.
While we’ve added even more amenities since your wedding in 2012, that same magic you described still fills the property today. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope you’ll visit again soon! If you're still in the area, we host free events for the Grass Valley community throughout the year during summer and holidays. We'd love for you to stop by!
Vanessa H
4.0
7/15/2011
River Highlands was my dream location! It included a large white barn that is fully finished with sleeping accommodations on site, a full kitchen for the caterer, a fire pit, a wonderful view, and a private setting where you can be inside and out!
It is in a somewhat remote location, so some guests got lost on the way.
The staff is very helpful and friendly!
Be careful- it is really only the location you're renting. The pretty chairs and tables that look like they should come with the rental price of the venue are extra money. Keep in mind that the "little" things will add up quickly.
Overall, it made for the PERFECT day!
Response from River Highlands Ranch and Vineyards on 10/28/2025
Thank you, Vanessa. We can't believe how many amazing couples have hosted their special da...
y at River Highlands Ranch, and it continues to be a dream wedding venue location for couples every year.
We're happy to share that River Highlands Ranch, premier Northern California Vineyard, Barn and Ranch venue continues to offer that same blend of charm, scenery, and versatility. We've made some great upgrades over the years to our incredible white-lofted elegant barn offering guests views that make this place so unique.
Our team continues to refine and optimize our wedding packages to fit nearly any budget and provide as much affordable value as possible. Feedback like yours allows us to make planning even easier for newly engaged couples looking to choose a venue. The heart of what you described, that "River Highlands Ranch provides a private, beautiful space for unforgettable wedding celebrations" remains the same to this day!
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River Highlands Ranch and Vineyards
Melanie Soleil Mishler
|
Director of Sales
Typically responds within 24h
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