FAQs

Question

What should we wear?

Answer

It will be cool all weekend. All activities, except dancing, are outdoors. Highs in low 70s. Dinners 65 down to 55 at 9:30-10:00. Breakfast in the mid 60s. Since we have low dew points, 55 can feel cold. Please bring a Jacket or wrap. The wedding is semi-formal / cocktail attire. Please be aware that the venue is outdoors and there will be grassy / gravel pathways. Feel free to wear fancy clothes with flat / comfortable shoes! Shoes are required to be worn at all times including in the Barn for dancing. You can bring dancing shoes for the Barn if you wish. All other wedding festivities are casual & easy.

Question

Are there any special rules we should be aware of?

Answer

Nestledown has very stringent guidelines that we must adhere to. Please be aware that they are strictly enforced by deductions from the security deposit 1. Alcohol will be available at open bars throughout the evening. No alcohol may be brought on to the premises. Alcohol must be served by the bar/caterer staff. 2. Smoking & vaping are allowed in the designated smoking area near the restrooms only. This includes celebratory cigars as well. Nestledown is located in a redwood forest and this safety precaution is taken very seriously. While we received a lot of rain in the wet winter season this year, once the rain stopped in April, grasses dry out very quickly and can be very combustible by June. In 2020, 90% of Big Basin State Park, not too far from Nestldown in the Santa Cruz Mountains, burned down. 3. Shoes must be worn at all times including dancing in the Barn. 4. Please refrain from picking anything. The flowers and fruit are there for us to visually appreciate. For more on the rules please visit: https://www.nestldown.com/visitors-rules/

Question

Is smoking allowed?

Answer

Nestldown has one smoking patio across from the Barn. This is the one area guests can smoke anything that is legal, and this includes vapes, e-cigarettes etc. All other areas, including the main parking lot, are not smoking areas. Even though we received a lot of rain this year during the wet winter months, once our dry season begins in April, grasses dry out very quickly so we all take wildfires very seriously. Please use the smoking area so Alex and Joel do not get fined. You may be asked to leave if asked to use the smoking area more than once. Nestldown is not trying to be rude but are trying to avoid another fire. (90% of Big Basin State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains not too far from Nestldown burned down in 2020)

Question

When should we arrive for the festivities?

Answer

Friday Welcome Cocktails & Dinner The weekend will kick-off with a welcome dinner on Friday, June 9, 2023 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. We’ll have an open bar & full dinner buffet so feel free to join us as you arrive. The dinner will be held on the Garden Terrace at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, the same hotel that we have reserved a block of rooms. Wedding Ceremony, Cocktails, Dinner & Dancing The wedding will take place at 4pm on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at Nestldown. This venue is 20 minutes from the hotel and we will be providing shuttles. Wedding shuttles will depart & return to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel - Pruneyard Plaza starting at 3pm. There is plenty of parking at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel for guests who are staying nearby who may have rental cars. Please park in the parking garage that is part of Pruneyard Plaza. Shuttles will begin at 3:00 pm and we ask guests to be ready to hop on a shuttle as the ceremony will start promptly at 4:00 pm. There is parking for 66 cars at Nestldown for those who wish to drive themselves. We encourage ride sharing. Please check Google Maps or Waze for the traffic on 17 just in case it's heavy or there's an accident. 17 is windy and the main route to the Santa Cruz beaches so on warm days in the summer it can be backed up. To encourage safe driving practices, Nestldown allows vehicles to be left overnight at no charge. Please communicate with the site manager in the parking lot when you leave. Sunday Farewell Brunch Please join us for a farewell brunch from 9:30am to 11:30am on Sunday, June 11, 2023. We’ll gather for brunch on the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Garden Terrace.

Question

Is there WiFi/cell service at Nestldown?

Answer

Nestldown does have complimentary guest WiFi in the parking lot and areas near the Barn and have worked to expand it’s reach. The WiFi is not as strong in the Chapel area due to the Redwood Trees but has been used successfully for doing a “Zoom” ceremony. Cellular service is relatively spotty while on site. They have found that Verizon seems to have the best coverage. They do have a landline in case of emergencies or for local calling should someone need to get a hold of a taxi company or local baby-sitter!

Question

Are the sites accessible for guests with special needs?

Answer

Both the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Nestldown are ADA compliant & are accessible to all. At Nestldown, the entire site is not fully paved (some graveled & lawn areas). Our event includes two 5-passenger golf-carts that can either help transport a guest or help guide an ADA vehicle to locations on site so they can be part of the entire event! Their barn and restrooms are ADA accessible and they are always happy to discuss specifics with either the guest or us to ensure all feel welcome and comfortable!

Question

Which airport should I fly into?

Answer

San Jose Airport is closest -- 8.6 miles; 16 minute drive -- to the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel at Pruneyard Plaza in Campbell where we have a room block, the Friday Welcome Cocktails & Dinner and the Sunday Farewell Brunch. We will also be providing a shuttle to Nestldown and back where the ceremony and reception will be held. Unless you want to come earlier or stay longer to visit the area, if you fly into San Jose airport and stay at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, you will not need to rent a car.

Question

Will we need a rental car?

Answer

You will not need a rental car for the wedding festivities if you are staying at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel - Pruneyard Plaza. Both the Friday Welcome Cocktails & Dinner & Sunday Farewell Brunch will be at the hotel. We are providing transportation to & from the wedding venue and the hotel. If you wish rent a car to explore the area, or are planning to stay at a nearby AirBnB, there is plenty of parking at the hotel in the Pruneyard Plaza parking garage. There is parking for 66 cars at Nestldown for those who wish to drive themselves. We encourage ride sharing. Please check Google Maps or Waze for the traffic on 17 just in case it's heavy or there's an accident. 17 is windy and the main route to the Santa Cruz beaches. In the summer 17 can get backed up with cars heading to the beaches. To encourage safe driving practices, Nestldown allows vehicles to be left overnight at no charge. Please communicate with the site manager in the parking lot when you leave.

Question

Are children invited to the wedding?

Answer

Due to space restrictions we are unable to accommodate children at the wedding. Children are invited to the Friday Welcome Cocktails & Dinner and Sunday Farewell Brunch. We encourage families to consider individual or group childcare options for Saturday evening.

Question

What if I have special dietary restrictions?

Answer

Please let us know ahead of time, if you have special dietary needs. There will be full buffet with a variety of entrees, salads & vegetables. We will try to accommodate specific dietary requirements, if possible.