If you love history, handsome old architecture, the great outdoors,  a magnificent Valley Oak tree, and you appreciate delicious (we mean really delicious) food, then you need not look any further for a wedding, dinner party or any celebration venue then Sheldon Inn!  Located 15-20 minutes from downtown Sacramento, in the countryside outside the town limits of Elk Grove and very close to the Lodi Wine Appellation, sits an over 100 year old building that has enjoyed a colorful life.  Once a stagecoach stop, a grocery store, post office and a gathering place for the community, Sheldon Inn has for many years been a first class restaurant where the community (and those much farther) still come to gather and indulge.  Now, a fantastic venue has been developed, tucked behind the impressive restaurant structure that can accommodate just about any event desired – even music performances!

First impressions count where guests enter a lovely Garden Patio with bright blue market umbrellas and comfortable seating. We envision upon arriving being offered a refreshing specialty beverage to enjoy the garden as a pre-social greeting space. Then walk through the handsome wooden gates through the arch with the fun name of “Sheldon Estates” and gaze your eyes upon a huge Heritage Oak where ceremonial chairs will be set up to witness a wedding. A slightly elevated wooden landing in front, under the shade of the tree is perfect for a bridal party to be lined up. Imagine the chirping of various birds that flit about in the tree canopy well above the bride and groom… so lovely. The vast expanse of grass area can be utilized in sections, with the ceremony seating taking place to one side and pretty dinner tables be set up on the other. The reception lawn is large and very nice, and if desired, the staff of Sheldon Inn will arrange for a crisp white garden tent (additional cost) – there are no obstructions so a tent will fit perfectly. The open lawn even has wonderful, romantic bistro lighting strung from the oak tree across the entire lawn.  Quite spectacular.  Dancing and the party action can take place within the intimate, yet spacious and very gorgeous pavilion that has a permanent dance floor (no need to rent one!)  The charm about this entire outdoor area is the distant red painted sheds and outbuildings creating ambience of the country setting. The photo ops are wonderful!

The Gazebo Garden is another space to make use of – perhaps for a Port & Cigar area, lawn games, or to display the wedding cake within the wrought iron gazebo. The fun kitchen cutting garden is just off to the side for exploring. The Gazebo Garden is also available for rental on Fridays and Sunday for sweet intimate weddings. And if any guests prefer to “get away” from the action, just walk back over to the Garden Patio and snuggle up in front of the gorgeous contemporary fire pit and listen to the fun and frivolity from a distance.

Another nice feature Sheldon Inn offers, is a lovely bridal changing suite… actually a gleaming white Victorian Farmhouse… convenient, spacious and private.  Lastly, Sheldon Inn has a full alcohol bar, many California wine options, and will expertly prepare a wonderful meal for the event… check out a little review of the wonderful dinner we enjoyed by reading the Vixen Vittles blog post here. 

Thank you to Andrea Bucheli for joining us and capturing all the lovely areas Sheldon Inn has to offer (and the yummy food photography).  The main photo above was taken by another one of our Venue Vixen photographers, Sam with The Red Sneaker Studio.

~ Vixen Lora