Our Stress-Free Guide to Special Events and Celebrations in California & Beyond

Before we dive into the themes, timelines, and table settings, let’s ground ourselves in the bigger picture: what is a special event? Spoiler alert: it’s more than cake and a group text. A special event is any moment worth elevating—from milestones to memory-makers, curated with intention and (if we have anything to say about it) a little indulgence.

Common Types of Special Events

Here at Black Oak—and across the country—these are the celebration styles planners and guests can’t stop booking:

• Bachelorette Weekends and Engagement Parties

• Family Reunions

• Corporate Retreats

• Wellness Getaways & Spa Retreats

• Birthday & Anniversary Milestones

• Creative Workshops & Content Retreats

• Holiday Gatherings

From intimate milestones to large-scale getaways, these events are becoming more curated, intentional, and personalized, proving that you don’t need to wait for a wedding ring for a high-end celebration.

🔗 Read More: Plan the Ultimate Romantic Getaway in Cool, CA

Venue Types & Vibes

Not all venues and travel locations are created equal, and depending on your celebration, the right fit could make or break the entire vibe. Below, we’ve broken down the most popular venue types for special events and what they tend to offer.

At Black Oak, we’ve designed our spaces to flex with your celebration and our natural environment—whether it’s a rowdy reunion or a sound bath and rosé kind of weekend. What sets us apart isn’t just the location (though Cool, CA is chef’s kiss)—it’s the way our estate blends privacy, sustainability, luxury, and personalization into one unforgettable setting.

Some call it a bachelorette party. We call it your final flex before the aisle. At Black Oak, we don’t do basic. We do elevated, all-out, private-estate bachelorette weekends that balance chill moments and champagne chaos.

Your Private Playground

Your best memories shouldn’t be made in a hotel hallway or a crowded resort pool. At Black Oak, you’re not just booking a place to stay—you’re claiming a luxury villa all to yourself. Let’s talk space before we get into party themes and looks. Our luxury estate gives your crew exclusive access to:

• A triple, filtered saltwater infinity pool with Sierra Nevada views
• Firepits (for late-night convos and roasting your exes)
• A full kitchen to fuel mimosas or midnight tacos
• An epic outdoor shower with living succulent walls and soaking tub with a fireplace
• Multiple indoor/outdoor hang zones for morning matchas and dance breaks

Yes, it’s all yours. No shared walls. No nosy neighbors. Just your people, your playlist, and your kind of fun.

Theme It Like You Mean It

Themes aren’t optional anymore—they’re the blueprint. Your crew deserves a vibe that feels personal, photogenic, and perfectly over-the-top. Here are a few fresh bachelorette themes we’re currently obsessed with:

🍯 She Found Her Honey

This one’s for the bride who radiates golden-hour energy. Picture everything in warm yellows, terracotta, and amber. Welcome guests with custom jars of our very own Black Oak honey, sip champagne cocktails infused with edible flowers, and set the scene for an elevated afternoon tea on the terrace. The vibe? Soft, feminine, elegant, and just the right amount of buzz.

Outfit inspo: floaty tulle, floral appliqués, bee pins, and butter-hued everything. Think garden party meets Gucci campaign.

Activity ideas: honey tasting station, tea leaf readings, golden hour photos in matching sundresses.

🍸 Tinis & Bikinis

Martinis by the pool? Yes. Olive-toned bikinis and glam shades? Obviously. This theme is made for groups who love a little chaos and a curated cocktail. Picture a chic martini bar cart setup (espresso, dirty, lychee—take your pick), embroidered towels for the girls, and a playlist that doesn’t dip below 120 bpm.

Signature move: matching bikini sets with embroidered initials, tiny sunnies, and a martini mixology contest judged by the bride.

🧺 Fresh Off the Market

This one is perfect for foodies, garden girls, and anyone who sends 3 Pinterest boards before confirming an outfit. Picture gingham blankets under the oaks, a fresh salad bar and bakery-style spread, and Polaroid snapshots for group collage mood boards.

Dress code: linen everything, woven basket bags, and hats that say “bach brunch.”

🍷 Vino Before Vows

Classy. Understated. Delicious. This theme is for the bride who pairs her wine with mood lighting and long dinners under string lights. Think white linens, wine tasting flights curated by a local sommelier, barefoot golden-hour dancing, and cozy nights around the firepit with spiced mulled wine.

Enhance the experience: set up a DIY wine-blending workshop or host a blind tasting with prize bottles.

Each theme brings its own energy, but they all play beautifully with our indoor-outdoor setup. Plus, we’re here to help customize—so your Pinterest board can finally come to life without a single glitter sash in sight.

🔗 Read More: How We Compare to Lake Tahoe and Sacramento Bachelorette Weekends

🔗 Read More: Winter Bachelorette Ideas

Popular Bachelorette Destinations

We’re not here to throw shade (okay, maybe a little), but it’s no secret that certain cities have become go-to bachelorette hubs. Some are iconic. Some are… over it. Here’s how the most popular destinations stack up:

We can’t discuss special events without weddings. Black Oak is that girl when it comes to hosting unforgettable I-do moments and their equally iconic lead-ups.

Whether you’re planning a surprise engagementparty, a rehearsal dinner with a view, or just want to slow things down and celebrate your love with your inner circle, our estate delivers.

Celebrate All the Milestones

Imagine…

• Surprise proposals with views that steal the show

• Rehearsal dinners that feel like destination celebrations—not just a schedule line item

• Welcome parties with fire pits, mood lighting, and zero distractions

• Micro-weddings, elopements, or just because dinners under the stars

Need the full wedding weekend experience? We do that too—guest lodging, ceremony space, and mini-moon opportunities.

Other Destination Venues

There’s no shortage of stunning wedding venues across the U.S.—from Cedar Lakes Estate in New York to Sunstone Villa in Santa Ynez, The Little Nell in Aspen, or Haiku Mill in Maui. They’re gorgeous. We’ll give them that. But here’s the thing… Most of them don’t offer total buyout privacy, and the kind of soulful, scenic charm you’ll find here in Cool, California.