North Star House
Ceremony Setup in Grass Valley, CA

North Star House

Outdoor Wedding Venue in Grass Valley

A couple celebrating their wedding at North Star House

North Star House is a historic estate wedding venue where you can create a celebration that feels completely your own. Designed by Julia Morgan in the handcrafted spirit of the Arts and Crafts movement, the estate features timeless architecture, a blooming heritage garden, and a lighted courtyard for dinner and dancing. Tucked away in Grass Valley, just a short drive from historic downtown Nevada City, it puts your guests in the heart of Gold Country, with inns, restaurants, and Victorian main streets in both towns to enjoy over your wedding weekend. Your wedding rental includes exclusive access to the estate, with several indoor and outdoor spaces available throughout the day. Choose your own vendors, arrange the spaces around your plans, and bring your dream wedding to life with the support of the North Star House team.

$5,000

One Price — Make it your estate for the day

Fill out the inquiry form and book your tour of the estate!

What's Included With Your Wedding Rental

  • ✦Exclusive access to the North Star House estate
  • ✦Tables and chairs for up to 250 guests
  • ✦Spacious, fully equipped catering kitchen
  • ✦Lighted courtyard for dinner, dancing, and evening gatherings
  • ✦Heritage Garden ceremony and gathering spaces
  • ✦Private preparation suites for both wedding parties
  • ✦Flexible vendor policy, so you can build your own team
  • ✦Four modern restrooms on-site
  • ✦Ample on-site parking with ADA-accessible spaces

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Take a Virtual Tour of North Star House

Explore each part of this Nevada County wedding venue and see how the property can come together for your wedding day.

The virtual tour gives you a closer look at the estate, but we always recommend seeing North Star House in person. Schedule a private venue tour to walk the property, explore the spaces, and picture your wedding here.

Stop 1 of 7

The West Lawn

Our most popular ceremony location

Our most popular ceremony location, the West Lawn offers a stunning natural setting framed by mature trees and the timeless architecture of the historic North Star House. This expansive lawn provides ample space and flexibility for a variety of ceremony layouts, whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a larger celebration.

The surrounding landscape creates a serene and picturesque backdrop, perfect for wedding portraits and candid moments alike. Guests take their seats beneath towering pines with the house rising behind the aisle, a backdrop that makes every photo of your vows feel timeless.

Best for

  • Ceremonies
  • Wedding portraits
  • Larger celebrations

Good to know

  • Chairs for up to 250 guests are included with your rental
  • Flexible layouts, from a classic center aisle to a curved or in-the-round arrangement
  • A short, easy walk to the Terrace and Courtyard for what comes next

Stop 2 of 7

The Heritage Garden

A peaceful garden for portraits and first looks

Tucked behind the House, the Heritage Garden is a peaceful space filled with native plants, historic charm, and natural beauty. Couples often choose it for portraits or first-look photos, taking advantage of the garden's rich textures and seasonal blooms.

Whether it's a quiet moment alone, a scenic backdrop, or simply a beautiful place for your guests to explore, the Heritage Garden adds a timeless touch to your wedding day story.

Best for

  • First-look photos
  • Portraits
  • A quiet moment together

Good to know

  • Native plants, roses and seasonal blooms
  • A favorite spot for first looks before the ceremony
  • Guests are welcome to wander the garden throughout your event

Stop 3 of 7

The Terrace

Cocktail hour with a view

The Terrace, located along the south side of the House, is a scenic space often used for cocktail hours, guest mingling, and sunset views. With its historic stonework and natural slope overlooking the grounds, it offers a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere.

The area is ideal for setting up lounge furniture or high-top tables and serves as a seamless transition space between indoor and outdoor festivities. As the evening light falls across the grounds, it's also one of the best places on the property for golden-hour photos.

Best for

  • Cocktail hour
  • Guest mingling
  • Sunset views

Good to know

  • Room for lounge seating or high-top tables
  • Connects the house and the outdoor spaces, so guests flow easily between them
  • In wet weather, the Terrace and Courtyard are a great spot for a marquee tent

Stop 4 of 7

The Reception Hall & Dining Room

Elegant indoor space inside the historic house

The Reception Hall and Dining Room provide an elegant indoor option for events at the North Star House. These connected spaces feature original woodwork, large windows, and historic details that create a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Commonly used for indoor receptions, dinners, or smaller gatherings, the combined area can comfortably accommodate up to 76 guests. This is a great option for events during colder months or for clients looking for an intimate setting within the historic home itself. The layout allows for flexibility in table arrangements, and guests can easily transition between the indoor spaces and the nearby terrace and courtyard.

Best for

  • Indoor receptions
  • Dinners
  • Smaller gatherings
  • Cooler-month weddings

Good to know

  • Seats up to 76 guests indoors
  • Original Arts & Crafts woodwork and large windows throughout
  • A natural plan B for weather, or the main venue for an intimate winter wedding

Stop 5 of 7

The Courtyard

Dinner and dancing under the lights

The Courtyard is a favorite outdoor space located just off the East Lawn and next to the catering kitchen. Framed by historic stone walls and the architectural character of the House, it's commonly used for first dances, DJ or band setups, cocktail hour, and evening receptions.

The area includes power access and accommodates lighting and sound equipment. Its intimate layout and open-air atmosphere make it an ideal setting for celebration. Once the sun goes down, the market and twinkle lights strung across the Courtyard turn it into the glowing heart of the party.

Best for

  • First dances
  • DJ or band
  • Cocktail hour
  • Evening receptions

Good to know

  • Market lights and twinkle lights, with multiple outlets on separate circuits
  • Most couples use it as the dance floor; bands and DJs bring their own PA system and any staging
  • Four outdoor heaters available for $50 each, propane included

Stop 6 of 7

The East Lawn

Our largest and most versatile outdoor space

The East Lawn is one of the largest and most versatile outdoor spaces at the North Star House, often used for receptions, dinners, and community events. Located just outside the catering kitchen, it allows for easy vendor access and smooth food service.

The flat, open layout is ideal for accommodating tables, tents, and decor, all framed by mature trees and the historic stone facade of the house. The nearby Courtyard is typically used for dancing, creating a natural flow between dinner and entertainment. With power access and convenient entry points, the East Lawn is a practical yet picturesque choice for outdoor gatherings.

Best for

  • Receptions
  • Dinners
  • Large guest counts
  • Tents and lounge areas

Good to know

  • Plenty of room for tables, tents and decor for larger guest counts
  • Right beside the catering kitchen for fast, easy service
  • Dinner on the lawn, then dancing steps away in the Courtyard

Stop 7 of 7

The Catering Kitchen

Behind the scenes, built for your caterer

Our catering kitchen is located near the Courtyard, just off the East Lawn, perfectly positioned for receptions and events in that area. The space includes ample prep counters, refrigeration, sinks, and easy access for loading and unloading.

While not a full commercial kitchen, it is designed to support staging, plating, and service for your event. We recommend coordinating directly with your caterer to ensure the space meets their needs.

Best for

  • Caterer staging
  • Plating
  • Bar prep

Good to know

  • Prep counters, refrigeration and sinks, with easy loading access
  • You choose your own caterer; we just ask that they're approved before you sign
  • Bring your own alcohol, with no corkage fee

That's the tour! Ready to see it in person?

Book an In-Person Tour

Frequently Asked Questions

General Venue Information

Where is North Star House located?

North Star House is at 12075 Auburn Road in Grass Valley, CA, a short drive from historic downtown Nevada City. With lodging, dining, and shopping in both Grass Valley and Nevada City, the estate is an easy home base for a Nevada County wedding weekend.

What is included in a base wedding rental?

The base rental includes exclusive use of the North Star House and grounds for 10 hours, tables and chairs for up to 250 guests, and a personalized commemorative brick, placed on the grounds to honor your day as a lasting part of North Star House's story.

What are the rental hours for the venue?

A standard rental includes 10 consecutive hours, which cover setup, the event itself, and clean-up. Additional hours may be arranged in advance for an extra fee. The latest timeslot available is 1p–11p. On the day of your event, you may begin setting up outside before your rental hours, but please note that a site manager will not be available to open the inside of the house until your contracted time begins.

Booking & Payment

What payments are required to reserve the venue?

To officially reserve your date, a non-refundable $800 retainer is due at the time of signing. This retainer counts towards the overall venue cost.

When is the rental fee due?

The rental fee is split into two installments: 50% is due 5 months before the wedding The remaining 50% is due 3 months before the wedding

Is there a security deposit?

Yes. An $800 refundable security deposit is due 1 month prior to the wedding. This will be returned after your event if no damages occur and policies are followed.

Do you require liability insurance?

Yes. We require a $1 million liability insurance policy naming North Star Historic Conservancy as additionally insured. While the coverage amount sounds high, these policies are typically very affordable and easy to obtain.

Are there any hidden costs?

No. We value transparency and do not have hidden fees. All required costs are outlined clearly in your rental agreement. Add-ons (such as additional hours) are available, but not required.

Food, Beverage & Vendors

Can we choose our own vendors?

Absolutely. Couples may bring in their own vendors for catering, rentals, bar service, florals, and more. We also provide a recommended vendor list of trusted professionals who know the venue well. We do require the caterer to be approved before signing the contract.

Can we bring our own alcohol?

Yes! North Star House is a BYO alcohol venue. Couples may provide their own beer, wine, and spirits, with no corkage fee.

Can we do self-serve alcohol, like beer and wine in coolers?

Yes, self-serve is allowed. We do require a caterer for your event, but they don’t need to serve the alcohol.

Rentals & Amenities

Are linens included?

No, linens are not included. You may rent them through your caterer or a rental company.

Do you provide cutlery, glassware, or dishes?

No, those must be provided by your caterer or a rental vendor.

Do you have outdoor heating options?

We do have 4 heaters available for $50 each with propane included. This can be added on last minute and deducted from the security deposit.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Rain or shine, you are covered. The House seats up to 76 guests indoors, and our covered terraces offer sheltered space outside. Tenting is also allowed, so you can add a marquee tent for a larger group.

Staffing & Coordination

Is there a venue host to help with vendors?

Yes. A venue coordinator will support you with venue-related questions, logistics and tours leading up to your event. On the wedding day, we require you to have a designated day-of coordinator who serves as the main point of contact for your vendors. In addition, North Star House provides a site manager during your rental hours to oversee the property and assist with venue-related needs.

Who is responsible for clean-up?

Couples and their vendors are responsible for all clean-up and removal of décor within the rental period. We do not provide staff for these tasks.

Music & Entertainment

Do you have a stage for DJs or bands?

While there isn't a formal stage, many couples use the courtyard as a dance floor with their DJ or band. The space features market lights and twinkle lights, with multiple outlets on separate circuits. Performers must provide their own PA system and any platform/staging they require.

Do you provide a sound system?

No, couples must arrange for their own DJ, band, or rental sound system.

How late can music go?

Music (and the party) must end by 10:00 PM in compliance with local noise ordinances.

Inquire About Your Wedding

North Star House is owned and operated by the North Star Historic Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the restoration and community use of this historic Julia Morgan-designed estate.

Tax ID #38-3734947

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