Hartley Botanica

Somis Wedding Location
4465 Balcom Canyon Road
Somis, CA 93066
Ventura Area
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Contact: Barbara Hartley
Phone: 805/ 523-9846
www.hartleybotanica.com
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Hartley Botanica

Description

Just beyond the hills of Camarillo in the peaceful Las Posas Valley you’ll find the small hamlet of Somis, home to generations of family farmers. Somis has so far managed to escape the pressure of development, and boasts one post office, one store, and the oldest wooden gas station in California. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to slow down for a while, stop and smile at a stranger, and breathe in the fresh country air that seems to make all that grows here flourish.

At Hartley Botanica, not only do the plants and flowers thrive, they also end up in beautiful shapes and clever arrangements. That’s because this Somis nursery doubles as a landscaping company, and throughout the property you’ll discover artistic examples of garden design. Nowhere is this more impressive than in the wedding area, a spectacular garden oasis that owes its creation to a proud father’s love.

It all started when owner Barbara Hartley took over the place in 1995. Her interest in landscaping came from her parents, creative types whose 30 years of experience include such notable clients as Janet Jackson and Michael Landon. Her dad took advantage of the nursery’s natural beauty to create a dream ceremony and reception site.

Party guests are free to explore the nursery’s novelties, like its dinosaur topiary, covey of peacocks, and sculptured rose garden. Yet the celebration grounds themselves are shielded from the public by custom-designed metal gates. The bride has her own changing room to prepare for the walk down the aisle—and you’ve never seen an aisle quite like this one!

A dramatic, sweeping promenade winds around an expanse of verdant lawn. Along the way you pass under no fewer than eighteen vine-covered archways set in bases of flowering stone urns. The rose-colored walkway is embellished with real leaves pressed into the concrete, and caged songbirds add to the magical effect. To the left, a pond featuring an aquatic garden and a cascading waterfall accompany you until you reach the final stretch of the aisle. Then a delicate canopy of tree branches laden with honeysuckle leads to your groom, standing at the center of an enormous daisy permanently etched right into the aisle. (A smaller daisy just beyond can hold an accompanist.) Your guests enjoy the spectacle from the lawn, with the rolling hills as a picturesque backdrop.

A row of shrubs marks the rear of the Ceremony Garden, and on the other side lies the reception area, an even larger swath of lawn dotted with trees, decorative statuary, and pots overflowing with colorful flowers. A stand of Chinese pistachio trees shelters a long bar fashioned of smooth stones; its countertop, embedded with leaves, is the ideal spot to serve drinks and a buffet. Each botanical treatment features built-in seating areas, and some offer intriguing surprises: in the center of the lawn, for example, a lush forest environment of eucalyptus trees serves as a natural aviary for cockatiels and doves.

After a short time at the Gardens, your cares seem to float away on a gentle rose-scented breeze. Everything here is fresh, green and blossoming—an enchanting environment for a celebration of new beginnings.

Capacity

Ceremony

Reception/Special Events

Meetings

Max. Seated Indoors:
Max. Seated Outdoors: 375
Max. Seated Indoors:
Max. Seated Outdoors: 375
Max. Standing Indoors:
Max. Standing Outdoors: 375
Max. Seated: 375

CEREMONY CAPACITY: The Wedding Area holds 375 guests.

EVENT/RECEPTION CAPACITY: The Reception Area holds 375 guests.

MEETING CAPACITY: Several spaces accommodate up to 375 guests.

Fees & Deposits

A $2,000–3,000 nonrefundable deposit is required to secure your date; the event balance is payable 60 days prior to the event along with a refundable security/cleanup deposit. Wedding packages range $49–72/person and include use of the property, valet parking, catering, 4-1/2 hours of beverage service, catering staff and bartender, linens, tableware and event coordination. Tax and a 15% service charge are additional.

Availability

April–November, 8am–2:30pm or 3:30pm–10pm.

Catering

Provided

Alcohol

BYO

Sites Uses

Ceremonies
Wedding Receptions
Special Events, Parties
Business Functions/Meetings
Rehearsal Dinners

Services/Amenities

Catering: provided
Kitchen Facilities: n/a
Tables & Chairs: provided
Linens, Silver, etc.: provided
Restrooms: wheelchair accessible
Dance Floor: provided
Bride's Dressing Area: yes
Meeting Equipment: BYO
Parking: valet parking
Accommodations: no guestrooms
Telephone: house phone
Outdoor Night Lighting: yes
Outdoor Cooking Facilities: no
Cleanup: caterer or renter
View: gardens, waterfalls, foothills, pond
Other: DJ, florist, cake, classic car rental

Music

Outdoors

Wheelchair Access

Wheelchair Accessible

Site Views

Fountain/Water Feature
Garden
Garden Patio/Courtyard
Hills
Lagoon/Pond
Landscaped Grounds
Waterfall

Restrictions

Alcohol: BYO, no corkage fees
Smoking: designated areas
Music: amplified OK outdoors
Wheelchair Access: yes
Insurance: liability required
Other: no rice, birdseed or confetti

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Waterlily Pond, photo by Peter Diggs Photography

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