Weddings ... at Fairyland?

By C.J. Hirschfield

When you think of events at Children’s Fairyland, kids’ birthday parties come immediately to mind.

But weddings?

Yes, indeed. We have eight booked for this season alone. And why not? We are part of the memories of countless kids who are now millennials, the generation born between 1981 and 1997 who now make up 25 percent of the U.S. population. And data show that 50 percent of millennials are more willing to make a purchase from a company if it supports a cause—and our nonprofit park, which has been serving our community’s kids for nearly 68 years is clearly a cause near and dear to the hearts of young people ready to partner up.

Wedding vows in Aesop's Playhouse

But it’s not enough to be a worthy cause. No, Fairyland has a lot more to offer the wedding couple and their families: affordability, 10 acres of lush gardens and whimsical sets (no need for additional decorations), flexibility in terms of choosing a caterer (or food truck), parking in Lakeside Park, and just being an oasis of calm and magic in the heart of downtown Oakland.

Couples who marry at Fairyland bring their own take on ceremonies and receptions. Although some choose a very traditional outdoor sit-down event, others have opted for costume-themed events (fantasy, Renaissance). One couple offered their guests the opportunity to play games, including one that involved suiting up in an inflatable sumo-wrestling outfit.

Saying "I do" atop Jack and Jill Hill

Nicky Bowman told us her wedding at Fairyland was “amazing.” “The kids had a great time on all the rides and attractions. Not to mention the adults who all rode on the Jolly Trolly throughout the night.”

Our development director, Cindy Sandoval, spends her days at Fairyland. When her son married, she was thrilled to be here after hours: “It was such a magical evening. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves including the bride and groom. From the ceremony in Aesop’s Playhouse to cocktails at Willie the Whale, dinner in Old West Junction and dancing on the Emerald City Stage … what could possibly compare?”

Jan Gillespie also loved the wedding her son and daughter-in-law had at the park. With 250 friends and family as guests, she says, “It was a beautiful evening and everyone had a great time. We had food trucks and beverages in the Teddy Bear Picnic area, vows on the balcony in Old West Junction, salsa dancing on the Emerald City Stage surrounded by luminarias, and a Sugarknife s’mores bar nearby for treats at the magical evening's end.”

A romantic embrace in Fairyland's Chapel of Peace

Talk about a fairy-tale wedding!

Weddings aren’t the only way grownups can enjoy Fairyland after hours. We’ve also hosted anniversaries, reunions, and adult birthday parties. And then there are the corporate possibilities. With new businesses relocating in Oakland every week, we see a great opportunity for some magical hospitality. Think about it: a corporate retreat or team-building activity in the middle of a safe, sweet urban park that celebrates imagination and play.

We defy traditional stereotypes of Oakland, and we extend a wonderfully whimsical welcome to the rich history and culture of our town. 

If you’d like to book a wedding or other after-hours party at Fairyland, contact Jeremy Ingram at rentals@fairyland.org.

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C..J. Hirschfield has served for 16 years as executive director of Children's Fairyland, where she is charged with the overall operation of the nation's oldest storybook theme park.