A Bit of Paradise on the Kern River

On a sunny afternoon earlier this week I decided to take a drive out to Rose Garden Weddings and Events of Bakersfield, located on Round Mountain Road on the Kern River.  I've seen their Website and was impressed, but this is a ceremony and reception venue that bears a personal visit in order to see just how beautiful it is in its grand scale!

Paula and Jesse Leith have turned their Kern River ranch into an authentic western-style event venue featuring part of a film set imported from Hollywood, impeccably furnished in true western style with an innumerable number of photographs, genuine movie props and memorabilia used by stars like Clint Eastwood, Miss Kitty, and The Duke himself.  If you've ever watched Gunsmoke or Little House on the Prairie, you've seen this before, only in 2-D, small screen black and white.  Now you can experience it personally in three-dimensional, real-time living color!

                                 Photo courtesy of Rose Garden Weddings and Events of Bakersfield
First stop: The Saloon, where guests can gather and have a cool one.  Or two.

                                           Photo courtesy of Rose Garden Weddings and Events of Bakersfield

Inside the saloon is a bar we've all seen on TV in various westerns, but here it is right here in Bakersfield (and what better location!).  ...Pretty fancy watering hole and your guests will love it! 

                                           Photo courtesy of Rose Garden Weddings and Events of Bakersfield

The Formal Parlor, located inside the saloon. 

                                           Photo courtesy of Rose Garden Weddings and Events of Bakersfield

The spacious, elegantly appointed dressing room for the bride.  

                                           Photo by Susan Ohanneson

Spectacular view from the bride's dressing room on upper terrace.  There are multiple levels with terraces and landings where guests can sit, relax, and watch the Kern River roll on by.

                                           Photo by Susan Ohanneson

The Rose Garden, ground level.  Rose Garden Weddings and Events is a photographer's dream, with little nooks and hideaways, each lovelier than the next!  No problem fitting a tent in this space should the weather be a little iffy!

                                Photo by Susan Ohanneson

Guests can gather around the labyrinthine fire pit on cool evenings.  

Rose Garden Wedding and Events of Bakersfield is clearly a bit of paradise on the Kern River, one that Bakersfield brides are quickly discovering and booking up to a year in advance. Paula rents out her venue by the day, so there is no frantic rush to set up and break down, and there are no other weddings or events held on your day--it's all yours!  In fact, Paula and Jesse will even rent out their house to lodge your guests if you don't care to drive back to town after the wedding.  There is also an enclosed space on the property where children can play and be safe from the river. You can bring in a sitter, hire a bounce house, and then get back to the adult party without worrying about the kids.

I really enjoyed my visit to Rose Garden Weddings and Events-- Paula and Jesse are a wonderful couple and just plain nice to work with--and you've got to see Jesse's bull riding photos when you go, along with Paula's horse, Buster! And the dogs!  And possibly, the kitten that Jesse and Paula were busy rescuing during my visit.  The Rose Garden is quite clearly a labor of love that Paula and Jesse are happy to share with us for our most special red letter days!

For more information, contact Paula Leith at Rose Garden Weddings and Events, 661-772-7493.

Visit Paula's website at www.RoseGardenWeddingsofBakersfield.com.