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Atwater, California
Weddings at The Tarmac Event Venue
Say your vows on the grass, eat under cover, and dance until the lights come up. The Tarmac is an open-air venue on the old Castle Air Force Base in Atwater — twenty minutes from Merced, with room for 1,500 seated guests, a full bar that's ours, and food trucks or your own licensed caterer.
What your wedding day looks like
Ceremony on the grass, reception under cover
Say your vows on the grass lawn with the hangar behind you, then move under cover for dinner. Guests park on site and walk in — no shuttles, no street parking.
Room for 1,500 seated
1,500 seated or 2,000 standing — one of the largest venues in Merced County. Smaller weddings work too; we scale the layout to your guest count.
The bar is ours
Blaker Brewing craft beer, wine, cocktails and a real non-alcoholic list, poured by our staff. We hold the license, so there's no rented bar and no permits to chase. Music and bar run until 11 PM.
Food your way
Pick from the food trucks we work with every week, or bring your own caterer — licensed and approved in advance. Plated dinner or tacos at midnight, both work here.
What's included
Tables, chairs, setup, bar staff, parking and restrooms — plus an event captain on site for your whole event. You bring florals, décor and your photographer. A day-of coordinator isn't required, but couples who have one enjoy their own wedding more.
If it rains
We're an outdoor venue and we plan for it. Our covered areas seat 450 across the pole barn, the wine bar tent and the Be Good tent. For larger guest counts we schedule additional tenting as part of your quote, so the contingency is settled long before your week-of forecast.