A Touch of Tuscany in Napa Valley: Laura and Dennis


Laura and Dennis originally approached my company, A Day Like No Other, with the request to help them find a venue in the Wine Country for an intimate wedding with closest family only… and then, later, maybe to help organize a party for everyone else at their home. After brainstorming with them – hotels? wineries? all too impersonal, too public… – I knew the exact right place for them: Sylvan Lake, a secluded private estate tucked away in the mountains above St. Helena. Off they went for a site visit! And on their way back home that same day, they texted me: “Change of plans! So beautiful that we’ll have a big party for everyone right there!”

And so we started planning together: an outdoor ceremony onsite, good food and wine, an Italian/Tuscan theme, and sage green with pops of orange for their wedding colors. Last Saturday, it all came together on a glorious summer day, warm with a slight breeze, and  under a cloudless blue sky.

Bride and groom made Sylvan Lake Estate theirs for the day with their initials on the gate:

monogram

Laura had chosen an elegant yet simple ivory lace sheath for her wedding gown:

dress

dress up

… complemented by delicate diamond earrings and a sparkling diamond bracelet. She was radiant in hair and makeup by Teresa Reynolds

bride waiting… and she carried a bridal bouquet by Tulips & Toadstools in ivory and orange …

bouquet

… while her wedding party wore boutonnieres and corsages to match:

boutonnieres… and the ring bearer (the niece of the bride) got a moss ring pillow …

ring pillow

… and a charming hair wreath.

wreath

For the ceremony, our florist had adorned a simple arch with lush greenery and bunches of flowers in the wedding colors …

arch … and topped it all off with a carpet of petals in delicate hues of orange.

petals

And photographer Megan Reeves captured every precious moment, for example the bride with her bridesmaids (her stepdaughters):

bridesmaids

… and her groomsmen (her sons!)

groomsmen

The brother of the bride officiated the very personal ceremony in front of eighty guests…

ceremonyAnd here they are… Just Married!!

Just married 2

Time to party!

While the newlyweds had their mandatory photos taken,

First Look 2

in the woods copy

guests enjoyed Cocktail Hour…

cocktal hour

bar sign

… and the team of An Affair to Remember (catering) and myself were busy preparing tables and food stations for a Tuscan-inspired festive dinner:

dining

Centerpieces were wine crates planted with a variety of succulents, and tables were named after the couple’s favorite wine varietals:

centerpiece

table numbers

The Sweetheart Table got, of course, the special treatment!

mr and mrs chairs

 

sweetheart table

Place settings were decorated with herb bundles tied with orange ribbon…

herb bundle 2… and the food stations all looked like scenes right out of the Italian countryside:

food 4

dinner decor 2

food 3

food 1

dinner decor 4

Beautifully calligraphed signeage throughout by Steele My Heart helped guests find their tables and choose from bar and dining options.

While guests were dining, night fell…

dinner at dusk… and the scene turned downright magical. The newlyweds still had some work to do: cut the beautiful cake (from Model Bakery in St. Helena):

cake 2

After that, they opened the dance floor under the stars…

first dance… with their First Dance – and everyone joined in to the vibrant tunes put up by DJ Vadim of DJ Jeremy Productions…

Everyone agreed: a truly memorable feast it was! Many happy years together, Laura and Dennis!