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:
Laura had chosen an elegant yet simple ivory lace sheath for her wedding gown:
… complemented by delicate diamond earrings and a sparkling diamond bracelet. She was radiant in hair and makeup by Teresa Reynolds…
… and she carried a bridal bouquet by Tulips & Toadstools in ivory and orange …
… while her wedding party wore boutonnieres and corsages to match:
… and the ring bearer (the niece of the bride) got a moss ring pillow …
… and a charming hair wreath.
For the ceremony, our florist had adorned a simple arch with lush greenery and bunches of flowers in the wedding colors …
… and topped it all off with a carpet of petals in delicate hues of orange.
And photographer Megan Reeves captured every precious moment, for example the bride with her bridesmaids (her stepdaughters):
… and her groomsmen (her sons!)
The brother of the bride officiated the very personal ceremony in front of eighty guests…
And here they are… Just Married!!
Time to party!
While the newlyweds had their mandatory photos taken,
guests enjoyed Cocktail Hour…
… and the team of An Affair to Remember (catering) and myself were busy preparing tables and food stations for a Tuscan-inspired festive dinner:
Centerpieces were wine crates planted with a variety of succulents, and tables were named after the couple’s favorite wine varietals:
The Sweetheart Table got, of course, the special treatment!
Place settings were decorated with herb bundles tied with orange ribbon…
… and the food stations all looked like scenes right out of the Italian countryside:
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…
… and the scene turned downright magical. The newlyweds still had some work to do: cut the beautiful cake (from Model Bakery in St. Helena):
After that, they opened the dance floor under the stars…
… 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!
