California Wedding + My Dream Dress, Part II
We’ve already covered the fact that the wedding dress and the fabulous shoes in today’s featured affair are both enough to make me cry but what we haven’t covered is that the wedding style…from the flowers that Sharla Flock crafted, to the details that Jenne Hohn infused and the INSANELY gorgeous photographs that Rebecca at Docuvitae captured…are enough to make me cry, laugh and squeal with uncontrollable glee. All at the same time. This is a dream wedding and one that is absolutely, unequivocally going down in the SMP hall of fame. Bar none.
{click here to see the full wedding}
Marc and I met at UC Berkeley, so our natural instinct was to tie the knot in Northern California (we live in LA). The Carneros Inn was a perfect setting for not only the wedding, but the week-long leadup. It was like an absolute dream. The architecture and all around design of the property is contemporary but warm. Elegant, but totally incorporated into the environment and topography. Our ceremony was in the Apple Orchard, and the Cocktails and Reception was in The Hilltop Dining Room, which has french doors on all sides, leading out to an outdoor fireplace and wood deck.
The absolute BEST decision we made was hiring Rebecca and working with Docuvitae. She was a rock star. She brought about 5 cameras and shot with them all, everything from digital to vintage film cameras. We wanted a journalistic style of photography without any staged feeling. Every photograph is a sort of ‘in between’ moment that actually captures the essence of what it was like to be there. The memories of the day totally parallel the photographic documentation of it, and that is remarkable
Sharla Flock is also awesome to work with, and we definitely clicked when we met. I used to work in a flower shop so I knew what I wanted. After going back and forth about the color palette, one day I was at a local flower shop and saw a couple bunches of ranuculus ranging in color from ivory to corals to persimmon and pink. I knew then that i wanted a sort of tonal, ombre look. The ceremony would include more whites and ivorys, and the reception would bring in pops of color. All tied together with the greens, including sage, pods, and dusty miller. I bought the mauve lace table runners in China during a work trip, and the iron candlestick holders are from Anthropologie.
Baumbirdy (on etsy) designed our gorgeous wood invites, table #’s, and place cards. Marc, my husband, designed our Save the Dates, menu, escort cards, and Ketubah which featured photographs of family members from 3 generations. As an avid food and wine lover, this was a very important part of the planning process. Luckily Marc and I had the pleasure of eating at the restaurants at the hotel prior to getting engaged, so we knew we were going to be getting top knotch F&B service. Wine pairing was a must, and being in Napa, we had endless possibilities. No one could stop talking about the Herb Gnocchi with Sage Brown Butter. Yum! Dessert was mini cheesecake bites and mini eclairs. An extravagant cake was last on our list of priorities. It was nice for people to have their choice of treats at their leisure, as well.
In conclusion, I couldn’t have imagined the day being any different. It was magical, playful, easy, and so full of love. I am a people pleaser, and knew I needed to let go of trying to make sure everyone was happy at every moment. It’s impossible. And, many times, ineffective. My parents are divorced and honestly, even under the extreme emotional climate, everyone present came together like a huge family. It was unreal.
Photography: Rebecca of Docuvitae Photography / Flowers: Sharla Flock of Sharla Flock Designs / Event Design: Jenne Hohn of Hohn Events / Site Coordinator & Food/Beverage Director: Brooke Baglietto / Ceremony + Reception Location: The Carneros Inn, Napa Valley, CA / Invitations: Baumbirdy, etsy / Shoes: designed and manufactured by bride / Dress: Monique Lhullier
52 Comments about “California Wedding + My Dream Dress, Part II”
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April 5, 2010 at 1:50 pm
This wedding is so beautiful! I thought it was a photo shoot!
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April 5, 2010 at 2:04 pm
I am so in love with this entire wedding!! I am so totally tagging this under my vow renewal file ;-) I love how Docuvitae captured all of the tenderness and joy of this day for the couple--BEAUTIFUL work yet again!
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April 5, 2010 at 2:07 pm
This is definitely one of the most beautiful from head to toe weddings I have ever seen! Just perfect! I don't know what I like best about it, it's all so amazing. Totally breathtaking.
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April 5, 2010 at 2:42 pm
amazing wedding! the colors, the photography! Question for the bride: may I ask if your dress has a name or how you were able to find a rtw dress from an earlier season from Monique Lhullier? it's an unbelievable dress!
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April 5, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Oh my Lordy!
Haven't commented in a while, but my goodness this is beautiful.
Really Beautiful.
xoxo -
April 5, 2010 at 2:59 pm
The photography is spectacular. It just spills over the edge with emotion, I feel like I was there to witness.
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April 5, 2010 at 3:55 pm
I literally gasped when I saw that dress. It is stunning. This wedding is one of the best on SMP, because of its love, happiness, and understated glam. You can see and feel the love and style just by looking at the pictures. By the way, those shoes are phenomenal.
Absolutely stunning
:-)
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April 5, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Those flowers are perfect. Love the whole wedding, just gorgeous!
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April 5, 2010 at 4:16 pm
I love it!!!
Could this couple be anymore in love?
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April 5, 2010 at 4:31 pm
I second Patricia...this may be my favorite SMP wedding to date! (besides mine...) :)
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April 5, 2010 at 4:40 pm
I love everything about this wedding- especially the shoes (the exact shade I want!) & Monique, stunning!
Where is the pink bridesmaid dress from? Is it a Sarah Seven?
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April 5, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Elle - I bought the dress in Spring of '09, and happened to look on style.com at Monique runway shots. I called the boutique in Beverly Hills, described the dress, and they called out of state to get it :-)
Shani - My sister wore Sarah Seven, and it was amazing!
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April 5, 2010 at 5:25 pm
I ADORE this wedding! So amazing!!
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April 5, 2010 at 5:37 pm
I adore your wedding! Stunning! Beyond stunning. Where are your gold hoop earrings from? They are perfect.
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April 5, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Oh my God. What a gorgeous wedding and bride. Every detail is beyond.
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April 5, 2010 at 6:32 pm
ahhhh! Jessica, it's Lanie! I'm so happy to see your wedding on SMP. Did you end up designing your own shoes? I'm glad you threw some Badgley Mischka shoes in the mix! We need to talk when you are in NYC so you can see my new shop, Lovely. Maybe you can design some custom shoes that we can sell!!!
xoxo
Lanie -
April 5, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Wait, did I forgot to mention you looked STUNNING. Seriously, I might frame a picture of you...
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April 5, 2010 at 6:44 pm
Hey Lanie! I saw your wedding last week! Gorgeous!!! And Lovely looks like the PERFECT shop. Wow. Congratulations!
Yes some were Badgley and some were custom :-) Let's talk! In NY probably in June...
Thank you!!!!
xoxo -
April 5, 2010 at 7:06 pm
OMG!! Jess- the bride. How do I get shoes like yours?? but in cobalt?? I LOVE THEM! You are amazing if you designed them. Your wedding was spectacular. I love the entire thing.
Tezra -
April 5, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Wow, what a beautiful album. I'd love to see more. Your pictures are so creative, it's the little things. Must have been a beautiful day!
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April 5, 2010 at 9:09 pm
beautifulllll wedding. Just amazing. May I ask the brand of the short pink dress? I am absolutely in love with it!
and your wedding gown is to die for!
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April 5, 2010 at 9:19 pm
What an incredible wedding... and an incredible dress!
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April 5, 2010 at 10:43 pm
The ranunculus wedding bouquet is bright and beautiful! Love the colors!
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April 5, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Beautiful! How did you do your chuppah? I'm currently struggling with an easy way to do our poles in a garden setting (I think I know what I want to do with the top/covering). Mazel tov!
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April 5, 2010 at 11:02 pm
Going on my "Love this wedding" index! So romantic, ruffly, chic!
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April 5, 2010 at 11:34 pm
Ditto. How do I get shoes like yours? They look very similar to Badgley Mischka: Randee. I just want to know how to make the fabric flowers. Beautiful!!
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April 6, 2010 at 5:13 am
STUNNING. Amazing photography. And MAN, and that dress is to die for.
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April 6, 2010 at 6:27 am
Love the romantic feel! Wow
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April 6, 2010 at 6:49 am
Without a doubt, this is my favourite wedding that I have ever seen featured on SMP!
(And I adore the ranunculus.)
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April 6, 2010 at 7:09 am
beautiful gorgeous wedding! How did you make the Chuppah? What material was the covering?
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April 6, 2010 at 7:28 am
How beautiful!!
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April 6, 2010 at 7:57 am
One of my favorite Sonoma venues.
Lovely. -
April 6, 2010 at 8:20 am
Beautiful! I'd love some info on the Chuppah as well... what was the canopy and how did you make the frame? It looks lovely...
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April 6, 2010 at 8:37 am
What a gorgeous bride, in the MOST stunning dress! Love the shots of the couple together in the chairs on the lawn...so intimate and natural. And I'm drooling over the bridal bouquet of ranunculus...
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April 6, 2010 at 2:03 pm
To have this couple start off my wedding season here at The Carneros Inn seems almost unfair- these two set the bar so high :)
While the design of the entire event was incredible (the shoes, the dress, the decor, THE SHOES), what I hope everyone catches a glimpse of through Rebecca's stunning photos is how awesome this couple is!
Seeing the way these two gravitated towards each other was incredible; I think their connection really voiced itself through all aspects of their event - thank you for sharing.
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April 6, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Aww Brooke! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!! <3
Chuppah - SHarla, my florst had her own freestanding chuppah structure thankfully (but I'm sure you could rent one!) Each stand had a base, so it did not need attendants. The chuppah covering was my Great Grandmother's tablecloth, that she stitched by hand. I couldn't believe how perfectly it fit!
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April 6, 2010 at 7:23 pm
that dress! Jess, any way you would ever be interested in selling it!? : )
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April 6, 2010 at 9:23 pm
jess - who do you design for/what's the name of your shop?? love love love!
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April 6, 2010 at 9:55 pm
I design for Badgley Mischka. You can check out where they're sold here:
http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/womens-shoes/Badgley-Mischka
Thank you everybody for the sweet comments. Good luck with your planning! xx
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April 7, 2010 at 2:42 am
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!! All of it.
I don't suppose the bride is interested in selling her dress :) It's just too beautiful.
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April 7, 2010 at 9:27 am
or renting the dress out for an event?!
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April 7, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Jess--your wedding was spectacular! Wonderful work.
Who is the designer for the blush colored sweetheart neckline dress?
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April 9, 2010 at 10:19 pm
I love Badgley Mischka shoes! But all the styles I like have 4" heels. I can only wear 3" max, since my fiance is not that much taller than me. You shoe is lovely, it doesn't look like it's 4 1/2" high as advertised online?!
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April 16, 2010 at 11:45 pm
Where did you get the Groom's tie from? I love it! So funky and elegant!
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October 5, 2010 at 2:23 am
Its awesome to see people get postings on this topic, I ought to book mark this particular place. Keep in the better function.
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January 10, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Hi Jess - the Bride!!!
O my goodness what a stunning wedding... I LOVED your day and your photographer really captured your special moments so well! You both looked so happy and natural with each other.
Just wondering, if you would be so kind to reply, the actual style no. or name of the Monique Lhuillier dress you wore on your wedding day? I know it wasn't an actual wedding dress but a dress from her Ready to Wear collection Spring 09, but I am determined to find this dress some way or another for my own wedding day, and it would be helpful to have the actual name of the dress in my search. If I can look half as gorgeous as you did in it, I will be truly happy.
Thank you so much,
Michalmichalmitha@hotmail.com
p.s you will probably hold on to this dress, BUT if you ever plan on selling it could you let me know? I am about the same size as you.
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February 2, 2011 at 12:58 am
As many have commented your dress is stunning, could you share the name or style number and season?
Thanks!
Cristina -
March 14, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Jess - My dress is similar to yours and I am looking for a sash like the one you have. I don't want satin. This looks like a raw silk or something. Any hints on where to look?
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