From the beginning, we knew that we wanted our wedding to feel like a fun cocktail party, not too regimented or formal.  Wine tasting is one of our favorite past times, and I’ve always wanted a winery wedding.  Matt loved the idea of a weekend getaway, so we needed a place that offered accommodations.  The Villagio Inn & Spa offers all of that, plus multiple locations in one venue – outdoor ceremony lawn, alfresco dining space, and historic barrel room for dancing.

We wanted our colors to be bold and rich, and to play-off the natural winery colors.  So, we chose ranges of oranges and purples in various shades.  Oranges were reserved for the groom’s side and purples for the bride’s side.  To maintain a fun cocktail party look and feel, we decided on a “mismatched-but matching” wedding party.  I picked out each of the purple dresses for the girls – it was a quite challenge to make the style look cohesive, but still unique!   We let the guys wear any khaki suit of their choice, and the ties and pocket squares were purchased from Etsy.  We even had a grooms woman (one of Matt’s close friends) in a similar colored khaki Jcrew dress, carrying an orange bouquet.  We put our ring bearer in a sweater vest instead of a suit, and flower girls in causal dresses from J.Crew.

In an effort to keep the ceremony casual and personal, we had a friend officiate it, and we wrote our own vows.  Kids were absolutely welcome at the wedding (Matt has nine nieces and nephews!), and they added to the fun vibe to the dance floor.  To capture the causal feel, it was important that the photography was fun, flirty and not too structured – especially the group shots.  That’s what we LOVE about Kim & Niki’s style.  We’re obsessed with the attitude and charm they were able to capture in the wedding party and family shots.

Our wedding surpassed our expectations!  We’re thrilled that, with the help of amazing vendors and supportive friends and family, we were able to pull off such a perfect wedding!

Venue & Catering: Villagio Inn & Spa / Photographers: Kim & Niki, Photographers / Florist: Lavender Floral / String Ensemble: Eloquence String Quartet / Band: Jumpstart / Cake: Kara’s Cupcakes / Bride’s Dress: Blue by Enzoani / Hair & Makeup: Betten Chaston / Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss / Ties and Pocket Squares: Tux & Tulle / Flower Girls Dresses: J.Crew Crewcuts

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 16 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Betten Chaston, Blue by Enzoani, California, Casual Elegance, Color Palette Purple Orange, Cupcakes, Eloquence String Quartet, Etsy, Flower girls, Hugo Boss, J. Crew, J. Crew Crewcuts, Jumpstart, Kara's Cupcakes, Kim & Niki Photographers, Lavender Floral, Mismatched Bridesmaids, Outdoor Ceremony, Outdoor Reception, Outdoor Wedding, Ring Bearers, Tux & Tulle, Villagio Inn & Spa, Wedding Photography, Winery, Winery Wedding, Yountville
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Little Black Book Blog

One of our newest Little Black Book photographers, Wayne Yuan sent us Susan and Erich’s beautiful spring wedding.  Enjoy!

From Wayne …

Susan and Erich’s wedding was not too big, not too small, and absolutely fabulous! With 80 of their closest family and friends, they celebrated their wedding during Memorial Day Weekend in the beautiful Napa Valley. Guests all stayed in various villas and quaint bed and breakfasts around the area, welcomed by friendly hosts and bottles of wine. The Bride and Groom rented a huge villa at the top of a mountain overlooking all of Napa Valley. The views were breathtaking—we were 1500 feet above ground and we could see miles and miles across the vineyards. Most of the wedding party and close friends stayed there with them.

The wedding day began at 5am for the ladies. They got ready at the Bride’s family villa (that had its own tiny vineyard in front!) with makeup artist Aimee Lam. Susan’s dress was a gorgeous ivory Vera Wang gown, feminine puff sleeves and layers of tulle gathered at the bottom for a tulip feel. Her birdcage veil and pearl drop earrings added a stylish touch to the ensemble. Her hair was left down in light waves, but pinned back slightly.

The day before the wedding, guests were invited to a wine tasting reception at the Villagio Inn & Spa where they enjoyed whites, reds, and a good reunion with old friends. One of Susan’s close friends even made decadent sugar cookies for the occasion, flown in all the way from London! The rehearsal dinner followed at the Uva Trattoria where we were serenaded by a live jazz band and listened to heartfelt words from the father of the groom.

The ceremony was held at one of the most popular locations for weddings in Napa Valley—simply because the ceremony site is on an outdoor patio overlooking all of Napa, one of the most beautiful views in the area Auberge du Soleil . Lush baby-pink peonies and blue ribbons graced the aisles leading to the patio where the bride and groom would recite their vows. Susan and Erich first saw one another during a “first-look” session before the ceremony. His first remark was “That dress is so you!”

As Susan and the bridesmaids headed back inside to freshen up for the ceremony, a flute and classical guitar welcomed the wedding guests, and then the wedding party as they came down the aisle. One of the favorite moments was the ring bearer, in his adorable tuxedo shorts, running towards his father for his sweet reward (a lollipop was awarded if he walked down the aisle properly). With “ooh”s and “ahh”s, Susan met her groom at the patio edge, and with tears and laughter, they became mister and misses.

The fabulous Nancy Liu Chin designed the stunning floral decor. And don’t you just LOVE the way the soft folds of the cake by Patisserie Angelica mimic the design of the Susan’s gown (and bouquet)!

I really can’t tell you how much I LOVE her dress!!

A BEAUTIFUL parting shot …

Congratulations to Susan and Erich … and a huge thank-you to Wayne for sending their wedding our way!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 37 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Aimee Lam, Auberge du Soleil, Birdcage Veil, California Weddings, Nancy Liu Chin, Napa, Patisserie Angelica, Rutherford, Uva Trattoria, Vera Wang, Villagio Inn & Spa, Wayne Yuan
Post categories: Bouquets, Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Photography