Here are a few more behind the scenes details from Allyson…

Stephanie and Rob choose to see each other before the ceremony and exchange gifts….they nearly gave each other the same thing!  Apparently their first date was the to see a play “Harold and Maude” – based on the original move.  When Stephanie opened her gift she turned beat red and started to laugh – he gave her the tickets and program framed – she gave him – a poster signed by cast members!  How appropriate – as they are both in the film industry!

SO much more to come!!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Allyson Magda, Winery
Post categories: Casual Elegance

And I have to say, it’s the photographs that have left me feeling inspired beyond belief. Allyson is always sending us the most gorgeous weddings, but I think that with this one, she’s outdone herself!

It’s purely delicious! And, lucky for you…we have LOTS more coming up from this adorable affair!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Allyson Magda, Winery
Post categories: Casual Elegance

But, we have THE most spectacular wedding you’ve ever seen today so your wedding eye candy addiction will most definitely be fulfilled. Shot by Allyson Magda, who we loooove here on SMP, this wedding is a whimsical approach to a winery wedding. Something that I haven’t seen and something that I really, really love.

From Allyson…

Stephanie and Rob decided to get married at a winery they frequented during their dating years, Zenaida Cellars.  Zenaida is a unique 100% estate wine facility – meaning they grow all their grapes on location, for their wines and produce only “estate” wines.  The winery has an exceptionally welcome and “at home” feel.  With the Winemaker’s loft above, the bride and groom and/or family often take up residence for the wedding weekend, on site.

Stephanie and Rob chose an intimate location under a massive oak tree for their ceremony.  The groom’s very best friend performed their wedding ceremony with lots of giggles and facts about the couple and their relationship.  Family and friends stood around in support and had champagne in hand for their “first toast” immediately after the first kiss.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 13 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Allyson Magda, Winery
Post categories: The Blog

Photographed by Steve Steinhardt, you are going to fall hard for this one.

The flowers alone, designed by the forever talented Holly Flora, are enough to send me clear over the edge…let alone the incredible color palette, the venue that is all together perfect, the wine inspired details. Loving. Every. Bit. Kind of makes me want to close up shop and bury myself in a plate of cheese and a big glass of vino!

Thank you so much, Beth…you’ve yet again made me insanely jealous of your job!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 17 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Beth Helmstetter, Holly Flora, Rehearsal Dinner, Steve Steinhardt, Winery
Post categories: Casual Elegance, The Blog

Ryan and Anna met in shop class during high school …

… the rest was destiny …

from Anna …

We met in high school, during shop class! I was the senior girl who wanted to learn something different (or take an easy class…) and Ryan was a junior taking a class with the rest of his buddies. Being the only girl in the class, I got a lot of attention … mainly from Ryan. We dated for a few months, but thought we were better as friends. We remained close friends throughout high school and college, always there for each other, whether with a problem or just for support and encouragement.

I started my own photography studio in the summer of 2004. Ryan was there to support me in my adventure {unforgettable photography by anna}. Our friendship soon blossomed into a serious relationship. On a Monday evening in September 2007, Ryan came home from guitar lessons, woke me up from a nap and asked me to take our dog out. To my great surprise, an engagement ring was attached to the leash!

Since my work schedule was booked solid for the following year, we planned for a May 2009 wedding! So many people thought we were crazy for waiting over a year and a half …

In December of the same year, we found out we were expecting!!!

On August 4, 2008, I gave birth to our daughter, Madeline. Good thing we planned for a long engagement!!! Crazy how that worked out… Ryan walked Madeline down the aisle the day of our wedding.

For us, we know that we not only have a partner for life, but a best friend.  I think deep down, even when we were not an “item”, we always saw ourselves together forever!

What a terrific story!

* * *

I totally intended to talk about the different styles of photography through the years … vintage effects in particular. I even started researching the subject to be able to speak to the topic more intellectually. Then, I simply became mesmerized by Anna’s story … and the Woods’ images, in all their glorious beauty, and decided to let the photos speak for themselves. No matter the style, Jeffrey and Julia are quite literally the experts of the experts!

Thanks to Jeffrey and Julia Woods, this lovely family can now remember their wedding day forever and ever … amen!

A few more details from the day … their wedding took place at Hidden Lake Winery in Illinois … just east of St. Louis in rural Aviston. Wedding vendors included Ahner Florist, Weck Events & Weddings, Switzer Film, and Bella Vita Salon.

After looking at Anna, Ryan and Madeline’s wedding day, you should have no doubt. Jeffrey and Julia Woods are … well … just amazing artists!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 36 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Aviston, Bella Vita Salon, Hidden Lake Winery, Illinois, Jeffrey and Julia Woods, Jim Hjelm, Sottero Midgely, St. Louis, Switzer Film, Weck Events & Weddings, Winery
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Photography

We’ll have all of the delightful details coming right up!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Jenne Hohn Events, Lauri Levenfeld, Parasols, Sebastiani, Wedding Colors Purple Green, Wine Country, Winery, Zoom Photography
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Wedding Photography, Wedding Planners & Designers

So much more to come!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | Comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Healdsburg, Modern, Napa, Sylvie Gil, Winery
Post categories: Contemporary, Traditional Elegance

Tiffany of Adeline and Grace Photography sent us Megan and Jason’s gorgeous wine-country wedding at the beautiful Cline Cellars winery. The winery is 45 minutes north of SF and is totally perfect … “Cline Cellars is such an expansive and diverse property: 6 ponds, a replica of an old Spanish Mission, barrel room and a guest house villa all surrounded by vineyards.“  Sounds perfect …

These flowers are so striking. Really makes me want to study floral design!

The event was designed by Beth Lipin of BA Lipin Event Design. Apparently, her team transformed the immense Barrel Room into an intimate gathering positively glowing with 750 votives and candles! Now that’s AWESOME.

Since Jason’s family is in the baking business in Buffalo, the cake was of paramount importance. Michelle Bommarito (… of Food Network Challenge fame) created a 5 tier cake which incorporated her signature scroll design and also included chocolate fondant bands that echoed the large wine casks in the Barrel Room.

Wedding papery was created by Lysa Goodman Poore of Demby+Solomon. LOVE the Save-The-Dates!

Guests were greeted before the ceremony with glasses of fresh-squeezed lemonade.

{did you notice the ‘fly’ in the bouquet … }

A little more info from Tiffany of Adeline and Grace Photography …

The wedding team that Megan and Jason chose played a key role in the outcome of their final vision, which in turn made my job very fun! The girls had a relaxing morning at the villa before the ceremony started. Halfway into their final prep stages Catherine Conlin and Beth Lipin brought the girls their incredible flowers. Catherine surprised Megan with a small fly (as in fly fishing) attached to her bouquet, as Jason loves to fish. These little fly details were carried over into the groomsman boutonnieres as well. Before we knew it the ceremony was about to start. The ceremony took place at the end of Cline’s great lawn. As guests arrived they were greeted with glasses of lemonade donning “I do” flags. The guests also had their first taste of Megan and Jason trivia. Throughout the wedding, picture frames with fun tidbits about the couple were placed in common areas: program tables, cocktail hour, the bar and guest book barrel. Megan walked down the aisle through 2 inches of red, light pink and yellow rose petals. There were tears all around, including Jason. After the 30 minute ceremony concluded guests enjoyed cocktails on the lawn before entering the barrel room. Beth outdid herself! Over the past few hours over 750 candles were lit across the wine barrels transforming a massive space into a cozy elegant affair for Megan and Jason’s 136 guests. The head table was set with a rich gold linen with a contrasting purple runner. Every table had a different feel, but all within the same color palette of golds and purples. Megan and Jason were announced by Big City Revue who knew how to get the party started! After their first dance they immediately cut their 5 tiered cake created by Food Network Challenge star Michelle Bommarito. The cake was amazing! Just afterwards Megan’s grandfather serenaded the crowd with “Sunrise, Sunset” As soon as their meal was finished EVERYONE hit the dance floor. The bridal party and family members sang with the band on stage! It was a reception to remember!

Just a quick not about Tiffany Fosnight and Erica Mancini of Adeline and Grace Photography … They document weddings in a photojournalistic style on the west coast and the east coast. Tiffany photographs weddings in the Napa Sonoma Wine Country as well as the San Francisco Bay Area. Erica documents weddings in Rhode Island and throughout the Southern New England area including Newport, Providence, Boston MA and Hartford CT.

A HUGE thanks to Tiffany for sending us Megan & Jason’s absolutely breathtaking wedding!

ALSO … be sure and take a look at Deirdre and Jay’s beautiful Connecticut wedding (all 7 posts) on Style Me Pretty.

Wedding Vendors

Photography: Tiffany Fosnight of Adeline and Grace, Second-shooter~Nicola Borland

Papery: Lysa Goodman Poore of Demby+Solomon

Event Design: Beth Lipin of BA Lipin Event Design

Florals: Catherine Conlin of Wiggy Flowers

Venue: Cline Cellars

Catering:  Wine Valley Catering

Cake: Michelle Bommarito

Entertainment: Big City Revue

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 19 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Adeline & Grace Photography, BA Lipin Event Design, Big City Revue, California, Cline Cellars, Demby + Solomon, Michelle Bommarito, Nicola Borland, Sonoma, Wiggy Flowers, Wine Valley Catering, Winery
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Photography, Wedding Style

The rehearsal dinner alone is enough to make me want to get married all over again…

I have so, so many pictures to share with you today, so make sure you check back frequently. I promise, it’s worth the extra visit or two. April Smith, the wonderfully talented photographer who shot this wedding, has provided us with enough eye candy to keep us happy for many, many days. But, I’ve picked the best of the best and can’t wait to show each and every one!

A few words from the bride, Ashley…

Chris and I were married at Chateau Felice’s private estate in Healdsburg, CA.  We had a small wedding of 41 guests.  We really wanted to focus on what weddings are really about, the coming together of two people that really love each other and having those that are closest to us to share it with. We were told by numerous guests that this was the most elegant, intimate and wonderful wedding they had ever been to.  My mom told me that the husband of one of her girlfriends jokingly said, where are the jerks? She asked what do you mean? And he said, well, usually at weddings there is usually a jerk or two, but not here. Everyone is so nice and friendly, its just really is amazing.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: April Smith Photography, Healdsburge, vineyard, Winery
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

From Tracy, the gorgeous bride…

Our wedding was May 31, 2008 at Murrieta’s Well in Livermore, CA.  My husband, Steve, and I wanted an intimate, rich event filled with warm textures, great food and wine and lots of laughter!  We really achieved all three of these (and even more).  I really focused on textures when putting together my look and feel for the day.  Andrea, at Studio AYT, incorporated cork into our invitations to reflect the winery venue, we used white dogwood and orchids to mirror the rough/soft feel of the concrete barrel room and soft twinkle lights.  I wanted to bring in a classic old Hollywood feel to my look and my hair designer really did a great job with the soft waves to match the lace of my dress.   Finally, I LOVE LIGHTING so we really used different shades of up lighting on the outside of the winery and in the vines to give the dance/lounge area a jeweled fabric feel. 

We were so pleased with how everything turned out and are even happier to be married!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 12 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bay Area, California, Dogwood, Livermore, Murrieta's Well, Orchids, Studio AYT, Wedding Hairstyles, Winery
Post categories: Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance