Every once in a while, I come across a wedding that just speaks to me with it’s sweetness. Usually, it’s something like this soiree… covered from head to toe in love. From the lovely (and plentiful) DIY projects, to the romantic ceremony in the California vineyard, every moment captured by Jessamyn Harris Photography was whispering my name. Fleurs de France lent their green thumbs for a floral design to match the entire sweet day – which, as it happens, is all right here!
Our inspiration was “French Country and Champagne.” We wanted a wine country, champagne, lavender, casual but classy vibe. Lots of pastel and natural colors. The bridesmaids got to pick their own dress in the color scheme of “champagne” which varied from light pinks, to off whites, to yellows. I really love how it turned out because each maid really got to show off her own style. Even our signature cocktail was a champagne cocktail called “The French 75” which is my favorite drink.
We did a TON of DIY projects. All the vases were champagne bottles (we were collecting for over a year, we drank them all ourselves). After trying many methods, we went to a local stained glass shop and bought the owners bottle cutter from the 1970s. It worked like a charm and Brian hand cut and sanded all 30 of the champagne bottle vases that our florist used.
The escort cards were wine corks we had been saving, all cut them all ourselves. We did the menus, programs and escort cards. We used champagne corks for the table number sign holders.
We spray painted the frames from Aaron Brothers with chalkboard paint for signs.
My maid of honor and I made 85 ribbon wands (which took hours and hours). The copper can they were in was a trash can I found on the sidewalk by our house in San Francisco. I took it, spayed it with copper spay and voila. We made all the tissue pom poms for the chairs and trees. We made the Mix CDs and the kraft paper envelopes (for favors).
My friend Tania Cordova Shaw did the invitation design, and they were printed from Paperwhite Printers in Petaluma.
My sister in law Kathleen Lilly did the save the date postcard design (printed from Greenerprinter.com) and the art for the chalkboard frames.
I would advise people to ask for help, have a good team of friends and family to help you out in the days before, during and after the wedding. Find a venue that is hands on, Dan O’Connell from Vine Hill House was pretty great.
Photography: Jessamyn Harris Photography / Venue: Vine Hill House in Sebastopol / Officiant: Bride’s stepmother / Ceremony dress: Manuel Mota for Pronovias / Reception dress: Calvin Klein / Reception shawl: BHLDN / Earrings: Blue Nile / Bridal rings: Brilliant Earth / Groom ring: Tungston World / Groom’s suit: Calvin Klein / Groomsmen: Perry Ellis Vests with Dockers pants / Flower girls: Gap / Florist: Fleurs de France / Makeup: Hilary Bucher / Hair: Lauren Huntley / Cupcakes, cake and French macaron favors: Sift Cupcakes & Dessert Bar / Catering: Grapevine Catering / DJ: Grapevine DJ / Invitations: Paperwhite Printers and Tania Cordova Shaw / Ring bearer (j’adore) box & Cake Topper: Etsy