I’m a total fool when it comes to a good love story. A bride in her mother’s gown (and veil), marrying her beau in the same church her parents did so many years ago, and then dancing the night away under the same stars as her parents? Well, Suzy Berberian Weddings & Events and Fleurs de France have just such a wedding for us. Briana Marie Photography captured a day so lovely, you simply must set aside a few moments to comb through the gallery (there are even some shots of Elaine Bell Catering’s work that will make your mouth water)!
From the planner… The August wedding of Nancy and Peter in Northern California was simply amazing. The bride and groom are both in finance in NYC, and met in a cozy Upper West Side bar on a snowy evening in December. Since then, they have traveled the world together (engaged in Paris!) and made a sweet home in New York.
Nancy’s mother has passed away, and to honor her memory Nancy and Peter decided on a destination wedding in Northern California (Marin, close to Wine Country). The couple was married in the stunning Saint Raphael Church where her parents were married many years before. The reception was held at the ranch/winery of a dear family friend, and the same place where her parents’ wedding reception took place. The ranch has a special place in California history: the stately Italianite home – where Nancy and her friends prepared for the wedding – was built by the prominent Pacheco family in 1876 and remains in the same family today (the land was part of the original Land Grant for services to the Mexican Government in the 1800s). Nancy and Peter aimed to honor the rich history of the ranch but also infuse elegance, so a grand tent was designed at the winery site. The “ballroom” was created with flooring and carpeting, more than 35,000 lights and sheer draping to welcome the 100 guests, mostly traveling from New York. Ivory tones overlaid with burgundy, wine, dark brown and gold accents incorporated the natural landscape of the property, and Fleurs de France used exquisite roses, hydrangeas, dahlias and orchids throughout the wedding festivities.
In keeping with the sentimental touches of the wedding, Nancy wore her mother’s wedding dress and veil after it was re-imagined by Sorelle Firenze (NYC) for her figure and style. Other highlights of the wedding were specially mixed Spicy Ranch Margaritas (featuring jalapeno-infused tequila, cucumber and lime), scotch and cigars around the firepit, passed cans of cheap beer and petite mozzarella sticks, croque monsieur and ice cream sandwiches at midnight. The weekend also included a nautical rehearsal dinner at the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco (during the exciting America’s Cup races!), a post-wedding bloody-mary brunch, and the groom and his groomsmen walking across the Golden Gate Bridge the morning of the wedding. Truly a Bay Area affair!
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Photography: Briana Marie Photography | Wedding Planner: Suzy Berberian Weddings & Events | Flowers: Fleurs de France | Catering/Bar: Elaine Bell Catering | Church: Saint Raphael Church | Reception & After-Party Location: Pacheco Ranch Winery | Hair + Makeup: It’s a Date at the Powder Room | Detailer + Seamstress: Heidi Johnson, Sew Heidi Email: sewheidi@earthlink.net | Cinema: Video BASICO | Cake: Perfect Endings | Equipment/Lighting/Tenting: Hartmann Studios | Music: Wine Country Entertainment (Keith Johnson’s All Stars and DJ Tony Sparks) | Transportation: Pure Luxury And Classic Convertible Wine Tours | Stationery: Dauphine Press Web | Calligraphy: Calligraphy by Carol Web | Favors: Socola Chocolatier | Bride’s Dress and Veil: Mother’s dress and veil, recreated for bride by Sorelle Firenze | Bride’s Shoes: Giuseppe Zanotti | Groom’s Tuxedo: Armani | Groom’s Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo | Groom’s Tie: Ralph Lauren | Engagement Ring and Wedding Bands: Betteridge of Greenwich, CT