It’s not often that an al fresco fete drenched in natural light doesn’t sweep me off my feet. And this Durham Ranch wedding from Kate Webber has nearly knocked me onto the ground. With a wildly beautiful orchid ceremony backdrop from Gathering Floral + Event Design, a sweet spread from Paula LeDuc Fine Catering and rustic goodness in every corner, there’s a whole gallery filled with even more!
From Kate Webber… A wedding at Durham Ranch is sure to be pretty. The place just feels special! Margaret & Pat’s wedding nicely illustrates how its spaces can be transformed! Their wedding was so elegant, fun and full of lots of thoughtful, personal touches.
From Kristin Newman Designs…Hundreds of dendrobium orchids were arranged along the stone wall for the ceremony – it was important to the couple to have a beautiful altar arrangement that did not compete with the natural surroundings. Outside arrangements consisted of beautiful white flowers with the inclusion of different foliage such as: cabbages, olive branches, and lavender. After the ceremony guests gathered for cocktails across from the bocce ball court. Large wooden lanterns, hung with rope, cast a hint of candlelight as the sun went down. As cocktail hour ended guests were led up the stairs to dine.
Displayed upon a long stone-clothed table adorned with tall arrangements of white dendrobium orchids were the guests’ butler cards. The butler cards were made of zinc and were addressed in gray calligraphy.
The dinner took place in the industrial barn at Durham Ranch and all guests were seated under three grand chandeliers, which were accented with glass bell jar lanterns and rope textured candles – all hung throughout the space. Custom white linen chair covers had been made for all chairs and guests dined at a mixture of tables – some with a soft woven/textured linen and some were made of solid wood. Pillar candles were placed onto glass disks – tealights and taper candles were in crystal holders and spread down the center of each tablescape. The table numbers we square white cards letterpressed in gray to complement the wedding invitation suite. Each card was supported on a rope knot, which mirrored the rope elements – natural to the venue’s design.
As dinner concluded the father of the bride gave a toast and summoned the gray sheer curtains to be drawn back revealing a space for dancing and celebration. The existing pool had been covered and the dancefloor was placed on top for the guests to dance under the stars! Different, but complementarily, lounges were created around the dance floor for the guests who wanted to share in the excitement but rest their feet. Luminaries were also spread throughout the hill – casting a soft light.
Guests were welcomed to the Napa Valley with white-washed wooden crates filled with delicacies from the area – the couple’s favorite sparkling wine, Schramsberg blanc de blanc; lightly salted, roasted pistachios, artisanal sea salted caramels, and a lavender candle. Each gift was packaged in custom muslin bags. Accompanying these items was an itinerary booklet garnished with springs of lavender freshly cut from the mother of the bride’s home.
All materials were letterpress and complementary to each other, keeping within the gray and white color palette. The dinner menu was a booklet entitled “A Fall Evening,” inspired by the groom’s love of the experience of perusing traditional restaurant menus.
Photography: Kate Webber | Floral & Event Design: Gathering Floral + Event Design | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Catering: Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events | Calligrapher: Elizabeth Porcher Jones | Lighting: Got Light | Band: Big Swing And The Ballroom Blasters | Venue: Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events | Custom Design Stationer: Stitch Design Company | Custom Design Stationer: Sideshow Press | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Planning & Event Design: Kristin Newman Designs | Rentals: Blueprint Studios | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals