This sweetly smiling Bride and her handsome Groom have stolen my heart for the day. Their story, their strength and their undeniably powerful love. Just two short months before their big day, her dear father lost his battle with cancer—yet the twinkling chandeliers that were hung above the backyard (at her parent’s home) were a special reminder of Dad. Furthermore, A Savvy Event prettied up the entire day with beautiful details galore and Allyson Wiley snapped every bit of gorgeous that this gallery holds.
From the beautiful Bride…Chris and I met in August of 2009. I had recently been hired as a tasting room associate at a winery in Livermore and Chris walked in and I immediately asked as he walked by… “Who’s that guy” with a big grin on my face. As life sometimes flows… we both went our separate ways in relationships and I moved on from my job at the winery but we always stayed in touch, wishing each other happy birthday, and sending random texts here and there. Chris had always held a special place with me and he crept into my thoughts more than I would like to admit during that time apart.
Then in 2012 via text, of course, we both figured out that we were available. And luckily for a UPS delivery gone wrong… after a roundabout conversation… I asked Chris to meet me for a drink, Yes I asked Chris out. We met at our friends beer bar Tap25, neither one of us sure of whether or not it was a date, but after a beer or two it became clear that we were going to be more than just friends. We ended up going to dinner, then he took me back to the winery and let me sample his wine. It was an amazing first date!
As as they say the rest is history… I don’t think we have been apart more than a few days after that first date, and by the time our wedding came around we had been together almost two years and I still fall in love with him a little more each and every day. He asked me to marry him on June 14th of 2013 at the beach in Incline Village in Tahoe and made me the happiest girl in the world. I have found my soul mate and was so excited to put a ring on his finger and call him mine for life. Although I think he pretty much had me at that first smile back in 2009.
Our wedding was everything we could have ever imagined. We had it at my parents home in Sonoma, Ca. After visiting many of the beautiful venues in the area we just felt like home was where it was supposed to be. In April of 2014, just 2 months before our wedding my father passed away from a short but courageous battle with cancer. Having our wedding in his backyard just made it feel so right and that he was there the entire time. Both my mom and dad were very involved in helping to plan this beautiful day. We couldn’t have done it without them.
Our colors were blush, gray, and neutrals. We wanted the look to be elegant, but still have that wine country backyard wedding feel. Our reception area was full of beautiful flowers from Tesoro, personal touches (my mom made a variety of amazing chalkboard art signs), and a giant tree that was lit and hung with 3 beautiful chandeliers (my dad’s idea). It was breathtaking at night. We had market lights strung over the pool area, and a rustic barrel bar for refreshments. Chris and I own a winery Caddis, so we had plenty of wine to share with our guests.
Chris and I decided to do a first look, we saw each other for the first time in the vineyard setting and was able to share a very special moment with just the two of us. This is where we shared our own personal vows. It was touching and private, and so very us. The ceremony was held on the far side of the house with two beautiful bouquets by Tesoro flanking the ceremony site. It was gorgeous. My mom walked me down the aisle and I couldn’t keep my eyes off of Chris. It was a beautiful ceremony.
After the ceremony wine and appetizers were served by the pool. Guests found their seats by checking the window pains of two vintage french doors that were hung for them to walk through. We worked with Dovetail Catering for our plated dinner and everyone is still talking about how fantastic the food was. Guests dined on the beautiful grass set beneath a lit tree with three chandeliers. Each table had a beautiful full flower centerpiece with hues of blush and white and large pillar candles to set the mood.
At each place setting glass chargers were placed with beautiful blush napkins from La Tavola. I was a graphic designer in my last career so I designed escort cards and menus for each place setting.
Our cake was delicious from A perfect ending. It was vanilla, with butter cream, and fresh strawberries. In addition to cake Chris and I both love ice cream so we had mint chip with a chocolate donut hole, or vanilla with a caramel donut hole for guests.
We kicked off the dancing with our first dance to “on a night like this” by Dave Barnes and we didn’t stop dancing for the rest of the night. At around 9pm Dovetail brought out the juiciest little sliders on brioche buns. It was the perfect snack for those still dancing the night away. Our guests left with a smores chocolate from Woodhouse Chocolates in St. Helena. It was the perfect little sweet to thank all of our guests for sharing this special day with us. We worked with Kelly from A Savvy Event through the entire process, she was able to provide amazing design ideas and really helped bring our whole vision to life.
It was a bittersweet without my dad there but an amazing day that both Chris and I will look back on fondly for the rest of our lives.
Photography: Allyson Wiley Photography | Wedding Planner: A Savvy Event | Florist: Tesoro Flowers | Cake: Perfect Endings | Catering: Dovetail Events | Make Up: The Makeup Dolls - Airbrush Makeup and Hair Artistry | Lighting: Twilight Design | DJ: Fantasy Sound Events | Venue: Private Estate | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Wine Country Party