We certainly have put together the most delectable treat for you this morning. It’s not every day that we get to share not only a spectacular Napa Valley wedding but the fun, chic rehearsal dinner that preceded it. Bliss Event Productions helped put together both stylish events and Adeline and Grace Photography was there to capture it all. We’re going to kick things off with the most adorable movie night under the stars complete with comfy lawn seating, popcorn and croquet! Click here to see it all! And stay tuned for the main event!
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From Bliss Event Productions…This couple hosted a really fun and unique welcome reception for their guests the evening before the wedding. A local Napa winery was the location for a Napa Valley style BBQ followed by a feature movie under the stars. We filled the lawn of the winery with blankets and pillows facing the movie screen. We had a custom espresso/coffee cart with a barista making coffee’s for the guests and a fully stocked movie candy bar. And of course a popcorn cart popping fresh popcorn throughout the movie.
From the Bride…The night after we were engaged I remember being so anxious to start the planning process that I spent several hours in the middle of the night on Amazon.com buying every wedding design book I could get my hands on. Although I work on events by trade, I really had no idea of what I wanted for my own wedding. The only thing I did know was the location; since our friends and family are scattered throughout the country it was going to be a destination for most of our guests no matter where the locale, and there is something so decidedly modern and elegant about Napa that we just couldn’t resist. We’re also huge foodies- food and wine was one of our biggest priorities of the evening– and we knew that we couldn’t go wrong in the land of celebrated wine and Michelin stars.
I immediately enlisted the help of Brandy from Bliss Event Productions and after one phone call I knew I would be lucky to have her. She has an uncanny ability to bring your thoughts to life and elevates every detail along the way. For example, I knew that I wanted to use Tiffany luggage tags to welcome guests and with Brandy’s help we created a Save the Date that was composed of a luggage tag that read “Destination: Napa!” and the guest’s name that sat upon a corresponding Save the Date card, all wrapped up in a Tiffany box and bow. After all, how could someone say no after receiving a blue box in the mail? I loved that it set the stage for the event we had in store.
I fell in love with the wedding venue as soon as we drove up the long, oh-so-gorgeous tree lined avenue at the entrance of the Estate but it took us a few tries to find the site of the Welcome Dinner. We knew that we wanted a spot that was completely different from the wedding venue, a spot that took advantage of the beautiful Napa vineyards and allowed guests to have the wine tasting experience of a winery. However, once we found the newly opened Valley Gate Vineyard, with its sweeping views and rustic charm, we knew it was perfect. We wanted an evening that was whimsical, sunny, and cheerful. Brandy and I conceived of the idea of having a movie under the stars as a nod to Adam and his love of film. Guests played croquet on the front lawn and sipped wine, melon mojitos, and lavender lemonade before a dinner of roast chicken, molasses baked beans, and jalapeno corn bread. After dinner, we created the complete movie going experience with a coffee cart, Izze soda, a popcorn machine, and colorful boxes of movie candy. We snuggled up with pillows and fleece blankets, and as the sun set on the eve of our wedding day we watched Father of the Bride under the stars. We loved that it gave us another opportunity to spend time with family and friends, and it was the perfect prelude for what was to come.
We really did have a veritable dream team of vendors that brought such passion and expertise to their work that I always knew we were in good hands: the incomparable Tiffany from Adeline & Grace who is amazing both in front of and behind a lens, Kate from Flowerwild whose stunning work looks as though it is plucked from a still life painting, the amazing Paula le Duc who made dinner service appear effortless (guests are still raving about the hamachi cones!), Reverend Jacqueline Eigen who handled an interfaith marriage nimbly and gracefully, and DJ Adam Bomb whose music really did bring the house down. There are so many indelible moments for me from that weekend, and to be able to share it all with our family and friends really did make it an affair to remember.
Photography: Adeline and Grace Photography / Planning + Design: Bliss Event Productions / Movie Projection: Wine Valley Entertainment, Adam Jobe / Linen Rentals: La Tavola Linen / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Location: Valley Gate Vineyards / Coffee Bar Cart: Maya Espresso Catering / Paper Goods: Paisley Quill