I am mixing it up this afternoon with a wedding so fantastically whimsical, your entire evening is going to be a little prettier, a little more exciting, and a little more fun. Planned and designed by the vintage-adoring bride and Dream a Little Dream Events, this soiree is perfectly eclectic – from the slightly vaudeville fashion, to the floral design (flowers in shoes!) to the top hats, butterflies, and horse sculptures. Every amazing little detail was captured phenomenally by Sabine Scherer Photography, and to infuse your afternoon with a bit of the beautifully fanciful, we’ve loaded a gallery with all the amazing images.
Click here for the full image gallery!
Andrew and I wanted a romantic wedding in nature where all our friends and family could meet and spend a relaxing weekend together. When Katheryn of Dream A Little Dream suggested Mayacamas Ranch in Calistoga we knew we had found our spot.
As far as the overall wedding theme and vision, I was inspired by the amazing nature around us with a mixture of bold vibrant colors that was a playful mixture of couture meets vaudeville meets vintage. Melissa who did all the decor and flowers really appreciated the artist in me and created a setting that everyone thought I designed. Because we were on somewhat of a budget I worked with Melissa to create craft nights to help fill in the areas she wouldn’t provide. My girlfriends and I made hundreds of tissue paper flowers, a large cardboard moon (like in Moulin Rouge) and the name tags and table cards. I also spent a lot of time creating a family altar with pictures of up to my great grandparents and my fiances grandparents. It was alot of fun to create the altar. I went to thrift stores collecting old frames and painting them gold, white and silver to match the other frames we had made for the caterers.
For my dress after trying on some gowns I decided I wanted a sleek 1920’s style dress yet mixed with a modern flair. As a designer I knew I could do it. I just needed to find the dress to embelish it. I finally found my gown at Torso vintage. When I bought it, it was simple and gorgeous, just white silk with a long train. After trying on a Lazaro dress I got the inspiration to make the bottom of the dress covered in silk organza ruffles. I had pleated and hand sewed about at least 20 yards of ruffles onto the dress. At some points I had to hang the dress from a chandelier at home to accomplish this. The ruffles took the longest. Then, my designer friend donated a lot of gorgeous French lace samples that I interwove into the rest of the gown, it grows like a vine all the way from the waist of the dress into and around the rest of the train. When it was finished and I tried it on for the first time I realized I had truly made the dress of my dreams!
Our guests were told to dress in costume, vintage, Bollywood or bizarre. And if they couldn’t manage that, we told them to come their most festive. To ensure that most people looked their most brilliant, I had a costume table where one of my eccentric girlfriends helped people add panache to their outfits. Walking down the isle was such a treat, it was like walking into a Fellini film!
How the day came together was magic. Our ceremony was everything I imagined it to be. We worked three months with our friend Kate Jones to create a rite of passage that was powerful and meaningful. Every word that was spoken was intentional. Being married in nature looking over the valley with Mt. St. Helena as a witness was everything I wanted it to be. I felt transported. Our vows made such an impression on our guests that some of them are inspired to renew their vows.
The flow of the wedding came together perfectly. Having Brittani there made it possible for me and my wedding party to focus on the important things such as Andrew and I being taken care of emotionally and were having a good time. Brittani could focus on the other things that normally stress the family or the bridal party like when to eat, toasts etc. I had a wonderful time at my wedding. Our guests had the best time at our wedding. I have never seen my family of Andrew’s family enjoy themselves that much. Literally, it was the best weekend of my life.
Photographer: Sabine Scherer of Sabine Scherer Photography / Planner: Brittani Waldman of Dream a Little Dream Events / Catering: California Rose Catering / Venue: Mayacamas Ranch / Florist: A Simple Ceremony / Furniture: Hartmann Studios / Linen: La Tavola Linen / Lighting: Creative Lighting Design / Hair & Make-up: Lisa Zomer / Gown & Bridesmaids’ Dresses, Hairpieces + Veil: made by the Bride, Joui Turandot / Groom’s clothes: 1920’s suit Vintage at LA Rosa Vintage SF