Sonoma Wedding at Mayacama by A.Niesing photographer
I totally agree with this bride when she said that September in wine country has no other parallel. This wedding is absolute perfection and if you don't believe me, just wait until you see these gorgeous images by A.Niesing photographer. Guests dined under olive trees and sipped cocktails by fire pits...and if that isn't wedding perfection then I don't know what is! Click here for more!
From the Bride... Nestled between olive trees and a full moon, Sean and I celebrated the beginning of our life together with family and friends at Mayacama Club in Santa Rosa, California. From the beginning, we wanted to choose a place that would be convenient for our families and friends, but would also prove to be a nice destination spot for guests to unwind, explore and enjoy. Having lived in San Francisco (where we met) for five years and spending a bit of time in the wine country, we knew it would be idyllic. We looked for places that exuded rural simplicity and offered fine wines and food. Mayacama offered the opportunity to be married out in the back of their club with sprawling views, an intimate space with an outdoor fire pit for cocktail hour and a courtyard filled with olive trees for dinner.
Everything glowed that day. Words can’t describe my excitement and the sheer pleasure of soaking it all up from beginning to end. The weather was absolutely perfect, with a slight breeze that cooled guests as they heard us exchange vows, followed by the moon’s light to sip and dance the night away to – September in the wine country has no other parallel. The night would prove to be the perfect representation of Sean and me. It was a combination of family history and new beginnings — a mix of tradition and the unexpected. Some pieces were loud (that’s me!) and others understated (that’s Sean!). Prior to the wedding, Sean and I had solicited family to talk about any traditions and pieces that may be shared for our big day. To our surprise, there were so many elements that came forth and naturally made their way to our wedding. My something borrowed was my sister’s dress, which had always been my favorite (an Amy Kuschel classic). The day of the wedding I surprised her with embroidery done by our great aunt in the dress that read our names and husband’s names with wedding dates. My grandmother “Momsie” had given us her and my late grandfather’s wedding cake toppers that had subsequently started losing features after 50+ years (the groom doesn’t have any pants!). There was also the ringbearer pillow that had made its way down the aisle many times over and the cake knife that belonged to Sean’s grandparents. Having lost my grandfather, “Poppo” the year of our engagement, we had an area set up during dancing for guests to snack on homemade biscotti and “Poppo’s Port” – his favorite, and mine too.
I’ll never forget the feeling my heart felt waiting to walk down the aisle. The beating consumed me as I waited with my dad for the jazz band to begin “When I Fall in Love” and descend down to the green. There in front of 232 guests, we exchanged personal vows and sealed the deal with a kiss and exit to “Dance Tonight” by Paul McCartney. We were determined to be part of the cocktail reception and having taken photos earlier with our stellar photographer (fastest hands, ever!), we were able to greet guests and enjoy the drinks and appetizers. The courtyard was comfortable and elegant with a mix of long and round tables – the perfect combination for mingling under the lighted olive trees. We feasted (this is no joke — another must-have for our wedding day was the ability to enjoy our food!) and sipped under the stars. To top off the evening, we boogied to the band’s cool jams and had everyone on the dance floor until closing time. It was a spectacular way to end the night and even better way to start our new life together.
Wedding Photography: A.Niesing photographer / Wedding Venue + Catering & Wine: Mayacama in Santa Rosa, California / Floral Design: Willow Floral Design / Wedding Cake: Fleur de Lisa / Paper Goods: Sugar Paper / Band: Big City Revue / Jazz Band: Kevin Fitzsimmons / Rentals: Bright Event Rentals / Centerpiece Pots: Anthropologie / Wedding Dress: Amy Kuschel / Bride's Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Hair: Lisa Hardan / Makeup: Annabelle Does Makeup / Bridesmaids' Dresses: Coren Moore
Everything glowed that day. Words can’t describe my excitement and the sheer pleasure of soaking it all up from beginning to end. The weather was absolutely perfect, with a slight breeze that cooled guests as they heard us exchange vows, followed by the moon’s light to sip and dance the night away to – September in the wine country has no other parallel. The night would prove to be the perfect representation of Sean and me. It was a combination of family history and new beginnings — a mix of tradition and the unexpected. Some pieces were loud (that’s me!) and others understated (that’s Sean!). Prior to the wedding, Sean and I had solicited family to talk about any traditions and pieces that may be shared for our big day. To our surprise, there were so many elements that came forth and naturally made their way to our wedding. My something borrowed was my sister’s dress, which had always been my favorite (an Amy Kuschel classic). The day of the wedding I surprised her with embroidery done by our great aunt in the dress that read our names and husband’s names with wedding dates. My grandmother “Momsie” had given us her and my late grandfather’s wedding cake toppers that had subsequently started losing features after 50+ years (the groom doesn’t have any pants!). There was also the ringbearer pillow that had made its way down the aisle many times over and the cake knife that belonged to Sean’s grandparents. Having lost my grandfather, “Poppo” the year of our engagement, we had an area set up during dancing for guests to snack on homemade biscotti and “Poppo’s Port” – his favorite, and mine too.
I’ll never forget the feeling my heart felt waiting to walk down the aisle. The beating consumed me as I waited with my dad for the jazz band to begin “When I Fall in Love” and descend down to the green. There in front of 232 guests, we exchanged personal vows and sealed the deal with a kiss and exit to “Dance Tonight” by Paul McCartney. We were determined to be part of the cocktail reception and having taken photos earlier with our stellar photographer (fastest hands, ever!), we were able to greet guests and enjoy the drinks and appetizers. The courtyard was comfortable and elegant with a mix of long and round tables – the perfect combination for mingling under the lighted olive trees. We feasted (this is no joke — another must-have for our wedding day was the ability to enjoy our food!) and sipped under the stars. To top off the evening, we boogied to the band’s cool jams and had everyone on the dance floor until closing time. It was a spectacular way to end the night and even better way to start our new life together.
Wedding Photography: A.Niesing photographer / Wedding Venue + Catering & Wine: Mayacama in Santa Rosa, California / Floral Design: Willow Floral Design / Wedding Cake: Fleur de Lisa / Paper Goods: Sugar Paper / Band: Big City Revue / Jazz Band: Kevin Fitzsimmons / Rentals: Bright Event Rentals / Centerpiece Pots: Anthropologie / Wedding Dress: Amy Kuschel / Bride's Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Hair: Lisa Hardan / Makeup: Annabelle Does Makeup / Bridesmaids' Dresses: Coren Moore