I’m starting to think that we need to see a little more ruby red in weddings. Don’t you think? Red has always been a toughie, but when it’s done right—it’s sooo good. This fete from onelove photography? It’s a prime example that ruby + wineries = wedding color perfection. From the sweet pink Jenny Yoo bridesmaids dresses to the rich posies from Michael Daigian Design, you can see it all here.
From the beautiful Bride…Jordan and I wanted our wedding to incorporate elements that highlighted our shared love of food, wine and travel. When we saw Chalk Hill for the first time, we fell in love with the property. The quaint chapel and equestrian center with sweeping views of the vineyards made us feel like we were in the hills of Tuscany. During cocktail hour, we had an accordionist play as our guests enjoyed light appetizers and wine that we handpicked for the day. Jordan and a friend have their own wine label, Lyons-Wells, so each guest got a bottle of their 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon as a favor. When it came to dinner, we worked with Park Avenue to create a family style Italian meal with suggested wine pairings, and each table was named after a city that we have lived in or traveled to together.
Jordan and I wanted the decor to complement the wine country location and to incorporate elements of fall with a classic, romantic and elegant feel. To do this, we kept the color palette neutral (blush, cream and gold) with a burgundy-wine accent. Many of the details were homemade, including all of the paper goods and wooden welcome signs in the shape of pumpkins outside of the chapel. My mom and I went to antique fairs and stores to collect books, teacups and votives for our florist to incorporate into the romantic centerpieces for the dinner tables. The cake table was decorated with wedding photographs of our parents and grandparents and our Nana’s antique wedding cake topper.
My advice to other brides is to enjoy this time, it goes by fast! The list of to-do items can get overwhelming, but try to remember what really makes your wedding special, which is the love that you and your fiance share and all of the people that are there to celebrate with you. Try to pick one or two things that are most important to you, whether that be the food or music or flowers, and focus on that. If you are planning on doing any DIY projects, try to do them at least a month before the wedding date, so that you aren’t rushing to do them at the last minute! We originally did not budget for a videographer, but decided to hire someone to film the wedding last minute. This was the best decision ever! We had so much fun watching the video clips on our honeymoon, and are working on making our own version of a wedding highlights video.
We planned events leading up to the wedding day, so that it we could spend the entire weekend with our family and friends. It was so nice to spend quality time with our families before the wedding, since the actual day is so busy! On the wedding day, we decided not to do a “first look,” so that the first time Jordan saw me in my dress, it was when I was walking down the aisle. Seeing Jordan’s face when the chapel doors opened was priceless. My dad calmed my nerves by singing “Here Comes the Bride” as he walked me down the aisle. Highlights of the reception include the heartfelt speeches and dancing the night away with our guests.
Photography: onelove photography | Coordinator: So Eventful | Floral Design: Michael Daigian Design | Cake: Moustache Baked Goods | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Caterer: Park Avenue Catering | Hair And Makeup: Brush Salon | Lighting: Encore Events Rentals | DJ: Adam Trigg | Groom's Attire: Banana Republic | Ceremony And Reception: Chalk Hill Estates And Winery | Shoe Designer: Kate Spade | Wedding Dress Designer: Monique Lhuillier