When this couple went searching for a venue in Healdsburg, California for their spring nuptials, they stopped by Barndiva on a whim for a quick drink to fuel their search. It was then that they had an epiphany – this fun, laid back space was perfect for their vision! With the help of Soulflower Design Studio, they created a gorgeous fetê that balanced an organic, rustic feel with modern touches. Valorie Darling Photography captured the day, so head on over to the Vault for plenty more pretty.
From the Bride… Healdsburg is a special place for my husband and me, so when we got engaged, we were pretty sure that was where wanted to “tie the knot.” We were looking for a rustic venue with an elegant feel, but we wanted something that wasn’t stuffy or fancy. We went to Healdsburg to look at different options and stopped to have a drink at Barndiva, which wasn’t on our list of venues. We both had this moment where we realized that we wanted to have the wedding there. We loved the indoor/outdoor aspect of the venue and the fact that guests would have multiple places to hang out after dinner was done. It was also a space that could easily be “dressed up” while still keeping a fun and laid-back vibe.
I’m a clothing designer (bridal robes for Doie Lounge), and my husband is an architect (OXB Studio), so we were both very involved in the design concept of our wedding. We both love neutrals, so we wanted to keep the color palette fairly subdued, so we chose gray and white and accented with blush and green. Our theme was “modern rustic,” and we incorporated succulents and airplants to give the space an organic feel. This all went really well with the long wood tables and modern barn venue.
We decided to have a first look because we wanted to take some photos at a nearby vineyard and barn. Part of me wanted to have that moment where he saw me for the first time when I was walking down the aisle, but it was so worth it for those photos! Plus, it was nice to have a private moment alone, when we first saw each other all dressed up. My white shoes were muddy by the time I walked down the aisle from tromping around in the vineyard before, but our favorite photos are from that pre-wedding shoot, so we have no regrets.
The only thing that threatened our day was the rain! With an outdoor wedding, we were watching the forecast closely, and it predicted rain for our big day. We did have a rain plan, but it really would have changed the entire feel and look of our wedding. Our planner was on it, and we re-worked our plan hourly the day of the wedding. We made the call around 2pm to have the wedding and reception outside. We were so lucky! The rain held off, and it only started to sprinkle as dessert was being served. At that point people were already moving inside to dance, and we had a small tented area outside as well.
Photography: Valorie Darling | Event Planning: So Eventful | Floral Design: Soulflower Design Studio | Wedding Dress: Amy Kuschel | Cake: Moustache Baked Goods | Invitations: Fly Away Design | Catering: Barndiva | Makeup: Artistry by Danika | Hair: Trace Henningsen | Venue: Barndiva | Bridesmaids' Robes: Doie Lounge | Earrings: Sweet & Spark | Veil: Trace Henningsen