Looking for the Perfect Dream Garden Wedding Venue in California? Here it is.
Today's Bride is here to tell you that Pinterest wedding dreams really do come true. A decade before she say I do to the man of her dreams, she had pinned Beaulieu Garden (one of my personal faves ever!) and little did she know she'd actually find herself living with her love just 50 miles from the venue. Needless to say, today's fete is her garden wedding dream realized thanks to the help of Alexis at Cole Drake Events, Paula LeDuc and Loop Event Arts. The incredible Joel Serrato captured it all and I truly hope it lands it's way on your Pinterest wedding board too and inspires your Big Day.
From the bride... Tom and I met in through a mutual friend shortly after I moved to San Francisco in 2013. Over the next few years we would be lucky enough to share our love of travel. I can specifically remember having a picnic in the garden at Versailles and discussing how we could find no greater joy than spending time together in a beautiful, sunny garden.
Gardens are like epic romance - grand and intimate all at the same time. They represent a balance that is similar to the way I feel balanced when I am with Tom. As someone with very traditional taste, I also love the fact that Gardens are timeless and can make you feel like you are transported to any period in time. It was no wonder I had seen a Beaulieu Garden wedding on a Pinterest board 10+ years prior and had thought it was the perfect place to get married. Little did I know that by 2017 I would not only be engaged to the man of my dreams, but I would be living in San Francisco just 50 miles from Beaulieu Garden and Napa Valley. Serendipity some might say!
Gardens are like epic romance - grand and intimate all at the same time. They represent a balance that is similar to the way I feel balanced when I am with Tom. As someone with very traditional taste, I also love the fact that Gardens are timeless and can make you feel like you are transported to any period in time. It was no wonder I had seen a Beaulieu Garden wedding on a Pinterest board 10+ years prior and had thought it was the perfect place to get married. Little did I know that by 2017 I would not only be engaged to the man of my dreams, but I would be living in San Francisco just 50 miles from Beaulieu Garden and Napa Valley. Serendipity some might say!
Napa as a destination was not a tough sell. Both our families live in California and all of our east coast friends from college would never turn down a trip to world class wine country. It only took the drive down the tree lined drive way for Tom and my Mom to be sold on the magic of Beaulieu Garden, too. There is something so whimsical about the property. It feels both spectacularly dramatic and comfortably familiar all at the same time. Like being at a close friends house, if your close friend lived on a European estate! It also feels like a true secret garden, tucked up against the hills like you'd hardly realize it was there.
With the venue as the main inspiration, all we needed were a few fairy god mothers to make this romantic secret garden come to life. This is when we met Alexis from Cole Drake Events and the fabulous team from Paula Le Duc. I told Alexis on that first day that I wanted the wedding to feel effortless like "magical garden fairies came and set the table." So, we set off on the most important piece of that- flowers. After scouring Instagram and Style Me Pretty, I discovered Anna of Loop Flowers. Anna had me at "Hellebore" which quickly became the inspiration for the color palette and esthetic. Anna and Alexis were huge in making our vision come to life.
With the venue as the main inspiration, all we needed were a few fairy god mothers to make this romantic secret garden come to life. This is when we met Alexis from Cole Drake Events and the fabulous team from Paula Le Duc. I told Alexis on that first day that I wanted the wedding to feel effortless like "magical garden fairies came and set the table." So, we set off on the most important piece of that- flowers. After scouring Instagram and Style Me Pretty, I discovered Anna of Loop Flowers. Anna had me at "Hellebore" which quickly became the inspiration for the color palette and esthetic. Anna and Alexis were huge in making our vision come to life.
Tablescape was the next biggest piece. My mother threw beautiful parties when I was growing up and we wanted it to feel like one of hers- unique with color and unusual with texture. As if everything came from the pantry collection at an old English estate. The vintage silver flatware and floral vessels, the patterned, stitched table cloth, and the colored goblets all felt owned and collected. I especially loved the iron chairs and sweet twinkle lights because they felt like they were permanently in the garden, adding to the feeling of effortlessness. Anna also installed an incredible masterpiece of hanging floral and floating votives over the head table to really add that "magical fairy touch." For escort cards I found vintage brass keys as if to give every guest a key to the secret garden where dinner took place. These were laid amongst a collection of potted plants and ferns- just like you'd find a hidden key under a pot in your own garden.
Guest were welcomed by a beautiful hand painted silk sign (by Meredith Law) and a fresh lemonade as they were brought into the garden. The ceremony was a dream. I remember finally reaching Tom as the wind picked up and played through the trees like music. Colored fall leaves floated down like it was actually raining love and laughter often erupted from the crowd. Our guests waved blue ribbon wands (that I hand made) to send us down the isle with mess free whimsy! In lieu of formal guest books, I had our guests sign a collection of my favorite cook books and coffee table books. I still enjoy finding a surprise note when I am cooking today! As an alumni of the Cornell Hotel School, my expectations for food and service are often high and Paula Le Duc far and beyond exceeded all expectations throughout the entire event. I still dream of the Braised Short Rib Beggars Purses that were served at cocktail hour.
Guest were welcomed by a beautiful hand painted silk sign (by Meredith Law) and a fresh lemonade as they were brought into the garden. The ceremony was a dream. I remember finally reaching Tom as the wind picked up and played through the trees like music. Colored fall leaves floated down like it was actually raining love and laughter often erupted from the crowd. Our guests waved blue ribbon wands (that I hand made) to send us down the isle with mess free whimsy! In lieu of formal guest books, I had our guests sign a collection of my favorite cook books and coffee table books. I still enjoy finding a surprise note when I am cooking today! As an alumni of the Cornell Hotel School, my expectations for food and service are often high and Paula Le Duc far and beyond exceeded all expectations throughout the entire event. I still dream of the Braised Short Rib Beggars Purses that were served at cocktail hour.
With endless emails, phone calls, meetings, and inspiration research, we spent a year of planning this incredible day. The day is over before you know it and all you have to relive it are the photographs. This is why selecting a photographer you trust is arguably the most important decision next to "I do." Alexis can attest to my indecisiveness around this important decision up until she connected me with Joel. Joel has a way of putting you at ease which allows him to capture you as the real couple you are. He doesn't just capture images, he captures feelings and experiences. I can still look at his photos today and remember exactly how I felt in that moment. He captured the soul of our day and a big piece of our hearts! Tom had never really had professional photos taken before, but after our trip to Solvang to shoot our engagement photos with Joel- Tom felt so incredibly comfortable and Joel had turned him into a pro!
To keep with the idea of timelessness, we chose simple silhouettes for my dress and the bridesmaids and classic tuxedos for the boys. We wanted to look back on photos and feel as though the wedding could have happened yesterday. While weddings typically place so much emphasis on the bride, we wanted Tom to have a big moment, too. He switched into a white dinner jacket for the reception which was a big hit!
The night ended with dancing, unforgettable photos against the flower wall, and passed espresso martinis which are a favorite of ours. Guest were sent off to the after party with house made chocolate covered pretzels for a sweet and savory end to a sweet and savory night.
To keep with the idea of timelessness, we chose simple silhouettes for my dress and the bridesmaids and classic tuxedos for the boys. We wanted to look back on photos and feel as though the wedding could have happened yesterday. While weddings typically place so much emphasis on the bride, we wanted Tom to have a big moment, too. He switched into a white dinner jacket for the reception which was a big hit!
The night ended with dancing, unforgettable photos against the flower wall, and passed espresso martinis which are a favorite of ours. Guest were sent off to the after party with house made chocolate covered pretzels for a sweet and savory end to a sweet and savory night.
