Hues of Blue, A Stunning Chandelier and a Dried Flower Escort Wall You Don’t Want to Miss

Samantha Melei
October 6, 2019
Categories: Real Weddings, The Blog

I am not ready to let go of Summer just yet and this wedding is giving me all of the late Summer feels with driftwood colored chairs and hues of blue! Chalk Hill Estates and Wines became the destination venue of choice filled with the fairytale feel the bride was looking for from romantic pathways to a stunning outdoor ceremony. When it came to designing, Reed & James Events showcased the couple’s style with a beautifully decorated chandelier with assistance by Revel Floral and an eye-catching dried flower escort wall. Weddings by Scott and Dana was there to capture the magic, so take a look below and hold on to that last bit of Summer with me!

Words from the Bride…“Martin and I met online. The first date was a “meet up” with Martin and I and my girlfriend. She had just had a baby and wanted to remember the fun of single life so she asked what was going on in my dating life. I was tragically single and had been for awhile. Martin and I hadn’t met yet but we spoke for three hours the night before. I texted him and said my girlfriend and I are going to grab a drink if you want to join. He responded “where and when?” and we met at Mercado for some spicy margs.

Martin later proposed at the place we first met. I was unsuspecting because I’d had a bad day at work, and he suggested we go to Mercado, which we hadn’t done for a while. I did have a fleeting thought of “hmmm… it’s where we first met so maybe he’ll propose….” but quickly remembered that he was adamant we not get engaged before 2019 (and this was Fall 2018). Needless to say, he caught me off guard. I got there and he was sitting at the bar. I hopped up on a barstool and he further confused me by having the bartender “hit on me.” He was like: “Is this how it is going to be? Bartenders always hitting on you.” I was so confused, and so Martin repeated it and said: “Is this how it is going to be FOREVER?” And as he started talking about forever, I was blinded by the ring. It was breathtaking. I started crying and was just staring at it until he started to take it out of the box and slip it on and said: “Will you marry me?”

We chose a destination wedding because we wanted it to be a fabulous getaway for our guests. I wanted an elegant fairytale, and once we saw Chalk Hill we knew that was our venue. It was breathtaking and completely fit with the fairytale vibe. It reminded me of the trip of a lifetime to Tuscany with Martin and my parents.

We wanted to be outdoors and showcase the beauty of Northern California. We also wanted a venue that made it worthwhile for our friends and family to travel to the wedding.

Our design was completely in line with what I envisioned – I wanted summer vibes but also wanted to be neutral and muted. I loved the light blue accents that Brittany, our wedding planner from Reed & James Events, showed us and thought it was a peaceful color to compliment our white and green florals. It completely fit the property’s style and turned out so elegant.

Brittany and our florist, Revel Floral, came up with a dried flower display for everyone’s table assignments. It was one of my favorite design elements! Also, the chandelier with greenery was jaw-dropping.

We opted out of many traditions. We offered a full bar but didn’t do a formal champagne toast. Guests just toasted with whatever drinks guests had on hand. We also chose not to do the bouquet and guarder toss. I feel like the bouquet and guarder toss are a bit old fashioned nowadays. Also, I am older and Martin is as well so we weren’t comfortable highlighting those that were single at the party.

I have so many favorite moments, but I really enjoyed the First Look. Brittany had to talk our family into allowing the first look, but it ended up being perfect. It was so calming; I was so anxious and then seeing him before the wedding reminded me that it was all going to be great.

I finished getting ready with my stepdaughters and it was really special having them there with me all day. I enjoyed hanging with my mom when she was getting her makeup done as well at the hotel before transferring to Chalk Hill. And seeing my dad for the first time. I was hysterical.

Everyone said it would go by so fast and it really did. I didn’t want the band to stop. It was so surreal. All of it. I wouldn’t do anything differently. The entire day was completely perfect. Martin and I had a few minutes alone between cocktail hour and dinner and that was amazing. Just having some alone time, being husband and wife, without anyone around. It went by so fast, which everyone said it would.

My biggest piece of advice is to just enjoy every moment, and having a good wedding planner and team in place helps!”