Toile Elegance in the Heart of Northern California at Park Winters

Lauren Megerdichian
June 9, 2023
Categories: The Blog

[section title=”The Planning”]

[field title=”Wedding Colors”]French blue, white, cream, blush, natural greenery, silver [/field]

[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]Lisa and Mark were looking to create the look and feel of a classic french chateau while incorporating California’s farm to table specialty. They were looking to create a look of simplicity and elegance and a feel of a French garden party, becoming LaPointes and all it was only fitting to throw a host a French style wedding. Since the wedding was in the summer we wanted to keep the colors light and playful with touches of silver to bring in the elegance. It was important to Lisa + Mark that every detail felt special and hand-picked. With only 50 guests, their focus was on creating an intimate atmosphere and to create a unique experience for their guests. The couple lives in Minnesota and along with their closest family and friends, everyone made the long journey to California to celebrate. [/field]

[field title=”Proposal Story”]Mark and Lisa met in college and have been together for a decade. Mark proposed to Lisa downtown Minneapolis near their home along the Mississippi River. It was an amazing spot with the gorgeous Minneapolis skyline and the river in the background. Mark hired a photographer to capture the moment. After all those years that moment was something truly magical. Now, when they go for evening strolls downtown along the river they get to stop at the same spot and cherish the moment all over again.

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[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

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[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

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[section title=”The Fashion”]

[field title=”Wedding Gown”]Lisa wore a classic A line gown with structured neckline by Rita Vinieris.

Quote from Lisa:

I was looking for something simple and elegant. I wanted to feel beautiful and bridal. This dress was perfect, allowing me to feel beautiful and comfortable. The A-line is something that I have never worn before, I loved spinning around watching the bottom float around me. It also had POCKETS! It was a no-brainer after that.

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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]To play off the blue and white themes, the bridesmaids wore a collection of toile print bridesmaids dresses and jumpsuits from Reformation.

Quote from Lisa:

I wanted my bridesmaids to have the freedom to find a dress style that they felt confident in. Not everyone’s bodies are the same so why should the dress? But I wanted the dresses to be cohesive. Once we settle on our vibes for the wedding, I felt like lights blues and white flowers fit the elegantly, light, and airy, french wine country atmosphere we were going for. My bridesmaids loved them. They are comfortable and great to wear on a hot California day, and unlike other bridesmaid dresses… they can wear it again. [/field]

[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]The gentlemen were donning black tuxes for a classic elegant look.

Quote from Mark:

Lisa has always been the creative and colorful half of this partnership. My favorite ice cream, on the other hand, is plain vanilla (which is still top tier, by the way). That contrast in our styles, with respect to fashion and general demeanor, has helped both of us grow and expand our perspectives on life. I thought it was only fitting to express that through the guy’s attire by wearing crisp, black tuxedos to match Lisa’s and her bridesmaids’ elegant dresses…

Who am I kidding? I just wanted to dress up like James Bond.[/field]

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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Party”]

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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

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[section title=”The Details”]

[field title=”Food & Drink”]At cocktail hour guests enjoyed bites of Edamame Falafel and Hot Chicken with Waffles as well as a Cheese & Charcuterie Station. Lisa + Mark decided on refreshing His and Hers cocktails because it would be a warm summer day. The “Hers” was a classic Aperol Spritz served with an orange slice garnish and the “His” was a traditional and always a summer favorite, the Mojito. Their plated dinner service started with a Farm Greens Salad consisting of honey shallot dressing, roasted walnuts, goat cheese, and stone fruit. Entrees were a choice of Prime New York Steak served with smokehouse jack gratin, tempranillo beef jus, and summer squash or King Salmon served with wild rice pilaf, miso honey glaze, baby bok choy, and eggplant. Park Winters has a large farm on property and all of the vegetables are harvested fresh for each wedding. Lisa + Mark fell in love with the Farm to Table aspect and guests were truly impressed by the outstanding quality of the meal. In addition to wedding cake, Palette Cakes provided hand-painted sugar cookies that depicted sprawling fields and flowers. They were almost too beautiful to eat! A fun moment shared by the couple was pouring a champagne tower with their favorite bottle of Veuve Cliquot. [/field]

[field title=”Florals & Decor”]The wedding elevated the inherent garden vibes of Park Winters by incorporating a variety of garden roses, with lots and lots of hydrangeas in varying tones. The key color was french blue and it carried the design through all the details. Touches of blush and pink were added to create more visual interest. [/field]

[field title=”Wedding Cake”]The wedding cake by Palette Cakes was truly a work of art. Kellie took Lisa’s favorite flower – the Hydrangea and brought them to life as sugar flowers in the perfect shade of dusty blue. She paired those with blush sugar roses and more white hydrangeas to create an elegant and dainty statement cake. [/field]

[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]Live musicians greeted guests at they entered the ceremony space. The wedding party walked down the aisle to a live instrumental of Wildest Dream by Duomo. Then Lisa and her father walked down the aisle to “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. Lisa and Mark walked down the aisle for the first time as husband and wife to “This will be (An everlasting love)” Their first dance song was very special to them as it was written by their close friend, Pink and Green by Ryan McCartan. Ryan didn’t know they had chosen his song as their first dance and was completely surprised when he heard it playing! After the dance was over he ran up to give the couple a big hug and celebrate such a sweet moment together. The father/daughter dance was a more unusual song choice but it had guests standing and clapping along to “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” Mark and his mother danced sweetly to “In My Life by the Beatles”

Quote from Lisa:

The father daughter danced with my dad. Since I can remember, at every wedding we went to my dad would request “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” . He loved singing along and dancing his heart out at weddings to that song. So that was our father daughter dance. It’s not your usual father-daughter song. Which is why I love it. We choreographed the dance with “Maya Moves”, who I found through the “Betches Brides” podcast. She was amazing and patient with us to create a once in a lifetime moment with my dad. [/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #1″]A custom monogram donned their welcome bags, items in the bag such as cups and treat bags, and more.[/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #2″]Lisa, the bride, owns her own small bakery business, called “LaPointe Bakery” and she made all the cookies for the welcome bags.[/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #3″]The bride and groom danced to one of their dear friend’s songs for their first dance. Their friend, in attendance, had no idea that they would be dancing to it and he was ultimately very surprised. [/field]

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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

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