REAL WEDDING: KATHY & MATT

However, once we saw Calistoga Ranch and the ceremony site at the back of the canyon, surrounded by trees, a lake, the blue sky and birds flying overhead, we knew this was the place!  It was quiet, serene, and peaceful and we were surrounded by nature – it was PERFECT for us.  I also wanted a simple yet elegant wedding, which Calistoga Ranch provided, and I wanted to provide an experience for those close friends and family coming to celebrate with us. 

I did not want a typical wedding, nor a typical wine-inspired Napa Valley wedding, I wanted something different.  I liked that Calistoga Ranch was going to offer this to us and our guests – from the spectacular location and ceremony back-drop to a multi-course dinner of the most amazing food paired with delicious
wine.  Once the location was secured, the rest of the wedding details came together in about 2-2.5 months (the one thing I did have was my dress – the first thing I starting looking for)!

Our engagement pictures were taken in a nearby state park, near where we road bikes a lot .  I wanted the majestic oak trees and the straw-colored grass as the background for our pictures.  I continued to use this oak tree theme as part of the nature inspiration for the wedding décor.  The invitations had a three-oak leaf and acorn graphic at the top, followed by a quote I found ‘To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides’.  The oak graphic continued on the RSVP cards and envelopes.  Nature also inspired the colors – green (sage/woodland green), champagne (like my dress), and camel brown (color of some of the text).  I wanted an elegant softness that I think shows in the colors and in the wedding dress I chose and the bridal party dresses.  I also wanted a simple and classic look, one where you can look back at the pictures have the images be somewhat timeless.  I had also wanted a very romantic feel to the wedding, and was drawn to the color red.  We added a burgundy touch of color with flowers at the ceremony site and brought it in to the reception cave as well.  The tables were covered with shimmery champagne-colored linens.  My fabulous floral artist had the creative idea of using our oak/nature theme by adding moss-covered oak branches interspersed in the center of the reception tables and oak branch arrangements in large vases in the entry way of the cave and the bar area.  I also knew I wanted candlelight and lots of it!  We had pillar candles and votives mixed in with contemporary centerpieces of burgundy flowers arranged in square vases, single-type flowers and some added green texture.

Lastly, the photography was VERY important to me and my husband (maybe more so me – I’m the particular one!).  The photography was as important as the location.  Through A LOT of research and several photographer interviews, balancing budget with the style I was looking for, I found Cliff!.  Since we only had about 2 months before our wedding, I was anxious about his availability.  It turned out he was available and ended up being the low-key, very personable, easy-going kind of photographer we wanted.  Aside from that, we thought he’s a meticulous photographer and his photography was gorgeous.  His wife was just as pleasant to hang out with during our shoots too.  We thought they were great and I love what he captured of our day!