Cathy and Jeff met at a dessert bar in Seattle. They dated for five years. Then came the proposal: “He surprised me at home by proposing one day,” says Cathy. “He even had my corgi deliver the ring.”
The couple originally wanted to get married in Italy but due to the logistics of getting their guests there, they decided to get married closer to home. They chose to say “I Do” at Clos LaChance Vineyards because the winery immediately reminded them of a Tuscan villa and evoked the kind of ambiance they dreamed about. The couple chose a soft and romantic palette of light pink, peach and cream to complement the winery’s rustic elegance. “We had a simple and intimate ceremony, which was what we both had wanted,” she says. “We had a string trio playing some of our favorite songs and we had a mutual friend officiating so it was a very personal experience.”
Wedding planning was tough enough but the couple had even more details to plan. “The biggest challenge was trying to buy a house the week before our wedding, which was a bad idea,” says Jeff. Yet, Cathy was surprised she was able to stay calm on the big day. “I was expecting to be much more nervous but once I got to the winery, everything just felt like it was finally coming together.” Cathy fondly remembers meeting Jeff under a big tree among the grapevines before the ceremony. “I just felt so excited to see him and to start our lives together as a married couple,” she says. “It was almost like meeting for the first time again.” Jeff loved listening to Cathy read her vows. “I felt so lucky to be with her,” he says.
The guest list was intimate with 40 attendees, and the couple passed on having a bridal party, except for the bride’s baby niece who served as flower girl. They also skipped other traditions. “I think we’re both non-traditional people so we intentionally left out all the Chinese traditions from my side,” says Cathy.
The reception was held outside on the terrace. The newlyweds wanted an outdoor reception since they love dining al fresco. Plus, they didn’t want their guests to have to travel to another location. “It was magical seeing our reception tables set up with our personal photos and the flowers, which looked even better than I envisioned,” says Cathy.
There were some notable moments during their wedding day including watching Jeff’s father “dance for the first time since 1980” and Cathy seeing her husband do the worm. “I didn’t know he could even move like that,” she says.
—Kristen Castillo
