Nicole and Mike got engaged on a beautiful ocean-side cliff called Spitting Caves in Oahu, Hawaii, during a gorgeous sunset. They met at a trendy bar, so it was only fitting that they get married at an equally trendy winery. “Although Mike and I live in Hawaii, I’m from the Bay Area and have a big Italian family, so I wanted a California wedding, and I like the country atmosphere of the Plymouth area,” says the bride.
After having gone wine tasting in Plymouth a few times, she decided on Andis Winery as the destination for her and Mike’s wedding. The clincher may have been finding out that the owners lived in Hawaii part-time, and like the islanders, were easygoing and fuss-free. “I wanted a simple, fun wedding; not an expensive, fancy, stressful wedding…Andis fit the bill perfectly,” she says.
The bride made all the selections and decisions pertaining to the wedding. “She has exquisite taste,” says Mike, who let her take the lead. They had a box of flip-flops with a sign that said “Aloha for your feet,” games for the kids and the young-at-heart, stunning surroundings of verdant vines and rustic barrels, exquisite food, and of course, lots of wine. A Ford Model A belonging to Nicole’s great-grandfather was also featured in the wedding, along with her grandmother’s cake knife and the cake topper from her own parents’ wedding.
Love, tradition, friends and family made this wedding memorable. It was “fun-loving and positive,” according to Mike, and also precious, since it included their eight-month-old baby, Alex. Nicole’s most memorable moment was “when Mike and I went into the barrel room (where dinner would be) to put our sleeping baby into the porta-crib. The DJ was playing a sweet Michael Bublé song, [and] we danced all alone,” she says. Nicole also loved seeing her “relaxed” husband in a suit for the first time.
Mike describes them as a passionate couple, who are team-oriented and stronger since their wedding. “It made us realize we’re stuck with each other!” he quips. “[The wedding] was relaxed and fun, but ‘nice’ (wish I could find a better word) and sophisticated as well,” says Nicole.
“Viva gli Sposi” said a sign at the entrance of their venue, translating to: “long live the newlyweds.” It not only celebrated the Italian heritage, but also signified a lasting bond that has been forged between the now husband and wife.
— Tara Mendanha
