How did you meet?
The old-fashioned way: online!
How did COVID affect your wedding?
COVID-19 affected all aspects of the wedding, but the top priority was to keep our family and guests safe. We were no longer able to have the ceremony inside, so chose to have it outside of the chapel. We had to limit the number of guests who could attend the ceremony; we made multiple changes to our menu and the way food was served (we cut a small cake, but had individually packaged desserts for all guests, and we kept the cake!); and seating for dinner was done by households, outside and with ample space. Many of the bride’s friends and family live out of town, and were unable to attend due to travel restrictions. And, in addition to COVID, we were in the middle of fire season, and smoky conditions. But we prevailed, and it was a safe and happy celebration!
How was wedding planning?
It was more about pivoting than planning. We had to be flexible and realized that some things were just beyond our control. My favorite time was trying on wedding dresses at La Soie. It was just my mom and me, so it was a very special moment. The biggest challenge was having to make last minute costly changes due to COVID restrictions.
How would you describe the ceremony?
Intimate, personal and with elements of tradition. For me (the bride), the ceremony was the most important part of the whole day. We kept our wedding party very small: a matron of honor and a best man. Our guests from the east coast and Los Angeles who could not attend due to COVID restrictions were with us via Zoom. The acoustic guitar musician played “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley for my entrance, which was a tribute to my late grandparents (who loved Elvis!). We both wanted someone special to be the officiant, so we asked our good friend and husband of the matron of honor. He was outstanding, and made it a very meaningful moment for us.
What was your favorite detail of the day?
The dinner hour. Our guests sat at a mix of farm style and square tables which were decorated with greenery and candles, along with gold flatware. Frank Sinatra played in the background, and the sun was setting over the vineyard. We sat at a sweetheart table and could see our family and friends enjoying themselves. It was beautiful.
What were your favors?
Ryan is a winemaker so we created a special Sauvignon Blanc for our guests with a custom label.
