It was May in Napa – and any other bride who has spent the last year planning the perfect celebration may get flustered by the possible threat of rain. Not Jen. She’s one of those girls who’s composed – and even gains a sassy feistiness – in the face of challenge. The teal-and-orange-themed affair had every bit the glamor of a modern Hollywood movie, yet there was also a casual elegance that made you completely at ease, especially around the bride and her stoic groom Bryan. You’ll never guess by looking at the gorgeous chic wedding – complete with Jen’s Oscar De La Renta gown, Bryan’s whimsical plaid blue sportcoat and crimson bowtie, the couple’s darling Golden Retriever Bauer, and the exquisitely designed invitations and orange tulips – that the bride and groom were ever nervous. Of course, the couple had tremendous help from exceptional coordinator Mary Ellen Murphy, who was always two steps ahead of everyone and even gave an excellent weather-related pep talk first thing in the morning. And this certainly came in handy when rain started falling during dinner – their 170 well-heeled guests proceeded one by one to seek shelter from their napkins. In what must be the most unexpected but utterly memorable end to the night, sparklers set off a mini fire on the floor of the tent. Below, Jen talks about how she and Bryan met:
“Although we lived 4 blocks from one another in San Francisco for over 5 years, we were not introduced until my friend Wes met Bryan at a mutual friend’s Bachelor party in Mexico and decided we should meet on account of our penchant for pink and plaid. Our first meeting was at The Comet Club during Western Wednesday in July 2008. Bryan was not wearing Western attire. By November, we had traveled to Morocco together – and I had not stopped laughing since Western Wednesday. Bryan proposed in Sonoma on a beautiful day in September last year… with a cherry ring pop. He said, ‘If I had asked you what kind of ring you wanted, it would have ruined the surprise.’ The proposal was preceded by a very Bachelor-esque helicopter tour of the valley.”
Wedding Coordinator: Mary Ellen Murphy, Off the Beaten Path | Invitation Designer: Passing Notes | Floral Designer: Erica Lewis | Photographer: Catherine Hall | Hotel: Hotel Yountville | Band: Black Market Jazz Orchestra | Catering: Elaine Bell | Bar: DrinkSF | Hair & Makeup: Sarah Hyde | Wedding Gown: Oscar De La Renta | Officiant: Steven Friedman
This wedding is absolutely stunning! Every detail is perfect, and gorgeous images as usual Catherine!