A Tuscan-Inspired Estate Wedding in Sonoma with Vineyard Views
[section title=”The Planning”]
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White and green with touches of bronze and merlot accents
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[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]
The design was inspired by a beautiful private estate nestled in the hills of Sonoma that looked straight out of Tuscany. Simone designed a pergola on the bocce ball court at the back of the property that transported the guests to Tuscany, many of them commenting all night that they felt like they were in the Italian countryside looking out at the rolling hills covered in vines.
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[field title=”Proposal Story”]
From the bride: George and I met through Match.com and had our first date on January 9, 2022! We feel SO blessed to have found each other in the vast ocean of single people who try online dating. Almost 3 years later, on the day before my 65th birthday (9/14/24), George popped the question in the most romantic setting in Lake Como, Italy!!! He had reserved a private terrace on the lake at Villa D’Este and ordered the most incredible flower arrangements as well as our favorite champagne (Laurent Perrier Rose) and gorgeous handmade chocolates. He also made a playlist with our favorite love songs,s which the hotel staff started playing just as we walked out onto the terrace, and I immediately knew what was happening. My heart exploded! I couldn’t have dreamed of a more romantic proposal!
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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]
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[board_carousel title=”First Look”]
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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]
I booked a weekend trip with 4 of my girlfriends to shop for a gown at Kleinfeld’s. As a second-time bride, I knew I wanted a very simple, modern gown, and the bridal consultant brought me a variety of options to try on. None of them suited me, so one of my friends who is in the fashion industry decided to take a look at the racks. She found me the perfect Pnina Tornai dress with a “Vivienne Westwood” vibe, which was exactly what I was looking for! I removed the train and changed the laced corset back to a zipper closure, and it was perfect! For my second dress, I chose a Bronx and Banco gown in a mesh fabric with silver tone sequins and beading.
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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”][/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”][/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]
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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]
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[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]
Paula Le Duc curated an impeccable multi-course gourmet dinner party for the guests, featuring an heirloom tomato salad, a sugo pasta course, and finishing off with herb-crusted sea bass; each course had its own wine pairing.
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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]
Simone and Max Gill collaborated to create multiple unique spaces around the property to take guests on a journey and make them feel transported to the Tuscan countryside. Guests were welcomed on site with a pre-ceremony reception in an olive grove where they sipped champagne and left the couple well wishes in the guest book, a Robert Mapplethorpe coffee table book of flowers. Guests made their way through a line of olive trees to the side of the estate overlooking the vineyard for the intimate ceremony with towering Cyprus trees in the background. Not wanting to distract from the natural beauty of the landscape, Simone and Max created a low-profile ceremony that felt both elevated and natural with a low circle of white and green florals on an elevated stage. Guests were seated in a semi-circle, and the aisle was lined with wild florals that echoed the ones on the altar and gave the illusion of the flowers spilling out into the crowd and enveloping the guests. Post Ceremony, guests enjoyed a cocktail hour by the pool, watching the sun turn the hills golden as they sipped on two signature cocktails and wine from the region. The wild and romantic florals continued, dotted throughout romantic lounge vignettes by the pool, and darker wine colors were introduced in the florals to transition guests into the evening. Right before the sun dipped below the hills, guests were invited to be seated for dinner at a grand table that ran the length of the bocce ball court under a pergola of greenery with hanging bistro lights above. The table was reminiscent of a work of art from the Renaissance with beautiful bronze chargers juxtaposed with modern bronze flatware and clean ceramic plates topped with a linen-backed printed menu and delicate etched crystal stemware. The white and green florals continued into the dinner, mixed with moody shades of plum and merlot flowers and fresh seasonal fruit, including figs, pears, and grapes, and of course, hundreds of candles to set the perfect mood.
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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]
Flour & Bloom created a beautiful classic three-tiered white wedding cake, which Max Gill adorned with real flowers and vines.
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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]
We wanted our wedding to honor our family and reflect the joy we felt at being able to share our joy with them and our closest friends in an intimate setting. The ceremony music was chosen from classical pieces performed by a string trio to bring a sense of solemnity and formality to the ceremony. However, as a transition from the ceremony to the cocktail hour, the recessional was a string version of the Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love” to capture the festive, fun mood for the rest of the evening. The readings were done by the groom’s sister, who read a portion of a poem (Pablo Neruda’s Sonnet XVII), and the bride’s brother read a Scripture passage from Song of Solomon (Verses 2:10-13). We were also blessed to have our beloved long-time friend, Dr. James Smith, perform the wedding ceremony.
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[field title=”Special Detail #1″]
We rented a classic 1956 Porsche as our “getaway” car, which we thought captured the California road trip vibe and added a romantic, glamorous backdrop to our “golden hour” photos.
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[field title=”Special Detail #2″]
Each guest was given a handwritten letter on beautifully designed custom stationery from the bride and groom expressing their gratitude for their participation in their wedding day, as well as the special things they love about each guest. The cards were meant to be placed at each seat prior to the guests being seated, but due to the windy conditions, the servers presented each guest with their note on a silver tray. After each guest had time to read their personal notes, the bride and groom entered the reception area and were seated with the guests.
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[field title=”Special Detail #3″]
Both of the couple’s parents are deceased, so their absence was felt on their special day. However, both of their mothers made their presence known in various special ways. Hummingbirds – while the bride was getting ready at The Montage Guest House, a hummingbird flew onto the deck directly across from the opening where the bride was seated. Her mother loved hummingbirds,s and she had the sense that this was her mother coming to offer her love and blessings. Then again, during the vows, a hummingbird flew around the platform where the bride and groom stood. They are both sure that this was their mother joining in the celebration! Airplane – The groom’s mother had learned to fly airplanes and helicopters when she was in her 50’s and owned a Cessna aircraft that she flew on the East Coast. At the exact time of the vows, a single Cessna flew directly over the ceremony platform and off into the distance. Both of us were sure that this was George’s mom sending her love. Another special detail— There were 4 other couples who attended the wedding, celebrating wedding anniversaries in September, including the bride’s friend and matron of honor,r who was celebrating her 40th anniversary that same week. During the dance portion of the evening, the 4 couples were honored with a toast and asked to come up to the dance floor to enjoy a private dance to “The Way You Looked Tonight”. When the dance ended, each couple was presented with a Tiffany gift box with a glass heart-shaped band and an anniversary card as a memento.
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[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]
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[iframe https://www.youtube.com/embed/869dvWRO8lc 600 338]
Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography | Cinematography: Light Cannon Films | Event Planning: Simone Lennon Events | Floral Design: Max Gill | Gown: Pnina Tornai | Cake: Flour & Bloom | Stationery: Lotus & Ash | Reception Venue: Distinct Locations | Catering: Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events | Hair and Makeup: Sherrie Long Makeup Hair & Effects | Lighting: Got Light | Entertainment: Dart Collective | Parking Attendants: Soiree Valet | Rentals: Casa de Perrin | Rentals: Theoni Collection | Rentals: Found Rental Co. | Rentals: Hensley Event Resources | Rentals: Zephyr Tents
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