An Intimate Vineyard Wedding in Napa

November 4, 2019

With forty acres of the most incredibly lush vineyards behind them, Krystle and David wed in front of an intimate group made up of 100 of their closest friends and family. Their June wedding was on the property of Odyssey Vineyards, a private estate in the quaint Atlas Peak area of Napa, California.

Choosing to wed on their family-friends property meant that right up until the moment their vows were exchanged, all hands were on deck to ensure that the property was ready for such a special occasion. With the couple being very laid-back and willing to go with the flow to most suggestions made to them, they were not feeling any wedding stress when it came time to preparing the property, however. From transforming the basketball court into a dinner reception space to constructing an arbor in front of the property’s resident Cross on their lawn, the wedding took days of preparation to achieve the beautiful end result.

Letting the Napa vibe and green vineyards around them serve as their inspiration from the moment they sent our their beautiful wine bottle inspired save the dates to their soft pink and olive branch invitations, the couple wanted a warm and intimate Italian-countryside-in-Napa wedding for their special day. With the simplest of florals in blush, ivory, and peach, they kept everything feeling very light and easy with a very natural feel to them. The brides bouquet was a bundle of rustic elegance that make a big impact against her blush gown.

The ceremony was located on the upper lawn, in front of the home owners wood and brick Cross statue. The florist, Kathy from The Flower Theory, constructed an arch adorned with florals and greenery creating the perfect rustic arbor for the couple to wed under. The soft peach and ivory flowers added such a delicate touch in the arch arrangements to offset all of the surrounding greenery. The guests sat on wooden benches to watch the couples vows with simple wicker lawn ornaments at the end of each pew with little floral arrangements tucked into them.

The brides cousin officiated the non-denominational ceremony while the bride, Krystle, and groom, David, wrote their own vows that truly spoke to who they are individually and as a couple. With two special elements as a part of their ceremony; Davids son from a previous marriage gave his own vows and did a reading for his dad and soon-to-be step-mom not leaving a dry eye in the crowd. Additionally, both the bride and groom had special messages in their vows speaking to Krystle being 8-months pregnant with their baby girl.

Following their short and very sweet ceremony, guests mingled around the upper lawn where they could stand at tall cocktail tables with a soft taupe linen and delicate little bud vases filled with the blush and ivory flowers matching the arch. Guests enjoyed specialty cocktails, that the couple chose and named themselves, as they nibbled on passed appetizers from caterer, Elaine Bell Catering.

When it came time to move guests to the dinner reception location, they walked down into a space that was transformed from a basketball court to feeling like they were dining outdoors in Tuscany. From the simple farm tables left bare with just simple bud vases scattered down the length of them accentuated by light greenery such as olive branches and eucalyptus, to the multiple lounge areas set underneath a large oak tree with cafe lights hanging above them, it was the perfect warm gathering for their intimate group.

The couple sat at a family table while all of the guests had assigned seats marked with handmade place cards and the brides gift to each guest; evil eye charms and a sprig of an olive branch. The place settings were kept simple as to not crowd the tables in order to maintain space for the various platters serving the guests in a family-style dining.

Elaine Bell Catering created a delicious menu composed of dishes such as Cabernet Marinated Flat Iron Steak with a Creamy Truffle Sauce, Salmon with Herb Olive Oil, Rosemary Citrus Sea Salt, With Greek Yogurt, Lemon and Dill as well as Acini di Peppe with Fontina and Basil With Fried Garlic Slices. The guests loved the experience of serving themselves while being able to pick and choose what sounded best to them, and of course taking seconds!

After dinner, the couple was whisked off by their photographer, Dillon Phommosa, for the perfect sunset photos in the vineyard while guests mingled and enjoyed fresh coffee from a hired Espresso cart. Upon returning from their photos, guests were wowed by the wedding cake that the grooms mother made especially for the couple, per her sons request! It was a beautiful cake adorned with fresh fruit and dusted with powdered sugar. After a quick dress change for the bride, the couple cut their special cake and guests enjoyed their slices while everyone gathered on the dance-floor for an evening of fun under the moonlight kicked-off by the couples first dance together!