Oh my! What a wedding, what a crowd and what a couple! I loved shooting this wedding. Not only was it simply gorgeously executed by Mary Ellen and her team from Off the Beaten Path Weddings, but Tanya and Allen and their guests were all so full of love. It was a giant love-fest!
This private residence was the perfect "off-the-beaten-path" venue for this truly picturesque wedding. The guests got slow glimpses as the ceremony in the late afternoon transitioned up the hill to the glorious views of the mountains just north of Calistoga and then back to the lovely lawn area for dining and dancing as the sun set over the vineyard on the hillside. This wedding was so perfect for this couple because they love wine country, the forest, camping, and hiking. The location not only had vineyards and rolling hills, but there's even a small redwood grove in which they nestled a lounge area with a dessert and coffee bar for later in the evening. The grove and the dining area were strung with lights making the evening portion of the wedding just as magical as the late afternoon and sunset portions of the day!
There were so many personal touches beyond the gorgeous florals, the luscious family style meal and of course event design done by Mary Ellen of Off the Beaten Path, but friends, family, bride and groom also contributed in so many special ways! Tanya's sister married the couple and helped design the ceremony so it was personal to Tanya and Allen. The bi-lingual ceremony included touches from both the bride and groom's background including ringing Swiss cowbells to mark the official moment they were married.
Overall, one heck of a perfect wedding and one terrific couple. So much LOVE! Hooray for Tanya and Allen! I feel so fortunate to have shared in such an intimate day of their lives!
Event Designer, Floral Designer, and Caterer: Off the Beaten Path Weddings
Hair and Make-up Artist: Betten Chaston