IDoVenues's Blog

I Do Venues: Cline Cellars

2012-05-21T16:00:00Z

Photography By: Tiffany Fosnight and Nicola Borland of Adeline and Grace Photography

Summary

As you drive down the Carneros Highway you are surrounded by wineries on all sides, but the Cline Cellars is the first winery you will encounter. It's a beautiful and welcoming location for your family and friends as an introduction to your wine country celebration.

The team at Cline Cellars have done a remarkable job of creating a lush green garden oasis which can function as a central location for your wedding ceremony and reception. The great lawn sets a spectacular backdrop for the couple looking to host a breathtaking affair, capturing the natural beauty of the picturesque surroundings. I love the mature willow trees - they are the ideal spot to frame in the bride and groom as they exchange vows. The trees, ponds, and aviaries give your guests the feeling that they are at a private wine country retreat versus a traditional winery. Don't get me wrong - Cline has been making some of the best vintages for over fifty years.

The couple featured above chose to hold their ceremony on the great lawn. I love the dramatic use of rose petals, which adds color and texture. And what bride wouldn't want to arrive on a bed of roses? Add to the lush greenery by adding some color. The combination of the rose petals down the aisle along with the bright floral arrangements on the pillars is a perfect choice. A clean and simple design adds to the surroundings rather than outshine it.

I Do Venues: Headlands Center For The Arts

2012-05-18T16:00:00Z

Photography By: Kate Harrison

Summary

Have you ever heard the saying "We don't remember days. We remember moments?" That quote immediately comes to mind as I view these amazing photographs by Kate Harrison which document this couple's special moments at The Headlands Center for the Arts.

Kate's unique production style is wonderful - so soft and romantic - but consider the unique moments she has captured. You won't find these expressions or emotions in a set of posed wedding pictures. These wedding photos are just jaw-dropping. The Headlands Center for the Arts is surrounded by amazing natural landscape. The foothills are carpeted with wildflowers and sea grass while the gorgeous ocean vistas feature large rock formations from centuries of waves crashing against them. Historic buildings and colorful birds are in abundance. All these picturesque elements lead to a one-of-a-kind photo gallery to share with your family and friends.

When you consider your wedding day photography, take an active role. We always suggest working with a photographer who knows your event venue. If it is a new venue for them, at minimum you will want to visit the venue with your photographer, discussing the different backdrops that you want to have represented. As with so many things in life, great wedding photographs depend on location, location, location. Work with your photographer to choose places that have meaning, but let them use their creative talents to optimize the locations.

I love how this couple and the photographer bring in the rustic elements. The sparse backdrop really makes the details stand out. The shoes against the natural wood floor... even the old radiators make for a great background. The Headlands is a great location for inventive photography. It is a place where you can think outside the box and have fun with it. Be fun and quirky - the venue screams for it.

I Do Venues: Attention to detail at The Carneros Inn

2012-05-16T16:00:00Z

Photography By: Tiffany Fosnight of Adeline and Grace Photography

Summary

The Carneros Inn is a truly amazing venue; from your engagement to your wedding or even as a location to spend your honeymoon, this four star resort offers everything a couple needs to plan a perfect wedding celebration. The beauty of a full service resort like the Carneros Inn is that they let you focus on the details, allowing you to have as magical of an event as you imagined. The service at the Carneros Inn is impeccable - no need to sweat the small stuff, it will all be taken care of. We love this inspired and sophisticated wedding's bold use of color.

Tiffany Fosnight has done a wonderful job of sharing the details and emotions of this celebration. The amazing assortment of flowers, orchids, fiddlehead fern, hydrangea, roses, and thistle create truly unique floral arrangements, and the use of succulents and manzanita help to tie in the natural setting that the resort is so well known for. I love the infusion of the vibrant green in the linen; it creates a canvass for the rest of the design and creates emphasis on the colorful floral arrangements.

Ask the expert

If you are having a hard time thinking about the details, let your designer or florist know one element, one flower, one color, or one texture and let them run with it. You would be amazed at where you can find inspiration. This design transcends seasons - it would really work any time of the year. If you are having a late fall or winter wedding, consider a similar design but incorporate a linen choice with a darker base.

I Do Venues: Embrace your Natural Surroundings

2012-05-14T16:00:00Z

Photography by: Bella Rose Photography

Summary

The primary theme of this celebration is a wonderful combination of complimentary soft greens paired with chocolate and wheat. The bridal bouquet combines pale green orchids, tulips, and nurines in a classic bouquet. Modest table arrangements of a similar style are neatly bound by organic twine - a twist to your classic white satin ribbon. I love the use of the artichoke as a vessel for candles - this unique and fun element also looks great when added to formal flower arrangements. Rustic lanterns surrounded by river rock are a great functional accompaniment to this overall design.

The table arrangements are comprised of drift wood with cattails, bouvardias, and viburnums. These clever arrangements surround a trio of pillar candles and votive. The detail in the guest book is wonderful, the ultimate message in a bottle. This creative and unique idea makes a great mantle decor until you are ready to read all the well wishes from your wedding guests.

There are so many different ways to style a color palette primarily consisting of Moss Green, Granny Smith, and Coco Brown. These colors look amazing in any garden setting accented by ivory and ecru. There is a current trend leaning towards a 'barn' wedding and these colors will blend seamlessly. The Mill Valley Outdoor Art Club features these colors well and they would look great at the Brazilian Room in Tilden Park. You may also consider a similar style at Barn Diva or The Headlands Center for The Arts.

I Do Venues: Casa Real Design Tips

2012-05-11T16:00:00Z

Photography By: Julie Mikos

Summary

If you are looking for an amazing venue to exchange traditional wedding vows, look no further. Casa Real, located in the Livermore Valley, has everything a traditional bride could want. The richly appointed details, modest price tag, and great service make designing and hosting your wedding truly delightful. If you have always envisioned a magical garden wedding ceremony, consider using the outdoor Sun Plaza. The plaza is a wonderful location to incorporate a garden, Mediterranean, or wine country theme into your wedding celebration.

Give your ceremony backdrop a splash of color by adorning the trickling fountain and pillars with additional vines. Water plants floating in the lower levels add to the intrigue of the fountain. Whether you choose to have your ceremony under the garden's Redwood arbor, or centered around its amazing wall fountain, treat the area with heavy florals and greenery in inspiring colors. The facility provides chiavari chairs at a nominal cost, and using them will provide an economical design element. Add elegance by adorning the chiavari chairs with flowing silk ties or parchment envelopes filled with rose petals for tossing.

I Do Venues: Barndiva Every Foodie's Dream

2012-05-09T16:00:00Z

Photography by: Sarabek Images

Barndiva is by far one of the coolest wedding venues I have come across. This assemblage of a sustainable farm, gourmet restaurant, and art gallery is the perfect location for the eco-friendly foodie who is dying to indulge every sense of their guests.

The restaurant at Barndiva is exceptional - a sustainable and seasonal menu will be created just for you by head chef Ryan Fancher, formerly chef with Thomas Keller at the French Laundry. And the resident mixologist will custom-create a signature cocktail that will leave your guests begging for the recipe. We love, love, love Barndiva - this out of the way, unique wedding venue is a feast for the eyes and your palette.

I Do Venues: Paradise Ridge Winery Photography

2012-05-07T16:00:00Z

Photography by: Andrew Weeks

Summary

The charm and variety of scenic offerings at this venue are terrific. You must get a few shots of the bride and groom in the vineyards, but make sure you don't miss out on the architectural elements of the champagne cellar! A ceremony held on the patio has a great view of the vineyards and surrounding countryside. There is natural color all around: shades of green, gold, and amber dominate the landscape, making photographs taken here seem to have a warm glow to them. The facility is well lit, so go outside just after the sun sets to get beautiful shots that will include the bright twinkling of the string lights decorating the trees and building.

The Must Have Shot

The Big Tree: Just outside the main building, you'll find a huge ancient oak tree that pre-dates the winery and creates a charming vignette for the perfect couple shot. The tree is well lit and often decorated with fun paper lanterns and twinkle lights. This is a photo op you won't want to miss!

Ask the expert!

The views from the top of this hillside winery are amazing. The warm colors surrounding the building and the expansive vista from the patio and veranda create ideal wedding albums. ~ Andrew Weeks, Weeks Photography

This amazing wedding celebration was originally featured on I Do Venues with photography by Weeks Photography If you'd like to see more of Andrew Week's work featured on our blog, or want more information about the Paradise Ridge Winery - Click Here!

I Do Venues: Cline Cellars Indulge Your Tastebuds

2012-05-04T16:00:00Z

Photography by: Tiffany Fosnight and Nicola Borland of Adeline and Grace Photography

What do people remember about weddings? The dress, the entertainment, and THE FOOD!!

When you are choosing your wedding venue, it is imperative that you take a look at the catering options available to you. Make sure the style and presentation you're looking for is possible. Many couples choose a venue before they have committed to a particular style of cuisine, but you should really weigh your options completely before making a final decision. Typically your catering is 30 - 50% of your total budget, making this one of the largest investments in your celebration.When you also consider this is one of the three things that your guests will remember the most vividly, it's worth looking at all the angles.

Cline Cellars is not only a great choice for your celebration; they have a list of preferred catering companies that spans the spectrum in flavor, presentation, and pricing. The wonderful event featured above was documented by Tiffany Fosnight and Nicola Borland of Adeline and Grace Photography. I love how they have given the menu its proper focus.

Wine Valley Catering is one of the valley's leading catering companies and after looking at this incredible presentation, you can see why. The surf and turf entree is perfectly presented and looks as good as it tastes. The inventive "soup" shooters and lemonade is a testament to the level of service and presentation they can offer.