Jen & Rob knew they wanted a summer wedding right from the start, and since Jen grew up in just south of wine country in California they felt having their wedding there would be perfect for them.
Jen said her favorite part of planning was driving around to all the various vineyards with Rob and her parents to pick out the perfect place for their wedding day. They ultimately chose Arista Winery for their lush California vineyard wedding, and it turned out beautifully.
Photography by Russell Gearhart
Did You Have Something Old, Borrowed, Blue, and New?
I did have something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a six pence in my shoe. The six pence is part of the tradition that is rarely done any more especially since they’re not made anymore, but my mom had saved one for years for my sister and I to use at our weddings. My something old was a gold cross we pinned inside my dress that my grandfather had given my grandmother. My something new was my dress. My something borrowed was my veil, which my sister had worn at her wedding seven years prior. And finally my something blue was a patch stitched with our wedding date that I had sewn inside my dress.
How Did You Two Meet?
Rob and I met on the job. At the time, we were both working as camera assistants in the film industry and fate brought us together on a little indie feature film. We grew to be close friends throughout the shoot and after almost a year that friendship blossomed into love.
Tell Us About Your Look On Your Wedding Day
I wore a beautiful silk and organza dress by Jenny Lee. It had a classy, timeless look with modified sweetheart neckline and ruching. My ceremony shoes were Jimmy Choo wedges. I wanted something elegant, but also grass friendly. Then I switched to Toms for dancing at the reception.
How Did He Propose?
Rob made an entire evening of it full of misdirects and romance. We went to dinner and then on a spontaneous trip to the Griffith observatory where I mentioned that I thought he was going to propose, but he maintained that we were just on an adventure. Then we went out for fancy drinks and dessert and a romantic stroll. By this time he had me convinced that this was a night just like any other with the best boyfriend anyone could ask for. We returned home where he finally proposed when I was least expecting it.
What Was Your Favorite Moment?
Rob and I both agree that our favorite moment of the day was the half hour we took after the ceremony to be alone together and let it sink in that we were finally married. It’s such a crazy, busy, overwhelming, wonderful day that it’s very easy for it to fly by without really taking time to reflect on what has just happened. It was a very special moment for us.
What Was Your Vision For Your Wedding Day?
I had always wanted to get married outside somewhere lush and beautiful and I also wanted to have the wedding in the summer when the weather is warm. However in California, summer and lush greenery don’t tend to go together. Luckily, I grew up just south of California wine country, which provided the perfect solution for my dream wedding. The beautiful vines at wineries become most lush just at the time of year when we wanted to get married and set the perfect backdrop for a romantic, classy event.
What Was Your First Dance?
For our first dance we used an acoustic version of “Parachute” by Ingrid Michaelson. It was a song that always made us think of each other when we heard it and was romantic enough for a first dance without be schmaltzy.
Do You Have Any Advice For Other Couples Planning Their Day?
Give yourself a lot of time to plan and tackle it bit by bit so you don’t get too overwhelmed.
Vendor Credits
Venue – Arista Winery // Photography – Russell Gearhart // Florals – Stems // Wedding Planner – Jeanine Alexander // Caterer – Park Ave Catering // Cake – Costeaux French Bakery // Videography – IQ Videography // Hair & Makeup – Kathleena Gorga // Dress – Jenny Lee // Shoes – Jimmy Choo // Bridesmaids Dresses – Amsale // Entertainment – AMS // Rentals – Wine Country Party Rentals // Transportation – Pure Luxury
Submitted via Two Bright Lights
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