A Napa Fairytale: Here Comes the Bride

Everyone was gone, the attention was elsewhere, and I was by myself looking over the scene. My vision was blurred by the veil and I could feel my breath quicken. The string music was easy on my ears and the murmur of the crowd made my pulse race. I whispered to no one, "This is so fun."

I waited until I saw Darlene give me the nod, my dad stepping into place. The strings began to play that familiar refrain-- this time for me.

I started walking, no, not walking, rushing. I had a lot of ground to cover before I reached the arm of my dad. My train was catching on the wood, I could hear it rip. I didn't care, I didn't stop to pick it up. Crap, my heel is falling between the wood planks. Omigod I'm taking too long! The strings have to start over! I reached the end of the mezzanine, Darlene told me to breathe.

Air rushed into my lungs as I met my dad's gaze. There were no tears. I thought there would be tears. In their place was an ache in my cheeks. A big, toothy, gummy smile. I took his arm. He said, "slow down, slow down, let's take it easy." I felt like I went from 60-0. Everything came into focus. My breathing slowed and I made a conscious effort to take everything in. Oh wait, we have to walk down steps. Shit, I can't see. I lifted my veil just enough to see past my feet. Where are the flower petals? Forget about the flower petals, girl, look, here are all the people you love, in one beautiful space!

We stop walking, the veil is lifted, my dad is kissing me and Mr. Barrettes is taking my hand. Then the tears-- cue the tears.

(photos by Luke Snyder Studio)

Although we had our first look an hour earlier, seeing eachother at the end of the aisle was still a remarkable moment. My dad joined our hands and we faced eachother as Rev. Houtz began his welcome.

First look ladies, how was your "aisle moment" with your beloved? Different than the first look?

A Napa Fairytale: The Processional

The groom, best man, and reverend had the best view in the house as they watched the party make their processional down the aisle. From my bird's eye view, I could just see each couple walk down the top set of stairs before they disappeared into the courtyard below me.

So happy we decided on the string trio for the ceremony. I felt like their presence added so much to the moment.

Once our moms walked down the aisle, they stepped behind the flowered curtain to light our individual candles. They shared a proud mom moment with a sweet hug.

I love Amy and John's faces towards Mr. Barrettes as they approach their positions.

Each flowergirl gave Mr. Barrettes a high five when they reached the end of the aisle-- too cute!

Our ringbearer was too cool for a high five and he and Mr. Barrettes did a fist bump.

(photos by Luke Snyder Studio)

I decided not to wait in the room any longer. Was it a rule I had to be inside? Forget that-- I wanted to see what was going on! 

I had a moment with 2 of my performer friends, who were making a late entrance into the courtyard behind the ringbearer. They traveled from Maine and I loved spotting them arrive at the last second. There was time for a quick breath as the strings changed their tune and I received the nod from our coordinator as my dad stepped into place...

Where did you wait for your big entrance? Did you see your processional?

A Napa Fairytale: Prelude to a Kiss

While our guests were enjoying the string music in the courtyard, my bridal party and I had our final moments together before I was a wife. Amy popped a little bubbly and I drank it from a wine glass. There was a moment where I sort of forgot we were there to get me married! Kicking it in a small space with 5 of your favorite people can quickly escalate into an impromptu party, so I'm glad we were reigned in by the appearance of a photographer.

Meanwhile, the gentlemen waited in the tasting room...

...as John lowered my veil. I almost forgot about the veil and left it behind! I didn't want to wear it for our photos, only for the ceremony, and in the heat of anticipation I totally forgot about it. It wasn't until about 5 minutes to go-time that John said, "Ah! Your veil! Turn around and let me fasten it in!"

As the strings continued to play, Mr. B and his best man joined Dr. Houtz to await their entrance.

My bridesmaids were summoned from the bridal nook and made their way around the mezzanine to await their escorts.

The best man gave the bow tie one last fix just as the strings began to play their Canon in D.
(photos by Luke Snyder Studio)

Upstairs I was a ball of calm jitters. Does that make sense? I felt surprisingly grounded and in my body, yet excited that all of the planning, all of the drama and all of the waiting had finally turned into this moment. As I stood there alone, I could really feel my self, stripped of all the wedding-ness. I just felt like a spiritual being in a human body. I knew the course of my life would never be the same. I was joining my path with another's and I felt assured God, the Universe, whatever you want to call it, was there with me. It was truly a personal and beautiful moment. It is my biggest wedding wish that you feel it too.

How did you feel once your bridal party left you? Did you have an alone moment?

A Napa Fairytale: A Courtyard of Details

While we were in the bridal nook, laughing, breathing, and affixing my veil, our guests began to take their seats in the courtyard. It was about this time that I wished I could be everywhere at once. Being the bride and having to be hidden away until your grand entrance, you miss the prelude! I could hear the strings begin to play and I just knew everything was beautiful.

The lanterns were a perfect touch and I didn't know about them until I reached the end of the aisle. I told my aunt/florist I wanted hanging flowers, and she came up with the rest! V. Sattui has so much natural beauty that it only needed a few accents to become wedding-worthy.

I was thrilled someone presented our programs in a wine box. This was not my detail, in fact, I quite forgot about how my guests were going to receive them. I didn't remember to delegate the task of usher to one of my cousins and guests would end up seating themselves and taking a program from this box. No biggie.

So happy when I saw this photo! I used the back of the program to give a shout out to marriage equality. The quote reads:

"Who would give a law to lovers? Love is unto itself a higher law." -Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy, AD. 524   In honor and support of marriage equality.

Dad looks pleased. This makes me happy!

The mini-party being so well-behaved and patiently waiting their cue.

Mr. Barrettes' mom and stepdad getting the low down on their cues from Dr. Houtz.

(photos by Luke Snyder Studio)

With everyone seated, it was almost time for the groom and his best man to take their places. My bridesmaids would soon be giving me their last wishes as they were given the signal to prepare for their entrance. That left only me and my man of honor to have a last moment before I was left to my own thoughts and excitement as the ceremony began!

Were you pleasantly surprised by any decorative details? Did you get to see your ceremony site decked out before walking down the aisle?

A Napa Fairytale: The Wedding Party

Our party knows how to strike a pose! It wasn't hard for this cast of characters to take a good photo and I was happy that we knocked out these shots in about 5 minutes.

Somewhere on the blog, a bee mentioned that she missed having individual shots of her wedding party and I thought that was such a great idea, I immediately added it to my photo list. Take the opportunity to get beautiful shots of your favorite people!

This one is definitely a framer. I love the way little girls stand for photos =)

(photos by Luke Snyder Studio)

With our formal shots wrapped, we were all dismissed until the ceremony. I scurried back up to my bridal nook to freshen up and maybe have a glass of wine and the gentlemen headed down to the tasting room. We had about 20 minutes until places and I could hear the buzz of our guests waiting for it to begin!