A Napa Fairytale: Cocktail Hour

Even if you don't necessarily want a cocktail hour, it happens anyway because after sitting through a ceremony, guests are ready to stand up and socialize for a bit. They aren't quite ready to go and sit back down for dinner.

While our cocktail hour didn't really last an hour, it was the pefect time for my costume change and for everyone to mingle around the winery. We offered 3 wines in the lower tasting room (directly behind where we stood for the ceremony): 2009 Early Harvest White Riesling, 2008 Gamay Rouge, and 2008 Amador Ridge Zinfandel. Each wine an easy favorite of mine ours.

Our wedding advice mad-lib was a hit and I received an impressive collection of both hilarious, naughty ones and sweet and serious ones. In my mind these would be pinned to a corkboard and placed in a book at a later date in lieu of a guestbook, but things don't always go as you plan them. I forgot the push pins and guests would end up writing well-wishes on the board. I should have had a guestbook as a back-up.

We also had bread, fruit, and cheese platters displayed in the tasting room, and although neither Mr. Barrettes or I ever saw them, we heard they were a hit. Again, if I could have been everywhere at once I would have. Forty minutes to just chill and drink wine would have been nice, but silly me had to be cool and change into a different dress. You win some, you lose some.

About the time I re-joined the party, the doors to the barrel room were opened to reveal our dinner setting and dancefloor.

(photos by Luke Snyder Studio)

Lots of good stuff happened in this room and I'm excited to start sharing our fun reception with you! But first, I return to the courtyard as the Breezy Bride in her custom-made Marchesa-inspired dream dress!

I'm really happy our ceremony and reception were at the same place. Not having to transport people to a new venue really saves time (and $$$). Did you hold your ceremony and reception at the same venue?

A Napa Fairytale: Ceremony, Part 2 of 2

As dusk fell on Napa, Dr. Houtz finished his sermon and it was time to exchange our vows. I love the traditional Christian wedding vows and neither Mr. Barrettes or I felt a strong urge to write our own. I would have most certainly blubbered though mine and my groom would have simply said, "I love you, you're beautiful." We were much better off exchanging the following:

I ____, take you, ____ to be my wife/husband;

and I promise,

before God and these witnesses,

to be your loving and faithful husband/wife;

in plenty and in want;

in joy and in sorrow;

in sickness and in health;

as long as we both shall live.

When I opened my mouth to speak, I heard a strange voice. It wasn't the me that was loud and outgoing. Suddenly, speaking those words, I could barely raise my voice above a whisper. I was afraid I would burst out in tears if I found my outside voice. This low voice was calm, sure, and steady. Mr. Barrettes flashed me a sweet smile when I was finished.

Next we exchanged our rings. The best man handed them to Dr. Houtz and he opened his palm to reveal one tiny purple circle and one big blue circle. Mr. Barrettes slipped mine on first and then I followed, saying:

_______, I give you this ring,

as a sign of our constant faith

and abiding love,

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

The string trio began to play Air in G, as the flowered curtain was pulled aside and we stepped back to light our unity candle.

We joined hands again as Dr. Houtz said a Pastoral Prayer and led the congregation in the Lord's Prayer.  I remember our hands being really sweaty. Actually, they were sweaty throughout the entire ceremony. We kept squeezing eachother's hands throughout the sermon during messages we liked, like it was a secret code that only we shared while everyone was looking at us.

The Announcement of Marriage was made as the reverend said:

Before God

and in the presence of this congregation,

B and R have made their solemn vows to each other.

They have confirmed their promises by the joining of hands

and by the giving and receiving of rings.

Therefore, I proclaim that they are now husband and wife.

Blessed be the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit now and forever.

The congregation joined him in saying:

Those whom God has joined together let no one separate.

All that remained was the Charge and Blessing. Dr. Houtz reminded us that forgiveness was one of the most powerful tools of a strong marriage and charged each of us, and those who watched, with showing forgiveness to each other, often and gracefully. 

We bowed our heads for a final prayer, the reverend placed his hands on ours, said something lovely I'm sure, but then all I heard was "B and R, you may now kiss eachother.

Hooray! We were married! John handed me my bouquet and we walked back down the aisle as husband and wife.

We had a quick moment together by the fountain and then all I remember is lots of people hugging me. After being joined by our wedding party, we had a quickie photo-op on the bike, I kissed my husband goodbye, and I headed back to the bridal nook with John and Amy in tow to help with my costume change.

(photos by Luke Snyder Studio)

I was happy to be wed in my mother's wedding dress, but I looked forward to re-joining our party in a little sumethin'-sumethin' more my style! It was time to let loose and thanks to my killer man of honor, I had the perfect dress for the occasion!

A Napa Fairytale: Ceremony, Part 1 of 2

It's hard to remember how the ceremony began. The moments happen so quickly-- I'm walking down the aisle, kissing my dad, then I'm holding Mr. Barrettes' hands and standing in front of Dr. Houtz. The guests gathered to witness us tie the knot fade into a beautiful background and I'm absorbed into the moment. My eyes dart back and forth between my groom's and the reverend's and I'm just trying to remember to breathe. The thrill is beyond.

I could see the excitement in my grooms eyes and I just loved standing there, holding hands, staring at eachother in front of our friends and family. I could have stood there all night. 3 1/2 inch heels? Forget about it! I couldn't feel anything but our hands touching and my heart racing.

Dr. Houtz welcomed everyone and began with a Statement on the Gift of Marriage, as outlined in the Presbyterian wedding ceremony. He followed with the Declarations of Intent of me and my groom:

B and R, understanding that God has created, ordered, and blessed the covenant of marriage, do you affirm your desire and intention to enter this covenant? We did.

Then he asked our parents and my grandparents to stand, and followed with the Affirmation of the Families:

Bride parents, Groom parents, and Bride grandparents, do you give your blessing to B and R, and promise to do everything in your power to uphold them in their marriage? They did.

Finally, he asked our audience, with the Affirmation of the Guests:

Will all of you witnessing these vows do everything in your power to uphold B and R in their marriage? They did.

 

My new sister-in-law then stepped forward and delivered two readings. I was so pleasantly surprised at how well she read them, considering her nerves-- nice and slow, clear and with strength. She paused in all the right spots, letting the words sink into the moment. She read an excerpt from Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet, and from the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13.

We returned to face each other and Dr. Houtz began his sermon. He started with a reference to the time I lost (and miraculously found) my engagement ring in Union Square and then continued with the loving and heartfelt words only he could deliver.

(photos by Luke Snyder Studio)

It was around this time that the lapel microphone gave out and the best man had to step in with a handheld. He quickly realized that Dr. Houtz was not a man to need a mic as he delivered the rest of his sermon with the familiar and booming voice from my childhood.

As his words washed over me, I could feel the giant glow of love around us as everyone's attention was absorbed into his message. I breathed deep and enjoyed the moment.