Marc & Maria

Marc & Maria were a little older than most of our couples. Neither of them had been married previously and had clearly wanted to make sure that they made the RIGHT decision when it came to finding the person to share their lives with.
On Saturday they were married at the Newberry Library attended by friends & family and I think it was the party that everybody had been waiting for.

 

Before the public ceremony the couple, along with a very small group of family and close friends signed the ketubah upstairs. 

 Meanwhile the crowd was patiently waiting downstairs for the main event while listening to some beautiful music provide by a string quartet

The cermony was beautiful, and once it had concluded it was time tio have a cocktail and prepare for dinner.

  
 

A very enjoyable afternoon & evening for Gina & I, and the beginning of a new adventure for Marc & Maria. Congratulations & all the best for a wonderful life together.

Geri & John

Geri & John have been together quite a while now and when they decided it was time to tie the knot they weren't exactly sure how they wanted to go about it. Eventually they decided to plan an intimate celebratory weekend in Napa with some close friends and family members. 
They rented a house (and guest house) beautifully situated surrounded by grape vines ready to be harvested, and treated us to an amazing fairy-tale weekend that none of us who attended are ever likely to forget. 

 All their guests were greeted in their rooms with a beautiful welcome basket containing edible goodies, drinkable goodies, assorted thoughtful gifts and very importantly lovely fluffy towels which would see a lot of use at the pool & hot-tub during the next 3 days.

 Flowers were EVERYWHERE!

 As the guests arrived the amazing Dee (G&J's wedding co-ordinator/angel) had 2 of her lovely team set up a well stocked bar  for everyone which was quickly joined by fabulous cheese, fruit & shrimp platters.

 While this was going on and we explored the gardens and even wandered off into the vinyards, Gerard the Chef for the first evening was setting up his huge pans for a wonderful paella dinner.

 There was Bocci! :)

 Also that first evening we were graced with beautiful music by Spanish guitarist Eric Symons, who played through dinner and then came down to the fire pit with us making a beautiful night even more wonderful.

 The wedding day, and the guys were up insanely early to get out onto the golf course at first light! (blaaaahhh) After a couple of mugs of coffee I was able to work my camera properly again. :)

 Meanwhile the girls got up at a far more civilized time and went off for a Beringer wine tour and some elegant lunch at the Culinary Institute, I think they even did a little shopping (surprise!) Gina took this shot between glasses of wine.

 John needed some R&R on the couch before the big moment, Craig (Geri's brother-in-law), of course wants to make sure he records the moment for posterity.

 The table is completely re-decorated by Dee & her team and our new chef is already working away in the kitchen as the Bride & Groom make their preparations for the ceremony

 John goes over the program with the Reverend Peadar Dalton one last time.

 I love stuff like this :)

 More beautiful music and the wedding begins...

 That's what LOVE looks like folks!

 Gorgeous bride, handsome groom and a perfectly beautiful wedding.

 And just like that, it's dinner time once again.

 One of 4 mouthwatering pies for desert.

 During & after dinner fabulous music was provided by yet another group of great musicians featuring Jennifer Lee.

 ...and then of course it's back to the fire-pit and hot-tub, champagne in hand.

 Our last full day starts with a great cup of coffee and some leftover pie from last night, along with fresh bagels, croissants etc. which were delivered to the doorstep while we were still dreamimg...

 Then it's off for another couple of winery tours and a wonderful lunch at Bistro Don Giovanni, before heading back to our lovely estate for some R&R, Bocci, Champagne, Hot Tub etc. etc.

These pictures barely scratch the surface of all the fun we had over the 3 days (there are of course A LOT more pictures), but I hope they convey some of the Love, warmth, beauty & MAD FUN that was shared that weekend, courtesy of the Bride & Groom.

Congratulations, and many many thanks.