We asked wedding industry pros to give us their best tips on how to throw a breathtaking wine country celebration with stunning décor
“Blush is a great color for wine country weddings. The soft pink really plays into the greens, yellows, and reds from the vineyards throughout the season,” says Brittany Westerman of Reed + James Events.
She also adds that edible (or drinkable) wedding favors match perfectly the theme of the event, and since most of your guests will likely come from out of town, having something small to consume before flying home is a great idea.
“Rich berry tones from the silk ribbon, colored goblets, and florals evoke the varying shades of delicious dark grapes seen in wine country. And the hanging greenery makes you feel like you're walking amongst rows of whimsical vineyard vines,” says Natalie Good of A Good Affair.
“Located in Sonoma County’s Healdsburg, Chalk Hill Estate is an absolute scenic and architectural gem. We dressed it up with a series of stunning lounge areas, an incredible ceremony arbor, and tablescapes that are the epitome of relaxed elegance,” reports Marisa Farrell of So Eventful.
“When we designed this bouquet for a wine country wedding, we naturally pulled inspiration from wine. But wine isn't just 'red' or 'white'; there are so many different varieties and the colors across the board are so bold,” adds Farrell.
“Planning a Hindu wedding outdoors meant we had to get creative, as Hindu ceremonies are typically held indoors. What we ended up with was a beautiful view of the vineyard behind the mandap (stage with pillars), which was draped with fabric and adorned with flowers. We also wanted to get away from the colors you traditionally see in a Hindu wedding and went with softer colors that complemented the outdoor setting rather than distracted from it,” explains Marisa Farrell of So Eventful.
While burgundy is a natural (and beautiful) choice for a vineyard wedding, you are not limited to it. “We tend to not stick to one or two colors when designing but more of a range of tones which allows for a lot more creativity when selecting other items to coordinate. It's almost impossible to keep that same shade of oxblood throughout,” Farrell says.
Wineries can sometimes be a little on the rustic side, so if you’re looking to balance this out with something more formal, consider your flowers. Lush greenery and white blooms, such as roses, hydrangeas, or peonies, look so effortlessly chic and will surely up the ante on the elegant factor of the entire event.
This two-tier white cake is an absolute stunner. It has a simple and classic design, but the gold leaf detailing is evocative of the surrounding grape vines and the shades of blue barely visible in the glaze make it so unique.
Overly ornate and sparkly tablescapes will look extremely out-of-place at an outdoor wedding reception in the middle of wine country. Instead, opt for something more natural such as a linen table runner, matching napkins, and a flower garland made out of olive branches and garden flowers.
These bistro-style wooden chairs will add a vintage vibe to your ceremony and match the countryside setting so well. And speaking of countryside, use it to your advantage. A scenic view like this one doesn’t require many props to enhance it.
Send off your guests with something beautiful and long-lasting to remind them of your big day. Set up a vintage garden rack outside with packets of seeds with the same flowers you used throughout your wedding.