What's the essence of West Coast elegance? Wine country! Devoted to every nuance of the palate (some might call it obsessed), this wedding brings big aesthetic values to the overloaded table.
And so, designing a wine-themed wedding is pure pleasure. Theatrical touches, maybe, but fussy or prissy? Never! Make good use of rambling oak trees, the drama of dusk, a whimsical outdoor lounge and pitchers of fruity sangria, and you're already there.
Chic Country Colors
Black, white and burgundy are the most classic of wine country palettes. But of course, anything goes: red, cream and apple green, coral and periwinkle ... it all depends on your vision.
Bridal Finery
One iconic look for this event is a crisp, white A-line with a halter-top bodice to show off the bride's toned shoulders, and an elbow length veil that often gets whisked aside for the reception. You might find the groom in preppy navy-and-khaki.
Bridesmaids' attire flows from your color scheme, but popular choices include black or wine-colored cocktail in cocktail lengths. Show off your maids' physical fitness with a flirty bit of back!
Expertly Crafted Atmosphere
Delight your guests with an outdoor lounge equipped with crisp white furniture and a chimenea or outdoor fireplace for a companionable evening.
Be sure to leverage the gorgeous old oaks dotting the grounds: dress them up with lengths of organza; long, sheer ribbons; hanging pomanders; tin or paper lanterns; or flower heads dangling from microfilament.
Apply the same romantic sensibilities to park benches, trellises and arbors. And call on classical urns to stash sparklers, programs, breadsticks or post-ceremony bouquets.
Toss a bit of linen over a wine barrel and you have the perfect mini-table for escort cards or your guestbook.
A outdoor parquet dance floor lets guests get their waltz on, while your string quartet sweetly calls down the evening stars.
Fabulous Florals
Speaking of bouquets, wine country florals are often engagingly fashion-forward, while still keeping one foot firmly planted in the most classic of blooms.
So, you'll often see favorites like burgundy, black magic or cream-colored roses mixed with hypericum berries, or amaranthus and deep red hydrangeas tucked in a gorgeous satin wrap. But you'll also see whimsical fiddleheads, chic jade roses and leucadendron.
Alternative: giant, cheerful sunflowers lend a distinct Tuscan feel.
Topping the Tables
Pull up elegant chivari chairs to intimate, square tables topped with bare-branch arrangements, candelabras draped with ivy, or tower vases filled with lemons, artichokes or even corks. Tuck vibrant zinnias or hydrangeas in square glass vases wrapped with shantung silk. Use miniature champagne grapes to adorn centerpieces, pastry trays and the other star of the evening: the cake.
Unforgettable Favors
For
wedding favor ideas as elegant as the event, brides often turn to individual bottles of extra-fine olive oil, bottle stoppers or decanters, wine bottles with customized labels (or even a custom vintage!).
Sandalwood fans double as décor, and pretty white parasols help keep your bridesmaids cool. Or, fill gold or burgundy favor boxes with a rich bite of brownie or champagne bubble candies.
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Hi wine country brides:
If you haven’t seen it already, check out JeanM’s pictorial “Capture the Rustic Charm of a Wine Country Wedding”, it is that rare combination of REALISTIC do-it-yourself and gorgeous, gorgeous photography!
Check out all their inexpensive details that a crafty bride could do in her sleep, but look so personal … and don’t require much more than a trip to any craft store from some foam, grapevines, corks and luxury ribbon.
They’ve used corks in a beautiful way to hold the menus, and ask napkin holders, and take a close look at that topiary. Yeah, it’s extravagant looking, but the truth is ANYONE can do that with cone-shaped floral foam, fruit, and a plateful of toothpicks and dowels. Very inspiring, especially if you love sage and eggplant.
The great thing about this type of theme is there are so many things you can do yourself!!! Here are 3 of my DIY projects - invites, response cards, and coaster favors. All were made with rubber craft stamps.
A wonderful unification ceremony for this type of wedding has two carafes of wine. You could blend white and red, or choose wines representing your heritage, or even two vintages from your birth years, if you can find them!
The bride and groom then mix these during the ceremony while the officiant says a few words, creating a new, blended wine. This is obviously a lot like the unity candle, but it has special significance for this type of wedding … and it won’t blow out! Always a good thing when outdoors!