Category Archives: Weddings

{ Carmen + Scott } Wedding Weekend . Napa Valley

This couple is amazing… The amount of love, generosity and authenticity that I witnessed during their awesome three-day affair was beyond!cs16

Their weekend began with a welcome dinner at Travigne followed by a rehearsal dinner at Sullivan Winery and was wrapped up with a gorgeous Calistoga Ranch Wedding! With design and coordination by Sarah of Cole Drake Events… perfection!

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Special thank you to these amazing professionals:

Coordinator: Sarah Drake | Cole Drake Events

Welcome Bags: Favor

Welcome Dinner: Travigne

Rehearsal Dinner: Sullivan Winery

Rehearsal  Catering: Oak Avenue Catering

Catering: Calistoga Ranch

Florals: Jessica Switala | Fleurs de France

Music: Wine Country Entertainment

Officiant: Father Harmuth

Makeup/ Hair: Jennifer Smallwood | It’s a Date

 

September 4, 2014

{Tracy & Matt} Calistoga Ranch Wedding Photography

You may remember this gorgeous couple from their gorgeous engagement shoot !

Tracy and Matt were beyond a joy to work with and their friends and family were incredible! It’s weddings like this that remind me why I love what I do! Enjoy!

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Brian Ripps joined the couple from New York and added such an incredible positive energy to the wedding weekend! The following professionals helped to make this weekend such a success:

Coordinator: Sarah Drake | Cole Drake Events

Rehearsal Dinner: Sullivan Winery

Rehearsal  Catering: TravigneVenue\ Catering: Calistoga Ranch

Florals: Jessica Switala | Fleurs de France

Cake: Sweetie Pies

Music: Synchonicity Strings Quarter (Wine Country Entertainment) / LiveWire Dance Band

Brian Ripps

Officiant: Jen-Michael Heller

Rentals / Linens: Hartmann Studios / Classic

Makeup/ Hair: Jocelyn Gomez

 

 

August 19, 2014

{Jess + Jason} Auberge du Soleil . Napa Valley

A perfect match – humor, grace and beauty! These two are gorgeous and their love shines…but more importantly, they have a connection that is undeniable! Top it off with a location like Auberge Du Soleil, florals from Michael Mantalos and design and coordination by Cheryl Clisby and the result is this gorgeous wedding! Enjoy! 24 9  5 6  20 21 22  2523  2628 2724 29 3

Venue: Auberge du Soleil | Emily Coyne

Coordination & Design: Cheryl Clisby & Co

Florals  & Decor: Michael Mantalos

 

June 23, 2014

Katie + Jon | Chalkhill Estate Winery | Wedding Photography

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This gorgeous ChalkHill Estate Wedding planned by Stephanie Cole of Cole Drake Events has a delight! Surrounded by beautiful children and gorgeous Napa Valley views, it was an event for all to remember!

Venue: Chalk Hill Estate

Wedding Coordinator: Stephanie Cole | Cole Drake Events

Florals: Meredith Law | M Designs

Cake: Jenna Cook | Da Bombe

Rentals & Linens: Encore Events

Makeup & Hair: Deanna | It’s a Date

April 30, 2014

{Shawna + David} Calistoga Ranch Wedding Photography

Before we all venture off to spend time with family and friends for Thanksgiving, I think you’ll want to take a peek at this beautiful wedding! There is no where better to celebrate fall in the Napa Valley; Calistoga Ranch is the perfect setting to enjoy rustic romance with classic elegance.  You may remember this gorgeous couple from their maternity shoot.  Now, just a few months later, with their adorable baby in their arms, Shawna & David celebrated an unforgettable day planned and designed by Sarah Drake of Cole Drake Events. With every moment, every image…romance!

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Planning & Design: Sarah Drake | Cole Drake Events

Venue: Calistoga Ranch

Officiant: Charles Grande

Cake: Sweet on Cake

Ice Sculpture: Ice Illusions

Music: Wine Country Entertainment | Boutique DJ’s

Florals: Fleurs de France

 

November 28, 2013

{ Sarah + Alan} Napa Valley Wedding Weekend | Sullivan Winery | Meadwood Napa Valley

Sarah and Alan have this infectious positive energy and joy surrounding them! They wanted to create an amazing weekend for their guests and with the help of Stephanie Cole of Cole Drake Events, they went above and beyond!

Sarah had three completely different concepts she wanted to come to fruition: a Liberace inspired, blinged-out wedding, an all-white croquet post wedding brunch and a rehearsal dinner that HAD to include a mobile pizza oven.  Most importantly, she wanted everyone who attended to have fun.

Guests began the weekend at Sullivan Winery – where they were greeted by a glass of fantastic wine, Baron (Sarah and Alan’s teacup Yorkie) and the Britney Spears Pandora station blasting.  They noshed on freshly spun Artisan pizzas (straight from the mobile pizza oven) while they posed for the talented caricaturist.

There was plenty of laughter throughout these three days of events and it will be a weekend that I will never forget.  From the infectious love of Sarah & Alan and their guests to the constant harmony of laughter throughout the events, this weekend transpired exactly as it should.

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Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Mark Leonardi, Sullivan Winery

Caricaturist, Rehearsal: Rene Pulido, Rene Art

Rehearsal Catering: Gesine Franchetti, Rosso Pizzeria

Linens: Moira McGovern, La Tavola

Classic Party Rental

The next day, or the main event, was hosted at Meadowood Napa Valley where Sarah and Alan transformed a meeting room into a spectacular draped venue – perfect for their intimate affair.  After tray passed canapés, guests enjoyed a three course dinner followed by a scrumptious late night dessert table.    At the conclusion of the event, Sarah, Alan, their mothers and Baron (in his black tuxedo) handed out individually packaged mini wedding cakes for guests to take home.

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When Sarah described her “vision” of her wedding day to her planner, Stephanie Cole of Cole Drake Events, she said, “If you can make my reception look like Liberace threw up, I will be ecstatic!” Sarah and her team of vendors delivered. The result was a room overflowing with pink, gold, glitter and sparkle! 43454725 29 28 26 20 (1)

On the final day, guests strolled to the Croquet Brunch, most hiding behind large sunglasses, which was complete with Meadowood’s very own Croquet Master.  All attendees donned all-white apparel, including Baron, who dressed formally in an all-white tuxedo.

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Many thanks to the incredible team that pulled together to make this memorable weekend for Alan & Sarah!

Wedding Planner: Stephanie Cole, Cole Drake Events

Site/Caterer: Lauren Bates/Josie Makdisi

Florist: Jessica Switala, Fleurs de France

Photographer: Briana Marie, Briana Marie Photography

Cake Favors: Carolyn Free, Sweetie Pies

Hair/Make-up: Deeanna Reese, It’s A Date

Guest Transportation: Gina Rodriguez, Pure Luxury

Ceremony/Cocktail Musician: Angela Takeishi, WCE, Harpist,

DJ/Dinner/Dancing: Angela Takeishi, WCE, Tony Sparks

Classic Party Rentals & Hartmann Studios

Draping/Lighting: Mary Ross, Five Star Productions

Stationary/Menus: Kathy Peterson, Paper Habit

Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Mark Leonardi, Sullivan Winery

Caricaturist, Rehearsal: Rene Pulido, Rene Art

Rehearsal Catering: Gesine Franchetti, Rosso Pizzeria

Linens: Moira McGovern, La Tavola

 

November 26, 2013

{Bridie + Brig} Calistoga Ranch Wedding

Bridie & Brig had a wonderfully intimate wedding on a gorgeous morning with their closest friends and relatives. I was touched by their kindness and sweet love throughout the day.

What sweet words of gratitude I received from this couple in a lovely hand-written note:

“We can’t thank you enough for the time we spent with you on our wedding day. Thank you for making everything so relaxed and for making the time with our photos such a lovely part of the experience. We really appreciate all that you did to make the day enjoyable and fun. It was such a pleasure at every turn and we just wanted to tell you how much your thoughtfulness meant to us.”

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November 14, 2013