What an amazing way to start off the week, with Nevada + Josh’s ‘fancy but not fussy’ classic California wedding. We love the light and natural feel of this entire day…nuptials under a mother oak tree, rows of leafy green and succulents with whole pomegranates displayed on long banquet style tables. Oh and pie!! For all of you planning a summer wedding with a very wintery week ahead of you – may this gorgeous wedding day bring you warmth and inspiration. Enjoy!
Nevada + Josh | September 27, 2014 | Hopland, California | Dress Listing: Vera Wang, Diedre
The Ceremony
Josh and I were married under the Mother Oak at Campovia on September 27, 2014 in Hopland, California. We were instantly charmed by Campovida, a verdant and eclectic winery in Mendocino County, and were delighted to have the ceremony, reception and stay the weekend in one beautiful place.
The Reception
Josh is a professor at Stanford Medical School and I work for a housing nonprofit in the San Francisco Bay Area. We wanted our wedding to capture a bit of our quirky magic and we set out to ensure that our families and friends from many faiths and East Coast hometowns would enjoy the California we have come to love. To us this meant having a farm to table dinner theme, including oysters from Hog Island, a barbershop Quartet, a swanky dinner band and a hip Rabbi.
Nevada’s Dress Search
When it came to the dress, I tried on about 30 dresses. I know that sounds like quite a lot, but it took some time for me to sort through competing desires. I also began the search immediately after we got engaged and took the opportunity to try on dresses with people I love. I visited the precious Everthine boutique in Madison, CT with my mother; and with close friends I visited Marina Morrison, Bridal Galleria, Sarah Seven, Glamour Closet and Vera Wang in San Francisco. In the end, it was clear to me that I adored the whimsy of Claire Pettibone, the feminine fit of Monique Lhuillier, and the timeless grace of Vera Wang
I had been following Vera Wang since I was young and she dressed Nancy Kerrigan at the 1992 Olympics. The Vera Wang boutique was the last one I visited and I was so taken by the layers and layers of silk tissue organza and it was so much lighter than other dresses. It made me feel like I was floating through the day. And although I was quite taken with some offbeat colors, I ultimately felt that my wedding was my chance to enjoy keeping it simple by wearing an ivory dress. I will admit to a few elements that conveyed my personal style: a tiered origami skirt on the bias, raw edges, and enough fabric to flutter in the breeze.
How Nevada Felt in Her Wedding Dress
Classic, confident and ready to dance.
Why Nevada Decided to Sell Her Wedding Dress
I have offered the dress for sale because it wants to move and dance some more. I do not like the idea of storing it for decades in hopes that someone else may fancy it. I hope that it finds its way into another touching ceremony, reception and first dance.
Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Photographer: Traci Griffin | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Campovida, Hopland, CA | Event Coordination: One Big Fish Events | Floral Design: Tend Living
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