Our writer visits this wine mecca to discover the best it has to offer for destination brides and honeymooners alike.
By: Stefania Sainato
Montington Vineyards, Brix, Restaurant Rubicon and Castile de Amorosa are all popular choices with brides for wedding venues in the area.
If you don’t want to necessarily get married IN a vineyard, the River Terrace Inn offers both elegant indoor dinners and outdoor celebrations overlooking the Napa River. It features 1,200 square feet of event space and can accomodate up to 150 guests. Packages include: ceremony, a garden arch, two passed hors d’oeuvres, a reception dinner, coffee and tea, linens, tableware, candles, and the wedding cake.
There are tons of ways that you can incorporate the Napa lifestyle into your wedding:
1. Instead of having the same-old limousine, try renting an antique car like the 1947 Packard pictured above, which photographs especially well with the California scenary. Hold on tight—cruising through the mountains can be a bumpy (yet refreshing) ride with the top down.
2. Try serving a signature cocktail incorporating stone fruits, which is becoming a popular trend in this region of Cali. Think of unexpected garnishes, like jalapeño, to add some zing.
3. Good tunes are a key element of any outrageously fun bash. Hire a local band with a country or swing-inspired sound and set out some flip-flops for guests to change into, since Napa is far from stuffy.
4. Edible favors are always a hit with guests. We recommend the Olive Oil Mini (50ML) from nearby Round Pond estate, which comes in Italian, Spanish, Blood Orange or Meyer Lemon flavors ($7/bottle, roundpond.com). If you absolutely must give out wine bottles, personalize them with your own back label—since most just list government regulations—and try an '07 vintage, which was a successful year for winemaking here.
The Ultimate Guide to Napa:
