a gorgeous, romantic, Napa wedding

we just returned from the most gorgeous and romantic wedding….ever.

the setting was idyllic with the changing leaves and warm breezes.

i wanted to practice my photo skills, especially in low lighting.

and there’s no better place to do that than in napa at the pristine Beaulieu Garden, which i believe is the private family estate of the BV Winery.

the oak trees are majetic.

and i don’t think it gets any more romantic than this.

and the bride…..i mean, how stunning is she?  her dress was perfect.  her hair exquisite.  her smile radiant.  look at how happy they are!

look at that dress!  wow!

the simple and pretty name card holders were vintage wooden trays filled with lavender.  yum. 

this gigantic arbor had incredible moss growing on it.  well, maybe it wasn’t moss, but it looked like it to me!

and y’all KNOW how much i love rustic wood and barn decor.  check out this cool wine barrel used as a cocktail table.  love.  

the flower girl and ring bearer had full reign of the garden as they only toddlers in attendance.  🙂

their older cousins kept a mindful watch.  great kids!

at first i thought these were grape vines.  then i realized there’s probably no way a grape vine’s trunk would ever get that thick.  so, i’m guessing these are sycamores that have been trained for many years to grow over this metal trellis.  stunning and breath taking.

this dry creek bed greets you as you head to the dining and dancing area.

and you turn the corner to this.  isn’t it magnificent?

romantic.  pretty.  classic.  inviting.  warm.

so yes, i was ‘that asian girl’ who wouldn’t put her camera down.  🙂

i love these petite chandeliers.

i caught a glimpse of the sun as it was sneaking down beneath these pretty trees.

the late night snacks were my fave.  mini root beer floats and gourmet sliders?  you don’t have to twist my arm twice…except to let go of the entire tray.  goodness gracious.

and then the sun set.  and this was the vibe all night.  perfect.

this one’s a bit blurry, but you get the idea.  so incredibly romantic.

the low lighting was tricky and i wish i had a larger aperture lens, but i think this improvisation suffices to capture the spirit of the evening.

cigars and matches for the men.

this pretty sitting area overlooking a gigantic candlelit pool is just past the dining and dancing area.

the cake was well-lit, but i wasn’t able to capture it the way i had hoped.  a bit blurry with my manual focus.  all the spotlights were throwing my eye for a loop!

the post dinner view.

let the dancing begin.

Beaulieu Garden has a strict 10pm ending time.  this was the view moments before the buses arrived to fetch us to the after party.

i’m glad i went to this wedding several years after our wedding, else i’d be re-thinking my ideas of a perfect wedding.

what do you think?