A Modern Art Museum Engagement Shoot Followed by a Lush Napa Valley Wedding
Lana and Brandon’s first weekend getaway as a couple was at Carneros Resort, but the two wouldn't have guessed they’d eventually get engaged and married there. They first began dating in 2014, revisiting this special destination many times throughout the years. After Brandon got down on one knee and they started wedding planning, the couple immediately thought of the Napa spot as their future wedding venue. “When we were looking for venues, we thought that we just had to get married where so many memorable relationship landmarks took place,” says Lana.
With the rolling hills and sprawling fields of Napa Valley, the couple let the site’s natural beauty speak for itself. And since Lana wasn't a flower person, they decided to complement the surroundings with simple greenery and fruit arrangements and decor. "We talked a lot about my love for food and modern art. Sammy [of Lambert Floral] was incredible about tying it all together to make the space personalized to us,” says Lana. The couple also made it a priority to inject Lana’s Korean traditions with Brandon’s Jewish culture by having a paebaek ceremony during the wedding weekend and a chuppah made of greenery at their outdoor ceremony.
The art theme carried over from their engagement shoot, both she and her spouse-to-be in classic black attire at a modern art museum before sharing soft-serve ice cream together. This love for frozen treats even gave guests a sweet welcome to the wedding. She adds, “We knew the day would be sunny and warm, and I always feel like the start of weddings before anything happens tends to be a little awkward… What better way to know that you're in for a good time with soft serve greeting you?”
The two also created a new tradition based on the sheva b'rachot custom. “In traditional Jewish culture, there's a section where you read off seven]blessings, but we didn't really feel like they matched us,” says Lana. “So, instead, we had seven friends write their own blessings, and they shared those with us at the altar,” she continues. But Brandon and Lana weren't alone during this touching moment. Beneath the chuppah with them was their dog donning a chic black bow tie, perfectly matching the occasion’s casual elegance.
Even Lana’s white dress fit the vibe, something she says she’ll be wearing again on their anniversary. Wanting a more laid-back and comfortable option for the Napa Valley wedding, she skipped the couture look and found something fittingly “her.” She adds, “I ended up purchasing a dress that felt somewhat casual and modern, and I don't even think it was a wedding dress— the dress just happened to be white.” The artistic high-neck gown had an asymmetrical design on the shoulder. She accessorized it with a flowing veil and a simple bouquet of green foliage and flowers that fit right in with the natural chuppah.
As for some of their more personalized touches to the day, a string quartet played Taylor Swift songs and Lana designed custom menus for each of their loved ones. The bride says, “Each menu had illustrations that were specific to each guest and our inside jokes. It was a huge conversation piece at dinner, allowing guests to learn about each other and start conversations with strangers, too. With the perfect weather for an outdoor feast, their loved ones sat underneath string lights at long dining tables with white linens and organic centerpieces of grapes, pears and more to create a fresh Napa feel.
Though their love was the focus for the day, making memories with their nearest and dearest was the primary goal for the newlyweds. “We wanted our wedding to be a nice occasion for people to enjoy, and we focused more on how it would make the guests feel,” says Lana. It also helped that Brandon and Lana took a more hands-off approach while planning and let their wedding coordinator execute their vision. According to the bride, it’s hiring someone else to handle the wedding worries that helped ensure the day was memorable and laid-back. “I know the day feels like a big deal, but the more you're able to relax and let the day happen, the better off you'll be,” says Lana.