1. Real Weddings

Napa Valley Wedding in Napa, CA

Mutual friends had made many attempts to set up Jewlie and Simon, but she always waved them off. Undaunted, they secretly invited Simon to a group ski

Mutual friends had made many attempts to set up Jewlie and Simon, but she always waved them off. Undaunted, they secretly invited Simon to a group ski weekend in Tahoe. Jewlie fell for him the moment he walked into the cabin. The feeling was mutual, and they became a couple. The Bride Jewlie Soto, 29, marketing coordinator) The Groom Simon Clark, 37, commercial real estate broker The Date October 4 Just over a year-and-a-half later, during an afternoon hike on Mt. Tam, the two started to reminisce about their first hike together on that same trail. Simon suggested they stop for lunch under a big oak tree overlooking the Pacific; then he asked Jewlie to be his wife. Her jaw dropped in disbelief, but she excitedly said yes. They were married 11 months later, in a casually elegant celebration.

The couple exchanged vows in the late afternoon in an apple orchard overlooking the Carneros Valley. A petal-strewn aisle added some fall colors to the setting.
White calla lilies made the otherwise autumn-inspired design, with brown dahlias and orange vanda orchids, fit in with the bride’s classic gown.
The party took place in a dining room overlooking an infinity pool, lush grounds, and the Carneros Valley below. The couple played up the natural beauty of the reception site by keeping the decor clean and simple.
Small clusters of orange dahlias punched up the all-white table linens. Leaves were wrapped around the inside of the vase to add even more color.
The two bridesmaids wore espresso-colored, silk dresses that coordinated with the sashes on the flower girls’ gowns. Black suits paired with long ties gave the guys a sophisticated yet understated look.
A pale-orange design of branches and berries decorated opposite corners of the square invitation, alluding to the branch decor that would fill the wedding.
Each maid carried a colorful fall bouquet of pincushion proteas, roses, and bells of Ireland, all tied with brown ribbon to match the dresses.
Several flavors of cupcakes were presented on a multi-tiered display. In a nod to tradition, there was a cake for cutting at the top with a design similar to the invites.
The groom’s single white calla lily got a shot of color from vanda orchids, to match the bride’s bouquet, and hypericum berries, to match the bridesmaids’ flowers.