Gretchen + Tom's California wedding might just be one of my favorites...ever. The setting is beautiful, the color palette is perfect and everyone looked like they had the time of their lives. The couple tied the knot at the breathtaking Casa Stolkin in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country. Gretchen called upon the talents of Brick & Bottle to highlight the local cuisine and handle the reception decor while the fabulous JC Page Photography was on hand to capture all of the loveliness. I asked Gretchen to help me out by providing some more insight into their perfect wedding day...
Tell us a little bit about how you met your husband...
We met at church, after we both volunteered for a Easter choir performance. The funny part is that he is my neighbor living just 4 doors down from on the same side of the street, in Noe Valley, SF! We have known each other for 1 year and 2 months. We were engaged after 4 months of dating and married just about 1 year after we met.
Tell us all about the proposal...
He proposed after we had a lovely dinner in the Mission district of SF. It was one of those really warm SF nights in September. After dinner we drove back towards home (on his motorcycle) and he kept wanting to stop for a view of the city. When we did find a spot – which is this bench that a Physician dedicated to his wife at the top of Sanchez street, he had me sit in the chair and he kneeled down on one knee and proposed! It was like the wind was knocked out of me!
Out of the entire day, what was the most memorable moment?
The ceremony – saying our vows – it was the most peaceful.
I'm loving the girls dresses. They fit perfectly with the venue and time of year.
Your wedding was filled with gorgeous details. What was your favorite part?
Our first dance was something my fiancé and I really worked hard on..both that and the wedding ceremony!
Tell us a little bit about your menu...
It was based on summer “surf & turf” salmon & trip tip. Our Caterer Brick & Bottle were simply the best.
How did you choose your venue? What elements drew you to it?
A good close friend offered it to us immediately after we got engaged. Me being practically, though it would be a great location for a couple of reasons: My fiancées family, most of which, live in Sonoma and since it was a friends home we could often “visit’ our wedding site!
For future notice, whenever someone submits an image of someone bustin' a move on the
dance floor it WILL get posted...sorry ladies!
Looking back on your engagement and wedding, is there any advice you would give to brides in
the planning process?
Make sure you have fun. I am not a “planner” do not buy all of the wedding hype – follow your heart
and it will all work out perfectly.
