Corinne and Patrick’s Wine Country Wedding

Brides-to-be, if you’re listening (and we know you are): Never underestimate the power of a strategic seating chart. In 2008, Corinne Grassini attended a childhood friend’s wedding in Northern California and was placed next to the very man she’d been admiring during cocktail hour for his warm smile and boisterous laugh. “I thought, ‘Bingo,’” says Corinne, a Los Angeles–based clothing designer and consultant, as she sat beside Patrick Mathern, a business consultant who was living in Wyoming at the time. Following the not-so-serendipitous “meet-cute” (she later discovered that her mother and the bride’s mom made sure Corinne was seated next to an eligible bachelor), the pair talked and twirled all night, watched the sun rise, and parted ways at 7 a.m., only because Corinne had a flight to catch home.

Another wedding spurred the next big life moment. Corinne and Patrick had happened to exchange their first I love yous at a waterfall while visiting Hood River, Oregon. When they returned to the town for the nuptials of a friend of Corinne’s, Patrick insisted they hike back to that spot so he could pop the question that set their 10-month engagement in motion.

With both of them now living in L.A., they planned a Southern California wedding weekend that began with a Western-style rehearsal dinner at a nearby ranch, as a tribute to the groom’s Montana roots. The next day, on July 27, 2013, 180 loved ones attended a nondenominational ceremony at Corinne’s family’s vineyard, where the pair exchanged self-penned vows with one line in common: “I promise to love you as you need to be loved.” Then barn doors opened to a cocktail hour and plated four-course dinner, followed by plenty of dancing. Although no couples emerged from Corinne and Patrick’s seating chart, two other traditions took relationships to the next level: The tossed bouquet went to one of Corinne’s sisters (it worked; she’s engaged), and the garter went to a bridesmaid’s now husband-to-be.

Corinne met Patrick in a quiet place outside the property’s winery for a first-look photo. The duo, he in Savvi Evening Collection and she in Le Spose di Giò, then posed for pre-wedding shots in the vineyard.

A mix of peonies and heirloom garden roses accented with bay leaf and golden wild grasses made up  Corinne’s clutch. Kate Holt of Flower Wild also lined the aisle with grasses. 

A welcome station offered glass water bottles with embossed brass medallions that doubled as favors.

Corinne’s three sisters all held heirloom rose bouquets and wore matching dresses from The Dessy Group.

Programs were bound with hand-dyed silk ribbons, which were also used to tie up the wedding party’s bouquets.

As guests entered the ceremony space, they grabbed bags of rice bearing “To Toss” tags for showering the pair.

The pair said “I do” in front of the vineyard’s smilax-covered barn.

Friends and family relaxed and enjoyed the views during cocktail hour in casual lounge areas.

In addition to the vineyard’s white and red wines, a specialty cocktail was on offer: an Old Fashioned from Cole’s Red Car Bar. Like the other stationery elements, the menu featured calligraphy by Emily J. Snyder.

Moon-shaped paper escort cards were calligraphed in maroon ink.

Bright pink peonies stood out against neutral hand-painted runners.

Pieces of antique brass were inked with guests’ names and seating assignments. Flower Wild created the patinated brass menus, and Pitbulls and Posies made the vellum overlay, with courses inscribed in brass-foiled letterpress. Bands of leather and brass bead tubing finished the presentation.

Table numbers were displayed on simple votives and sat atop the raw-edged linen runners, hand-painted by a local artist with celestial gold-dusted tones and watercolor organic patterns. Round containers held table arrangements of rich berry-toned flowers.

Following a summer panzanella salad with grilled focaccia and heirloom tomatoes, guests enjoyed sweet potato ravioli, roasted poussin breast with duck-fat-fried potatoes, and short ribs over mascarpone polenta and seared spinach by New West Catering. 

Later, celebrants satisfied their sweet tooth with a plethora of passed desserts: blueberry and triple chocolate ice cream sandwiches; caramel chocolate and salted chocolate truffles; root beer floats and mini apple cobblers served with vanilla bean ice cream; blueberry-Chambord crumble bars, and mini créme brûlées. 

About seven months prior to their nuptials, Corinne and Patrick traveled to her family’s vineyard to select the vino that would be bottled for their wedding: cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc. 

Mr. Boddington’s Studio designed the label that held a message from the father of the bride commemorating Corinne and Patrick’s love for one another. 

The newlyweds opened the floor with “California Stars” by Wilco. “It was a blast to just dance our hearts out,” says Corinne.

Location: Grassini Family Vineyards

Event Planning: Jill Remy of Jill & Co. Events; AlliedPRA

Catering: New West Catering

Flowers and Event Design: Flower Wild Productions

Photography: Megan Sorel

Videography: Elysium Productions

Stationery: Mr. Boddington’s Studio; Pitbulls and Posies [day-of paper]

Calligraphy: Emily J. Snyder

Music: DJ Nahchey Storer

Rentals: Classic Party Rentals; Casa de Perrin; La Tavola; Found Vintage; The Ark Event Rentals

Bride’s Gown: Le Spose di Giò

Bride’s Shoes: Maison Martin Margiela

Hair and Makeup: Fiore Beauty

Groom’s Tuxedo: Savvi Evening Collection

Groom’s Shoes: Cole Haan

Transportation: Santa Barbara Airbus; Santa Barbara Limousine Link

Valet: Signature Parking

Custom Linens: Bramble Workshop

Bridesmaid Gift: Dream Collective

Groomsmen Gift: Hammer and Spear