A Formal Outdoor Destination Wedding in Napa, California

July 23, 2012

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Jessica and Andrew

Lisa Lefkowitz

For their October 8, 2011, wedding, Jessica and Andrew Nigrelli wed in a very special spot: the same place where they got engaged 14 months earlier. And like the beauty of California's Napa Valley, where they held their destination wedding, the sentimental touches came naturally.

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A Special Gift

Lisa Lefkowitz

Andrew gave Jessica diamond drop earrings to wear with her dress.

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A Wedding Memento

Lisa Lefkowitz

A lightblue swatch of fabric embroidered with the couple's wedding date surrounded by a grape-inspired design, was sewn into Andrew's Canali suit jacket.

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Bridal-Party Bouquets

Lisa Lefkowitz

Bridesmaids carried hydrangeas, dahlias, garden roses, lisianthus, trailing clematis, and lamb's ears. The soft shades reflected followed the couple's color palette.

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Flower Girls

Lisa Lefkowitz
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The couple's nieces took pictures with Jessica before the ceremony.

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The Groomsmen

Lisa Lefkowitz

Andrew posed with his groomsmen, who wore gray J.Crew suits, with Zegna ties.

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A Quiet Moment

Lisa Lefkowitz

Before the ceremony, Andrew and Jessica reunited on the golf course where he proposed. For both the bride and the groom, it was the highlight of the day.

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Mother and Father of the Bride

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All smiles: the bride snapped pics with her proud parents.

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Preceremony Refreshments

Lisa Lefkowitz

Before the service, guests sipped sparkling water, iced tea, and lemonade.

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The Ceremony Spot

Lisa Lefkowitz

One hundred of Jessica and Andrew’s family and friends gathered for the late-afternoon service.

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The Ceremony

Lisa Lefkowitz

Jessica and Andrew wed under a canopy of white roses and greenery.

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Simple Elements

Lisa Lefkowitz

The clean, classic ceremony program, printed by A Day in May, was adorned with a simple gray ribbon.

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A Walk to Remember

Lisa Lefkowitz

All eyes were on the bride she and her father made their way down the aisle to a string quartet's rendition of "My Girl." The song holds significance for the pair -- it was playing when Andrew proposed.

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The Vows

Lisa Lefkowitz

Jessica and Andrew recited custom vows at their ceremony and a close friend read a blessing.

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The Recessional

Lisa Lefkowitz

After making it official, the joyful newlyweds walked hand-in-hand back up the aisle.

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Just Married

Lisa Lefkowitz

Photographer Lisa Lefkowitz took photos of the lovebirds around the ceremony site after the service.

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The Cocktail Hour

Lisa Lefkowitz

Florist Kathleen Deery created a tufted bar using bold fabric. The drinks on offer were siplayed on slices of tree wood.

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The Lounge Areas

Lisa Lefkowitz

Natural wood furniture with crisp white pillows provided extra seating during the cocktail hour.

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Escort Cards

Lisa Lefkowitz

Befitting of the lush surroundings, calligraphed escort cards were placed on a bed of moss encased in rustic trays.

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Sign the Wine

Lisa Lefkowitz

In lieu of a traditional guest book, Jessica and Andrew's loved ones wrote special notes and well wishes on large bottles of locally produced Duckhorn wine. Another vineyard touch? The newlyweds gave each couple in attendance an engraved Simon Pearce coaster that read "Jessica and Andrew, October 8, 2011, Napa Valley."

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The Reception

Lisa Lefkowitz

The clear plastic sides of the classic tent allowed guests to take in the beautiful scenery of Napa Valley. The structure was framed with small topiaries.

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The Reception Decor

Lisa Lefkowitz

Beaded wood chandeliers and draped fabric provided soft lighting from above while lustrous linens illuminated the tables.

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The Centerpieces

Lisa Lefkowitz
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Arrangements of tulips, hydrangeas, roses, and lamb's ears were surrounded by small glass votives.

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The Menu

Lisa Lefkowitz
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A simple white bloom was placed on top of every napkin, in which a letterpressed menu was slipped. The cards bore each guest’s name calligraphed by Michele Papineau and outlined the feast prepared by Meadowood. The meal included a trio of tomato dishes (a tower of heirlooms, basil panzanella, and a gazpacho shooter); grilled beef tenderloin with zucchini croquettes and cabernet-sauvignon jus or pan-roasted halibut with Dungeness crab, sweet corn soubise, and lemon butter; and, of course, a towering wedding cake.

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The First Dance

Lisa Lefkowitz
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The couple chose Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" for their first dance as husband and wife.

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A Special Moment

Lisa Lefkowitz

Jessica and her dad embraced during their father-daughter dance.

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The Cake

Lisa Lefkowitz
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A round tiered cake, piped in butter cream and adorned with white flowers, was made by Perfect Endings. And because the groom loves milk with his sweets, shot glasses full of the childhood staple was served with each piece.

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Sources

Lisa Lefkowitz

Photography: Lisa Lefkowitz

Location and catering: Meadowood

Wedding planning: Melissa Panico of MAP Events

Flowers: Kathleen Deery Design

Stationery: Elizabeth Hubbell Studio; A Day in May

Calligraphy: Nancy Howell; Papineau Calligraphy

Cake: Perfect Endings

Ceremony music: Golden Gate String Quartet

Reception music: PowerPoint

Hair and makeup: Sarah E. Hyde of sHe artists

Videography: Greg Slick of Once Studio

Engagement ring and wedding bands: DeScenza Diamonds

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