A Teal, Blue, and Tan Rustic Destination Wedding in California

January 09, 2012

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Joey and Jeff

Sasha Gulish

Joey Wieczorek and Jeff Davidson were acquaintances in high school but traveled in very different crowds. They ended up at the same college (she for medicine and he for law) and it was there, in the school's library, that Jeff asked her out. Three years later, the Chicago-based pair (she's now an emergency-medicine resident; he's a lawyer) invited 200 friends and family to their September 4, 2011, nuptials in California's wine country.

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The Invitation

Sasha Gulish

The couple saw a hand-stitched save-the-date on a blog and used it as inspiration for their invitations and day-of stationery.

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The Location

Sasha Gulish

"When my mom and I visited Durham Ranch she said, 'I think we just found the place you're going to get married,'" Joey recalls. The St. Helena, California, property, a former cattle ranch, boasts picturesque white fencing, olive groves, and a poolside barn. It was the perfect setting for their late-summer big day.

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The Bouquets

Sasha Gulish

The bridesmaids carried bouquets of garden roses, dusty miller, hydrangeas, and gardenias. Lavender was added to to the mix in Joey's, for a subtle pop of color.

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Portraits

Sasha Gulish

Before the ceremony, photographer Sasha Gulish captured the couple under a beautiful tree.

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The Fashions

Sasha Gulish

Joey wore a Monique Lhuillier gown accessorized with Guiseppe Zanotti shoes, Jill Alberts earrings, and her mother's veil. Jeff chose a Phineas Cole Paul Stuart suit and J.Crew bow tie.

The bridesmaids donned Amsale gowns from Bella Bridesmaid, and the groomsmen sported matching J.Crew bowties.

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Pre-Ceremony Libations

Sasha Gulish

Upon arrival, guests were greeted with lavender-garnished glasses of fresh-squeezed lemonade.

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The Programs

Sasha Gulish

Joey's cousin, Helen, stitched together the programs, and her mom, Marla, rubber-stamped them. "They had so much fun doing it, and have created a small business called The Detailed Event," says the bride. The crafty duo also worked magic on the ring pillow, menu cards, and favor bags.

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The Ring Pillow

Sasha Gulish

Marla and Helen constructed this rustic tuft out of burlap and stitched it up with contrasting thread.

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A Walk to Remember

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Old milk bottles filled with flowers were placed along the aisle.

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The Ceremony

Sasha Gulish

The bride and groom exchanged vows under a huppah of birch branches and passionflower vines.

The Eloquence String Quartet played the theme song from "Out of Africa" and Adele's "Can You Feel My Love" as the bridal party went down the aisle. When Joey entered, on the arms of her parents, they struck up "Falling Slowly" from the movie "Once."

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Great Grandpas

Sasha Gulish

Jeff's grandfather, Lee Warren, and Joey's, Edmond Wieczorek, enjoying cocktail hour.

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Cocktail Hour Fare

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Miniature paper-thin wonton cones filled with ahi tuna tartare, wasabi cream, and wasabi tobiko caviar were one of the appetizers passed around.

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Cocktail Hour Fare

Sasha Gulish

Organic chicken with lemon and avocado creme fraiche in a crisp rice-paper cup was another hors d'oeuvre favorite.

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Cocktail Hour Fare

Sasha Gulish

Sweet corn beggars' purses with poblano chiles were tied with chives.

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Beautiful Blooms

Sasha Gulish

A large arrangement of Queen Anne's lace, dusty miller, and succulents anchored the bar.

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Cocktail Hour Decor

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Bistro chairs surrounded small tables that were decorated with burlap-covered vases filled with dusty miller and roses.

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All in the Family

Sasha Gulish

Jeff's twin niece and nephew enjoy time with his mother, Martha Davidson. Maddie served as flower girl and wore an US Angels dress. Max made a dapper ring bearer in a Crewcuts seersucker suit and MossTies bowtie.

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Escort Cards

Sasha Gulish

Calligraphed tags, displayed in shutters, served as escort cards.

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The Place Settings

Sasha Gulish

On top of each napkin was a rubber-stamped linen bag filled with one of the couple's favorite sweets: chocolate-covered cherries.

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The Centerpieces

Sasha Gulish

White hydrangeas, dusty miller, blue succulents, and David Austin garden roses were placed on a double runner of lace and burlap.

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The Lighting

Sasha Gulish

Vintage birdcage fixtures from Artefact Design and Salvage were whitewashed by Got Light and refashioned into chandeliers for the reception.

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Dinner

Sasha Gulish

Paula LeDuc Fine Catering created a menu featuring lobster bisque, tender greens with oven-cured tomatoes, beef tenderloin, and brown butter-bronzed halibut with a saute of Coachella corn, wild mushrooms, pea leaves, and small rosti potatoes. Jemrose Vineyards wines complemented the meal.

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First Dance

Sasha Gulish

"Home," a song by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, was chosen for the newlyweds' first dance.

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Dancing

Sasha Gulish

Later in the evening, the bride and her father, Dennis, danced to Kool and the Gang's "Joanna," -- the song they danced to when Joey was a child. Halfway through, Jeff and his mother, Martha, joined in.

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The Favors

Sasha Gulish

Guests received Garrett popcorn -- the couple is from Chicago, after all -- and boxes of Dan's Minocqua Fudge (the groom's family has a summer home in the Wisconsin town where it's made) as parting gifts.

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The Cake

Sasha Gulish

Amber McKenney at Sweet on Cake created a hand-rolled fondant-ruffle-covered cake with three flavored tiers: red velvet, chocolate truffle, and banana.

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Sources

Sasha Gulish

Photography: Weddings by Sasha Gulish

Videography: Video Basico

Catering: Paula LeDuc Fine Catering

Cake: Sweet On Cake

Hair: Paul Rehder of Paul Rehder Salon, 312-943-7404

Makeup: Nicole Jacob

Engagement Ring and Bride's Wedding Band: Christopher Duquet

Groom's Wedding Band: Marshall Pierce & Co.

Officiant: Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe of Temple Emanu-El

Entertainment: Eloquence String Quartet (ceremony); Keith Johnson All Stars (reception)

Floral and Event Design: Atelier Joya

Venue: Durham Ranch

Wedding Planner: Shannon Leahy Events

Stationer: Invitation Creations, Inc.

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