At This Wedding in California, Details of Nuts and Honey Paid Homage to the Bride's Profession

Carli and Joey had known of each other their entire lives, but it wasn't until 2017 that they finally met in person. "My dad and Joey's mom grew up together in the small town of Glenn, California," explains Carli. "We joke that we knew each other from a young age based on our parents exchanging Christmas cards every year." When the pair ran into each other at a local bar in Chico, they didn't feel like strangers. "We realized we had so much more in common than we thought," Carli remembers. "From our parents being lifelong friends to sharing passions and future goals, we just knew we were meant to be together."

Over the course of their courtship, Joey, an agricultural pilot, often made short jaunts to in his small personal plane, so Carli sensed nothing amiss when he offered to fly her to the next town over for Chinese food. "We ended up going to the wrong airport so Joey could 'grab a second set of headphones for me from a friend of his,'" she says. "I didn't think anything of this, other than that we would shortly be on our way to the correct airport." When they got there, Carli said she'd wait in the car, but Joey encouraged her to walk with him under the guise of looking at a nearby example of a favorite model aircraft. "There was a photographer snapping pictures of this airplane and Joey started talking to him, just shooting the breeze," she recalls. "Then he asked the photographer, 'Would you mind taking a photo of us?' and I wondered how in the heck would we get this photo from this random guy?"

Then it happened. "Joey dropped to one knee and asked me to be his wife and the photographer was there to capture the moment!" Carli shares. "I was in utter shock and disbelief—all I could do was cry tears of joy!" But the surprise didn't end there: The bride-to-be's brother and his wife popped out of the plane with a bottle of Champagne, announcing they were all heading to Lake Tahoe that minute to celebrate. "Joey had the plane chartered privately for us to go. I just about dropped to my knees it was so exciting!"

The pair's decision to enjoy a long engagement proved to be providential, ultimately reducing the impact the pandemic had on their big-day plans. "Our headcount had to be cut basically in half, but we were very lucky," says Carli. "The guidelines loosened up by the time our wedding day rolled around." A private country estate in Winters, California, provided an idyllic setting; social distancing was encouraged all around. "Our wedding was outdoors with the exception of dancing inside the large and beautiful barn in the evening," adds Carli. "It was the wedding of our dreams!"

On the invitations, designed by Valley Press Co, a watercolor illustration of The Inn at Park Winters gave guests a glimpse of Carli and Joey's venue. The nut farm and beekeeping businesses owned by the bride's family were represented with almond-blossom renderings and honeybee wax seals.

A soft overlay embroidered with intricate floral appliqués gave Carli's romantic mermaid wedding dress by Enzoani an ethereal look.

Blooms in soft shades of blush, butter, and taupe brought depth and dimension to white roses and ranunculus blossoms, arranged by Blossoms by Lisa.

Joey's jacket was accented with a pristine pocket square to match his shirt and tie. He wore several meaningful accessories—a Rolex borrowed from Carli's brother, plus abalone cuff links (which were a gift from his bride).

Carli left her long hair uncovered, opting instead for delicate, custom-made shoulder veils from La Soie. "I loved this because Joey is a pilot. When he saw me at our first look, I told him, 'I have wings, too!'" she says.

The bridesmaids' bouquets were petite versions of Carli's; the neutral hues accented the taupe shade of their gowns.

Joey's attendants matched him in navy Men's Wearhouse ensembles.

Upon their arrival, guests were greeted by an elegant piece of signage featuring a visual of the venue's inn, which echoed the couple's invitation suite.

A romantic floral arch, lush with mixed greenery, served as the focal point during the ceremony.

Sprays of flowers emerged from the ground along elegant rows of seating. The chairs featured rattan seats, a textural theme that would be highlighted later throughout the reception's décor.

Carli was escorted to the ceremony by her father while Haley Reinhart's rendition of "Can't Help Falling in Love" played in the background.

The couple got emotional as they traded vows they composed themselves during one of their favorite memories of the day. "We both talked about our first date flying in Joey's airplane and both mentioned our sweet dog, Maple," shares the bride. 

Post-ceremony, signature cocktails were offered at the full bar, where guests could request their pick of a lavender lemonade or an old fashioned, both made with the honey harvested by the bride's family.

Loved ones found their table assignments on tags tied to their big-day favors: pretty jars of almonds displayed on shelves of walnut, a nod to the bride's status as a fourth-generation almond and walnut farmer. "The display also spelled out 'Nuts About You' at the top," calls out Carli. "So cute!"

The reception décor was a fantasy of airy neutrals, rattan textures, and exquisite details. Arbors were commissioned and placed over tables with rattan chandeliers suspended from their beams. "The lanterns resembled bee skep baskets—again, incorporating the family theme," says Carli.

Greenery, florals, and flowing sheaths of fabric swathed the tables and custom arbors.

Place settings featured fine white china topped with slub-linen napkins and modern flatware. Menus, that served as place cards, were fashioned from handmade paper and accented with wax seals.

Clear acrylic table numbers were expertly etched with almond blossoms.

The evening's dancing portion, another treasured highlight of the celebration, was kicked off by the couple just before the cake cutting.

Ettores whipped up the couple's classic three-tier confection, which featured bas relief and gold-leaf detailing; the confection was placed on a small round table covered in a leaf-patterned cloth and surrounded by taupe and blush taper candles.

A professional artist captured the reception in watercolor, preserving the amazing scene for future generations.

Photography, Scott and Dana Photographers
Venue, Park Winters
Wedding Planning and Event Design, Jenn Robirds Events
Videography, Lens of Lenox
Flowers, Blossoms by Lisa
Invitations, Valley Press Co
Stationery, Shimmer and Stain
Bride's Gown, Enzoani
Shoulder Veil and Bridal Atelier, La Soie
Shoes, Jimmy Choo
Hair, Tina Romo
Makeup, Marissa Stacey
Bridesmaids' Dresses, Show Me You MuMu
Groom and Groomsmen Attire, Men's Wearhouse
Music, SJ's DJ
Catering, Park Winters
Cake, Ettores
Rentals, BLOC Venue; Celebrations Party Rentals; La Tavola Linen; Theoni Collection
Transportation, Universal Limo
Lighting, Deborba Events