LOVE, SOCIALLY DISTANCED
Planning a wedding takes time and dedication—but these days, it also takes a surplus of flexibility. Napa Valley has long been cherished as a premier wedding destination and social distancing mandates have shifted the way we celebrate. Here’s an in-depth guide to rising wedding trends in the Valley, local vendors to make your day everything you’ve imagined, and a selection of spacious venues to accommodate your guests.
MINI CEREMONIES
Smaller ceremonies are on the rise in the age of COVID-19, which means a more intimate experience and a larger capacity for customizations. By limiting the number of in-person guests to coordinate with health protocols, your wedding will become an extravagant and exclusive event. Fewer guests also often result in spending more time with each guest, allowing for a more personal experience.
ONLINE STREAMING
Smaller ceremonies are on the rise in the age of COVID-19, which means a more intimate experience and a larger capacity for customizations. By limiting the number of in-person guests to coordinate with health protocols, your wedding will become an extravagant and exclusive event. Fewer guests also often result in spending more time with each guest, allowing for a more personal experience.
CREATIVE SEATING
Smaller ceremonies are on the rise in the age of COVID-19, which means a more intimate experience and a larger capacity for customizations. By limiting the number of in-person guests to coordinate with health protocols, your wedding will become an extravagant and exclusive event. Fewer guests also often result in spending more time with each guest, allowing for a more personal experience.
MASKS
Masks have quickly become a staple in our everyday wardrobe, but what happens during special occasions? Consider coordinating masks in the wedding party so that everyone looks chic and comfortable throughout the day.
​​​​​​​You can add masks to your wedding dress code as well to cooperate with venue operations. Masks also make excellent guest favors to ensure that no guest comes unprepared.
PLATED CATERING
While plated catering service isn’t a new invention, these days serving guests individual portions is more important than ever. Although you might have dreamed of having hors d'oeuvres served while mingling before the formal dinner, consider adding appetizers to your plated services as well as dessert. Limiting the number of shared utensils and traveling food will help control the spread of germs.
Wedding photographs commemorate one of the single most influential days of your life, and in the current age of Napa Valley weddings, having photographs to cherish a timeless moment is more important than ever. Fitz Carlile Photography is a wedding-focused photography business that aims to capture dramatic and earnest shots of your big day. His carefully-framed memories will allow you to relive your wedding day for years to come and share this special moment with loved ones who might have had to miss the ceremony instead of staying home during these uncertain times.
Fine dining lends the perfect touch to your big day, and Elaine Bell Catering makes it possible to indulge while keeping fresh ingredients at the forefront of any menu.
​​​​​​​Full-service catering means you won’t have to lift a finger on your wedding day, and a completely customizable menu ensures that your guests will be served a meal that suits your style—whether it’s a glamorous vegan multi-course supper or a rustic farmhouse dinner.
Fine dining lends the perfect touch to your big day, and Elaine Bell Catering makes it possible to indulge while keeping fresh ingredients at the forefront of any menu.
​​​​​​​Full-service catering means you won’t have to lift a finger on your wedding day, and a completely customizable menu ensures that your guests will be served a meal that suits your style—whether it’s a glamorous vegan multi-course supper or a rustic farmhouse dinner.
Finding the perfect wedding dress is imperative for feeling beautiful on your wedding day. Since 1999, Anna’s Bridal Boutique has been a must-stop for the newly-engaged in Napa Valley. Shopping by appointment grants you a tailored experience while following social distancing guidelines as you search for your dream dress. Anna’s Bridal Boutique also offers a wide range of apparel, including bridesmaids dresses, tuxedo rentals, lingerie, and accessories. This local, Latino-owned business is devoted to making sure brides and their bridal parties feel magnificent on their special day.
This traveling beauty service makes it possible to look and feel your best on your wedding day. Kiss & Makeup Creations specializes in stunning bridal looks while providing a range of typical salon services to ensure that everyone in your bridal party feels perfectly-manicured for the celebration. Although nerves can run high on such an important day, Kiss & Makeup’s owner Teresa Graves is dedicated to creating a calm, relaxing environment and crafting classy, sophisticated looks so that you can walk confidently down the aisle.
AHAVA STUDIOS
A cinematic wedding video will be a beloved family heirloom that you can watch over and over again, and Ahava Studios makes that possible. This local St. Helena studio has over a decade of experience and more than 200 weddings on their portfolio, so you can rest assured that you will receive a quality product when you hire Ahava Studios to film your wedding video.
Combining rustic vineyard charm with sweeping hillside vistas, V. Sattui Winery is one of Napa’s few wineries that operate as a wedding venue as well as a stunning vineyard. With event accommodations ranging from twelve people to 250 guests, V. Sattui Winery is well-suited to cater to your wedding—even if you have to downsize amid the world’s current events.
Triple S Ranch is one of Wine Country’s most spectacular havens. With 10,000 square feet of outdoor entertainment space, it’s easy to spread out guests and accommodate everyone safely. Triple S Ranch is home to a one-acre organic garden, a swimming pool and an infinity hot tub, and several different accommodation options from their stunning farmhouse to treetop lodging and rustic cabins. By blending opulence with old-fashioned hospitality, Triple S Ranch has created a breathtaking venue that is perfect for any wedding day—whether you’re dreaming of an intimate affair or maximalist matrimony.
For a glamorous wedding, consider The Estate Yountville. This viniculture-inspired villa spans 22 acres and houses two distinct hotels, each offering its own atmosphere. Hotel Villagio is a luxuriously upscale accommodation, while Vintage House has a more pronounced sophistication. The Estate is an incredible option for weekend wedding celebrations since it is spacious enough to safely accommodate guests and offers a multitude of on-campus amenities, such as rejuvenating treatments at The Spa at The Estate and decadent dinners at contemporary steakhouse Perry Lang’s.
If you’re downsizing your wedding but are still hoping for a romantic backdrop, consider Churchill Manor. This remarkable Napa Valley establishment is an all-in-one wedding venue. This Downtown Napa bed and breakfast has ten guest suites, which makes it ideal for housing a small wedding party while still providing ample room for private accommodations and social distancing. This manor was the first Napa construction to be included in the National Register of Historic Places.
Off the beaten path, Beaulieu Garden in Rutherford provides an ethereal backdrop for any wedding day. Their finely-manicured gardens, stone fountains, and reflecting pools add a little magic to every celebration. Beaulieu Gardens provides a multitude of outdoor spaces to utilize during the event, as well as a cozy wood-burning fireplace and a VIP suite with a wet bar. Plus, the venue works closely with an event planner to ensure that everything runs smoothly so that the bride and groom can focus on what matters most instead of fussing over the details.
This riverfront retreat in the heart of Napa is a pristine setting for any celebration. String lights illuminate the grounds, where River Terrace Inn offers 5,400 square feet of indoor and outdoor event areas so that you can enjoy your perfect day, whatever the weather. This expansive venue allows for ample social distancing, and the views of the Napa River from the overlook are unmatched.
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