Emily and Ryan - A Romantic Garden Wedding at MacArthur Place

When Emily & Ryan reached out to me, they were in the early stages of their venue search. They live in Chicago, which was making the venue hunt a bit difficult for them, especially since we were in the middle of a lockdown due to the pandemic, and they were unable to plan a visit to tour venues in person. Emily is a designer, so she had a very specific vision and after “touring” a few venues virtually, she knew that MacArthur Place & Spa had the look and feel she was going for. She wanted a romantic wedding, incorporating lots of natural elements and a clean black, white and grey design, which MacArthur proved to be the absolute perfect backdrop for. And as you look through these photos, you will see that the wedding design matches the venue perfectly!

Given that Emily and Ryan were planning a destination wedding, they wanted their experience to be more than just a six hour wedding. Friends and family were traveling great distances, so planning a full, fun weekend was a top priority. This would ensure they got to spend quality time with each and every one of their guests. They started their celebration with a rehearsal dinner at El Dorado Kitchen, followed by a wine tasting reception at the nearby Lake Sonoma Tasting Room. It was the perfect way to welcome their guests to Sonoma.

The next day was the grand affair, the wedding at MacArthur Place. I have always been a huge fan of MacArthur as it has this quaint, cozy feel. You feel so comfortable when walking into the hotel, but it also offers all of the high-end amenities one wants in a luxury vacation. Some hotels feel so impersonal to me, but MacArthur feels as if you are home. While the bride and her bridesmaids were getting pampered by stylists in the bride’s garden spa suite, we were setting up the most romantic, garden style wedding I have ever seen. Lots of fluffy white blooms, sparkling candlelight and clean table settings, it all came together so perfectly. The July weather was perfect, making outdoor dining ideal. They danced the night away inside the Coach House and nibbled on wedding cake. It really was a perfect day.

They were not quite ready to end the festivities, so off we went with all of their guests on a wine tour the following day. We started the day by sipping bubbles over looking the Sonoma Valley at Gloria Ferrer, followed by an afternoon of wine tasting at Imagery. The guests enjoyed various lawn games and a gourmet picnic lunch al fresco, while tasting through the many different wines that Imagery has to offer. It was the perfect way to finish off what was an amazing weekend, celebrating the love of two of the sweetest people I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Congratulations Emily & Ryan! I am so honored that you chose me to help plan your perfect wedding weekend!!