Venue: Ponte Winery
Photography: Ashley LaPrade Photography
Planning + Design: Michelle Garibay Events
Groom Style: Cobalt Blue Notch Lapel Performance Suit by Michael Kors + Green Notch Lapel Suit + Gold Velvet Shawl Lapel Tuxedo
This wedding is colorful and chic, and all things perfection!
The ceremony space was on a grand grass area with views of the stunning Ponte Winery. Lush and bright florals swept over the stone arch, and at the beginning of the aisle in chic wicker baskets.
The reception was a fun burst of style with custom details that we are swooning over. Like that cake, a gorgeous 3-tiered mint green cake with flowers and…a small ceramic figurine of their pet Charlie added a cute bonus to the moment. We extra love the disco balls over the dance floor that lit up the night for guests to dance the night away.
For their ceremony looks, they brought colorful chic style to the I-dos by wearing our Cobalt Notch Lapel Performance Suit by Michael Kors and our Green Notch Lapel Suit. For their party-time reception Frank swapped out his green coat with a shag tinsel coat in fun sparkling colors. Connor ditched the cobalt blue look for a luxe and glam Gold Velvet Shawl Lapel Tuxedo, together they danced the night away in bliss and style-perfection.
We got to sit down with this amazing couple and get the inside scoop on their whole wedding design and some planning advice. Check out our interview below:
Friar Tux: What was your inspiration behind your wedding theme/colors/décor?
Frank + Connor: The overall theme was "California Casual." This is a term Connor used over and over during planning. We essentially wanted our friends and family to feel like they were coming over to our house for an elevated wine and charcuterie night. For the ceremony, we wanted a classy affair but for the reception, we wanted our very own gay nightclub in wine country! When it comes to the color palette, we originally started with a very traditional green and white color scheme with pops of red roses. But after we saw it quickly realized we would be doing a disservice to our photographer's style, and we needed to go brighter. So we went with pops of coral, different shades of pink, and gold. We wanted to let the beauty of wine country do the heavy lifting and simply enhance its beauty.
Friar Tux: What was your favorite part of the whole day?
Frank + Connor: My favorite part of the whole day was seeing all our friends and family in one place. But more than anything, seeing them all on the dance floor all night long! We loved all the details highlighting our beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Charlie.
Friar Tux: Do you have any advice for couples planning their special day?
Frank + Connor: My biggest advice to any couple is to do what makes sense for YOU! There are so many ideas and inspirational photos of the most beautiful weddings you've ever seen. Find what you like but be open to the ideas and advice of the professionals you hire. They are going to do everything they can to make your wedding uniquely you and your partner. For other LGBTQ+ couples, find wedding professionals who are affirming, not just accepting. You will feel so loved and valued as a couple when the people around you want to celebrate exactly who you are and who you love.
DJ: DJ Keelez | Florals: Soirèe Floral Design | Videography: Amari Productions | Photo Booth: Captured Photo Booth | Furniture Rentals: Jake Duke Studio | Table Rentals: Hostess Haen | Linen Rentals: Brilliant Event Lighting | Lawn Games: Bailey’s Garden Party | Beauty: BreLuxe | Cake + Desserts: Laura Marie Cakes | Stationery: Minted Weddings | Rings: Baguette Atelier | Mother of the Groom Makeup: Ariana Zavala | Mother of the Groom Hair: Bridal Hair by Jenna