Gabriel Farm

We just got back from a beautiful little apple and pear farm located in Sebastopol where we spent two hours picking blackberries and the most delicious McIntosh apples.  The kids loved running in between the rows of over thirty different varieties of apples and pears and I loved the quiet breeze as we chatted with our friends about different pie and tartine recipes.

I know I say this all the time, but we are very lucky to live in this area with amazing local farmers.  FarmTrails weekend is coming up in a few weeks and I am already plotting our course when many of the small farms are open for visits…I can hardly wait and will maybe have finished all of my apples by then.

xo

Amy

A Real Diamond

I had a beautiful wedding last night at a private vineyard in Healdsburg.  Some of you may remember one of my first posts titled "Hidden Gem" about a very rustic property I had found for some New York clients. Well the wedding was last night and it was amazing.  The weather was perfect, there was a full moon, and everything looked absolutely gorgeous.  I surprised even myself about the total transformation that took place and my photo below doesn't do it justice...I will share the real pictures from the super talented Cliff Brunk in a few weeks.

Xo

Amy

Old Clients, New Friends

Yesterday I went to visit with some past clients of mine, Erica and Julie, who were married almost two years ago at Arista Winery.  It is always such fun to get together with clients when they are no longer just clients.  Erica and Julie are a fabulous couple and have such fun together…we spent a few hours reminiscing about the wedding and how beautiful it all was.  We sat at Arista, drinking delicious wines and got caught up on the past two years.

This is a funny business where you are so involved and vested in others’ lives and then once the wedding is over, they are gone from your day to day radar and you are onto another couple and event.  Days like yesterday make me grateful for the people I meet and get to work with.

xo

Amy

Carmel Valley Ranch

We just returned from a fabulous week down at Carmel Valley Ranch.  It is rare that I am able to sneak away during the summer but my weddings aligned perfectly and I had a little break.  It has been several years since we had been to Carmel Valley Ranch but I was excited to visit again as they have just gone through a major renovation.  Like many other properties, they have become more family friendly and that now matters a lot to us.

Of course I had to see their event space while I was there and it is wonderful.  It is a fabulous location for a destination wedding with something for everyone….golf, tennis, swimming, hiking, yoga, organic gardens, honey bees – the list goes on and on.  They have several intimate spots for weddings and of course, the food and service is outstanding.

We are very lucky to live in the beautiful wine country but also very blessed to be so close to other gorgeous areas that are certainly worth exploring.

xo

Amy

Time for Change

One thing I have learned after planning over a hundred weddings is that you can always improve and re-create yourself.  Even the most successful designers, chefs, and winemakers that I am lucky enough to call friends continually push themselves to get better and do things differently. 

Last night was a perfect example…we went to Petite Syrah for dinner.  Josh Silvers has been a successful chef and restaurant owner for 12 years with Syrah Bistro which in the restaurant world is a lifetime.  He recently opened a more casual restaurant a block away called Jackson’s in Santa Rosa’s historic Railroad Square and it has been extremely successful.  While some people would be content to operate on auto-pilot, he decided it was time to take a chance and re-invent Syrah. 

The interior got some new paint, tables and chairs and the menu got a complete overhaul.  He has focused on small plates which are meant to share…this is my favorite way of eating with friends and I have to say the food was outstanding.  I admire the guts it takes to take something that was successful and push it to new levels.

xo

Amy

Perfect 4th of July Wedding

I had a great wedding this past weekend at the beautiful Solage Resort (www.solagecalistoga.com).  It was a beautiful event with fabulous clients and everything went perfectly.  My favorite part of the wedding was after the sun had gone down and dinner was over, we brought out a fire pit and all the fixings for s’mores.  Of course the children at the wedding loved it but so did all of the adults…myself included!

xo

Amy

Dance Fever

I had a beautiful wedding this past weekend at Trentadue Winery in Geyserville.  I have to say that my most favorite elements were the musical groups we had entertaining everyone.

I had come across a fabulous French duo, Laura & Anton, who serenaded dinner guests throughout dinner – the perfect music for a festive and relaxing evening as the sun set.

Then, we hired my most favorite dance band, Notorious.  I absolutely love them!  They are a dream to work with and they are amazing entertainers – the dance floor was absolutely packed for two and a half hours straight!

Music is something that can really set the tone for your event, whether it is live musicians, a dj or even an ipod – think it through as it becomes the “stamp” of your party.

xo,

Amy