I love featuring travel content! Ideas for destination weddings, honeymoons, and celebratory getaways is one of the things I adore. Recently, I was invited by Venone PR to experience weddings in Sonoma County wine country orchestrated by Off the Beaten Path Signature Experiences. There were 16 of us who enjoyed a time of relishing so many of the things the county had to offer, and our final night was so beautiful, I just had to share!
I was an invited guest at this location. All opinions are my own.
Friends, this is definitely not my typical post, but it is definitely coming from a personal perspective. I can’t wait to share with you some of the amazing things I experienced while I was there! The photos I am sharing with you are all by Krista Marie Photography. Honestly, the beauty of the images coupled with the lovely time I had (oh such memories!) is exactly why I am sharing this with you today.
After spending 3 full days with a group of other writers, content creators, and publishers, we had a capstone evening at a private estate. I had no idea what awaited us, and everything was done to perfection. Here are a few of my favorite elements.
Sonoma County Wine Country Dinner
The Private Estate
One thing I love about Sonoma County is the fact that many people have personal properties that they rent for weddings. Some utilize their location a few times a year, and others quite a bit. The point is that a wedding can be SO unique due to having it an exclusive location. What a stellar idea!
When we arrived at the private estate, we were greeted with beautiful – and delicious – drinks. The property itself was jaw-dropping. It was gorgeous in every way, and if I had to dream up a quintessential wine country look, I would say this is it! Can I just live here? So beautiful! For a destination wedding, Off the Beaten Path can connect you with exclusive properties – like this one – for your own private estate event (which isn’t as expensive as you might think!).
The Music
It doesn’t get much better than strolling through gardens with a refreshing drink in hand while you listen to soothing, live music. Keri Campell Music was there to softly play the most perfect background serenades during our cocktail hour and dinner. How perfect!
The Cocktail Hour
Alley 6, K Squared Cellars, and Napa Valley Extra Virgin Olive Oil were there to greet us as we spent time together before dinner. We chatted, listened to music, and were introduced to Banjo the cat – so cute and friendly!
The Most Perfect Charcuterie
Bread and cheese? Yes, please? Truly carbs and dairy make my insides sing. There were so many beautiful elements of the board itself to nibble on, but the shaved cheese and the hand-craftedness of the bread added to both the texture and flavor. I don’t know if I have ever seen such a gorgeous setup, and leave it up to Sonoma County wine country to deliver!
The Butlered Hors d’Oeuvres
Our cocktail hour also consisted of butlered appetizers. Just take a look at that macaroni and cheese topped with breadcrumbs! See? Carbs and cheese…yum! I had a fabulous time chatting and spending time with everyone as we enjoyed the surrounding beauty.
The Dinner Setup
Before dinner, we spent time on the side of the house that I’ve shown you so far. We were kept away from the other side – there wasn’t any clear delineation other than the fact that there really was no reason for us to leave where we were. But…when we were able to go to where our dinner was located, I was stunned. I couldn’t get over how gorgeous it was!
From bistro lights and farm tables to perfectly placed details, everything was so well done. I was truly awestruck! I can totally imagine wedding guests feeling the same way. Take a peek at the setup by Off the Beaten Path using pieces from Encore Events Rentals below. There are many decor ideas, and there is so much beauty in simple touches like the way the napkin is folded, the bread placement, and the touch of greenery at each place setting. Drippy lights and two-tone silverware added to the look of this perfect dinner in Sonoma County wine country.
P.S. You’ll see me below sporting wine country chic fashion from two companies I’ve partnered with – a dress by Virginia Dare Dress Company and earrings from Violet and Brooks.
The Dinner
Beautiful, wooden menus by Invite Design told us what was in store for the evening. The food was both lovely and delicious served alongside K Squared Cellar’s wine. We had a lovely time laughing, eating, and enjoying our time reminiscing together on what would be our last night. What a fabulous way to end our journey together.
The Dessert Bar
Who doesn’t love dessert? Especially when there is such a great variety! From classics like chocolate chip cookies and snickerdoodles to more modern delectables like macarons, I will actually admit to filling up a goodie bag (we were told to!) of treats to go. My favorite was the peanut butter bars with chocolate on top…so so good! We ended our time together around the fire chatting with Banjo by our side. Such a special time.
Of course, a special thanks goes out to everyone involved – the vendors, the other ladies on the trip, and especially Off the Beaten Path for creating, implementing, and orchestrating such a beautiful event. I’d say that if you are considering a Sonoma County wine country destination wedding, having an event like this is the way to go! It truly was an unforgettable experience enjoyed with friends.
Happy travels! Oh, and if you’re searching for more CA inspiration, take a peek at another one of my posts here.
