Destination: Married Napa Valley
Gorgeous. Elegant. Breathtaking. There really aren’t enough adjectives to do justice to Jackie and Jordan’s dream wedding in Napa Valley last spring. I’ve known Jordan’s family for years, so I was truly honored when he and Jackie asked me to help make their destination wedding an event to remember. I’ve planned and attended over a hundred weddings and I believe BLC Events reached the pinnacle in destination wedding planning for this special couple. It was the wedding of the year!
We were all-in, full-service planning for this wedding, starting with a trip to Napa with Jackie and Jordan to tour and choose a venue. They were ideal clients – hands-on, but open to suggestions and trusting our professional experience with the details. Working with them, it was clear that a big part of their dream was for all their family and friends to fully enjoy the whole experience – not only the ceremony and reception, but the destination and all the Napa Valley has to offer. To that end, they picked the first Friday in May at The Estate in Yountville – an amazing escape in the heart of Napa with picturesque spots for the ceremony, al fresco dinner and a festive reception plus access to wineries, spas, and upscale dining for the rest of their guests’ weekend.
One of our favorite things about this event was the opportunity to import premier Portland professionals for the more personal aspects and pair them with the best floral, catering, and entertainment in the chosen destination. We worked with our go-to stationer, Lisa at Crave Designs in Portland to create the J&J logo and classic invitation suite and we called in ever-talented Portland photographer Jessica Hill of Jessica Hill Photography for the stunning photos of this epic wedding.
May 3rd could not have been a more perfect spring day in the Napa Valley. Jackie and Jordan wanted to observe the tradition of the groom not seeing the bride until the ceremony, so they exchanged letters and thoughtful gifts to tide them over until the processional.
A radiant Jackie was definitely worth the wait!
For their inter-faith ceremony, the couple asked that cherished traditions from each of their respective faiths be incorporated. The premier officiant for this task was, of course, the brilliant Melissa Coe, a Portland import. The musicians from Synchronicity Strings set the tone as guests arrived and were treated to champagne or sparkling water – time for the processional and the heartfelt ceremony under the gorgeous floral chuppa.
Concluding the short but personal and sweet ceremony with the breaking of two glasses (one for each!), Jackie and Jordan recessed to Bruno Mars’ Marry You and congratulatory cheers from family and friends.
Guests enjoyed a lovely cocktail hour while the newlyweds enjoyed their first photo shoot as husband and wife. When it was time for dinner, guests were treated to a glass of champagne that served as their escort card and made their way to the East Pavilion.
We do love our details at BLC Events and not one was missed at Mr. & Mrs. Menashe’s reception. Gorgeous white floral everywhere from Julie Stephens Designs, impeccably set tables featuring linens from La Tavola, gold accents, menus from Crave Designs, and that sign from Letters & Dust! The mood was sublime as the sun set, Hip Entertainment played and everyone wined and dined on the veritable feast expertly catered by The Estate. Elegance perfected made it not only Jackie & Jordan’s dream dinner, but ours, too!
Since dinner and toasts were al fresco through sunset, one more detail… pashmina shawls for guests to have and to hold in case they got cold.
The cutting of Fleur de Lisa’s stunning cake signaled the transition from dinner to dessert and dancing in the Barrel Room.
Jackie wanted to do something extra special for Jordan with the Groom’s cake. The only thing missing from their dream destination wedding was their dog, Buddy, so Fleur de Lisa brought him to the celebration in cake form. He truly was an exact replica of Buddy; the look on Jordan’s face was priceless!
The festivities continued in the Barrel Room with a custom ice luge from Chisel It featuring their J &J signature logo that also lit up the dance floor. Hip Entertainment kept the dance floor hopping late into the night as revelers shed their shoes for their monogrammed J&J slippers. The final Portland import, our friends from the Vanity Portrait Studio, provided each guest with a fabulous keepsake from the event. Our favorite tongue-in-cheek detail? The cocktail napkins with a playful nod to #jordanhittheJACKpot – Jackie & Jordan are definitely a perfect match!
Finally, we seem to have started a trend with one of our signature details…late night food trucks to keep revelers fueled! Just because we weren’t in Portland, didn’t mean we would forgo midnight snacks. Muchacho Alegre kept everyone at Jackie & Jordan’s party in tacos until they could dance no more.
Reminiscing about the Menashe’s dream destination wedding on their first anniversary has been such a welcome respite this spring. Thank you, Jackie & Jordan, for trusting BLC Events with all the details of your amazing day; we adored working with you. In other happy news, they shared that Buddy will be getting a human sibling in September! Mazel Tov! Happy Anniversary! and Congratulations! Cheers to dreams come true, Mr. & Mrs. Menashe.
Special Thanks to our Vendors:
Jessica Hill Photography | The Estate | Crave Designs | Bella Bridal | Melissa Coe | Synchronicity Strings | Julie Stephens Designs Floral | Bright (rentals)| Theoni (chairs & rentals) | Got Light | La Tavola (linens) | Letters & Dust | Fleur de Lisa Cakes | Hip Entertainment | Chisel It | Vanity Portrait Studio | Muchacho Alegre