Charles Krug Winery Wedding | Napa Valley, CA | Elena and Nelson
I don’t know about you, but in the last two years, something I am more aware of are people’s sense and sharing of kindness. Being holed up in our homes. Watching too much news, whatever your variety. And missing out on real human connection. We become in tune to our choices of where and to whom we give access and attention. Your reading this and wondering what the hell this has to do with a Charles Krug winery wedding in St Helena, but stick with me, this plane has to get up to speed before it can take off.
To say that I was excited about Elena and Nelson’s Italian inspired wedding in Napa Valley would be an understatement. Getting to travel for any work is a lot of fun and a huge honor, but I lived in San Diego for ten years and never got north of San Francisco. I would often mention to people when talking about our time in southern California that we never made it to Yosemite, or the Redwoods, or even to Napa. And so to finally check that box was exciting.
But Elena and Nelson made their Charle Krug winery wedding more special for everyone.
They found us the most wonderful little Air BnB a short 5-minute drive to the venue and invited us to their rehearsal dinner, where I was told to not bring my camera. WHAT?!? That never happens. Not just being invited to a rehearsal dinner, but where I could come essentially as a guest. Yeah, I still brought a camera (it’s a habit), but didn’t make any photos and it was awesome to just be present and get to speak with some of Elena and Nelson’s friends and family.
Now I had known that Elena and Nelson were all about focusing on their guests and family who could attend, and even those who could not. We talked a lot about keeping the photos short but sweet as they were intentional about wanting to spend as much time on their wedding day honoring those who were there. That’s not to say that other couples are solely focused on themselves, not at all. But Elena, originally being from Russia and Nelson having family in the Philippines and then both of them having friends all over the globe, it was important to them that all felt welcomed…including me.
That’s special.
That’s rare.
The Charles Krug winery was gorgeous.
The grounds, the backdrop, the history, and the venue staff were beyond kind. And I know nothing about wine or wineries, in fact, I think this was my first time at one and now I want to go back to Napa and just be a tourist. But this definitely set a bar.
But from the beginning of their wedding day to the end of the wedding day, I witnessed Elena and Nelson pouring themselves into everyone there, from making sure their bridesmaids and groomsmen (respectively) were set and comfortable. That people were fed. During the cocktail hour, I watched as Elena and Nelson were all over the place to sharing time with family, laughing with friends, and even enjoying the magician (btw…you should have a magician at your wedding as it was kind of awesome). But a bulk of their time was spent in front of the Zoom live share as they said hello and talked with family who could not be there in person, it was heartwarming to witness.
In the end, they put on one hell of a choreographed dance routine and brought the carriage house down that night before being sent off with one of the best champagne spray exits (donned with snow goggles and all)!
Here are some of my favorites and a video from kick-ass video from destination wedding videographers Peak of The Mountain Production from Elena and Nelsons Charles Krug winery wedding!
Wedding Vendors
Venue: Charles Krug Winery
Venue Coordinators: Milestone Events Group
Planner: Solano Events
Videographer: Peak of The Mountain Productions
Dress Designer: Jane Hill
Dress Boutique: Kinsley James Couture
Florals: Petal Town Weddings
HMU: Nicolette LaFranchi
Catering: Blossom Catering Company
Photobooth: Denon and Doyle
DJ: California Mobile Entertainment
Rentals: Encore Events Rentals
Love what you see and feel here? Planning your own wedding and looking to have connection and memories like these? Send me your details below and let’s talk soon!