Friday morning started bright and early and with a free breakfast at the hotel. After eating, we headed to my cousins’ rental so the kids could play with their cousin and I could go running with mine! It’s pretty much the only exercise I got on this trip, unless you include lifting my arm to drink wine. I did plenty of that too!
Our little running group did a 5.4 mile loop around the area and through the Gundlach Bundschu vineyards. I wish I had brought my camera with me because it was SO BEAUTIFUL. <– are you tired of me saying this yet?
(source)
I ran down this. Of course, I ran up some steep roads to get here first!
We finished in 50 something minutes and I honestly wish I had more time to run this route again. But, you know, wine called. We all had a great time running – and it made me wish (yet again) that I lived closer to these guys.
(courtesy, aka stolen, from my cousin Jen’s FB page)
After the run, we headed back to the hotel where I got ready for the wedding (all but my dress) – and then headed over to the bridal suite, over at B.R. Cohn, so that L could get her hair done.
Besides the flights, the thing I was MOST nervous about trip was this hair appointment. L barely sits still for me — so I questioned her ability to stay seated and cooperate. And it turns out… she proved me wrong.
She was a CHAMP and loved EVERY minute of it.
After her hair – it was time for the bride to get ready. Isn’t her hair and makeup beautiful?
While everyone was getting ready we Oo’d and Aah’d over the flowers.
Amazing, I mean AMAZING job done by Nancy Liu Chin
L and I then slipped into our dresses and then stood out front of the winery as watchmen — waiting for the groom…
There he is!
Ben and Christina did a “first look” (which I have yet to see) and then took almost all of their pictures before the wedding. They wanted to celebrate with their guests who all flew out to be with them on their special day!
L and I hung out in the bridal suite while everyone took pictures – it was fun spying on them.
When they finished they joined us to cool off (it was a good 90 degrees out that day – if not hotter) and enjoyed some wine.
I have known these “boys” for 12+ years now. How are they all grown up?
After some last minute touch ups – L and I left with the groomsmen and headed to the hill.
While we waited for the girls, we enjoyed some refreshments (Christina left out NO detail!).
After about 10-15 minutes the ceremony started. Everyone looked lovely!
Ben, when he saw Christina coming down the aisle.
I was focused on this little lady…
I actually completely missed the flowers girls until the end. Rumor has it, L picked up some rocks on the way. That’s my girl.
The ceremony was short, but sweet. There were a few tears (from me) and laughter (the happy couple).
And just like that – they were married!
We posed for a few family pictures…
and then headed up to cocktail hour.
Followed by dinner and checking out the surroundings…
My brother, AJ, was the best man and gave a heartfelt and humorous speech
and cake cutting (and other desserts!)
How cute are these cupcakes?
Then there was dancing…
And more dancing…
Ok, and yeah, a lot of drinking.
We finished the night dancing to Hey Jude and then got on the PARTY BUS (which took US back to the hotel – I’m pretty sure everyone else kept partying).
It was an absolutely beautiful day, celebrating two wonderful people. Congrats to Ben and Christina! May your lives together be full of health, happiness, and love <3
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Love the pictures, especially the ones of you and Dan..how much in love you two are! Thank you for being the special daughter that you are and for Dan .. for being so supportive and such a wonderful dad!! Wishes for Ben and Christina to live in love and to support each in every way!! Two more day in SF .. finally found a sweet bottle of wine!! LOL
Christina looks gorgeous. Love all the cute details and colors of the wedding. The place cards/board thing – adorable! BTW, does it say Oliver? Love love your dress, wouldn’t mind knowing where ya bought it
. The pics of you and Dan are great, but you shoulda punched a hole in that barrel, haha.
I am so in love with the colors/theme of the wedding! It was perfect.
And yes, Livie’s alter ego is apparently Oliver. Ha ha.
These pictures are great michelle!! Love the one of my mom and I:) Thanks for the sneak peak, can’t wait to see my photographers!! I am very impressed you knew my florists name,weren’t those flowers amazing, she was so good:)
I can’t wait to see your professional photos too! There’s so much that I missed
With the florist – I remembered the Nancy and the Liu from when you first told me about her and googled to find her site. LOVE her work!
California is so ugly isn’t it? Haha Pictures are gorgeous! Looks like a beautiful wedding
It is SO ugly. Ha ha. I don’t understand why anyone would want to live there.
Pretty much obsessed with every single detail of that amazing wedding! I want a wedding do-over and do it in Sonoma instead!! Your photos have brought back so many memories of our engagement trip there. Why didn’t we just get married there, too? So amazing.
Livi is so stinking cute getting her hair done that I can’t even stand it! Ahhh! You got AMAZING pictures!
So happy you guys had such an amazing trip and wonderful memories. Can’t wait to head to my own cousin’s wedding this weekend. I’m in serious need of some cousin time, too!
Jackie @ MomJovi recently posted..My Most Urgent Mother’s Day
I really didn’t expect to be SO in love with Sonoma. Now when we people ask me, “Why did they get married out there?” I can tell them, “WHY THE EFF NOT?”
Every detail was thought of and it was just such a great wedding!
You’ll have to join in our Sonoma house purchase. The more the merrier!
And I hope you and E have SOOOO much fun at your cousin’s wedding. I love cousin time
What a beautiful bride and wedding! I love everything: the flowers, colors, seating chart, bridesmaid dresses… Congrats to your brother and new sister!
Jessica @ Sushi and Sit-Ups recently posted..Our engagement photos
Most definitely a beautiful wedding. I kept saying, “I love this wedding!” to her. If I had to do it all over again these are definitely the colors I would have picked.
So beautiful! I already told you this on Facebook, but I really loved the bride’s dress. She looks stunning! And what a beautiful setting for a gorgeous wedding! Yay marriage!
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I loved her dress too! It was PERFECT for her body type (which, I actually think it similar to yours — so I’m wondering if you bought a similar style!). Livie kept telling her “We have the same dress!” It was too cute.
That wedding food is ridic. I’m sitting here drooling.
Victoria @ Running Peanut recently posted..Way Down South in Dixie
Awesome pictures..looked like a beautiful day!
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