A Vintage Vineyard Wedding in California

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Photo: Jose Villa
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Marilyn and Spencer

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Jose Villa

These Contra Costa, California, natives met in 2002, when both worked at a women's clothing store. Marilyn, who's in retail sales, thought Spencer "was a horrible employee, but the nicest man I'd ever met." Although she kept urging her manager to let him go, when Spencer asked her to dinner, Marilyn accepted, and soon found herself vacationing with his family in France.

About seven years later, Spencer gave her a Tiffany & Co. diamond, and to celebrate their long, winding road to matrimony, they planned a French-country-style affair for 70 guests at a wine estate.

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Stone Cold Beauty

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Jose Villa

Spencer and Marilyn were snapped in the front of Anderson Ranch's immaculately renovated two-story barn, fashioned from Sonoma fieldstone and old-growth redwood. The groom, in Dolce & Gabbana, held hands with his bride, who wore a Vera Wang gown.

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Shoots That Score

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Jose Villa

Marilyn's bouquet of loose sweet pea, clematis, and other garden-picked tendrils were wrapped in knotted hemp trim and overlayed with French lace streamers. Most of the flowers were sourced locally from the Sonoma area.

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Bountiful Bundle

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Jose Villa

The maid of honor's bouquet was a lush bundle of Fair Bianca roses, one heirloom caramel-toned rose, sweet peas, and spirea.

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Vows with a View

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Jose Villa

The 5 P.M. hilltop ceremony offered lovely light and spectacular views of the countryside.

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Meaningful Connection

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Jose Villa

Small scrolls of butcher paper printed with each guest's name linked the glasses set out for red and white wine.

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Seats of Honor

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Jose Villa

Garlands of pittosborum and bay leaves were draped around the couple's chairs.

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Stunning Centerpieces

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Jose Villa

Centerpieces of clematis vine, popcorn viburnum, garden roses, and hawthorne and olive greens were arranged in cement vessels.

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Dining in Nature

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Jose Villa

Guests ate at long wooden tables on a stone patio beneath towering redwood trees. Dinner was followed by a rockin' dance party as Champagne—and Spencer's favorite hot chocolate—flowed.

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Beautiful Blooms

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Jose Villa

Ombré wood vessels holding solo heirloom roses adorned the guest-book table.

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Tasty Tiers

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Jose Villa

Buttercream frosting covered three different layers of wedding cake crafted by Sweet on Cake: strawberries and cream with lemon curd, caramel-toffee fudge, and red velvet.

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Vintage Appeal

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Jose Villa

Guests sent wishes on notes that they slipped into a French wine riddling rack provided by French antique store Chateau Sonoma.

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Classy Getaway

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Jose Villa

Vintage car buff Spencer rented a 1959 Silver Cloud Rolls-Royce as their getaway transport.

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Sources

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Jose Villa

Photography: Jose Villa

Location: Anderson Ranch Event

Planning: Rosemary Hattenbach of Rosemary Events

Event Design and Flowers: Kate Holt of Flower Wild

Catering: Ramekins Culinary School

Officiant: Dan Melligan

Stationery: Bella Figura

Calligraphy: Neither Snow

Music: Ever Music Group; DJ Goyo

Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

Hair and Makeup: Mar R. of Team Hair & Makeup

Cinematography: Joel Serrato Films

Rentals: La Tavola Fine Linen

Wine: Country Party

Bride's accessories: Haute Bride earrings and bracelet; Valentino shoes

Transportation: Nationwide Limousine Service

Lighting: Twilight Design

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There's More!

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Find more original ideas for customizing your day and expert advice to lead you to the aisle in our annual Ultimate Planner by downloading our app and buying the digital issue for only $.99.

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