Danielle and Stan
Danielle Gold and Stan Zienka, who met in San Francisco and have roots in New York, opted to kick off their wedding weekend with a rehearsal dinner that was "East Coast lobster meets California sunshine." A golden sunset splashed across the sky at the early-evening soiree at Medlock Ames in Healdsburg, California, as guests dined on a coastal menu featuring a lobster boil. The couple put their own nautical spin on the event, making it a vibrant fete and a great beginning to their destination wedding weekend in Napa wine country.
The Invitation
The invite for the rehearsal dinner advertised "Finger Lickin' Food, Cold Beer & Pie!" and hinted at the feast of tasty lobster to come.
The Fashions
Stan (a graphic designer and abstract painter) donned a J.Crew ensemble with John Varvatos shoes. Danielle (a fashion and prop stylist) rocked a red Steven Alan dress, Helen Kaminski hat, Hue tights, and Rachel Comey booties.
The Decor
Danielle collected the decor -- including matchboxes, buoys, plastic crabs, flags, and lanterns -- on various trips to Greenport and the Hamptons, in New York, and flea markets in California.
The Fare
Hors d'ouevres included fried pickles with buttermilk dipping sauce and popcorn with white cheddar and jalapeno peppers.
The Place Settings
Each of the 75 guests found their seat thanks to a name tag. The tag was stapled to a wet napkin, which sat atop a blue linen napkin with a rope knot tied around it.
The Linens
Danielle sourced some rope-patterned fabric and had custom linens made for the event.
The Place Mats
Tables were set with place mats from the duo's favorite restaurant in the Hamptons -- the Lobster Roll in Amagansett, New York.
Witty Add-Ons
Plastic crabs had guests looking closely and added to the nautical decor.
A Collection of Treasures
"We loved being able to collect things during trips to the North Fork and the Hamptons and mix them in with our California finds," Danielle said of things like this boat model and nautical book.
Colorful Tables
Tables were also dressed with solid red linens.
Overhead Accessories
Code flags strung above the dinner tables added color and fit with the nautical inspiration of the soiree.
For Extra Flavor
Straus Family Creamery sweet butter, Himalayan pink sea salt, and pepper were set out to pair with the Acme pain d'epi bread.
All in Good Fun
The couple also incorporated a special tradition from the bride to be's childhood -- naming the lobsters and having little races between them just before dinner. "Fred won, just by a claw," Danielle recalled.
A Seafood Soiree
After enjoying a farmers' market salad of baby lettuces with market vegetables, pepitas, and edible flowers with blood-orange vinaigrette, guests feasted on a seafood boil of shrimp, lobster, clams, sausage, corn, baby artichokes, and red potatoes.
The Table Settings
Lemon wedges and chunks of torn bread accompanied the lobster boil.
In the Night Air
The meal concluded with pecan pie topped with bourbon whipped cream and salted caramel sauce and a big, open sky for all to enjoy.
Sources
Photographer: Q Weddings
Location: Medlock Ames
Catering: Secret Kitchen
Event planning, design, and flowers: Danielle Gold
Stationery: Stan Zienka
Rentals: Wine Country Party Rentals