Saturday, July 4, 2009

Rehearsal Dinner: Chrissy & Alex

Today's feature is actually a rehearsal dinner, but I think it could just as easily be a really fun wedding, and it felt like a really fun theme for the Fourth of July weekend. Laurie Arons created this retro hoedown party for a bride and groom in Calistoga, and Thayer Allyson Gowdy captured it all in these great shots...




The wedding took place at a private home in Northern California.




During the cocktail hour guests enjoyed a full bar, including the signature drink of whiskey sours, as well as mesquite grilled prawns and chipotle deviled eggs, provided by Daniel Ripley Catering. Dinner included buttermilk fried chicken, barbecue ribs, biscuits, cornbread and coleslaw.


Hats and bandannas from Oriental Trading Company.


Everyone came dressed in their cowboy gear! Welcome baskets included the classic children's book This is San Francisco, old fashioned peanut brittle, Popchips, sunscreen, a San Francisco/Napa Valley Zagat guide customized with the couple's wedding date (a gift from the Zagats, close friends of the couple), a tin of roasted almonds from Torn Ranch, Calistoga mineral water, and a detailed welcome letter listing the weekend's activities.



A bluegrass band, booked through Innovative Entertainment, serenaded the cocktail hour, and played after dinner.








PSPaper created the table names - each one named after vintage western movies and shows.


Guests enjoyed a country western themed movie about the bride and groom!






After dinner there was square dancing, complete with a caller.


The bride loves cake, so she had Perfect Endings make a display of home-style favorites, including devil's food, banana, spiced pecan, and red velvet. There were also s'mores (with organic dark chocolate, and homemade marshmallows and grahams - of course!) to end the evening. Guests were sent home with small burlap bags filled with retro candy.

If this doesn't look like a fun time, then I don't know what does! Congratulations Chrissy and Alex, and thank you so much to Laurie Arons and Thayer Allyson Gowdy for sharing this wonderful party with us. You can also see some of Thayer's pics of the actual wedding day over on Laurie's blog.

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13 Comments:

Blogger {The Perfect Palette} said...

Such a fun wedding. Deviled eggs + cowboy hats + flowers in mason jars = one amazing wedding. Love the down home vibe.

July 4, 2009 at 9:36 AM  
Blogger Geezees Custom Canvas Art said...

wow, I would love to go to a wedding like that! How unique and fun!

July 4, 2009 at 10:47 AM  
Blogger Anela Deisler said...

The cool thing about rehearsal dinners is there's much less pressure. "Welcome the crazy boots and cowboy hats, we'll dress nice tomorrow."

July 4, 2009 at 11:28 AM  
Blogger cassandra said...

so so cute! i love how casual it was - you can tell how much fun everyone is having! and such great yet simple decor!

July 4, 2009 at 12:05 PM  
Blogger Posh Play said...

What an amazing location.

July 4, 2009 at 12:19 PM  
Blogger east side bride said...

I love it! But what did the bride and groom *wear*? Are they in the photos??

July 4, 2009 at 5:04 PM  
Blogger east side bride said...

Thanks Laurie! That's what I get for not, um, *reading*

July 4, 2009 at 7:43 PM  
Blogger Tara @ Pacific Bride Guide said...

What a fun event! Love all the homegrown touches. The wedding must have been a blast!

July 4, 2009 at 7:46 PM  
Blogger {The Perfect Palette} said...

whoops, i meant rehearsal dinner- not wedding! very awesome vibe! also, i kinda like her name :)

July 4, 2009 at 8:09 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

lovely venue! what is this private estate called and is it available for anyone to rent?

July 5, 2009 at 1:25 AM  
Anonymous Laurie Arons said...

The venue is Durham Ranch in Napa and anyone can rent it who has secured a professional event/wedding planner via cindi@mintlocations.com.

July 5, 2009 at 11:02 AM  
Anonymous wedding chicks said...

how great! love the table name signs "the lone ranger"....fun idea!

July 6, 2009 at 4:19 PM  
Anonymous Philippine Real Estate said...

Your wedding is simply amazing..

July 6, 2009 at 10:40 PM  

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