Mid-Summer Night’s Dream Wedding in Monte Rio

People always ask me what my favorite wedding was or my favorite destination location and I honestly can’t pick one. It’s just too hard.

They’re ALL so awesome. All for different reasons.

Because every couple I work with is amazing, no matter what their wedding style is, how much money they spent or where it took place. And I think it’s high time we celebrated that!

So, amongst all the helpful wedding planning tips, destination wedding info and design inspiration, I’ll be sharing some real wedding goodness.

Real couples with real lives. Real emotion and real wedding stories.

Because weddings are about more than just the pretty. It’s about the feelings, the meaning, the surprises.

It’s about the story.

So, come and join me behind the veil (so to speak) and let’s dive into this Mid-Summer Night’s Dream wedding in Monte Rio.

When Juliana and Mike met, they had a connection right from the start.  And they just knew!

It was like something out of a fairytale. It was like magic.  

They had a whirlwind romance. So, when they got engaged it was really important to them to share their story and love with their loved ones. 

They wanted their friends and family from all over the world to share in their relationship.

And with both of them coming into a relationship with kids of their own, it really was a joining of families.

So, they wanted to create a destination wedding week full of activities and fun events to allow all the people they love to get to know each other.

And to get to know them as a couple.

During a triathlon in Monte Rio, they stumbled across the Rio Villa Beach Resort. A cute little resort right along the Russian River.

And like how they knew that each other were the one, they knew this place was the one. This resort and this small town along the Russian River was the right place to bring everyone together. 

A place where people could slow down, relax, walk everywhere, enjoy the outdoors and have an intimate experience. 

Juliana and Mike are playful, spontaneous and enjoy outdoor activities.  And it was important to them that the wedding share all that they love about the area keeping everything local and native to not only California, but the Bay Area and wine country. 

The week’s festivities started with a casual, local oyster roast followed by a fun golf tournament, bbq rehearsal dinner and a private showing in a vintage movie theater of their favorite movie, “The Princess Bride”. 

All of these activities gave their family and friends a chance to meet, mingle and get to know each other and the couple. 

For the wedding itself, we created a magical mid-summer night’s dream wedding.

We took the beautiful woodsy, riverside, rustic feeling of the location and adding fairy lights, lanterns and hanging jars.  

Their kids were all a part of their wedding party and the bride was escorted by her godsons.

The personal ceremony including some traditions along with unexpected surprises and fun dance recessional.

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed home made specialty drinks and hand made lawn games while relaxing and enjoying the view.

A wooden guest book made by the bride’s sister with their signature fleur de lys would later be hung in their home. 

Rustic picnic tables were adorned with a linen runner. Centerpieces included succulents and a collection of vases with local wild flowers in soft yellow, purple and white. All of which made for an inviting meal.

Tables were named after of their favorite memories in their relationship together. 

Stationery in blue and sprinkled with gold and rose gold added to the magical feeling. 

The couple took great care to choose a menu that was completely local and organic. This farm to table meal showcased wonderful flavors and products from the area.  

And during dinner, guests ate and participated in a fun kissing game that brought tables together with lots of laughter.

The evening continued with a playful cake cutting and romantic first dance. And then finished with lively dancing before a fire. 

It was a relaxed, natural, fun, playful, local California native wedding full of interaction.  They brought their guests into their fairytale and created a special moment in time. And it was magic.

Need some help making your story come to life? Contact us today!

Many thanks to the team that made it possible:

• Wedding planner and designer: Yours Truly!
• Venue: Rio Villa Beach Resort
• Caterer: Firefly Catering
• Photographer: Bustle and Twine
• DJ: Grapevine Music
• Florist: Absolutely Wild Flowers
• Rentals: Encore Event Rentals
• Officiant: Korie Shokmalli
• Hair and Makeup: Brush the Salon
• Friday dinner/Sunday brunch caterer: Rio Café
• Movie night: Rio Theater
• Golf: Northwood Golf Club