Angela and Matthew shared the same dream for their wedding – a private getaway in a California vineyard for friends and family to reconnect.

It would have been easier for the couple to choose a venue closer to the bride’s hometown in the Bay Area, but a small, family-owned vineyard about 25 minutes north of Healdsburg called Campovida was exactly what they wanted. 

“It felt like you were strolling through heaven with succulents lining the pathway through the enchanting gardens, fruiting grapevines interlacing a canopy over the wedding ceremony and wisteria vines entwining the rotunda for the dinner setting,” Angela says.

Although their guests respected their decision to have a destination wedding, the couple faced the biggest challenge in transportation. They recommended their guests fly into the SFO airport and rent a car to drive the remainder of the way to the wine oasis. Also, to ensure none would miss the rehearsal dinner due to flight delays, they scheduled it to start at 7 p.m.

For everything else, though, the couple relied heavily on their beloved wedding planner whom was close to the chosen venue and vendors.

The bride says Emily de Ayora from Downey Street Events, “Made the entire process as easy as possible for us and helped us steer our way through several logistical challenges.”

One of those logistical challenges was hotel arrangements. Since room was limited in the one hotel in the vineyard’s town, they sent all guests who weren’t immediate family to the closest hotels about 30 minutes down the road. They found it helpful to keep guests in two separate hotels close in proximity to accommodate various price ranges.

The bride established a support network out of her referrals. Angela says the fruits of her networking helped ease stressful moments during the planning process.

“When planning gives you lemons, make lemonade,” she says.

Angela and Matthew ended up spending more on their destination wedding versus staying closer to home, but the couple knew what they wanted and stuck to it.

“Go into every decision with an open heart and mind, and be ready to compromise. Most importantly – love each other and those around you endlessly,” Angela says.

After all, their small California vineyard wedding day couldn’t have been a better place to confess their endless love with “I do.”

Vendors: Photographer: Meg Sexton, Wedding Planner: Downey Street Events, Ceremony/Reception Site: Campovida, Florist: Dragonfly Floral, Stationery: Minted, Cake: Sage Catering, Hair & Makeup: Brush Salon, Gown Designer: Sarah Seven, Groom’s Clothing Designer: Brooks Brothers, Bridesmaids Clothing Designer: Joanna August, Videographer: Morocco Lee Weddings