1. Real Weddings

A Rustic, Architecture-Inspired Wedding at Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, California

After visiting Bunratty Castle during their travels to Clare, Ireland, Michelle Cegarra (29 and an interior designer) and Ryan H

After visiting Bunratty Castle during their travels to Clare, Ireland, Michelle Cegarra (29 and an interior designer) and Ryan Hemphill (30 and an engineering quality manager) wanted to get married at a historic castle. So when they came across the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, California, which architecturally resembled the castle, the decision was an easy one. The rustic decor and natural palette of greens and blues were inspired by the wine country that surrounded the venue, captured on camera by IQphoto Studio. Michelle and Ryan were married outside next to two large wooden barrels, with an ivy-covered wall as their backdrop that was illuminated by string lights surrounding the space. The flower arrangements done by Centerpiece Floral and Home were mostly made up of greenery accented with blooms of ranunculus, roses and scabiosa, ranging in a variety of textures that contributed to the natural ambience. The reception took place inside the barrel room, although the decor made the space feel like an outdoor canopy—decked out in ivory drapes and chandeliers made of Manzanita branches and glass globes that hung from the ceiling. We thought it was so clever how Michelle and Ryan incorporated their love of architecture with the logs to hold escort cards and origami building centerpieces, which went together nicely. “Rather than numbering the tables, Ryan and I made 10 origami architecture buildings,” Michelle says. “Each guest had a name card that was in a small log card holder, and on these name cards were three facts about their centerpiece building. Once they figured out what building the facts were about, they knew where they were sitting.”

Bouquets were mixed with a variety of blooms, flowers and even fruit. Ranunculus, roses, scabiosa and silver brunia were mixed with dusty miller and greens, accented with fresh berries.
"The groomsmen wore navy blue pants by Dockers with navy blue suspenders, along with a white Kenneth Cole button-up shirt and a blue and green plaid bow tie," Michelle says. "Ryan and the groomsmen wore brown oxford shoes."
"The bridesmaids wore green knee-length dresses in a teacup style, accented in lace," Michelle says. "The dresses had a U-neckline and deep plunge back with a bow detail on the lower back, created by ModCloth."
Michelle and Ryan had their ceremony outside at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, California. They walked down the aisle lined with arrangements of ivory blooms and greenery positioned on top of logs. The first kiss was shared in front of an ivy-covered wall backdrop, surrounded by twinkling string lights.
Each white escort card was wedged in a miniature log that served as a holder. Instead of listing a table number on each card, guests had to figure out where they were seated through three facts about the architectural building centerpiece that marked their table.
Michelle and Ryan created origami architectural buildings that served dining table centerpieces and markers for guests to find their seats. They had to figure out which centerpiece building they were assigned to through the three facts written on their escort cards.
"Ryan wore a light blue and charcoal gray two-piece Michael Kors suit with a windowpane pattern and a navy blue slim tie and white Kenneth Cole slim-fit button-up shirt," Michelle says.