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Destination Wedding in Napa Valley – Chris & Anna

All around the word, brides dream about their big day and a Destination Wedding in Napa Valley is an ultimate fairytale for many couples. They envision saying “I do” on the beautiful hilltops of the world-renown wine country. For one couple, this fairytale came to life and we were honored to capture their most tender and silly moments on their wedding day.

Chris and Anna traveled from Los Angeles, California for their July wedding in the Wine Country Inn & Restaurant Madrona Manor. Their family and wedding guests flew from all over the U.S. to celebrate their wedding day in a grand estate mansion surrounded by enchanted gardens nestled into a beautiful hilltop of the Napa Valley vineyards. Though I have photographed several weddings here before, Madrona Manor is still one of my favorite wedding venues to photograph for the natural and effortless beauty it offers.

Not only did we have an amazing venue to work with, but the wedding party was one of the goofiest and silliest crowd we had the pleasure of working with. The bride, Anna, was constantly laughing and the bridal party was sure to make this day memorable for everyone. One would never have guessed she is a rocket scientist. (Yep, literally a rocket scientist! How often do you meet one of those?) She definitely transformed my stereotyped opinion of scientists being serious and nerdy. The groom, Chris, was also not the typical air force pilot I imagined. Around his military buddies, he was quite serious and very professional but that all changed the moment he was with Anna again as he turned into a goofy and tender man who was madly in love with his bride. As an air force pilot groom and a rocket scientist bride, I’m sure these lovebirds will produce nothing short of extraordinary fireworks in their happily ever after.

So how did they meet?
Like many contemporary love stories, this one began with modern technology. In a bustling city, it may tough to find a soulmate and sometimes, tech intervention may be just the right alternative. Chris and Anna met in January 2015 in LA and after a few weeks of phone dates, they agreed to meet!

With cautious hope, these two 30 something’s had their first date at the Library Ale House in Santa Monica, California. The 2nd date quickly followed and finally a double date over swanky cocktails sealed the deal. With a little help from cupid that evening (aka Vanessa & Paul), Anna and Chris have been together ever since!

It’s been a grand adventure that has culminated this summer in both a wedding and de facto “going away” party as Chris and Anna moved to Colorado Springs. Although their LA story has ended, their sequel in Colorado will be just as entertaining!

Enjoy their wedding day story through my lens.

The Bride and her bridesmaids getting a drink before getting ready for the destination wedding in Napa Valley.The bride, Anna, holding her wedding dress.The bride getting ready inside the Madrona Manor Historic MansionBride's portraits inside the Madrona Manor Historic Mansion

Bride's portraits inside the Madrona Manor Historic Mansion by the Napa Valley Wedding Photographer, Paul Lyubezhanin.

Bride's portraits inside the Madrona Manor Historic Mansion by the Napa Valley Wedding Photographer, Paul Lyubezhanin.

Bride's portraits inside the Madrona Manor Historic Mansion

Bride's portraits inside the Madrona Manor Historic Mansion

The Groom and his parents in front of the School House Suites at Madrona Manor.The Groom and his parents in front of the School House Suites at Madrona Manor.

The Groom getting ready at Madrona Manor before the wedding.

The Groom getting ready at Madrona Manor before the wedding.

The Groom, Chris, receiving a gift from the bride.

The Groom, Chris, reading a note from the bride.

The Groom, Chris, receiving a gift from the bride.

The Groom and Groomsmen from Chris and Anna's Wedding in Healdsburg, CAAir force pilot groom with his groomsmen - Napa Valley Wedding PhotographyThe Groomsmen from Chris and Anna's Wedding in Healdsburg, CAThe Bride and Groom - First Look of Chris and Anna at the Madrona Manor in the heart of Napa ValleyThe Bride and Groom - First Look of Chris and Anna at the Madrona Manor in the heart of Napa ValleyThe Bride and Groom - formal portrait of Chris and Anna at the Madrona Manor in the heart of Napa Valley

The Bride and Groom - formal portrait of Chris and Anna at the Madrona Manor in the heart of Napa Valley

Formal portrait of Chris and Anna by the Napa Valley Photographer Paul Lyubezhanin.

The Bride and Groom - formal portrait of Chris and Anna at the Madrona Manor. Destination Wedding in Napa Valley.

Bride's photos at Madrona Manor in the heart of Napa Valley by Aperina Studio, Wedding Photography.

The Bride, the dress, the flowers. Photos at Madrona Manor in the heart of Napa Valley.

Bride and her Bridesmaid's enjoying their time after the wedding ceremony.Wedding Party photos after the ceremony at Madrona ManorWedding Party photos after the ceremony at Madrona Manor. Destination Wedding in Napa Valley.The air-force Groom's men and the bride.The air-force Groom's men, mostly pilots.

Wedding Ceremony Decoration and Inspiration at Madrona Manor in Healdsburg, California

Wedding Ceremony Decoration and Inspiration at Madrona Manor in Healdsburg, California

Ring bearers carrying the here comes the bride sign into the wedding ceremony.Napa Valley Wedding Photography of the ceremony at Madrona Manor of Chris & AnnaWedding Photography of the ceremony at Madrona Manor with sun flares. Destination Wedding in Napa Valley.Chris giving Anna a hug after they are officially announced husband and wife - Napa Valley Wedding PhotographyNapa Valley Wedding Photography of the ceremony at Madrona Manor of Chris & AnnaThe wedding ceremony of Chris and Anna with the air-force exitCheers after the ceremony at Madrona Manor - Napa Valley Wedding Photography

The decoration at Madrona Manor Mansion for the wedding reception was beautifully done by Petal Town Flowers. A Wine Country Florist specializing in weddings.

Wedding reception Decoration at Modrona Manor - Napa Valley Wedding PhotographyWedding reception Decoration at Modrona Manor - Napa Valley Wedding PhotographyWedding reception Decoration at Modrona Manor - Napa Valley Wedding PhotographyThe Bride and Groom's Grand entrance into the wedding reception at the Healdsburg Madrona Manor.Maid of Honor giving a speech to Chris and Anna at the wedding reception.Maid of Honor saying her speech - Napa Valley Wedding PhotographyMaid of Honor giving a speech to Chris and Anna at the wedding reception.

Wedding Photography is not only about staged beautiful portraits, but also about the candid moments throughout the day. In order to catch these special moments, I have to think like a hunter and always have my camera cocked and ready to shoot. I personally love the timeless moment I captured here of the maid of honor giving the bride a huge hug and kiss right after her emotional speech. It not only captures the colors and decor on the tables, but more importantly the special moment of their close friendship. One of my challenges (and goals) during each and every wedding is to capture as many of these special moments as possible.

Maid of Honor giving a speech to Chris and Anna at the wedding receptionGroom's nephew giving a speech to the bride and groom.Destination wedding in Napa Valley. Wedding Photography at Madrona Manor of Chris & Anna during the sunsetNapa Valley Wedding Photography at Madrona Manor of Chris & Anna during the sunsetNapa Valley Wedding Photography at Madrona Manor of Chris & AnnaBride and Groom cutting the cake - Napa Valley Wedding PhotographyChris and Anna's First Dance at the Madrona Manor RestaurantChris and Anna's First Dance at the Madrona Manor Restaurant. Photography by Aperina Studios.

We had the opportunity to work together as a team on this wedding for Wedding Photography and Wedding Cinematography. We love when that happens. The wedding photos and the wedding film always turns out more polished and even more creative. We have a blog post with the wedding film online, feel free to check it out and let us know what you think.

Cinematography: Aperina Studios
Photography: Aperina Studios
Wedding Planning: Beyond the Rings Weddings
Venue: Madrona Manor
DJ: Golden State Productions
Florist: Petal Town
Cake: Moustache Bakery
Hair & Makeup: Brush the Salon

#CarsonLovesLarsen #CarsonLovesLarsen2017

3 Comments
  • Make Your Moment
    Posted at 18:55h, 04 April Reply

    Wonderful pictures, and the perfect venue for a wedding. This is such a great post. Thank you for this.

  • Make Your Moment
    Posted at 18:05h, 09 July Reply

    Lovely post. The venue is really perfect for a wedding. Thanks for sharing it with us.

  • Maryam Khan
    Posted at 12:49h, 05 March Reply

    I love this wedding theme as well as the couple.

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