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When a Master Sommelier Gets Married in the Dolomites, the Wine List Is Just the Beginning

August 2, 2026 | justine

Melissa and Jim’s Hotel La Perla wedding managed to give the wine list equal billing with the mountains surrounding it. Hosted in Corvara with only 40 guests, the celebration traded elaborate themes for exceptional bottles, long meals, and a weekend that gave everyone time to slow down and enjoy the Dolomites.

Melissa, the Events Director at Verve Wine Chicago, and Jim, a Master Sommelier, planned the celebration around the things they care about most. Every decision, from the wine selection to the final course, reflected the couple’s shared passion for food, wine, and gathering people around the table.

What We Love About This Hotel La Perla Wedding

  • A celebration shaped by wine, food, and mountain views
  • Surprise guest sketches created live throughout the day by an artist
  • A quiet first look tucked into a hidden garden courtyard overlooking the village church
  • Reception tables layered with florals and seasonal fruit
  • A crisp mille-feuille replacing the traditional tiered wedding cake
  • An intimate guest list of just 40, giving the couple time to be fully present

Letting The Mountain Views Speak For Themselves

The ceremony was originally planned on a nearby golf course to take advantage of the sweeping mountain views, making the weather one of the biggest concerns leading up to the wedding. Thankfully, the forecast cooperated.

Earlier that day, Melissa and Jim shared a private first look in a quiet courtyard tucked inside the hotel gardens. Framed by flora with the village church in the distance, it offered a calm pause before family and friends gathered for the ceremony.

When it was finally time to walk down the aisle, the dramatic mountain scenery needed very little embellishment.

Finding A Venue That Took Wine As Seriously As They Did

Finding the right venue took more work than expected. One requirement kept narrowing the search: Melissa and Jim wanted a place where the wine program would be every bit as considered as the menu.

They initially expected to bring in bottles they already loved, but Hotel La Perla’s cellar quickly changed those plans. For a couple whose careers revolve around wine, discovering a collection that exceeded their expectations made the decision much easier. Combined with panoramic mountain views, a pool, and space for guests to gather before the wedding, it checked every box on their wishlist.

When Their Careers Influenced Their Wedding In The Best Way

Melissa and Jim both work professionally in wine, so it naturally influenced far more than the dinner menu.

Rather than beginning with a decorative theme, they made decisions based on what mattered most to them. Light greens, moss, merlot, and burgundy echoed the surrounding landscape, while thoughtful references to food and wine appeared throughout the celebration.

Even dessert reflected that approach. Instead of a traditional tiered cake, guests were served a crisp mille-feuille, adding another unexpected touch to a menu that was every bit as memorable as the wines poured alongside it.

Small Details That Kept Guests Looking Around

Rather than filling the schedule with elaborate entertainment, Melissa and Jim focused on thoughtful additions that suited the easy pace of their Hotel La Perla wedding.

One of the biggest surprises came from a live artist who moved quietly through the celebration, sketching guests as conversations unfolded. The finished illustrations became keepsakes that few people had encountered at a wedding before.

The reception tables were equally considered, combining florals with seasonal fruit instead of relying on flowers alone. The arrangements complemented the room without competing with the landscape visible just beyond the windows.

Why A Smaller Guest List Changed The Pace Of The Day

Keeping the guest list to just 40 changed the rhythm of the day in subtle but important ways. There was time to linger over dinner, settle into conversations, and enjoy each part of the celebration without constantly moving on to the next event.

It’s a good reminder that intimate weddings aren’t simply about inviting fewer people. They also create more room for the moments that often get squeezed out of larger celebrations.

Looking back, wine may have been the starting point, but it wasn’t the only thing that defined this Hotel La Perla wedding. Every choice—from the mountain setting and the live sketches to the fruit-filled tables and mille-feuille served after dinner—came from the couple’s own interests rather than wedding traditions. The result was a celebration that could only have belonged to Melissa and Jim.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Hakuna Matata Weddings + Anna Ascari
Event Planning – Makeda Wedding Planner
Venue – Hotel La Perla Corvara
Floral Design – Blumenkunst Edelweiss
Live Music – Tommaso Partesana + Salvatore Battaglia
Painter – Martin Cambriglia
Makeup + Hair Styling – Olga Myinia

 

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A Sweet, Summer Cottagecore Wedding at The Inn at Fernbrook Farms

July 31, 2026 | justine

Caroline and Gregory’s cottagecore wedding at Junebug vendor The Inn at Fernbrook Farms captured everything they loved about the English countryside—lush gardens, vintage details, and a relaxed atmosphere that encouraged everyone to slow down and enjoy the day. Set against the backdrop of a working farm, their celebration embraced soft pastel florals, thoughtful heirloom-inspired touches, and meaningful traditions that reflected the life they had already begun building together.

What We Love About This Cottagecore Wedding

  • The vintage English countryside aesthetic with soft pastel florals and a historic farmhouse backdrop.
  • A tree-planting ceremony that continues to grow in the couple’s front yard.
  • A hayride to visit the farm animals after the ceremony.
  • Thoughtful vintage details, including a painting-turned-seating-chartand pressed-flower candles.
  • A farm-to-table menu featuring produce grown right on the property.

From Bumble to the Barnyard

After meeting on Bumble, their romance unfolded through late-night dates. Greg had been working the late shift, so their evenings often started at 11 p.m. It didn’t take long for Caroline to realize she had found someone special. When she accidentally slept through their third date, she woke up expecting Greg to have given up and gone home. Instead, he was still patiently waiting outside her apartment. Soon after, Caroline moved into Greg’s New Jersey home, where they happily blended Greg’s cats and Caroline’s dog into one family. By the time they exchanged vows, they had quietly welcomed another new addition, their five-month-old son, whose presence made the day even more meaningful.

The couple always imagined getting married at an old farmhouse surrounded by nature, complete with roaming sheep. After discovering The Inn at Fernbrook Farms, they found almost exactly what they had been searching for. The working farm, historic inn, and abundant greenery went well with their aesthetic, making it easy to build the rest of the celebration around the venue.

Featured Vendor:
Nicole Moran Photography
The Inn at Fernbrook Farms

Vintage English Country Style With a Cottagecore Twist

Caroline and Gregory focused on creating a celebration with timeless appeal. Soft pastel wildflowers, vintage-inspired details, and natural textures gave the day its cottagecore charm.

Greg embraced the relaxed country setting in a brown suit, while Caroline wore a pre-loved wedding dress that she altered to capture the 1940s-inspired silhouette she’d been dreaming of. Their florist leaned into the garden-party atmosphere with loose, pastel blooms that looked as though they’d been freshly gathered from the surrounding fields.

A Tree-Planting Ceremony and a Hayride Around the Farm

Rather than including a traditional unity ceremony, the couple planted a linden tree together during their ceremony, a living reminder of the promises they made that now grows in their front yard.

After saying “I do,” they embraced the venue’s working farm setting with one of the day’s most memorable experiences: a hayride to visit the animals. It was a natural extension of the setting and gave the couple a chance to soak in the countryside before joining guests for the reception.

Meaningful Details That Reflected Their Story

Some of the most memorable details came from items the couple created or collected themselves. Guests found their seats using a vintage painting purchased at an estate sale, while candles decorated with pressed flowers, assembled during Caroline’s bridal shower, added a handmade touch to each table. Their place cards and table numbers featured photos of the couple at different ages, giving guests a glimpse into their lives before they met.

Their dog also made an unforgettable entrance as ring bearer, running down the aisle to “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Later, instead of relying on a DJ-curated playlist, Caroline and Gregory celebrated with a playlist they had put together during a road trip, making the soundtrack just as intentional as every other detail.

Planning On Your Own Doesn’t Have to Be Stressful

Although they planned the wedding themselves in just eight months, Caroline and Gregory say they rarely felt overwhelmed. They found many of their vendors through Facebook wedding groups, choosing professionals whose work already matched their style and trusting them to do what they do best.

Photography and food were their biggest priorities. They fell in love with Junebug vendor Nicole Moran’s moody, candid, film-inspired photography style, while Fernbrook Farms’ farm-to-table menu—featuring produce grown right on the property, left a lasting impression on guests.

Wedding Planning Advice From the Couple

When asked what advice they would give other couples, Caroline and Gregory shared one surprisingly practical tip: “Find someone close to you who just got married and use their address spreadsheet so you don’t have to track everyone down.”

 

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Nicole Moran
Venue + Catering – The Inn ant Fernbrook Farms
Floral Design – Scarlett & Sage
Officiant – Frankie Stokes
DJ – No Macarena
Invitation Design – Daysi Morales
Makeup Artist – Coterie
Wedding Dress – Stillwhite
Bridal Accessories – Etsy
Groom’s Apparel – Indochino
Transportation – Country Club Services

 

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This Wedding at Hacienda San Cristóbal Is a Love Letter to Contemporary Mexican Design

July 29, 2026 | justine

 

For Anette and Antonio, their wedding weekend became an introduction to Mexico for the family and friends who had traveled from around the world to celebrate with them. It began with cocktails in the heart of Mexico City’s Historic Center before moving to Hacienda San Cristóbal, where centuries-old adobe walls, regional cuisine, mariachi music, and a traditional charro horse performance welcomed 130 guests over the course of the celebration. Every stop added another layer to the weekend, giving visitors a chance to experience the country beyond its postcard views.

What We Love About This Hacienda San Cristóbal Wedding

  • Flowers framed the ceremony and reception, leaving the hacienda’s adobe walls and courtyards to shine
  • A post-ceremony charro equestrian performance alongside live mariachi
  • Custom figurines that replaced a traditional guest book
  • Vegan dishes thoughtfully incorporated into the reception menu
  • Heartfelt letters with family before the ceremony while saving the first look for the aisle

Featured Vendor:
Hacienda San Cristobal

Quiet Moments Before Everyone Gathered

Although Antonio admitted to being a little camera shy before the wedding, the day never revolved around posing for photographs. Instead of planning a first look, the couple chose to save that moment for the ceremony, allowing the morning to unfold at its own pace.

Anette spent part of the morning exchanging handwritten letters with her parents before getting dressed, sharing an especially emotional moment with her father. Elsewhere on the property, Antonio enjoyed a quieter start with his mother—and the couple’s beloved cats, who had traveled with them for the occasion..

Those smaller moments set the feel for the rest of the day. Faith remained an important part of the ceremony, while personal touches appeared in ways that felt natural. Custom figurines welcomed guests during the opening festivities, and vegan dishes were incorporated into the menu alongside the rest of the reception dinner, reflecting everyday parts of the couple’s life together without drawing attention away from the celebration itself.

A Venue That Already Had A Story To Tell

When guests arrived at Hacienda San Cristóbal, they stepped into a property shaped by centuries of history. Adobe walls, handcrafted stonework, tree-filled courtyards, and covered walkways gave each part of the day its own sense of place without the need for elaborate décor.

Arrangements framed the ceremony and reception while the property’s architecture remained the focal point. Terracotta, marigold, dusty coral, muted sage, deep blue, and rich berry tones echoed colors found throughout Mexico’s landscapes, artisan textiles, flowers, and historic buildings, tying the celebration naturally to its surroundings.

That same approach extended beyond the flowers. Cocktails highlighted local flavors, dinner celebrated regional cuisine, and live music became part of the evening rather than background entertainment. Together, the details painted a picture of modern Mexico.

 

Rain Changed The Schedule, Not The Mood

The biggest challenge of the day arrived just after the ceremony.

As guests gathered for cocktails, heavy rain threatened the afternoon’s outdoor festivities, including a live mariachi performance and a traditional charro equestrian exhibition. The schedule shifted while everyone waited to see whether the weather would cooperate. Before long, the rain eased, allowing both performances to go ahead and the celebration to continue outdoors.

If anything, the delay only added to the story. Guests watched horse and rider cross the grounds as mariachi music carried through the courtyards, creating one of those moments that couldn’t have happened quite the same way anywhere else.

Welcoming Guests Before The Wedding Even Began

Rather than gathering everyone for a formal rehearsal dinner, Anette and Antonio hosted a cocktail reception at Palacio Metropolitano the evening before the wedding. Friends and family arriving from different countries spent the night getting to know one another over regional dishes, live music, a caricature artist, and close-up magic. It was relaxed, lively, and gave everyone a chance to settle into the weekend before the celebrations officially began.

The historic building also became the setting for part of the couple’s portrait session, leaving more room in the wedding-day timeline to focus on family, friends, and everything still to come.

A Reception Filled With Good Food, Good Company, And Plenty Of Laughter

Dinner brought everyone together beneath warm lighting, where the menu balanced regional flavors with thoughtful vegan options so every guest could enjoy the meal together. It was another subtle detail that reflected the couple’s everyday life while still feeling right at home within the larger celebration.

One of the evening’s highlights came during Anette’s toast. Equal parts heartfelt and funny, it had guests laughing before shifting into sincere thanks for the family and friends who had supported them along the way. The speech captured the easygoing atmosphere that had carried through the entire weekend: warm, joyful, and never overly formal.

Looking around the reception, it was easy to see another choice that shaped the day. With around 130 guests, Anette and Antonio had enough time to move between tables, catch up with loved ones, and enjoy conversations that might have been missed at a much larger wedding. Those quieter interactions became just as memorable as the bigger moments on the timeline.

Advice For Couples Planning A Destination Wedding

One idea surfaced again and again throughout Anette and Antonio’s wedding weekend: choose a place with character, then let it do what it does best.

From the welcome party in Mexico City’s Historic Center to the ceremony and reception at Hacienda San Cristóbal, the setting shaped many of the weekend’s most memorable moments without needing to be reinvented. The architecture, local traditions, regional cuisine, and music all became part of the celebration because they already belonged there.

For couples planning a destination wedding, that’s perhaps the biggest takeaway. Trust the location you’ve chosen, work with vendors who understand it, and leave room in the schedule to actually enjoy it. Guests will remember the time they spent together just as much as the details, and those are often the moments that stay with people long after the day is over.

The Wedding Team:

Photography + Videography – Meraki Weddings
Event Planning – CRVNTS
Venue – Hacienda San Cristobal
Floral Design – Taller de Olivo
Catering + Rentals – Magrett
Cake – Doble Rebanada
Makeup + Hair Styling – Bridal Brunch
Mariachi – Sol de México de Puebla
Equestrian Performance – Molino Blanco Ecuestre

 

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