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This Intimate Indian Wedding in Napa Included Dinner in a Wine Cave

June 26, 2025 | justine

Is it possible to blend vibrant Indian wedding traditions with the charm of wine country? Pooja and Sameer’s wedding in Napa proves that not only is it possible—it’s downright magical. Set against the serene backdrop of Hans Fahden Vineyards, their day was filled with laughter, color, and personal touches that reflected their fun-loving bond and deep connection.

They met in undergrad, shared the same classes, and quickly realized that life was just better together. “It’s cliché, but we’re best friends,” Pooja shared. “Being able to laugh together all the time means there’s never a dull moment. And that seemed like a pretty good way to spend the rest of our lives.”

What We Love About This Wedding in Napa:

  • A colorful Indian wedding ceremony held in a lush garden setting
  • A custom-built floral frame held by the bride’s closest friends during her entrance
  • The groom’s musical entry, complete with a guitar performance
  • An unforgettable wine cave dinner reception that guests are still talking about

Featured Vendor:

Apollo Fotografie

Choosing a Wedding in Napa for Its Beauty and Convenience

For Pooja and Sameer, selecting a wedding location started with logistics. “We initially narrowed down our venue options largely based on travel convenience for guests,” they explained. Once they settled on Napa and Sonoma, they toured several spots before landing on Hans Fahden Vineyards.

“We loved their wine cave dinner arrangement,” Pooja said. “We toured the venue the morning they were hosting a wedding and saw the wine cave all set up—it completely sold us.”

The couple opted for Hans Fahden’s all-inclusive package, which turned out to be a huge help. “Vanessa, the coordinator, helped us secure vendors and organize day-of details. It really took away the stress,” Pooja added. “She works with a great list of pros who are already familiar with the venue.”

Adding Personal Touches to an Indian Wedding Ceremony

Though they embraced the convenience of the venue’s vendor list, Pooja and Sameer made sure to add thoughtful, custom details that made the day their own. From DIY floral installations to unforgettable entrances, their ceremony was packed with heart and creativity.

“We wanted an outdoor ceremony, and the lake and garden at Hans Fahden felt intimate and beautiful. Indian weddings are colorful, so I wanted bright flower arrangements. Bella Vita Floral Productions did a great job with the wedding arch.”

For her entrance, Pooja walked under a handmade floral frame held by her closest friends—a touching moment that brought emotion and meaning to the ceremony. Sameer’s entrance had a musical twist: he played his guitar, adding a fun, unexpected element that reflected his personality.

Embracing Tradition and Personality Through Wedding Fashion

Pooja and Sameer’s wedding in Napa beautifully showcased how fashion can strike the perfect balance between honoring tradition and expressing personality.

For the ceremony, Pooja wore a breathtaking blush pink lehenga adorned with intricate embroidery and shimmering beadwork. Her bridal look was completed with layered necklaces, delicate bangles, and a netted dupatta draped gracefully over her head. An ensemble that felt both timeless and radiant against the vineyard backdrop. She carried a bouquet bursting with bold colors, a nod to the vibrant spirit of Indian weddings.

Sameer complemented her look in a classic ivory sherwani with gold accents and a bright boutonnière, striking just the right note of elegance and celebration. 

For the evening celebration, the couple opted for a more modern look. Pooja changed into a striking red gown with subtle sparkle, while Sameer wore a classic black tuxedo. The outfit change offered a simple yet stylish contrast to their traditional ceremony attire.

Hosting a Reception in a Wine Cave

While a wine cave wasn’t originally part of the plan, seeing it in person changed everything. “I didn’t initially envision a wine cave as the setting. But the tour really sold us. We had guests raving about it long after the wedding!”

The wine cave provided a cozy, romantic setting for dinner that felt both refined and refreshingly untraditional.h. Paired with great food and vibrant conversation, it became the perfect close to an already unforgettable day.

Advice for Couples Planning a Wedding in Napa

For couples considering a wedding in Napa, Pooja’s advice is simple: “If you choose Hans Fahden, consider the all-inclusive package. It saves you from having to hunt down vendors, and the team already knows how to make the day go smoothly.”

More than anything, she and Sameer encourage couples to let their personalities shine through. Whether that’s building your own floral arch, strumming a guitar down the aisle, or choosing a venue with a one-of-a-kind dining experience, your wedding should feel like you.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Apollo Fotografie
Venue – Hans Fahden
Floral Design – Bella Vita Floral Productions
Makeup Artist – Mitasha from M Sutra Bride
Hair Styling – Susmita from M Sutra Bride

 

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From Monterrey to Florence: A TikTok Makeup Star’s Italian Castle Wedding

June 24, 2025 | justine

When makeup artist and TikTok creator Natalia began dreaming of her wedding, she pictured gelato carts, candlelight, and warm Tuscan air. So after 11 years with her partner Patricio, the couple left their hometown of Monterrey behind and brought that vision to life with an intimate Italian castle wedding at Castello di Bibbione.

“I wanted a typical Italian wedding,” Natalia shared. “Warm colors, Italian music, good food and wine—but also something really simple and authentic.”

With just a small guest list, a trusted planner, and two showstopping bridal dresses, Natalia and Patricio’s celebration blended personal touches with timeless romance. Proof that less can be so much more.

What We Love About This Italian Castle Wedding:

  • The breathtaking views and rustic charm of Castello di Bibbione
  • Natalia’s two unique Guardiola Bridal gowns—one for the ceremony, one for the celebration
  • The emotional moment when the priest honored Natalia’s grandmother during the vows
  • A cocktail hour filled with regional dishes, Italian drinks, and live music
  • The calm energy Natalia carried, even when wedding-day traffic caused a late arrival

Featured Junebug Vendors:
Amormio
No Ordinary Love

Choosing Italy for a Small Yet Unforgettable Celebration

From the start, Natalia knew she wanted a destination wedding. “I wanted a small wedding, and I thought about Italy because it’s very romantic,” she said. “The first thing I booked was the wedding planner.”

That decision set the tone for everything. With full trust in her planner’s eye and vendor suggestions, Natalia focused her energy on just three things: the venue, food, and photography. The result? A heartfelt and visually stunning Italian castle wedding that felt as special to their guests as it did to them.

“Our guests told us they’d never attended a wedding that was so beautiful and unique,” Natalia shared. 

 

A Church Ceremony Full of Meaning and Emotion

Held in a nearby church, Natalia and Patricio’s ceremony carried extra emotional weight. The day before their wedding, Natalia’s beloved grandmother passed away. During the ceremony, the priest honored her memory in front of family and friends.

“It was very emotional,” Natalia said. “But also very calming.” Even when unexpected traffic delayed her arrival to the church, she stayed composed. “The priest wasn’t in a rush. That helped a lot.”

Two Dresses, One Confident Bride

As a makeup artist with an eye for detail, Natalia approached her wedding looks with intention. She chose two gowns from Guardiola Bridal, each with a distinct feel for different parts of the day.

For the church ceremony, she wore an off-the-shoulder satin gown with long sleeves and a full skirt. The structure of the dress balanced classic elegance with a bit of drama, and her long veil added to the timeless look as she walked through the streets of Florence.

For the reception, she switched to a second dress: a strapless, form-fitting gown covered in delicate floral appliqué. Paired with a neck scarf and soft ponytail, the look felt lighter, more relaxed, and ready for a night of dancing.

Junebug Tip: Wanting to add a little extra touch to your bridal look? A neck scarf or shawl could be just the right accessory.

 

An Italian Castle Wedding Reception With Heart and Flavor

After the ceremony, guests returned to Castello di Bibbione for a relaxed and festive reception. The couple organized a cocktail hour featuring local bites, traditional drinks, and Italian music that set the mood.

Dinner was held in the castle’s stone courtyard under a canopy of string lights. Long tables were set with neutral linens, gold-rimmed glassware, and soft-toned florals in peach, blush, and ivory. Tall glass taper candle holders added a warm glow as the evening progressed.

The atmosphere was casual yet refined. No over-the-top styling, just thoughtful details that let the venue’s rustic beauty shine. One of the standout moments was the gelato cart that rolled in after dinner, giving guests a sweet (and very Italian) way to cool down and mingle.

“We loved the venue,” Natalia said. “The view was amazing, and we also chose it because of the accommodations for our guests.”

Lessons Learned From Planning an Italian Castle Wedding

“Be ready earlier—especially in Italy, because of traffic,” Natalia advised. Her calmness and clarity were key to enjoying the day, even when things didn’t go perfectly.

She also recommends investing in the team. By trusting her planner and working with vendors who understood her vision, she was able to stay present and soak in the beauty of the moment.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Katya Galán Amormio
Event Planning – Federica Crasnich of Wedding Italy
Venue – Castello Di Bibbione
Catering – Guidi Lenci
Videography – No Ordinary Love
Makeup Artist – Natalia Marcos
Wedding Dress – Guardiola Bridal
Bridal Accessories – El Taller

 

Sponsors
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Rain Couldn’t Stop This Chic and Refined Summer Wedding at Middleton Lodge

June 22, 2025 | justine

There’s something undeniably magical about summer weddings in the English countryside—especially when they unfold at a venue as charming as Middleton Lodge. For Kate and Matt, this North Yorkshire estate offered the perfect canvas for their chic, floral-forward vision. They planned a day full of softness, style, and meaning, from a ceremony under the sweeping branches of an ancient oak tree to a saxophone-led afterparty in the cellar. And even when the weather threatened to rewrite the script, Kate held onto her dream, and it paid off!

From the outset, Kate had a refined vision: understated elegance, lots of florals, and a calm, cohesive atmosphere. She discovered Junebug vendor Natalie Pluck on Instagram and booked her straight away. No overthinking, just instinct. That same intuitive approach extended to the rest of their vendors, all of whom shared a like-minded aesthetic and energy.

Florals played a central role in bringing the Middleton Lodge spaces to life. Soft pink and neutral-toned arrangements that flowed throughout the day, from the champagne wall to the pastel tablescapes in the marquee. Nothing felt overdone, yet every detail felt intentional.

What We Love About This Middleton Lodge Wedding:

Featured Vendor:

Natalie Pluck Photography

How Weather Challenges Turned Into Wedding-Day Magic

Just as Kate was finishing her final touches, a downpour hit Middleton Lodge. Guests rushed for cover, and even the registrars began prepping for a ceremony indoors. But Kate wasn’t ready to let go of her dream. She’d envisioned walking down the flower-lined staircase into an open-air ceremony under the estate’s iconic oak tree—and she stood firm. Minutes later, the clouds parted, the sun returned, and the ceremony unfolded exactly as she’d imagined. “It was magic,” their photographer, Natalie Pluck, shared.

And Kate wasn’t the only one making a dramatic entrance. Their young daughter, the flower girl, made an unexpected (and hilarious) debut by crying through the aisle in her flower-decorated car, head slumped on the steering wheel. Matt’s warm hug at the end of the aisle turned it into one of those real, unfiltered moments that had everyone smiling.

Personalized Wedding Looks With Meaningful Details

Kate’s wedding-day look was both timeless and fluid. She wore an off-the-shoulder Bon Bride gown with effortless movement and paired it with a dreamy, ruffled veil and Loeffler Randall heels. For the evening, she changed into a 1920s-inspired gown with floral embroidery and a dropped waist, trading the veil for a chic low ponytail that felt playful and relaxed.

Matt’s look was equally personal. He wore a bold burgundy suit from Michael James, complete with a custom pin-up girl lining that added a fun twist. The deep hue popped beautifully against the rust-and-blush-toned florals and Middleton Lodge’s ivy-covered architecture.

Creating Flow and Fun Throughout Their Middleton Lodge Wedding Day

Instead of a rigid timeline, the day unfolded naturally. Kate had planned to change into her second dress before the first dance, but golden hour and final portraits called for a quick shift in plans. With everyone relaxed and trusting the process, the transition was seamless. And somehow made the evening feel even more magical.

After dinner and dancing in the marquee, a surprise saxophone performance kicked off the afterparty. Guests were led down into the cellar for a whole new vibe. One that felt energetic, unexpected, and totally “them.”

Throughout the day, guests enjoyed classic Yorkshire lawn games and found quiet corners by garden fire pits. “It created such a beautiful rhythm—joyful, relaxed, and full of movement,” Natalie observed. Every moment, from confetti canons to casual mingling, reflected Kate and Matt’s desire for a day that felt elevated but never too formal.

Tips for Letting Go and Enjoying the Moment

If there’s one lesson to take away from Kate and Matt’s wedding at Middleton Lodge, it’s this: trust your team and your vision. From weather curveballs to minor schedule changes, the day flowed beautifully because they surrounded themselves with vendors who “just got it.” And once the team was in place, they let go—allowing themselves to fully enjoy every moment.

As Natalie put it, “Kate and Matt were completely at ease on their wedding day, and you could feel it in every moment. That calm, joyful energy really shaped the entire experience.”

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Natalie Pluck
Designer + Stylist – Beaties
Venue – Middleton Lodge
Floral Design – The Little Flower Hut
Food Truck – Copper Rice Box
Cake – Orchid Kitchen
Makeup Artist – Alexandra Macin
Hair Styling – Victoria Toff of VST Hair
Wedding Dress – Bon Bride
Bridal Accessories – Loeffler Randall
Groom’s Apparel – Michael James

 

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