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.