INN SIGHTS TO SONOMA WINE COUNTRY... THE FARMHOUSE INN

  
A very special message from our romance specialist at Farmhouse Inn- 
Meghan Smith,
our elopement and wedding coordinator
 (and concierge extraordinaire).






Despite the trend of grandiose, Martha Stewart-esque weddings that have persisted for the last 10 years, here at Farmhouse Inn we have given all that up and prefer to offer couples a more intimate option.  We think romance is personal, and with each of our "tiny weddings" we see that theory proved time and time again.  The story each couple has is what makes each Elopement special.  Whether it is a late-in-life love, an instant connection or a long friendship that grew over time, each story is unique.

It is my job/pleasure to help couples plan their elopement to the wine country here at Farmhouse Inn.  While the package was created to be simple and straightforward it doesn’t lack the special details and each couple puts their own spin on it.  From our cakes made by Patisserie Angelica, to the bouquets from local florist Atrellis, each detail is important and unique.  The elopement package covers all the basics and a few extra details but I have yet to host a couple who has been “typical”.  The package provides couples with what they need to get married, but each story is so different that every wine country elopement at Farmhouse is special and unique.  We tell couples all they need is the ring and a dress and we take care of the rest.  But every bride and groom have added their own special touches that have created a memory for us here at Farmhouse too...

My very first Farmhouse elopement was with Marcia Ann and Randy last November.  The couple was from Texas and each already had grown children with families of their own.  They found each other later in life and after a whirlwind romance of only 2 months, Randy whisked Marcia Ann to Farmhouse Inn for a tiny wedding all their own. (You know, he originally thought he would just bring her and surprise her once they got to Farmhouse but we had to tell him it might not be good...she would need a dress and things to make their day truly special.  Romantic- yes!  Wise- maybe not?!) Their ceremony was the first that has ever had me sniffling and I had only met them 2 days before.  We all fell a little bit in love with the both of them and look forward to seeing them in November when they come back to celebrate their anniversary.

While Marcia Ann and Randy made us cry, we have couples that make us laugh too.  Most recently we had the pleasure of meeting Teena and Wayne.  Both from Las Vegas, we found it a little ironic that they were eloping but chose to do so in the romantic Wine Country instead of their hometown.  Teena and Wayne had photographer Kate Nagel come out to do their photos and she captured some amazing moments.  Our favorites though are of Teena and Wayne jumping into the pool.  Yes, you read that correctly.  We refer to "tying the knot" and "taking the plunge"...they definitely took the plunge-literally!  Teena went for it in her dress and full hair and makeup and Wayne took off his shoes and jacket before making a splash.  The fun they had (they also did the classic cake-in-the-face moment) made everyone’s week and anytime we need to lighten up we just look at these photos.

Randy and Marcia Ann have a story that struck a chord with all of us who had the pleasure of working with them, as all of our couples do.  We continue to get a thrill with each new wedding we host and every time someone proposes in the restaurant and when we check in the couples celebrating anniversaries. 

These occasions are so personal and it is our good fortune to be a part of these moments. 
While we don’t disagree with the classic icons of romance (just ask us and we’ll gladly put a bottle of champagne with some truffles in your room),
we understand that there is no one-size fits-all version of romance.

Chocolate bonbons, a chilled bottle of champagne and a Sandra Bullock chick flick. Sounds exactly like a romantic evening to me. These icons of romance endure because we love them. And while the word “elope” often brings to mind a Las Vegas ceremony with an Elvis minister, at Farmhouse we want you to think of something else. The classic icons evoked when you hear the word “romance” (Miss Bullock and bonbons) should be the same things that pop to mind when you hear the word “elope” (sorry Elvis). Add to those images a romantic dinner for two in the Farmhouse restaurant, a couples massage and a very personal ceremony and you’ll come close to what an elopement at Farmhouse Inn means. 

                                             Ahhh...Romance!

Now it feels like winter...It finally started raining, football weekends, and crab feeds everywhere!

One of my favorite foods is plentiful this time of year and crabfeeds are one of the favorite fundraisers for so many of the the nonprofits in Sonoma County.  You think the wine country is just about the wine...this time of year we are crabaholics!  Some weekends there are even several all-you-can-eat feeds to choose from.  Dungeness crab is one of the sweetest, most succulent seasonal prizes from the Northern California coastal area.  Everyone seems to have their own little secrets...for crab maximization!

This has been a crazy week...first we had a big lifestyle article about Catherine & Joe (the brother and sister team that own the Farmhouse Inn) come out in Better Homes and Gardens ("Innkeepers Recreate Their Wine Country Childhood" -page 50).  And then on Sunday Jeff Cox of the local Press Democrat reviewed the Farmhouse restaurant  (called it an "exquisite experience").  Monday night Catherine and Joe went with the chefs to the Zagat release party and out dinner to celebrate the Zagat reviews (27 for food and tops for service- Yeah!).  And yesterday Joe came in waving the new Sunset magazine issue with the Best of the West hotel awards and there we are...again!  (Specifically mentioned for best for Food & Drink.)

I have seen so many headlines lately referring to the end of summer...We are not ready for that here in Sonoma wine country...grape harvest is just getting started, the tomatoes are just ripening, saw our first apples and pears come in recently.  No "Last Sips of Summer", "Summer Winding Down", "Back to Reality" or any of that stuff for us here at Farmhouse Inn. The Farmer's Markets are still crazy with good stuff - abundance and bounty everywhere. The Farmstands are overflowing... still time for a canoe ride down the Russian River and...my creek still is flowing strong (It is usually dry by summer's end). Our weather in California stays great all through October.

Our guests here at the Farmhouse sometimes think Sonoma County is only about the wine - especially after a crazy weekend of Barrel Tasting along the wineroad.  This next weekend is the second of the scheduled Barrel Tasting weekends and we shall report further on that later...there are sure to be some highlights reported by our guests.

    We like celebrating as much as you do. And luckily, this time of year there's a lot to celebrate. Christmas and New Year's are obvious choices. But, the whole holiday season is a spectacular time for a romantic get away to Sonoma wine country!  And, we'd love to make merry with you -   
so, here's a list of merry times to be had at the Farmhouse.    We hope to see you here.
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