FARMHOUSE INN BLOG AND ALL ABOUT THE SONOMA WINE COUNTRY

  
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!

Had enough romance? 

Taking a little break from it myself but I promise by the end of this post to share a little Sonoma wine country romance with you to wrap up Valentine's and all the romantic furor from last week. 

Sonoma County in the fall...the trees and vineyards awash in such vibrant colors.  My son brought his family up last weekend and they were just blown away by the gorgeous fall color everywhere. I have a bush by my gate that is spectacular (I think it is an Australian native that normally has a burgundy leaf but has turned almost fluorescent, glowing orange).  And the dogwoods I planted a few years ago are completely yellow, as is the catalpa.  I can't even post a picture because pictures just don't do it justice.  By next week, they will be losing their leaves and winter will be upon us.  

September has certainly been a couple of weeks of "love is in the air" in the Russian River Valley- not to mention our perfect Sonoma County weather.  We have had some gorgeous brides lately (okay, okay- the grooms were pretty distinguished themselves). Our "tiny" weddings / elopements have been very popular.  The August and September ceremonies were all just the two people.  Somehow, when it is just the couple it is all about them...no family dynamics to be concerned with and no one else's opinions count- just the bride and groom and only what they want! Intimate, private, and mega romantic!

This last week has been a bit crazy here at the Farmhouse Inn (you might say- situation normal!). We had scheduled a photo shoot for our very first video for this week.  Which sounds crazy- who wants to do something like that in our busy season?  But we wanted to include the Bartolomei family ranch and gardens (where Chef Stevo gets some of the produce for the restaurant) and they don't look like too much until later in the season when everything is growing like mad!