Wedding Inspiration: A Romantic, Drizzly Day at Auberge du Soleil

Aug 10, 2018

When your bride isn't afraid to get muddy, you know she's a keeper. Then again, so is a groom who braves showing off his moves in a "Harlem Shake" video.

But such is the vibe of couple LeeAnn Tome and Takumi Abe, who got engaged in a flurry on London Bridge and returned home to go straight to wine tasting in Napa. They popped into some of their favorite vineyards, had lunch at Auberge du Soleil, and took a hot air balloon ride. And just like that—wedding inspiration: check.

The couple took aim at a small, hyper-personal ceremony with their family and closest friends, hoping to make it a nice vacation for their guests. And though they were unable to fly on their actual wedding day, they held their ceremony on the lawn of Vintner's Golf Club (the launch site for that first hot air balloon ride), and had a balloon inflated as a backdrop for their photos.

If you've ever been to Auberge, you know the place is simply elegant—hardly in need of much added decor. The couple rolled with it, celebrating an outdoorsy, relaxed theme with lounge seating that served as a comfy spot to take in Rutherford's valley views; a string trio played the soundtrack. But they could resist a bit of glamour, and incorporated sequined runners, glitter chargers, draped doorways, and towering glass centerpieces.

Rather than going with a groom's cake, the single wedding cake played to the styles of both the bride and groom: Split conceptually in half, the wood-grain-printed cake represented the essence of Napa, with periwinkle flowers and olive branches on one side, and pins from Abe's military career as well as 49ers flair on the other. The mini couple seated on top donned wedding attire and backwards 49ers hats alons their two cats.

Rain fell on the big day, but that didn't deter them: The couple frolicked through the vineyards for photo ops before warming up with oysters, prime beef pavé, and unlimited vino for the rest of the night.