(Photography by Arlene Jacobs)

Wedding Inspiration: A Glittering Garden Party in the East Bay

Oct 04, 2019

In front of a gorgeous, 500-year-old oak tree in Pleasanton, Nicole Recupero and Hector Gutierrez gathered with their loved ones to say, "I do."

They rolled deep into Castlewood Country Club with a wedding party of 20 (plus their dog); and the 200 guests who flew in to celebrate in Recupero's hometown. While the couple moved to Seattle after getting engaged, they wanted a celebration in the city where they grew up and fell in love.

In an all neutral palette, the big day was swathed in elegant, modern decor. The bride wore a lacy white gown; her bridesmaids wore oyster-toned frocks. The men sported classic black tuxedos with white bowties and brown shoes. Matching peonies, roses, succulents, and eucalyptus bloomed in the bouquets, and lush white rose petals lined the aisle.

To honor Gutierrez's Mexican heritage, a mariachi band played during the cocktail hour and ceremony; maracas were gifted as wedding favors and doubled as fun party accessories.

For the reception, they all headed down the street to Barone's Restaurant & Gardens, one of the couple's favorite date night spots. Under a canopy of string lights winding through the trees, the newlyweds cut their cake and danced the night away.