Photo: Carmen Santorelli Studio
In May of 2014, two years after Karmin and Adam met at the Del Mar horse races, the pair took a weekend getaway to a winery in Temecula, California. Karmin had no idea she was about to get engaged — never mind find her wedding venue! After a tour of the Ponte Vineyard Inn’s winery, Adam popped the question overlooking the pond and then treated his bride-to-be to dinner at the Inn’s restaurant. Says Karmin, “After an amazing weekend like that, it’s no surprise we returned on April 10, 2015, for our wedding!”
They let the gorgeous venue inspire every detail, planning a romantic garden-themed celebration with a menu that paired perfectly with the vineyard‘s best wines. They kept the guest list small, inviting only 90 people to join them — a decision that made their wedding day all the more intimate and kept costs down. But they didn’t sacrifice an ounce of sunny, soft California style! Take a peek at Adam and Karmin’s vineyard nuptials, photographed by Carmen Santorelli, below!
It all started with the pair’s custom watercolor invitation suite, designed by The Lettered Bride. Hand-written gold calligraphy matched the envelope, with floral elements to tie into the garden theme.
The petite bride took matters into her own hands when it came to her wedding dress, donning towering Charlotte Olympia pumps beneath her perfectly-altered gown. The slim Katie May design, with corded lace over champagne lining, had an open back and a subtle train. “I wanted my gown to fit my body properly, so I made sure not to skimp on the alterations!” Karmin says. She paired the subdued style with a full bouquet of white and peach dahlias, garden roses, peonies, ranunculus, and geranium leaves.
Adam’s classic attire was a Black by Vera Wang tuxedo, which his groomsmen also wore. The bridesmaids stunned in soft chiffon Jenny Yoo gowns in a pecan hue and carried smaller versions of the bride’s blush and peach bouquet.
Extra pops of peach and coral, in the form of lush garden roses and peonies, differentiated the bridesmaids’ blooms.
The ceremony took place overlooking the vineyard’s pond (the same one in the background of Adam’s proposal!), beneath a pergola decorated with soft peach and blush flowers.
The Catholic-inspired ceremony included a reading of “The Key to Love,” as well as traditional vows.
“We fell in love with the vineyard the day we got engaged,” says Karmin. “We even picked out the reception location on our tour before Adam popped the question!”
As guests headed toward the Barrel Room for dinner, they found their watercolor escort cards attached to vintage key bottle openers and suspended by an ornate frame.
Inside the barrel room, round tables were set with white linens, blush napkins, and gold flatware. Centerpieces combined roses and ranunculus in shades of cream and blush, and table numbers were written on octagonal mirrors.
Guests were treated to a wine pairing dinner, with sirloin, mahi mahi, lavender jasmine rice, and potato-mushroom gratin served alongside Ponte Vineyard Inn’s own vintages.
For dessert, the bride and groom cut into a two-tiered cake with layers of French vanilla cake, chocolate buttercream, peanut butter cream cheese, and salted caramel mousse. “We chose a smaller, simple design, then had a sheet cake in the back,” says Karmin. “It saved us money and also let our venue get a head-start on cake-cutting!”
Instead of a guest book, Adam and Karmin asked guests to sign a book of Pablo Neruda’s love poems.
Photo: Carmen Santorelli Studio
The couple’s DJ played everything from Michael Bublé to country music, including the bride and groom’s first dance to “Mean to Me” by Brett Eldridge. “My father-daughter dance was one of the best moments, and I’ll always smile thinking back on it,” says Karmin. “And Adam and I are so glad we splurged on photography. The amazing pictures we’ll have forever are worth the extra cost!”
Venue & Catering: Ponte Winery and Vineyard Inn || Wedding Planner: Meadowsweet Events || Bride’s Wedding Dress: Katie May || Shoes: Charlotte Olympia || Jewelry: BHLDN || Hair & Makeup: Thorne Artistry || Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jenny Yoo || Groom & Groomsmen’s Attire: Black by Vera Wang || Wedding Bands: Blue Nile || Floral Design: Plenty of Petals || Invitations & Paper Goods: The Lettered Bride || Ceremony Music: Eric Foster || Reception Music: Elite British DJ || Cake: Cakes to Celebrate || Photo Booth: Linda Moo Photographie || Photographer Carmen Santorelli Studio
Looking for more wedding ideas just like this? Then we bet you’ll love watching another couple exchange winery “I do’s” in the video below.