Los Angeles Bride in the City: Katie Christopher
Friday, July 16, 2010 at 5:26AM Tweet 
Style Unveiled, as hard as we try, knows that sometimes it takes a woman who's walking in your same 'heels' to help with something like planning a day as big as a wedding. And while we will always be here to help with inspirational photos, real weddings, vendor suggestions, venue ideas, our Perfect 10 lists, and more ... we want to bring you something priceless ... Advice from brides who are doing the same as you (right now!!) ... PLANNING THEIR WEDDING :) Our blog addition, Bride in the City will give you inside info from other brides to help you along the way and make you feel like you're not the only one :) So ... get ready to bond with Bride in the City guest: Katie Christopher
When did you become engaged?
March 3, 2009
When is the big day?
August 14, 2010
Who are the wedding vendors that you have already decided to hire?
We have hired Lauri Levenfeld of Zoom Photography, Perfect Endings for our old-fashioned buttercream cake, Eloquence String Trio for our ceremony music, Auberge du Soleil for our venue, catering and reception, Classic Convertible Wine Tours for a getaway in a vintage Packard post-ceremony/pre-cocktail hour, Tesoro for organically French provincial florals, Jenne Hohn for day-of coordination salvation, Vera Wang for my gown (Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills will make you feel like a bride!) and bridesmaids' dresses, Oscar de la Renta for my shoes, Makeup by RonAnn for expert makeup that makes you look flawless, Elise Newman for tress teasing, Auberge du Soleil and Silverado for guest accommodations, Cantinetta at Tra Vigne for our rehearsal dinner, Alpha Omega for our welcome winetasting, DJ Josh Dukes for all the right tunes, Tiny Pine Press for the PERFECT wedding invitations and paper goods, Fine Jewelry by Rafi and XIV Karats for our wedding bands, my intrepid mother and sisters and I'm sure there are more - when it has come to wedding planning, it certainly has taken a village!
What is your venue and why did you choose it?
We are getting married at Auberge Du Soleil in the Napa Valley. We are huge food and wine people and we fell in love with Napa during our frequent trips there. It is such a magical place. We decided early on it was much more important to us to share an extended period of time with those we cherish most as opposed to hosting a giant room full of people we don’t know all that well. It meant a lot for us to share the beauty, hospitality and fun that is Napa with our dearest friends. Originally, I was adamant about having our wedding anywhere but a hotel. We focused our search on private estates and wineries. On one of our scouting trips up to Napa, we stopped at Auberge du Soleil for a glass of wine out on their famed patio overlooking the entire vine-covered valley. The moment we walked through the doors, I knew we were somewhere special – it felt elegant but cozy, classy but not contrived, and that view, well it speaks for itself. Being stubborn, it took me awhile to admit we’d found our place at that quaint hotel but I couldn’t be happier with our choice. We’re looking forward to an event full of easy elegance with thoughtful touches where possible. We have a winetasting welcome reception, golf, yoga and brunch planned in addition to our actual wedding – our motto has been ‘Guests first!’ We want all of our guests to feel appreciated and taken care of.
What are you most excited about for your wedding day?
Our ceremony. We have tenderly crafted each word of our ceremony with our priest and to finally come together and speak those words in front of our closest family and friends is really what the day is all about for us. The readings, music and Episcopalian traditions we've chosen to honor will really mean the beginning of a new life together and the fact that we get to share such a special experience while overlooking the entire Napa Valley is just the icing on the cake.
Is there anything you are nervous about for your wedding day?
By the time we get to the day, I think most of the little things will be dealt with but I guess I worry about the silly stuff like will I look the way I wanted to and will the day match our expectations after all of this planning.
What is your wedding theme or concept going to be? What inspired it?
Our wedding is based on an organic French provincial concept. Embracing the natural elegance and authentic feel of the Auberge du Soleil and the Napa Valley as a whole, I chose lavender, sage and cream for our colors to reflect a romantic palette. We’re looking forward to an event full of easy elegance with thoughtful touches where possible. I wanted to steer clear of anything inauthentic or Shabby Chic and look for the true beautiful feel of France - unfussy, natural and obsessed with wine!
Did you decide to hire a wedding coordinator? Why did you decide this?
Yes. Jenne Hohn. We hired her so we could be sure we'd have a cool, organized head on the day of the wedding because we were planning from afar in Los Angeles. We wanted to be able to really enjoy the day and not worry about things running smoothly. Jenne is a true professional who has already been such a help to us and I know she will make that possible.
Where are you planning to go for your honeymoon?
We are traveling to the Papagayo Peninsula in Costa Rica and planting ourselves at the Four Seasons resort. Plenty of side adventures are planned but we can't wait to be relaxing on a beach, soaking in the feeling of finally being married!
What are some of your favorite wedding planning blogs and tools?
Martha Stewart Weddings' checklists and guest tools have been invaluable. Project Wedding's customizable websites and search tools are also such a help. Jo Gartin's book has also been a wonderful inspiration that excites me each time I read it.
Is your husband-to-be helping with the planning? What are his jobs?
He is helpful and supportive mostly by keeping things in perspective! He handled the transportation, accommodations, rehearsal dinner and deejay but as with our relationship, most things have been a team effort. No decision has been made in a vacuum.
What is your best advice to brides who are currently planning their wedding?
Well I am certainly not out of the woods yet but I'd echo the words of brides before me in saying that once you're getting to the finish line, you look for any way to simplify and streamline. This day is really about the two of you coming together and committing to the rest of your lives so don't forget about THE REST OF YOUR LIVES! This is a wonderful, celebratory and happy event you're putting together but it is only one tiny piece in what life is really all about - sharing an existence with the partner at your side. If you can, you'll want to know you tried to keep things as intimate and meaningful and genuine as possible and the stuff you were sweating doesn't matter at all in the end.
Are you planning to see each other before the ceremony for photos? Why or why not?
No. Bo and I have both always envisioned that moment we first see each other as me coming down the aisle with my father. For some reason a first-look was never even a question! There's something about the anticipation and emotion of that moment that we're excited about and committed to preserving.
What are 3 words that describe how you feel right now?
Ready, exhausted and blessed.
{DARLING} Eye-Candy Submitted to us by Zoom Photography
Update: Make sure you check out this post on engagement photo ideas.
Reader Comments (1)
Katie, I enjoyed reading all the details about your process, ideas and advice. Your photos are beautiful! Your priest is a very lucky officiant to be working with you and your fiance, and helping you craft your ceremony and eventually getting to lead such an elegant celebration. Best of luck!