A VIBRANT FALL WINERY WEDDING IN NAPA VALLEY

Olivia and Mark’s vibrant fall winery wedding was the perfect blend of high-energy celebration and deeply meaningful moments. I knew from our very first consultation call that their late September wedding in Saint Helena, California was going to be something special.

 

When I first met Olivia and Mark on our consultation call, I knew immediately that they were the life-of-the-party couple. Their sun-beam energy radiated as they told me about their meeting in San Francisco, moving to New York City, and discovering they had unknowingly appeared in a college photo together years before matching on a dating app. They were excited to have a Napa wedding weekend full of laughter, dancing, and prioritizing FUN! I was beyond thrilled to document their celebration as their wedding videographer.

 

A few months before the wedding, Olivia shared heartbreaking news: her mother had passed away in June. She told me, “It will be a mix of joy and sadness — we are totally okay capturing all of it, including the tears.” In that moment, I knew this wedding film needed to hold space for both celebration and remembrance.

 

REHEARSAL DINNER AT FARMSTEAD AT LONG MEADOW RANCH

Their wedding weekend began with a lively rehearsal dinner at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch, a rustic farm-to-table restaurant in downtown Saint Helena. As guests enjoyed cocktails and freshly shucked oysters from Hog Island Oyster Co. in the garden at sunset, we captured candid moments of Olivia and Mark welcoming their closest family and friends to wine country. 

 

Dinner was served family-style on the lawn, with heartfelt and hilarious toasts that set the tone for the wedding day to come. Even during the rehearsal dinner, it was clear this would be an emotional yet energetic wedding film — the kind that balances storytelling with celebration.

 

THE OUTDOOR WEDDING AT CHARLES KRUG WINERY

The next day, we met at the historic Charles Krug Winery estate for their perfect fall outdoor wedding. Winery venues like this are one of my favorites as a Northern California wedding videographer. The vineyard views and timeless architecture of the tasting rooms are stunning and always cinematic to film!

 

Olivia and Mark chose to do three first looks: one with Olivia’s dad, one with her colorfully dressed bridesmaids, and one between the two of them. Each moment was filled with genuine surprise, laughter, and tears — everything you hope for in a wedding film.

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Following the ketubah signing, a meaningful Jewish wedding tradition, their ceremony took place on Charles Krug’s lawn beneath a chuppah adorned with lush fall florals. Surrounded by oak trees and sweeping vineyard views, they exchanged deeply personal vows that had guests laughing and crying all at once. The most unforgettable moment was a live butterfly release tribute to honor Olivia’s mother who loved butterflies.

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AN ENERGETIC RECEPTION AND DANCE PARTY UNDER THE STARS

The rest of the night happened right outside Charles Krug’s iconic red-roofed carriage house. 

Colorful table settings, rustic wooden chairs, and one of the best live bands in the Bay Area created the perfect atmosphere for an unforgettable Napa Valley wedding reception. 

 

From heartfelt toasts to high-energy hora dancing and classic chair lifting, the celebration felt electric. And yes — Olivia ABSOLUTELY stole the show when she did the splits in her fringe reception dress! It was a night full of movement, joy, and the kind of dance floor moments that make wedding films come alive.

 

AN EMOTIONAL WEDDING FILM THAT BALANCED JOY AND SADNESS

As a story-driven wedding videographer, my goal is always to create films that feel honest, cinematic, and emotionally true — capturing both the party and the quiet in-between moments.

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Olivia and Mark’s wedding film beautifully balanced joy and grief, celebration and remembrance. We honored the deep loss of her mother while preserving the laughter, dance party, and connection that defined their wedding weekend in Saint Helena.

Their wedding at Charles Krug Winery was more than just a stunning Napa Valley celebration — it was a testament to love that holds both light and loss at the same time. And being trusted to document that story is something I will always carry with me.

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Olivia and Mark had 11 hours of coverage, 2 videographers, and drone coverage on their day. Their coverage hours were split between a rehearsal dinner and wedding day. They added on a teaser video to their package after the big day.