Classic And French Inspired Chateau St. Jean Wedding
Meghan and Brian had a classic, timeless, and French-inspired Chateau St. Jean wedding. One of the really unique things about Meghan and Brian is their shared love for all things French. From learning the French language to French food and traveling around France they say “oui s’il vous plaît (yes please).” Since they wanted to have their wedding in wine country and include their love for all things French, Chateau St Jean winery was the perfect Sonoma wedding venue for them. The Chateau and formal gardens provided a stunning backdrop that felt like guests were at a private estate in France, only without the jet lag.
If we haven’t met yet, hi! I’m Lindsey Nickel and I’m a local Sonoma and Napa wedding planner and the owner of Lovely Day Events. My team and I have planned more than 140 destination weddings, so I can tell you firsthand that Chateau St Jean winery is something special. My clients want the ceremony to be outside, the food to be outstanding, and the dance parties to be epic. If this sounds like you, you’re in the right place.
The Couple
Meghan and Brian met while they were both living in the Bay Area. They bonded over trivia nights and their mutual love for learning the French language. During the wedding planning, they even took a trip to France! They love to travel, especially to Paris, Park City, Hawaii, and wine country. When they are not practicing their French or traveling they enjoy cooking together, skiing, hiking, going to museums, and reading. They are proud dog parents to their rescue dog Lucky (who joined in on a few planning meetings).
Why They Chose Chateau St.Jean
Chateau St. Jean winery was the perfect backdrop for a timeless, classic, and chic wedding with a touch of French inspiration. The chateau and perfectly manicured gardens created a scenery that felt like the guests were transported to France. The vineyard backdrop for the ceremony was elevated with white florals making it feel ethereal. For the table names, Meghan and Brian chose their favorite towns in France which was another fun & meaningful way to tie in their love of the country. Chateau St. Jean has all the beauty and charm of a chateau in France without that pesky jetlag.
Wedding Planning
Fun fact - We planned Meghan’s brother’s wedding in Jackson Hole. It’s always extra special to plan a wedding for a sibling and really get to know the family. At Meghan and Brian’s wedding, it was so fun to see her brother and his wife again, plus meet their kids.
Meghan & Brian’s main concern when planning their wedding was that their friends and family would have a blast and that it would be a night neither of them would ever forget. I believe we accomplished both!
Wedding Day
Meghan and Brian’s wedding was Memorial Day weekend which historically has very hit-or-miss weather, varying from heat waves to downpouring rain. This year it felt like spring with partly cloudy skies, which was perfect because guests were not too hot and the light was perfect for photos.
One of the highlights of the wedding was their first dance. The couple surprised their guests with a fun and energetic choreographed dance that brought the house down. Seeing them cut loose helped keep the dance floor busy for the entire reception.
One of Brian’s favorite foods is ice cream from Humphrey Slocombe so for dessert there was an ice cream cart and sundae bar. It was a huge hit with all the guests.
From Their Wedding Planner
This wedding was really a joy to work on because Meghan and Brian’s taste is very classic and timeless. From the white flowers to the clear acrylic podium for the officiant, every design choice made me think “will this feel classic and timeless in ten years?” and the answer is absolutely!
The chateau provided the perfect backdrop for the French vibe. Of course, we needed one touch that was a nod to their love for France without being a cliche, which is where the French table numbers idea came from.
“We used Lindsey to plan our Sonoma Valley wedding in 2022 and it was magical! Lindsey is a pro at her job and has thought of every thing that you need to make your day go off without a hitch! She struck the perfect balance of being on top of everything, but also easy-going, which helped us relax while making decisions. Overall, I would recommend Lindsey to help with any of your event planning!”
