Sharing the Celebration

Ann & Major!!!!!!! Gorgeous people & a beautiful party!

A lot of people ask me why I decided to hold private events at our farm. When we bought this property, it never occured to me that I'd have weddings here. But... soon thereafter... it became very clear to me why small farms have to be creative to survive. It's not so easy selling produce at wholesale when you're up against HUGE farms that can deal in volume. Lesson quickly learned. So ~ one day ~ some friends of ours came to visit. These friends happen to be extraordinary couture wedding gown designers in Sacramento (http://www.miosacouture.com/).

Anyway - I was talking with them about my concerns with generating sufficient revenue to keep the farm self-sustaining (while trying to ascend the huge learning curve of being a new farmer). They looked at me as if I were completely blind and quite daft and asked if I realized how unique this place really is? Well. yeah, I knew it was special - that's why we wanted to live here! But I hadn't thought about sharing it others. I mean, besides my friends that come over to drink wine with me...

And here we are - going into our 4th season of having private events. And it's been an amazing journey. It has certainly helped us towards our goal of being a self sustaining farm - but I've gotten a tremendous amount more than I ever expected. I found joy. I know it might sound a little corney, but I mean it. Every couple, without exception, has brought a smile to my heart. Each time I share in the experience of watching two families merge - I realize there's a lot more going on here than just a wedding. It's a major life event. One of the most important ones.

I am honored that most of the couples who marry here continue to have a real connection with this place and with me. I receive emails, invitations, photos of new babies and sometimes a visit!

And I love it. It's a circle of friends that grows with each season as we celebrate new weddings and life cycle events. And to share just a peak of our last wedding....

Ann & Major are big into the outdoors. Their love of white water rafting (did I mention they're professional guides in their spare time?) and the rivers of California were reflected here and there throughout the reception.