Emily & Greg didn’t intend to have a backyard wedding. For nine months leading to their big day, we planned and prepped the most “organized-chill” three day event at Triple S Ranch in Calistoga. It was a huge wedding for Ida Blooms, with floral components at the Friday night rehearsal/welcome party, the Saturday wedding and reception, and the Sunday farewell brunch.
But, Mother Nature had other plans. The week started off with brutal news that a wildfire was ravaging Calistoga and the surrounding area. We marched on, hoping the fire would divert away from the venue. & it did! Until Saturday morning, that is.
Just after our floral set up was complete, about an hour before the ceremony was about to begin, the Fire Marshall arrived to evacuate everyone. Emily’s amazing planner (Heald Weddings) immediately pressed go on Plan B, & Jake and I packed our car with as many flowers as we could fit. We relocated to a family friend’s backyard, about 20 minutes away in St Helena. I directed as groomsmen and guests unloaded our car, placed bud vases on the deck, made an aisle of ferns in the dead grass, flipped on flameless votives, and turned that backyard into the ultimate wedding venue.
Sure, the bridesmaids forgot their bouquets at Triple S; the dads boutonniere box didn’t make it out of their cabin; we ate tacos off the steps instead of the beautifully laid family style table… but Emily & Greg got married. & gosh if it wasn’t the craziest & coolest experience of my career.
Bride: Emily Merrell // Photos: Jodee Debes Photography // Planning: Heald Wedding Consulting // Catering: LaSaison // Alcohol: Winc & Neft Vodka
