Gina and Sam’s love of California wine country led them to the Jefferson Street Mansion during their venue search. The Mansion is located just 30 minutes from the Napa Valley in stunning Benicia, California. With its majestic palm trees in front and impressive water views, Gina and Sam thought the Jefferson Street Mansion would be an amazing place to celebrate their union with their 112 Chicago-based guests. "The venue is stunning!" Gina shared enthusiastically.
They booked their June wedding date following a virtual tour, and despite planning from afar, found the team incredibly supportive. "It was hard planning a wedding from out of town, but everyone was very accommodating. They were always available when we needed them and amazing at details and keeping us on track," Gina recalled.
The theme of the wedding was Old Hollywood, with a classic black-and-white color scheme and an emphasis on maximizing fun wherever possible. They also incorporated thoughtful touches throughout to make their guests feel appreciated and cared for after traveling to California to celebrate with them.
Guests arrived at the venue via shuttle from the hotel in Napa. The outdoor ceremony took place in the Colonnade Garden, which overlooks the Carquinez Strait. The aisle was lined with white roses leading to the altar, which was decorated with lush, floral arches by the venue’s recommended florist, A Love’s in Bloom.
An acoustic trio played during the ceremony, which included a flower man tossing petals from his silver fanny pack before the bride’s entrance with her father. After the I do’s, guests blew bubbles for the recessional, adding to the magical ambiance as Gina and Sam floated back down the aisle.
After the ceremony, guests headed to the reception pavilion, where they were greeted by a champagne display by Quantum Party Productions flanking the seating chart. Gorgeous flowers and a sign reading “The Party Starts Now” decorated the entrance to the reception pavilion as a sign of the fun that was to come.
The reception featured a head table for the wedding party and a gleaming white dancefloor and stage, also by Quantum Party Productions. A mixture of short and tall floral centerpieces by A Love’s In Bloom decorated the guest tables.
The acoustic trio entertained while servers passed hors d'oeuvres, such as ahi tuna sashimi wontons with wasabi cream sauce and bacon-wrapped wild scallops. Guests also enjoyed the couple’s signature drinks: Aperol spritzes, bourbon lemonades, and margaritas.
While guests enjoyed cocktail hour, the couple and the wedding party took photos in and around the Mansion and offsite by the Benicia waterfront, taking advantage of Benicia’s natural beauty and picturesque shore.
Dinner was a plated meal featuring center-cut sirloin with savory demi-glace and panko-crusted parmesan chicken with sherry cream. In keeping with the theme of fun, dessert was a fun-fetti cake with vanilla buttercream and assorted treats by the venue’s preferred bakery, the Old Towne Danville Bakery. Gina and Sam kicked off dancing with their beautiful first dance.
From there, guests were offered dancing shoes (flip-flops provided by the couple) and light-up foam wands in preparation for a lively dance party and an incredible performance by the local band, The Freshmakers.
As the night wound down, guests were treated to a late-night snack of McDonald’s chicken nuggets and fries and a California classic, In-N-Out burgers. The night ended with a private last dance for the couple while guests headed to the front of the Mansion for Gina and Sam’s grand exit with a second spectacular grand sparkler moment.
The team did a phenomenal job leading up to the wedding, and on the day of, our coordinator Margarita was completely on top of every detail – and we had a lot of little details!" Gina reflected after the celebration. "We truly could not have had the wedding of our dreams without the Jefferson Street Mansion team. They made our vision come to life!"
Congratulations to Gina and Sam on their beautiful celebration! Their Old Hollywood wedding balanced elegance with fun, creating a memorable experience for their guests who traveled from Chicago to celebrate their love. We wish them a lifetime of happiness together as they begin their next chapter!
THANK YOU TO OUR VENDORS!
Flowers: A Love’s in Bloom
Cake: Old Towne Danville Bakery
DJ/Live Music: The Freshmakers
Photography: Jenna Guyot Photography
Videography: Hunter Floyd Films
Event Rentals: Quantum Party Productions
Transportation: Extraordinary Tour Services