When it comes to throwing a kid-friendly wedding, Arno + Nadine know how to roll: historic cabins along the river, tug of war, football, kayaking along the Russian River, croquet and a piñata. Their wedding, largely focused on the concept of family and integrating children into all activities, makes us happy. The work the two of them do makes us want to give them hugs. Nadine runs an incredible non-profit medical center for low income children in San Francisco and Arno works in solar energy with a successful company in Marin. If after you swoon over their wedding you feel a sense of nostalgia, it’s because Nadine wanted the wedding to feel like summer camp on the set of Dirty Dancing. Their venue, Dawn Ranch was perfect and really lended that campy summer vibe.
To dine amongst apple orchards is such a heavenly way to dine.
Nadine grew up with piñatas at every family function, as her mom used them at every possible party (birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc.). So, they crushed a big silver piñata to kick off the wedding reception. All thirty of the kids at the wedding went wild!
Sweetest father daughter dance we’ve ever seen!
Congrats Arno + Nadine! You can also find more info in SF Brides Magazine!
Photography: Jesse Leake Photography / Venue: Dawn Ranch Lodge / Planning + Design: Alyssa Brown of Alison Events / Flowers: La Fleuriste / Catering: Dawn Ranch / Photobooth: Magnolia Photo Booth Co. / Videographer: Thomas Hughes Films / Rentals: La Tavola Linens + Wine Country Party Rentals / Invitations: Petite Alma via Wedding Paper Divas / Day of paper goods: Hello! Lucky / DJ: Killer Miller / Ceremony, cocktail and dinner music: Coconut Hut Steel Drums / Hair + makeup: Yvette Beebee + Karen Chong Chan / Cupcakes: Sift / Brides dress: Vera Wang / Brides shoes: Rene Caovilla
18 comments
Trying not to be SUPER IMPRESSED with her because of her field of work that was listed in the description (I tip my hat to her — need to see more programs like that in this country!), but this is an endearing feat, her wedding. Her dress was amazing and of course it looks like Siriano, but I can’t tell. LOVE her idea. Everybody looks fantastic and it looks like a lot of fun!
What a beautiful wedding for such a beautiful person. I almost cried looking at the photos!!
Love her dress!!
A beautiful California wedding – captured so lovely!
I love her shoes! Who is the designer I can’t quite make it out?
love this wedding!
If you had shown me the photos without describing the couple, I would have loved them and thought it was a lovely, fun-filled wedding. But knowing how awesome this couple is and the good work they do for others just makes everything more beautiful. And um, being inspired by the camp in Dirty Dancing? Well, that just makes it perfect.
Dawn Ranch is super for a weekend wedding get away. The little cabins can host a large number of guests, keeping the party together through the evening campfire. Nadine, you look amazing! Congratulations!
I’ve stayed at the Lodge before, but during the cold, dreary winter. This wedding makes me want to go back in the summer! Also, is that a yellow Heath Ceramics bud vase? Jeez, this wedding really is perfection. Congrats to the lovely couple!
How beautiful the wedding is!!!!
I love the wedding shoes so much!! They look great!!!!
Love the rustic feel to this wedding.. very beautiful – congrats
x
This wedding looks like such a BLAST, I wish I was invited
I love the realness and sincere joy!! Congrats!
Quintessential super beautiful cali wedding!
Wow great couple. They are made for each other. The wedding dress seems really fantastic .
Congratulations again to the Nadine & Arno. So all we can do now is to eat our hearts out over the fact that we couldn’t have attended!
What a beautiful bride! Love the piñata, and the brides bouquet is a beauty…the natural organic feel of the flowers look stunning. Gorgeous photography:) Congrats to the couple!
This wedding is complete perfection! I love that the the couple really thought of their guests and made it fun for the kids – and speaking on guests it is as if the entire group was styled – everyone looks so fabulous.!!
The pictures of her dancing with her dad are amazing!!
Super like this wedding! The bride looks like a real life princess, and the table settings are one of my favorites!