Lets Journey To This Sweet Travel-Themed Queer Wine Country Wedding
Katherine, a public speaking coach and minister, exchanged vows with her offbeat partner Yomna, an IT security manager. The ceremony took place on October 7, 2017 at a charming church in Woodland, CA, while the reception was held at Matchbook Winery in Zamora, CA.
Our offbeat wedding at a glance:
Our travel-filled celebration was a true reflection of our love for adventure and exploration together. The wedding invitations took the form of train tickets, setting the tone for an exciting journey ahead. Meanwhile, the table assignments became a fun scavenger hunt, where guests had to identify various countries we’ve visited or dreamt of visiting as a couple (geography buffs rejoice!). This unique approach allowed us to infuse our special day with personal touches and memories.
As someone who’s familiar with the role of an officiant, I always emphasize the importance of couples creating their own traditions. And what better way to do so than in a queer wedding setting, where there are no set norms or rigid expectations? We got to craft every aspect of our celebration, from the story of how we proposed to each other (a surprise reveal!) to the special dance with our parents during the reception.
It was an incredible experience, and one that left us feeling truly celebrated.
Tell us about the ceremony:
As a wedding officiant myself, I felt deeply connected to the ceremony. Yomna, who grew up Muslim but isn’t currently practicing, and I, as a Christian, wanted to honor our religious backgrounds while still making the occasion our own. My nephews took on the role of acolytes, carefully lighting the candles instead of scattering flowers everywhere. In fact, their mischievous grins in photos from that day are still remembered fondly.
Live music was a crucial element for us.
A talented friend played beautiful piano renditions of ‘God Bless the Broken Road’ for Yomna, ‘How Great Thou Art’ for me, and another song that we’ve since forgotten during our processional and recessional. Another incredible musician performed ‘The Book of Love’ during our unique Reverse Unity Ceremony. The collective moment when we lit candles with our friends and family was truly profound.
Tell us about your reception:
Wine country weddings often seem out of reach due to their hefty price tags, but a little creativity can go a long way. After scouring Google Maps for affordable options, I stumbled upon a charming winery near my friend’s church – the perfect find. The wine was exceptional, and the scenery exceeded my expectations. It was as if my dream winery wedding had come to life. Our culinary choices were just as impressive.
We opted for a food truck to cater our event, which served up unique dishes like Triwizard Slaw (bite-sized salad cups) and Dirty Balls (crispy brussels sprouts smothered in cheese and a mysterious yet mouthwatering sauce). In place of traditional cake, we treated our guests to ice cream sandwiches nestled between sweet, glazed donuts. The result was a truly unforgettable experience.
What was your most important lesson learned?
As we navigated the intricacies of wedding planning, my wife-to-be and I often found ourselves repeating a simple yet profound mantra: ‘It’s a party.’ This phrase served as a reminder that our special day should be an celebration of love, not a source of stress. Whenever the task at hand began to feel overwhelming – whether it was folding invitations or worrying about guest numbers – one of us would gently intervene, saying ‘Let’s remember why we’re doing this in the first place.
‘ This approach proved to be a valuable exercise in perspective, and one that I hope to carry into our future together.
Looking back on our big day, it’s clear that the moments that truly stand out are those that were filled with joy and laughter. Our first dance as a married couple was a highlight – my wife had given me ballroom dance lessons as a gift for our anniversary, and I loved being able to bring that special memory into our wedding celebration.
Of course, not every moment was perfect. My dance with my dad, for instance, was a bit of an awkward affair (although he did assure me that ‘slowly revolving’ counted as dancing). Despite the occasional stumble, however, I’m so glad we took the time to do it – it ended up being an incredibly special and memorable experience.
And then, of course, there was the moment when I took a tumble in the vineyard after the ceremony.
Let’s just say that, at the time, I was more focused on getting back to my feet than on maintaining my dignity – but looking back, it’s hard not to laugh at the absurdity of it all. After all, what better way to cap off the biggest day of your life than with a little bit of humility and a whole lot of love? Whatever the ups and downs may bring, I know that we’ll face them together, laughing and loving every step of the way.
Vendors
When it comes to planning a wedding, the details can be overwhelming. From the bride’s dress to the bridesmaids’ attire, every element plays a crucial role in creating a memorable day. For Katie and her partner, some of the key players included Alfred Sung via Brideside for the bridesmaids’ dresses, as well as Indochino for the groom’s suit – which was surprisingly perfect for a female figure. Meanwhile, Paloma Blanca from Your Dream Bridal provided the stunning bride’s dress.
Hair and makeup were taken care of by Toni Cisneros at Allure Salon, while Heather Selzer, with her expertise in boudoir and wedding photography, captured all the special moments. The ceremony was beautifully written by Reverend Katherine, and Kevin Barlowski and Joey Mascola provided musical entertainment on piano and guitar respectively. Culinerdy Food Truck took care of the catering, serving up delicious eats, while The Parlor Ice Cream Puffs satisfied sweet tooths.
Lastly, DJ Barnett Entertainment kept the party going with his expert spinning skills.
