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The Bride: Carrie Hochwalt
The Groom: Mike Mokros
Date: August 20, 2011
Venue: Harvest Inn (St. Helena, CA)
The Date
When it was time to pick the date for the big day, Carrie did what any good wife-to-be would do: She scheduled the wedding so it wouldn’t fall during the college football season. Mike, a self-proclaimed college football junkie, couldn’t have been happier. It just so happened the groom’s parents were married in August, as well as the matron of honor – making the month even more special for celebrating future anniversaries.
The Venue
To make the party feel like one big family gathering with 50 of their closest friends and family, the couple chose an intimate outdoor space at the Harvest Inn in St. Helena, California. The reception was held under twinkling lights draped over the courtyard overlooking the vineyard.
The Venue
To make the party feel like one big family gathering with 50 of their closest friends and family, the couple chose an intimate outdoor space at the Harvest Inn in St. Helena, California. The reception was held under twinkling lights draped over the courtyard overlooking the vineyard.
Photography
When making memories, Carrie and Mike wanted their big day captured perfectly. So when they began working with Wine Country photographer Tamara Jones, they knew she was it. “We just felt like she ‘got’ us, and felt like she was an old friend within minutes,” Carrie says about their upbeat photographer.
The Dress
Sticking with her classic black-and-white theme, Carrie chose a simple white Jenny Lee gown with a black sash and paired it with a pearl necklace and earrings. Mike surprised Carrie on the day of the wedding with a pearl bracelet to complete the set.
The Dress
Sticking with her classic black-and-white theme, Carrie chose a simple white Jenny Lee gown with a black sash and paired it with a pearl necklace and earrings. Mike surprised Carrie on the day of the wedding with a pearl bracelet to complete the set.
The Flowers
Intended to give a fresh, somewhat tropical feel to their Wine Country wedding, Carrie and Mike chose white and green blooms. Large hydrangeas dotted the reception venue, and candles illuminated the evening gathering. Carrie wrapped her late grandmother’s diamond necklace around the stems of her bouquet in tribute.
The Flowers
Intended to give a fresh, somewhat tropical feel to their Wine Country wedding, Carrie and Mike chose white and green blooms. Large hydrangeas dotted the reception venue, and candles illuminated the evening gathering. Carrie wrapped her late grandmother’s diamond necklace around the stems of her bouquet in tribute.
The Flowers
Intended to give a fresh, somewhat tropical feel to their Wine Country wedding, Carrie and Mike chose white and green blooms. Large hydrangeas dotted the reception venue, and candles illuminated the evening gathering. Carrie wrapped her late grandmother’s diamond necklace around the stems of her bouquet in tribute.
In the Family
When guests picked up their escort cards, they were welcomed by black-and-white pictures of the couple’s grandparents (who were at the ceremony in spirit) – the perfect way to make sure it would feel like everyone shared their special day.
In the Family
When guests picked up their escort cards, they were welcomed by black-and-white pictures of the couple’s grandparents (who were at the ceremony in spirit) – the perfect way to make sure it would feel like everyone shared their special day.
Food
To please their Midwestern families, the couple chose a meat and potatoes menu, complete with beef and chicken skewers nestled in beds of ornamental grass – fitting perfectly with their fresh floral arrangements.
Food
To please their Midwestern families, the couple chose a meat and potatoes menu, complete with beef and chicken skewers nestled in beds of ornamental grass – fitting perfectly with their fresh floral arrangements.
Music
Tradition was not something Carrie or Mike wanted to follow, so instead of another version of Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus,” Carrie walked down the aisle to a musical version of “God Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts. At the end of the ceremony, the newlywed couple exited to “Here Comes the Sun.”
The Bride: Carrie Hochwalt
The Groom: Mike Mokros
Date: August 20, 2011
Venue: Harvest Inn (St. Helena, CA)