A Florence-Inspired Brindare Napa Wedding

Christina and Shayan’s Brindare Napa wedding last fall felt like a deep exhale. From the moment the day began, everything moved with intention, warmth, and ease. Their priority was presence, with their people, with each other, with every fleeting moment, and that choice shaped the entire experience. High vibes, zero rush, and a couple who kept redirecting love right back into the room.

A big part of their vision came from travel. As they shared, “We went to Italy for our first international trip as a couple and loved our time in Florence and Tuscany. So we wanted the overall aesthetic of the wedding to reflect our time there. A classical feel, decorated in florals complementing the fall colors and earthy tones of the venue.”

PS: It won’t hurt our feelings if you stop everything and scroll to the tiramisu cake-cutting in her second look.  That is all.

That mindset showed up everywhere. Nothing felt forced. The day unfolded naturally, with soft overcast light, fall vineyards doing the heavy lifting visually, and just enough sun breaking through to give portraits real depth.

If you’re planning a wedding at Brindare Napa, you’ll find more Brindare celebrations here.

Do we really need photos of getting ready? Yes…this is why.

High spirits, close friendships, and no forced moments

Getting ready with Christina set the tone immediately. Music was playing, the room was full of energy, and her bridesmaids were capturing their own film and digital moments while hanging out together. Her lace getting-ready dress was playful and worked perfectly for relaxed toast photos on the couch.

What stood out most was how openly affectionate everyone was. Christina kept complimenting her bridesmaids, thanking them, and pulling them into hugs. Her mom helped her into her dress, which had a beautiful button-front design and long sleeves that felt timeless without feeling formal.

There were so many small moments happening at once, fixing veils, mirror checks, girls curled up on the couch. One especially meaningful moment wasn’t planned at all. The bridesmaids surprised Christina with a small photo book of their friendship. It was quiet, emotional, and real, and exactly the kind of thing that only happens when the morning isn’t over-scheduled.

This is where our documentary approach really matters, you can read more about it here.

Why were the first looks such an important part of the day?

Space to breathe and stay present

Christina originally wanted a first look with her dad, and it ended up being such a great decision. The light was clean, the background stayed simple, and the bridesmaids watching from the window added an extra layer of sweetness.

For her first look with Shayan, Christina chose the fountain. Instead of a tap, she had him turn around. His reaction was instant, shocked, emotional, wiping tears, completely taken in by her dress. Afterward, we wandered the gardens for portraits before bringing in the wedding party.

Christina and Shayan later shared, “The first look really helped both of us calm the butterflies.”

The ceremony space looked beautiful. Black chairs added a clean, elevated feel, and the colorful florals popped against the fall vineyards.

One standout moment was the hidden ring-bearer surprise, with the rings taped under a guest’s chair. It landed exactly as intended and made for genuine reactions and laughter during the ceremony.

Afterward, guests were greeted with espresso martinis, which immediately shifted the energy into celebration mode. Family portraits moved quickly because everyone was prepared, and Christina and Shayan jumped right back into spending time with their guests instead of disappearing for long stretches.

Want help planning a ceremony and cocktail hour that actually flows? See how we’ll create a stress-free day for you.

How did portraits work without a classic Napa sunset?

Embracing fall color and creative movement

Instead of forcing a golden-hour moment, we leaned into what the evening gave us. The fall vineyard colors were rich and moody, perfect for something a little more creative.

We played with motion blur, double exposures, and softer focus, letting the atmosphere guide the portraits (which is our FAVE). It fit the tone of the day and felt honest to how the evening unfolded. Once portraits wrapped, Christina and Shayan were eager to get back to cocktail hour and keep connecting with their guests.

If you love portraits that feel artistic but still grounded, you can explore more of that style here.

How did Italy influence the look and feel of this Brindare Napa wedding?

Classical choices, earthy tones, and letting the venue shine

Instead of over-decorating, Christina and Shayan leaned into restraint. Florals stayed mostly creams and greens with a pop of maroon, chosen to work with the fall vineyard colors rather than compete with them. The overall look felt classical and grounded, very Tuscany-meets-Napa without trying too hard.

Christina designed the menus and signage herself, keeping everything cohesive and simple. The result was polished but relaxed, the kind of design that feels thoughtful without pulling focus from the people in the room.

It all tied back to their shared experience in Italy, appreciating beautiful spaces without over-styling them.

Their grand entrance was expressive and high-energy, setting the tone immediately. They went straight into their first dance, and even though it was dark, shooting ambient light felt truer to the mood of the evening…

Looking for more vineyard weddings with this kind of natural, unfussy design? Browse them here

Big personalities, great speeches, and tiramisu done right

The speeches were a highlight. Shayan’s best man delivered an epic, Sopranos-referencing toast with a fake scrapped script and a dramatic scroll reveal. Guests were still talking about it afterward.

Go on… we know you want to peek at our photo pricing

The second look was SO fun.

Christina’s second dress deserves a moment. It was stunning and photographed incredibly with flash, marking a clear shift into party mode. Shayan’s progressively unbuttoned shirt only added to the energy. By the end of the night, he’d tied the bottom into a crop top, and every time we photographed him, it got a little funnier.

Then came the tiramisu. First time seeing this at a wedding, and it was such a hit. We tossed around the idea of writing “I love you” in it before taking a bite. Christina loved the idea, and it turned into playful, relaxed photos that felt completely them.

Their advice to other couples says it best: “Do a first look. Do public vows, you won’t regret it. The first dances go by way faster than you think.”

They later shared, “The two moments that stand out are the first look and seeing our friends and families on the dance floor.”

If you’re planning a reception that balances fun and meaning, you’ll find more real weddings here.

Let’s keep it simple

Christina and Shayan’s Italy-inspired Brindare Napa Wedding was relaxed, thoughtful, and full of real connection. No big hiccups, no forced moments, just a couple staying present and sharing the love with everyone around them.

Christina and Shayan’s Dream Wedding Pro Team:

COORDINATION: Ysabel Lifestyle
BEAUTY: Bella Bridal Napa Valley
VENUE: Brindare Napa Valley
DJ: Dart Collective
PHOTOGRAPHER: Onelove Photography
FLORIST: Allison Louise Designs
CATERER: Brindare Napa Valley

CONTENT CREATOR: With Love Lauren, Content Studio

If you’re looking for a Napa wedding photographer who focuses on natural moments, strong storytelling, and days that feel easy to live in, we’d love to connect.

Reach out here to start planning your own Napa wedding