The Beau and I got back from California a few weeks ago, and let me just say that the trip went well. VERY WELL. We were in the Golden state for 10 days to visit my family and attend the wedding of one of The Beau’s cousins. It was a beautiful affair in wine country in the quaint town of Calistoga, CA. I haven’t been to Calistoga since I was a kid when my parents would take us to swim in the mineral pools while they enjoyed a spa mud bath.

It’s a romantic little town in wine country with nice shops. Since we were in Napa for the wedding of another one of his cousins last year we decided to just hang out this time and enjoy the pool and sunshine. We stayed at the Calistoga Spa Hot Springs  which has awesome mineral water pools (all different temperatures), and it was über relaxing just hanging out around town.

The bride and her friends/family were staying at Rancho Wikiup. This stable turned vacation rental/event venue is where they held the rehearsal dinner. It was a really unique venue with gorgeous wood patterns, flowers and friendly faces.

We had a great time hanging out with The Beau’s extended family and getting to know some of the new cousin-in-law’s family who had come from all over the globe for the wedding festivities; There were people from the East Coast, Liberia, Ghana, England, all over!

The next morning I woke up at 5:30 am, still on Michigan time I guess, but it’s lucky I did since my mom had texted to ask if I needed the pink dress that was still hanging up at her house in Berkeley! Well yes, I definitely did need the dress for the wedding that night! The Beau and I ended up making a wee-early morning drive back to Berkeley through the morning mist and budding summer sunshine. We were back at the hotel before anyone missed us and spent the day checking out the shops, swimming in the mineral pools and enjoying lunch at a seemingly popular breakfast place, Sarafornia.

It was a beautiful summer day in wine country and very sunny during the outdoor ceremony at Hans Fahden Vineyards. Thankfully they handed out pretty parasols to shade the guests while we waited for the processional to begin. It made for a lovely sight!

Best memories of the wedding:

• The moment when the bride and groom opened the great big wooden doors that lead into the wine caves where we had our reception meal. It was magical. Twinkling lights and candles, everything was gorgeous (Check it out here).
• The laughs and bonding at the “cousins” table during dinner. I really love The Beau’s family.
• The Liberian and Jewish wedding dances- really all of the dancing! We got down like nobody’s business and my feet were aching by the end of the night.

Between the two family weddings last summer and this one, I can’t wait for the next wedding to come 😉