A Magical Night of Love at Ponte Winery in Temecula, CA

Nestled in the picturesque vineyards of Temecula, California, Ponte Winery sets the stage for a truly enchanting evening of love and romance. The venue boasts breathtaking views, with a particularly stunning night scenery that lends an ethereal charm to any celebration.

Gabrielle and Matthew: A Source of Inspiration

Amidst the idyllic setting of Ponte Winery, Gabrielle and Matthew's love story unfolded in a spectacle of modern elegance and traditional charm. Their wedding, a testament to timeless romance, inspires couples-to-be by encapsulating the essence of love amidst natural beauty.

Inspiring Future Couples

In an exclusive interview with the radiant bride and groom, we delved into the details of their magical night, aiming to glean insights that would inspire and guide couples in their journey towards matrimony. From the meticulously chosen dress, tux, and florals to the captivating décor, every element of Gabrielle and Matthew's celebration exuded a sense of grace and sophistication, resonating with the serene surroundings of the vineyard.

The couple's love illuminated the winery with unparalleled warmth as the night unfolded, creating a timeless tableau of love and devotion. Their seamless blend of modern and traditional elements and the ethereal color palette of white, sky, and forest painted a picture of sheer romance amidst the vineyard's beauty.

The magical night at Ponte Winery in Temecula stands as a testament to the enduring allure of love, offering a glimpse into the captivating journey of Gabrielle and Matthew and providing inspiration for couples embarking on their own path toward a love that transcends time and space.

The Interview

Please share with us the inspiration behind your wedding. What themes, styles, or color palettes did you incorporate? Did you include any cultural or religious traditions in your celebration?

Our wedding was a destination in Temecula, CA. We are from the North Texas area but wanted our wedding to have beautiful scenery. Our theme was \"Winters Winery Wedding.\" Winters is our last name. We wanted a very classy, romantic feel with black and cream/white colors. We kept God as the center of our ceremony and communed at the altar.

Discuss your wedding decor. How did you adorn your ceremony and reception spaces? Did you engage in any do-it-yourself (DIY) decor projects?

I wanted LOTS of white flowers and candles to keep with the romance theme. The scenery was already so beautiful, so we let Mother Nature be. I DIYed all the programs, signs, and menus.

Describe the floral arrangements at your wedding. How did you integrate flowers into your design elements, such as bouquets, centerpieces, or the ceremony backdrop? How significant were they in defining the overall style of your wedding?

The florals were AMAZING. Very light, airy, and romantic. My florist, Angeline @flowerrush, was incredible. She went above and beyond my vision. The pergola we stood under was very harsh to look at, and Angeline covered it with baby's breath and white roses in an asymmetrical fashion that softened it up. It was a showpiece! We chose some acrylic pillars to start the aisle, and she topped those with \"Flower Meadows.\" We also have some centerpieces on every other aisle row. Angeline could reuse ALL my flowers from the ceremony for reception decor. Our sweetheart table had a neon sign with our last name and floor candles.

In what ways did you personalize your wedding day? What were some standout features of your wedding that you particularly enjoyed?

My favorite part of the wedding was our ceremony. A pastor friend officiated; it was so unique and meaningful to us. It was so personalized. Instead of wedding favors, we opted for a photobook for 3 hours. This allowed guests to take as many pics with friends and us and take home something to commemorate the event. Our photo booth company provided all the props, and we were able to place the photo duplicates in a photo book, which doubled as our guest book. We made a smaller cake for a dessert bar, which everyone LOVED. Our cake maker added two dozen homemade doughnuts ( our favorite treat), and there were NO leftovers.

Let's discuss your wedding day attire.

Bride: I wanted something sexy and classic for my special day. I didn't want to wear anything too heavy, so I would be free to dance. My dress was a Martina Liana gown in Ivory Mikado fabric. It was strapless with a V-cut top and some crouching to the right. I customized it by adding a large slit to the left front. My veil was cathedral length in Ivory, with the top decorated with lace flowers. My shoes were ivory ankle strap tie 4-inch heels. For jewelry, I wanted to keep it simple with a single pearl yellow gold necklace and medium-sized pearl and crystal earrings.

Groom: I'm a massive fan of Kanye West's music. One of my favorite songs and videos is \"Runaway\" I loved his suit. design in that video, and I wanted to have the same type of suit for our wedding. Oliver Michael Fitzpatrick, owner and designer of NDEED REGIME, comes in. Oliver is a friend of mine and has been creating cutting-edge men's and women's fashion apparel for over a decade. He custom-designed me an off-white form-fitted one-button jacket with a velvet black tuxedo lapel. He created the pants to suit the form of my athletic legs and a length that allowed me to showcase my genuine Italian loafers. The shirt he created for me was the perfect fit and had a classic look accompanied by a black velvet vest lined with paisley (my favorite design). If you are looking for high-end quality apparel that will make you feel better than you look, then NDEED REGIME is the perfect choice for you.

How did you guys meet?

Matt and I met at work, passing each other in the hallway. Eventually, he worked up the nerve to ask for my contact information; the rest is history. Matt proposed on 11/11/22 at 11:11 AM on the beach in Curacao. He hired a photographer to capture the magical moment, and the resort played \"This is why I love You\" by Major while we slow danced.

Reflect on the most anticipated or special moment of your wedding day.

Bride: For starters, Matt wrote me a letter every month, starting after we got engaged and ending on our special day, which he delivered on our wedding day morning. Another very special moment was when Matt and I exchanged our handwritten vows. I cried like a baby. Last, I gifted matching necklaces to my flower girls and soon-to-be stepdaughters before the ceremony. I also said separate vows to them during the ceremony to ensure they knew how important they were to me and how happy I was to be their third parent.

Groom: The most anticipated moment of our wedding was seeing her come down the aisle. I kept my back to her as she entered the courtyard and asked the Pastor (Colby) to let me know when she was at the top of the aisle so I could turn around for the \"Big Reveal\" I remember it like it was yesterday; bass humming through the speakers with my heart beating fast. A slight wind in the air. A perfect blue sky, and as I hear, \"Go ahead,\" I turn to see the angel that my heart and soul have longed for my entire life. She walked down the aisle with grace as she stared into my eyes with a smile of pearls. Breathtaking.

Do you have any advice for couples planning their wedding or embarking on marriage that you'd like to share?

Matt and I completed pre-marital counseling before our big day, which was so helpful. We discussed every topic that affects our past, present, and future, no matter how uncomfortable, including faith, finances, family, and friendships. It has made the transition to marriage easier because we already have a good plan for addressing issues and problem-solving. Also, be patient with each other as you navigate the new life together.