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Ryan and I are originally from the Los Angeles area but
love the wine country, so we opted for Napa Valley and
settled on Durham Ranch — 30 minutes from the nearest town of St.
Helena — for our wedding because of its intimacy and the beauty of
its grounds, which comprise a modern cottage and barn.
I enlisted the help of Suzy Berberian of Suzy Berberian Weddings
& Events, who was amazing. Ryan’s parents, Greg and Nola Cas-
serly, were also hugely helpful.
The day before our June 1, 2014, event, our 125 guests gathered
in St. Helena’s Grace Episcopal Church for a welcome recital. We
both studied music, as have many of our friends and family, so we
invited everyone to share and perform. I accompanied Ryan as he
sang, and we had a tremendous variety of piano, violin and guitar.
The outdoor wedding ceremony honored both of our cultural
traditions: We thanked our parents in a tea ceremony, a dear friend
read a Rumi love poem, and Ryan’s sister sang. From there, we
moved to the barn for the reception, where my parents surprised
us with a speech — my mother spoke in Mandarin, and my father
translated in English. I was deeply touched.
Following a family-style feast from Paula LeDuc Catering includ-
ing dim sum and wild salmon, we hit the dance fl oor to the beats
of DJ Dave Tutton. When the party was over, guests held LED spar-
klers and formed two lines to make a tunnel of light, and we exited
the best night of our lives.” — Grace Casserly, as told to Katie Morell- DANCE The fi rst-dance song was
“This Guy’s in Love with You” by Herb Alpert. - CAKE Model Bakery made the couple’s
buttermilk cake with mixed berries and lemon
curd. 3. DRINKS Signature cocktails
consisted of cucumber, lime and tequila. 4.
CEREMONY Bruce Van Blair, Ryan’s
childhood reverend, offi ciated the service on a
driftwood platform. 5. DETAILS Ryan’s
mother etched the couple’s name and wedding
date into a piece of local wood. 6. TUNES
Musicians from Wine Country Entertainment
serenaded guests at a farewell brunch. 7.
RECEPTION String lights set the mood at
the barn reception. 8. WHEELS The couple
arrived to their farewell brunch in Ryan’s father’s
remodeled vintage VW van, the “Love Loaf.”
Ranch
BET THE
photography by SAMM BLAKEGRACE AND RYAN MAKE MUSIC AT A
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