When time came to plan their wedding, Susie and Saul had the same vision: A rustic venue in the wine country, enhanced by the beauty of rich autumn flowers and the abundance of late summer produce. Even though 200 guests were expected, the couple wanted to convey a family-style, personal celebration.

Event Coordinator Kathryn Kenna of The Wedding Resource helped Susie and Saul to plan and execute their beautiful wedding. In the Valley of the Moon in Sonoma, they found the old flower farm Annadel on the grounds of a dilapidated winery. The crumbling walls of its ruins and the little yellow farm houses scattered across the grounds had the charming and rustic ambiance they were looking for. A flat, grassy part of the farm was large enough to set up a tent that would comfortably seat all guests,alongside a stone terrace with ample room for the band stand and a sizable dance floor.

For the former Zuni Café cook and his bride, good food and wine were a must, so Kathryn introduced them to Betty Zlatchin Catering. David, the owner of the company, exceeded their expectations: "Working with the Zlatchins was a wonderful experience. The chef bought the food from our favorite purveyors at the farmers market, and David found the square tables for eight, the same size and shape we have in our home. With the decoration of the Sonoma Flower Company, it felt like a warm, intimate family wedding ‹ like one of our dinner parties, but bigger,"Susie told me. There were personal touches, like the fabulous groom s cake, made by Julie Durkee of Torino Baking, resembling Saul s grandmother s scrabble board. The guests swing-danced under illuminated lanterns to the intoxicating sounds of the Ben Mercato Band.