LEIGH ARMSTRONG & ALEX YOUNGSeptember 1, 2013 Paso Robles, California

194 | InsIdeWeddIngs.com

For sisters Leigh and Lindsey Armstrong, tying the knot with their respective beaus at their family’s Paso Robles, California vineyard was a dream come true. The siblings reveal how they designed two unique, deeply personal celebrations – at the exact same venue.

TWO SISTERS, ONE VENUE

L INDSEY ARMSTRONG & RYAN STRAWNJuly 5, 2014 Paso Robles, California

Photographed by Elisabeth Millay Photography and Jerry Hayes Photography

InsIdeWeddIngs.com | 195

Leigh affectionately refers to Paderewski Vineyard at Epoch Estate Wines – a property once owned by a former Prime Minister of Poland and purchased by her parents in 2004 – as her and fiancé Alex Young’s “happy place,” and says she always knew it would be the perfect place to say “I do.” Guided by a vision of classic elegance with a rustic feel, she worked to highlight the rolling hills and verdant trees of the vineyard. “We wanted people to know they were attending a wedding, but have each particular element blend seamlessly into the landscape,” explains the bride. Leigh wasn’t fazed when sister Lindsey revealed that she, too, would be marrying at Paderewski. “I absolutely loved our wedding, so I wanted her to do it exactly the same so we could relive it again,” Leigh smiles, “but I wanted her to be able to put her own spin and feel on it.”

LEIGH & ALEX

Leigh and Alex centered the décor of their rehearsal dinner – held in a rustic barrel room – around vineyard motifs. The focal point of the space was a massive chandelier, which consisted of bunches of

grapes and foliage as well as glass globes that each contained a tea light. In all, one thousand pounds of grapes were utilized in the stunning chandelier and table runners.

REHEARSAL DINNER

196 | InsIdeWeddIngs.com InsIdeWeddIngs.com | 197

That’s precisely what Lindsey and fiancé Ryan Strawn did. Using Leigh’s nuptials as a blueprint (“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?” Lindsey laughs), she collaborated with many of the same vendors to recreate the framework of her sister’s soirée, while incorporating her unique style into the ceremony, flowers, and reception design.Additionally, in the year between each celebration, the vineyard underwent several renovations and redesigns, allowing aspects of Lindsey’s wedding – such as the rehearsal dinner – to appear fresh to repeat guests. Though neither sister was bothered that their events shared similar qualities, Lindsey enjoyed customizing the details. “I tried to change personal aspects of our wedding that I knew Leigh and Alex really cherished in their own, so I wouldn’t be mimicking something that really set their celebration apart,” Lindsey says.

L INDSEY & RYAN

Lindsey and Ryan eschewed Leigh and Alex’s vineyard theme for a classic, romantic celebration in shades of ivory. Fluffy white flowers and taper candles decorated a single magnificent 100-foot table. Shorter candles placed in glass vases lined the floor and were also

suspended from the ceiling, filling the space with a warm glow. In a particularly sweet moment, Lindsey joined Ryan’s father to surprise the groom and their guests by singing a song together that perfectly expressed her feelings: “When the Right One Comes Along.”

InsIdeWeddIngs.com | 197

Leigh’s 10 bridesmaids donned charcoal grey dresses and held nosegays of greenery, dahlias, and pale pink roses that matched the hue of the bride’s ensemble. The custom ball gown – which as Leigh’s wedding planner declares, defined the look of the entire event – featured two layers of tulle over a floral-patterned bodice and skirt. A wide ribbon belt completed the stunning bridal design.

LEIGH & ALEXRESOURCES

BeautyMaitee Miles

Bridal GownVera Wang

Bridal SalonBridal Salon at Neiman Marcus

Bridesmaid GownsAmsale

CateringCommand Performance Catering Group

CakeThe Cakery

ConsultingMary-Frances Hurt, Anna Staples, and Abby Prude for DFW Events

EntertainmentWest Coast Music - ceremonySide Effect for West Coast Music - reception

Event DesignStage Works

Floral DesignJackson Durham Floral Event Design

Lighting DesignThe Lighter Side

PhotographyElisabeth Millay PhotographyJerry Hayes Photography

Rehearsal DinnerVilla Creek - cateringYork Mountain Winery - venue

RentalsClassic Party RentalsMarBorg IndustriesMirMir PhotoStage Works

SoundDesign Sound

TransportationAmericanStar TrailwaysLush Limousine ServicesObsession Valet

VenuePaderewski Vineyard at Epoch Estate Wines

VideographyImagique Weddings ProEdit Productions

BRIDESMAIDS

198 | InsIdeWeddIngs.com

“The one thing I absolutely knew I wanted from the get-go was floral wreaths for my bridal party,” Lindsey claims, and she got her wish. Her 12 bridesmaids were outfitted in floor-length gowns that boasted a lovely shade of ivory and crowned with wreaths of roses and greenery. For herself, Lindsey chose a romantic lace dress with a gently flared skirt and carried a striking bouquet of hot pink peonies.

LINDSEY & RYANRESOURCES

BeautyMaitee Miles

Bridal GownInes Di Santo

Bridal SalonStanley Korshak

Bridesmaid GownsWatters

CateringCommand Performance Catering Group

CakeThe Butter End Cakery

ConsultingMary-Frances Hurt and Abby Prude for DFW Events

EntertainmentWest Coast Music - ceremonyMariachi Alma de Mexico - ceremony & cocktail hourBig Swing and the Ballroom Blasters for EastCoast Entertainment - reception

Event DesignStage Works

Floral DesignJackson Durham Floral Event Design

Lighting DesignThe Lighter Side

PhotographyElisabeth Millay PhotographyJerry Hayes Photography

Rehearsal DinnerVilla Creek - cateringYork Mountain Winery - venue

RentalsClassic Party RentalsMarBorg Industries; MirMir Photo; Stage Works; Zephyr Tents

SoundDesign Sound

TransportationAmericanStar TrailwaysCoastal Tractor; C&N Tractors Lush Limousine ServicesWine Country Valet Services

VenuePaderewski Vineyard at Epoch Estate Wines

VideographyJoe Simon Wedding Films

BRIDESMAIDS

InsIdeWeddIngs.com | 199

Guests gathered at the edge of the sprawling vineyard, where an aisle lined with white flower petals and urns overflowing with additional vanilla blooms culminated in an arbor constructed of vines. A horse-drawn carriage transported Leigh and her father to the ceremony, where her handsome groom awaited. “Standing in our favorite place, in front of everyone we love, and promising to spend the rest of our lives together will go down as the best moment of our lives,” Leigh confirms.

LEIGH & ALEX

CEREMONY

200 | InsIdeWeddIngs.com

L INDSEY & RYAN

Long benches, divided by an aisle runner of planks bordered by stones, faced an altar adorned with a remarkable wooden cross. “We really wanted our ceremony site to be simple and Christ-centered,” Lindsey explains. Her beloved Christian summer camp provided the inspiration for the décor, and the processional included several of her favorite camp songs. A mariachi band serenaded the wedding party for the recessional as a tribute to Lindsey’s adoration of Mexico – the place where she and Ryan fell in love.

InsIdeWeddIngs.com | 201

LEIGH & ALEXRECEPTION

202 | InsIdeWeddIngs.com

Round and rectangular tables were covered in slate grey linens and topped with short silver vases of hydrangeas and roses. A magnificent tablescape created especially for the newlyweds featured a lush “runner” of ivory hydrangeas; Leigh calls the design “quite possibly the most beautiful table I have ever seen in my life.” The pièce de résistance was the open-air canopy: grape vines that were intertwined with tiny twinkle lights and strung overhead. A band, DJ, and games such as horseshoes entertained guests past 2AM. A classic five-tiered cake boasted floral piping and three scrumptious flavors: white cake with buttercream icing, carrot cake, and chocolate cake with peanut butter icing and chocolate ganache.

InsIdeWeddIngs.com | 203

For this area, Lindsey took full advantage of her and her sister’s differing color preferences. “I’m so happy Leigh hates pink, so I could let that color steal the show at my wedding!” Lindsey reveals. Centerpieces included blooms in crème brûlée, blush, and peach shades, while the head table was awash in bright pink roses, peonies, and hydrangeas. Chargers and glasses were rimmed in gold. A live band performed Motown and old-school classics. “The reception had an ethereal, almost circus-like dreaminess,” Lindsey raves. Resting atop Paderewski wine boxes and bouquets of peonies, Lindsey and Ryan’s carrot cake was embellished with roses and frosted with a lace pattern that matched the bride’s dress. “The whole setup was something out of a dream!” Lindsey exclaims. ERIN MIGDOL

L INDSEY & RYANRECEPTION

204 | InsIdeWeddIngs.com

InsIdeWeddIngs.com | 205