For a timeless, classic look, Heather wore a lace mermaid-style Pronovias gown that she purchased from L’élite Bridal Boutique in Boston. Mike wore a formal J. Crew tuxedo but later changed into a tan Brooks Brothers suit to match his groomsmen.
Bride: Heather Warnken
Groom: Michael Vallarelli
Location: Kenwood, CA
Theme: Garden/Outdoor wedding
Soft-color rose petals lined the aisle at Heather and Mike’s outdoor ceremony.
Bride: Heather Warnken
Groom: Michael Vallarelli
Location: Kenwood, CA
Theme: Garden/Outdoor wedding
For her ceremony, Heather wore a lace jacket that buttoned up the back. "I wanted it to look like an heirloom even though it was new," Heather says. "I would love for someone in my family to wear it one day."
Bride: Heather Warnken
Groom: Michael Vallarelli
Location: Kenwood, CA
Theme: Garden/Outdoor wedding
The couple gave their guests parasols to block the midsummer sun during their late-afternoon ceremony. Although they were intended for practical use, the parasols added a sweet touch to the scenery.
Bride: Heather Warnken
Groom: Michael Vallarelli
Location: Kenwood, CA
Theme: Garden/Outdoor wedding
The bride carried a lush bouquet of white roses tied with an ivory ribbon.
Bride: Heather Warnken
Groom: Michael Vallarelli
Location: Kenwood, CA
Theme: Garden/Outdoor wedding
The bridesmaids chose between strapless and halter necklines for their pink Saeyoung Vu dresses with tulle skirts. "They had so much fun wearing them," says Heather.
Bride: Heather Warnken
Groom: Michael Vallarelli
Location: Kenwood, CA
Theme: Garden/Outdoor wedding
Each bridesmaid carried an arrangement of roses, dahlias and mini calla lilies.
Bride: Heather Warnken
Groom: Michael Vallarelli
Location: Kenwood, CA
Theme: Garden/Outdoor wedding
The couple seated their guests at three long tables to create a friendly, welcoming environment.
Bride: Heather Warnken
Groom: Michael Vallarelli
Location: Kenwood, CA
Theme: Garden/Outdoor wedding
The bride’s mother wrote each guest’s name on individual paper squares from Paper Source and tied them to the back of the chairs.
Bride: Heather Warnken
Groom: Michael Vallarelli
Location: Kenwood, CA
Theme: Garden/Outdoor wedding
The three tables were named for the years the bride’s and groom’s parents were married and the current year, for Heather and Mike’s wedding date. Past and present photos of the couples were displayed in pedestal frames.
Bride: Heather Warnken
Groom: Michael Vallarelli
Location: Kenwood, CA
Theme: Garden/Outdoor wedding
Small flower arrangements of roses, dahlias and miniature calla lilies that matched the bridesmaids’ bouquets alternated with glass bowls of floating gardenias along the tables.
Bride: Heather Warnken
Groom: Michael Vallarelli
Location: Kenwood, CA
Theme: Garden/Outdoor wedding
Heather had the names of the dishes printed on plain menu cards and then stylishly imprinted "menu" on the top of each card with a rubber stamp. One of Heather’s bridesmaids handpicked rosemary sprigs to adorn the cards.
Bride: Heather Warnken
Groom: Michael Vallarelli
Location: Kenwood, CA
Theme: Garden/Outdoor wedding
The couple couldn’t decide what to offer as their first course, so guests were alternately given a tomato mozzarella salad and duck confit with couscous, which created a friendly atmosphere, encouraging guests to mingle and trade plates.
Bride: Heather Warnken
Groom: Michael Vallarelli
Location: Kenwood, CA
Theme: Garden/Outdoor wedding
As a self-proclaimed sweet-tooth connoisseur, Heather chose a four-tier cake in three flavors: dark chocolate devil’s food cake with caramel and chocolate mousse, Victorian vanilla cake layered with chocolate cream cheese and raspberry puree, and lemon poppy-seed cake layered with cream cheese and tangy lemon curd. The cake was lined with madeleines, Mike’s favorite.
Bride: Heather Warnken
Groom: Michael Vallarelli
Location: Kenwood, CA
Theme: Garden/Outdoor wedding
To save money, the couple used the patio as their dance floor so they would not have to set one up on the lawn.
Bride: Heather Warnken
Groom: Michael Vallarelli
Location: Kenwood, CA
Theme: Garden/Outdoor wedding
