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Is getting married out of style? No way! It seems as though love is all around me and everyone is tying the knot! One of these soon-to-be brides is one of my dearest friends from high school who I de…

Is getting married out of style? No way! It seems as though love is all around me and everyone is tying the knot! One of these soon-to-be brides is one of my dearest friends from high school who I decided to interview. This is for all those brides who would like to compare notes, share in this bride's planning program, and experience her emotions through this process. So let's comment on trends and brainstorm ideas together ... and hear from the featured bride-to-be Britta Purcell, 28 year old San Franciscan raised in Napa Valley California. I must say a classy, cultured, yet funky kind of gal!

How did your fiancè propose to you? Were you expecting it?

My fiance Gavin proposed to me while on vacation in France. I had done most of the planning and reserving of hotels/restaurants, so he tried to find a time that was "unplanned". At the end of our 10 day trip, we were in Burgundy, France and had taken a bike ride through the vineyards, had a very nice lunch and then he suggested we "take a drive" to see that castle we'd seen on the drive in from Paris. We drove through the country roads to the little castle town and walked around for a bit, noticing there was a fantastic view point over the valley below. I did not think he was going to propose until he paused as we were leaving and said we should have a glass of wine and enjoy the scenery (he had bought a nice bottle the day before without me knowing). So we got the wine and went to sit down and he told me to open it...I reached down to get the bottle and at the bottom of the bag was the ring. He said some very nice words, we took lots of pictures and drank our glass of wine then drove back to our hotel to relax and make phone calls! All in all, it was perfect, not overly planned, centered around wine and romantic. I could not have asked for a better story.

How much time are you giving yourselves before the wedding?

About 10 months

That seems pretty common. What is your planning timeline? Do you have one?

Currently the beginning of November and we have looked at possible venues and hope to decide in the next couple of weeks on the place and date (most likely September 2011).

So you've already started the process? What have you done so far?

Looked at 4 spots, asked our families to create their guest list - edited that down - begun a pros and cons list of the places we've seen.

and what sources are you using to help you plan? (internet searches, magazines, websites, friends?) Which ones?

Friends, wedding blogs (greenweddingshoes, stylemepretty, 100layercake). My mom got me Martha Stewart's wedding planning book which is helpful in giving a timeline for planning. I've only opened it though :)

What is your dream location?

Amongst vineyards, during harvest (late August-September), outside...preferably with a harvest/full moon!

and your dream dress? wink wink

Already found it. BLEEP BLEEP (for obvious reasons!) but it's feminine.

Are you thinking about having a theme? colors?

I like neutrals so my idea is to have bridesmaids in creme/khaki/linen. I want long farm tables with white tablecloths and linen/creme runners. Then lots of different glass, wine bottles, carafes, and big pops of color - dahlias are in season and local to Sonoma around that time so I envision lots of different colors on a neutral/earthy backdrop. When the scenery is beautiful, and you're in nature, I believe you shouldn't do too much. Just highlight the surroundings.

Sounds like a perfect setting. Do you feel like this is a stressful process or a beautiful and fun process?

I feel like thinking about cost and size are the most stressful parts. I am not worried about the creative details. Those things are exciting and fun and I'm pretty good about making decisions on taste and personal preference. But being sensitive to my fiance and learning to have those complex conversations about money, etc is a learning experience that I want to do right since its pretty much setting the tone for our communication for our marriage. I have total faith in us and the wedding but I tend to take a lot of the stress on myself so my biggest challenge is working through those feelings.

to be continued!

Vineyard weddings are in demand and as Britta said the setting seems to be one of the most important and most beautiful components in a wedding. Our Barolo DiVino package would be perfect if any of you would like the combination of an Italian wedding set in the wine country Italy please contact us for further information.

Please add your comments! Britta seems quite ready!