Fairview Sonoma at Valley of the Moon

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

It started long ago, not as long as it may seem. Technically it was December 2022 but, Nikki was a crazy workaholic with no days off so the first day was scheduled for Jan 15th 2023 but Nikki flaked by being hospitalized before then so it didn't happen til March because Charles has the patience of a saint. This picture was the second date!

2023

Charles whisked Nikki off to NYC for a whirlwind week of sightseeing and Broadway shows and a LOT of walking!!

First Trip June 2023

I skipped a MAJOR plotline in our story, one that really tells of Charles HUGE heart of gold. In May of 2023, Charles took a pair of hair trimming shear thingies (I'm a girl, I don't know what the word is) and had to shave my head. My hair had been steadily falling out since I'd been hospitalized with septic shock. It was a hard decision I had to make, and having just started this relationship, I'd been struggling with what that would mean. But, Charles stepped up in the most major way and held my hair, and the shears, and took what was left of the hair off. He was wonderful, of course he was, you all know how he is. And, he's been wonderful about each stage of hair growth since. He helped me with all the wigs on our New York trip, he walked proudly with me while I went without a wig and showed off my super short hair. For a little while, we had matching hairlines. We definitely don't anymore though.

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Q + A

Our wedding location is in kind of a tricky area. It's a golf course, and it's surrounded by vineyards. Welcome to Wine Country! While that does provide a lot to do, if you enjoy wine, it also leans towards the bougie side of things and means ... expensive hotels and inns. Nearest to our venue is The Kenwood Inn and Spa. It's gorgeous and has a wonderful spa but it is pricey. There are some other places in Kenwood, as well, I think. I know we are abundant in AirBnB and VRBOs around here! Further east up the road is a town called Glen Ellen. Also a quaint li'l town of cute store and lil inns and lodges that might be a smidge less costly. Of course, if you really wanna check things out - keep heading east into the town of Sonoma!! Historic Sonoma Plaza (where I got to meet Keanu Reeves!), the Sonoma Barracks, General Vallejo's Home, etc. Come more to the west into Santa Rosa and the options widen much more!! Thankfully, Sonoma County itself is quite vast with a lot of cities and towns. We live in a bedroom community called Rohnert Park which has its own little grouping of hotels. We have a casino called the Graton Resort and Casino which has its own hotels and a couple others nearby (check in with Nikki on which hotels in Rohnert Park and Santa Rosa to AVOID AT ALL COST.) I do know that this is so much information and it really doesn't narrow it down a whole lot. But, I also plan to try to be open and transparent about times and things and the golf course where the wedding is being held is pretty super easy to find! So, once you're on the main highway it's on ... Siri/Alexa, whoever is leading your GPS will walk you right out there! As always, if there are any questions, please feel free to reach out to Charles, or Nikki, (probably Nikki because she grew up here and works in law enforcement so she has all the inside scoop on the good/bad areas.) Hope to see you all there!!!

Travel

WINE TASTING:Everywhere. Near the venue, far from the venue. Basically everywhere in Sonoma County. Favorites: Coppola Winery up in Geyserville (not super close to be honest). Williamson Wines in Healdsburg (again, not close!). We are right next to Napa County and both of our counties are well known for our wine so you are likely to find good vino at all of our places!!

The Sonoma Coast While most of us are from California, our lovely North Coast beaches are a bit different!! Take a jaunt out to Bodega and see some familiar sights from a lil movie called "The Birds". Theres a lil schoolhouse and church you might recognize. Continue on out to Bodega Bay for some clam chowder, park on the bluff known as Bodega Head and maybe spot a Humpback Whale spouting or diving and sticking its tail out of the water. Our rocky coastlines are quite beautiful and there are a lot of trails along the cliffs and some yummy cafes to eat at.

Sonoma Regional Parks - Sugarloaf Directly across the street from the venue (and maybe up the road a little bit) is Adobe Canyon Rd which leads up to Sugarloaf State Park with some soaring Redwood Trees and hiking trails and there is a gorgeous waterfall that tumbles into a wide pool of water. A beautiful area to get out and wander about in!

California State Parks - Armstrong Redwoods Take a lil long jaunt out along a windy road towards the coast but then turn off into a town called Guerneville. A quirky lil hippie town (it is definitely fun and unique but also a lil full of our local homeless populations at times too!) Nestled up the road from town is the entrance to Armstrong Redwoods State Park. A walk through the gates may lead you to think you've been plopped onto the Forest Moon of Endor for my Star Wars Fans. HUGE Redwood Trees surround you, a soft padded walkway under your feet, an easy walking path through the middle and miles of trails around if you felt the desire. It really it is a beautiful spot!!

California State Parks - Jack London State Park - -

Nicole & Charles

Nicole & Charles

N&C

Wedding Day

5:00 PM–5:15 PM

Ceremony

5:30 PM–10:00 PM

Reception