We recently had the opportunity to partner with our amazing property, Silverado Resort in iconic Napa Valley, to bring in a group of wedding planners from around the country to experience the resort and the enchantment of the destination. Destination Weddings by ALHI worked closely with the property to curate an itinerary aimed at indulging the senses while balancing the soul. Our goal was to familiarize the planners with Napa Valley for the special wedding destination that it is, while showcasing all the unique venues the property has to offer.
The Welcome
Planners arrived throughout the day on a Sunday and were greeted with bubbles and personalized gifts. After checking in, they had time to relax in their mansion estate one-bedroom suite where more goodies awaited. Prior to the trip, a questionnaire was sent to the planners asking everything from their preference of coffee or tea to what their favorite color was, the goal being to personalize everyone’s experience as much as possible. When attendees got to their rooms, they found an array of their favorite snacks, preferred type of beverages and other customized goodies.
The Experience Begins
Festivities kicked off with a welcome reception on The Terrace of the Mansion Estate. While the weather didn’t fully cooperate, the energy of the group more than made up for it. Guests were treated to everything from a live-action caviar station to an oyster bar to a taco display featuring octopus, pork belly and short rib tacos. Naturally, the bar was stocked with the best wines in the valley, but the hand-crafted cocktails were the real showstopper. Tyler Rasmusson, on the F&B team, had fun with the theme and came up with some libations that perfectly balanced indulging the senses while balancing the soul. His creations included a Lavender Drop Martini, Cucumber Mint Mojito and the “Siesta”, a Vitamin C infused Tequila cocktail.
Turndown amenities, courtesy of BuDhaGirl, were waiting for everyone when they got back to their suites. BuDhaGirl knows “there is a mindful glamour in all of us,” and that by being present and aware in a moment, one can fully experience joy. BuDhaGirl’s products are meant to guide through daily intention setting and serve as reminders of the importance of ending one’s day with gratitude. This is why we selected them as a partner for our Happily, Ever Enriched Experience, as it was our sincerest wish that the attendees shared in enriching moments and experiences during their stay at Silverado Resort.
Wellness Matters
In keeping with the wellness theme, the next morning started with a meditative experience at sunrise where the group was “bathed” in sound waves. We spent an hour unplugging from life and plugging into soothing vibrations that emanated from gongs, singing bowls and tuning forks. The intention of a sound bath is to evoke a state of harmony within the participant by using sounds to clear out any conflict in one’s energy fields. I’m not sure if it was the fresh morning air or the magic touch of the healing practitioner, but 60 minutes later I felt like a new person.
The lowkey, relaxed vibe continued into breakfast, where we enjoyed great conversation and an informal Q&A session with Allix Kott, Head of Social Media for Carats & Cake, and Kacey Denton, Director of Partnership, Kacey Denton. We purposely kept the agenda for the day casual to let planners fully experience the property and whatever onsite activities they signed up for. Whether it was tennis, golf, or the spa, everyone had ample time to unwind and truly take in Silverado Resort before what was in store that evening.
Dinner and Wine
It wouldn’t be a trip to Napa without a five-course wine pairing experience which is exactly what everyone was treated to that night. From pan seared dayboat scallops with Meyer lemon potato puree and melted leeks to lobster carbonara and sous vide pork tenderloin with polenta huckleberry, Executive Chef Patrick Prager pulled out all the stops. Music was playing, the wine was flowing and amazing connections—and friendships—were created.
Experiencing the Destination
After another wonderful night’s sleep, and more goodies in the room, the group was off to explore Napa Valley. Becky Barrango with Visit Napa Valley put together a wonderful itinerary for the group, our first stop being Whetstone Wine Cellars. A family-owned and operated boutique winery, the venue is reminiscent of a cottage in the English countryside. A roaring fire and resident yellow lab, Ace, welcomed the group, followed by a glass of the winery’s signature Pinot Noir. Our adventures continued throughout the valley, concluding with a fabulous lunch in the majestic Cask Room at Merryvale Vineyards.
The group was free to continue exploring Napa before regrouping back at the resort for one final culinary treat that evening. Executive Pastry Chef Devon Pritchard wowed guests with a liquid nitrogen ice cream sundae bar. Not only does the flash-freezing technique of using liquid nitrogen create ice cream in a matter of seconds, but the cool fog that billows out of the mixers creates quite the Instagram moment. Guests were able to customize their own ice cream flavor and further personalize their creation with a slew of toppings that ranged from malted milk balls, sprinkles, crushed candy bars, fruit caramel and cookie crumbles. This was, beyond a doubt, the perfect sweet “sendoff.”
For further information on collaborating with ALHI Weddings on a Wedding Planner Experience, please contact us.
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