Nicole & Rory’s Elegant V. Sattui Winery Wedding in Napa Valley

Nicole and Rory’s elegant V. Sattui Winery wedding took place on one of the hottest days of the summer, with temperatures reaching 100 degrees in Napa Valley. Thankfully, the skies were perfectly clear, the vineyards were full and lush, and by evening, the sky turned soft shades of pink and purple. From the moment I arrived, it was clear that Nicole and Rory were simply excited to get married and celebrate with the people they loved. The day felt classic, romantic, and elegant, but also relaxed and full of personality. As the day unfolded, what stood out most was how much fun they had together.

Getting Ready at V. Sattui Winery

When I arrived at the V. Sattui Winery wedding, Nicole was getting ready with her bridesmaids. We moved quickly to get everything ready before she headed out for her first look with Rory. Nicole wore a beautiful fitted lace gown with a soft mermaid silhouette and a long train. Her veil was one of my favorite details, with delicate lace trim that added another layer of romance to her look. Rory kept things classic in a simple blue suit. Once they were ready, we headed toward the back of the winery near the vineyards for their first look. Since Nicole and Rory and I had not met before the wedding day, there were a few natural nerves at the beginning of the day. But those quickly disappeared once they saw each other and we started spending time together. We continued with a few portraits near the fountain before the ceremony began.

A Classic and Romantic V. Sattui Winery Wedding Ceremony

Nicole and Rory held their ceremony on the lawn for their V. Sattui Winery wedding, surrounded by their closest friends and family. One of the most beautiful parts of the ceremony was the floral design by Karen of Berry & Bloom Floral. Cascading arrangements filled the space beneath the balcony, creating a classic and romantic backdrop for the ceremony. The flowers included dahlias and warm, slightly autumnal tones that felt especially beautiful against the Napa Valley setting. Nicole and Rory wrote their own vows, and rather than being a tear-filled ceremony, theirs was full of laughter. Throughout the day, I learned that Rory is known among his friends for always having a new business idea. Both his friends and Nicole referenced this during the wedding, and it even made its way into their vows. Nicole lovingly acknowledged the many future business ventures she may have to endure. Rory also mentioned that he loved Nicole despite one major difference between them: their household has a cat instead of a dog. Their vows were funny, personal, and completely reflective of who they are together. After the ceremony, they recessed down the aisle and headed into cocktail hour with their guests.

Cocktail Hour on the Back Lawn

While Nicole and Rory enjoyed a few moments with their guests, cocktail hour gave everyone the chance to relax after the ceremony and enjoy the beautiful grounds at the V. Sattui Winery wedding. Some of my favorite photographs from this part of the day were the candid moments. Everyone seemed genuinely happy to be there, catching up, laughing, and celebrating with Nicole and Rory. These quieter, unplanned moments are always some of my favorites to photograph because they often become part of the larger memory of what a wedding day actually felt like.

Sunset Portraits Among the Napa Valley Vineyards

Later in the evening, Nicole and Rory stepped away for portraits among the vineyards. By this point in the day, they had completely relaxed in front of the camera, and their personalities really started to come through. The vines were full and lush with grapes, and although the sun had already dipped behind the surrounding hills, the sky turned a beautiful mix of pink and purple. Nicole and Rory were playful and completely comfortable with each other. Rory picked Nicole up, spun her around, and even carried her through the vineyard. These ended up being some of my favorite portraits from the day because they felt less like posing and more like simply documenting the way they naturally enjoy being together.

A Romantic Courtyard Reception at V. Sattui Winery

After portraits, we headed back for the reception. Nicole and Rory kicked off the evening with a choreographed first dance that included a lift and dip, followed by plenty of cheering and applause from their guests. Dinner was held in the courtyard at V. Sattui Winery, surrounded by beautiful architecture and warm lighting. The setting felt especially romantic as the evening got darker. During dinner, Nicole and Rory were celebrated with heartfelt speeches from their dads, friends, maid of honor, and best man. It was clear throughout the evening how well loved they both are.

The 10 Minutes They Disappeared From Their Reception One of my favorite moments from Nicole and Rory’s wedding happened when I suddenly realized I couldn’t find them. For about ten minutes, the bride and groom had disappeared from their own reception. Eventually, I found them sitting together overlooking the courtyard where all of their guests were gathered below. They hadn’t gone anywhere dramatic. They simply wanted a few minutes together. After spending the entire day surrounded by family and friends, they had quietly stepped away to take everything in. I love that they did this. Wedding days move incredibly fast, and it’s easy for couples to spend the entire day moving from one moment to the next without ever stopping to realize that everyone they love is gathered in one place because of them. After their quiet moment together, I caught them before they headed back to the party, and we took a few portraits by the fountain under the string lights. Those nighttime photographs became some of my favorites from the entire wedding.

Nicole and Rory finished the evening in the barrel room with a packed dance floor and plenty of energy from their guests. Instead of a traditional wedding cake, they brought in a gelato cart for dessert, which was a fun and unexpected way to end the night.

Planning a Wedding at V. Sattui Winery?

V. Sattui Winery is a beautiful choice for couples planning a Napa Valley wedding. With vineyard views, historic architecture, beautiful outdoor spaces, and room for both intimate moments and a lively celebration, it offers a uniquely Napa experience. Nicole and Rory’s wedding moved from getting ready and a first look near the vineyards to a lawn ceremony, cocktail hour, vineyard portraits, a courtyard reception, and dancing in the barrel room, all within the same beautiful property. If you’re planning a wedding at V. Sattui Winery or elsewhere in Napa Valley and are looking for a wedding photographer, I’d love to hear more about what you’re planning.

Inquire about wedding photography here.

Wedding Vendor Team:

Venue: V. Sattui Winery

Photography: Courtney Stockton Photography

Coordination: Sean Dempsey

Florals: Berry & Bloom Floral

Hair + Makeup: Bella Bridal

DJ:Tony Sparks

One of my favorite parts of Nicole and Rory’s day was the ten minutes they stepped away from the reception to sit together and take it all in. After a full day surrounded by the people they love, it was a quiet little pause before heading back to the party, and a moment I’m especially glad I got to photograph.

See another V. Sattui wedding here!