The "D" in the TBD: Friday Night Dinner

We actually made the decision over a month ago...we've just been lazy about getting the word out...apologies!


We'll be meetin' + greetin' (+ dippin' tacos into Fielding Guacamole + Beckman Salsa) under the tent and stars at Monte Rio Beach. If you're staying at Rio Villa, just walk through the gate to the meadow and down to the beach. Highland Dell-ers can easily cross the bridge on foot or even wade. There is plenty of parking too -- to get to the parking lot, follow the road UNDER the bridge.

Please join us at 7:00. And bring your horseshoes throwing arm - I think Mark's been practicing!

(p.s. The beach is rocky, not sandy, so flops, sandals, sneakers will suit you well.)

Accom. Abounds: More Lodging Options

All the rooms at both resorts hosting the wedding have been taken. Luckily other lodging options abound along the Russian River...so don't give up! Check out our list of alternative hotels, rental homes, and campsites here.

The local Chamber of Commerce's website (http://www.russianriver.com/accommodations.htm) has an extensive list of lodging for the whole area - look into Monte Rio, Guerneville, + Forestville for your closest options.

And, if we can help you with your search, please let us know.

Gettin' The Dress - Road Trip Style

It was a long haul but worth every mile...

Friday: SLO and Uncle Dave's "Farm"
Fresh-from-the-dirt midnight treats: cucumbers, thai basil, strawberries...and zinnias to go!


Saturday: Los Angeles for "The Fitting"
Aunties Mary Beth, Sandy and Judy "ooo-ed" and "ahhh-ed" making the day all the more special!

Sunday: Mission Viejo + Helloooo Baby Ryan!
I got to hold + kiss+ coo + burp + make videos with my absolutely adorable 3-month old second cousin Ryan. At 20 lbs, that's a LOT of cuteness!

Monday: The long drive home
But first, we picked up THE DRESS! Lucky for me I had the right people working some serious magic + the dress is perfect. Jose Flores of In Style + and your team: Thank You!

Gift Registry

Dinnerware
Heath Ceramics (http://heathceramics.com/go/heath/)
We love the elegant esthetic Heath brings to everyday dining: modern + classic, understated + beautiful. Heath is a Bay Area institution and "one of the few mid-century American potteries still in existence." Visit the factory and store in Sausalito where, at a significant discount, they sell "seconds" ... which are just fine by us!

Outdoorsy/Campy /Travelly Stuff
REI (http://www.rei.com/giftregistry)
There are a few key items neither of us has picked up along the way which has meant borrowing yours or sharing them with you!

Towels, a Gravy Boat for Stacy, + a Few Other Things
Macy's (http://macys.weddingchannel.com/)
We like Macy's towels the best: absorbant, plush + quick drying.

Cookware + Serving Stuff
Crate and Barrel (http://www.crateandbarrel.com/Gift-Registry/)

Top Drawer, Next to the Stove
Sur la Table (http://giftreg.surlatable.com/slt/grws)
While it's true the name of this place is pronounced funny, it's the best place to get the best of what's still missing in our utensils drawer.

be with us...

So many of you have called, texted, and emailed exclaiming how great our invitations look...And we agree!


Amy of iNK (http://www.thinkofink.com/iNK.html) designed for us exactly what we wanted - even though we didn't really know what it was we wanted. The lady is a pro!

Getting to the River

We're certain some of you are scratching your heads thinking, "Monte Rio...huh?" For you Bay Areans, "four miles south of Guerneville" should orientate you. Even so, below you'll find information which we hope will help you get to the River easily. If you need further assistance, let us know.

Airports
Sonoma County Airport (http://www.sonomacountyairport.org/)
Use airport code STS when searching for flights
The closest airport to the River with service through Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air. Routes are pretty limited but do include flights from Los Angeles. Car rental agencies are nearby and from the airport it's about a 30 minute drive to Monte Rio. Click here for driving directions. Oh, and the airport is named after Sonoma County's favorite son, Charles M. Schultz. (Yes, there is a Snoopy store.)

San Francisco International Airport (http://www.flysfo.com/)
Use airport code SFO when searching for flights
The most convenient BIG airport - every carrier flies here. Come a few days before the wedding or stay a few days after to check out our super-fabulous city. You can get to and from downtown on BART or rent a car from the numerous agencies nearby. Drive time from SFO to Monte Rio is about 2 hours - depending on time of day - and you get to go over the Golden Gate Bridge! For driving directions click here. Or, let someone else drive (at least most of the way): Airport Express offers shuttle service between SFO and STS from where you can rent a car and only drive 30 minutes.

Oakland International Airport (http://www.flyoakland.com/index2.cfm)
Use airport code OAK when searching for flights
On the East side of the Bay, Oakland airport is SFO's cheaper alternative - most of the time. BART can get you into San Francisco and back and car rental agencies abound. Drive time from OAK to Monte Rio is about 2 hours - depending on time of day. Click here for driving directions. Or, let someone else drive (at least most of the way): Airport Express offers shuttle service between OAK and STS from where you can rent a car and only drive 30 minutes.

Driving Directions (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl)
What's easier than plugging in to google maps?

A No-Brainer: Moshin Winery

A "working weekend" is so much more "productive" when it involves a great winery discovery like the one we made with Dave and Daniele last weekend.

moshin winery (http://www.moshinvineyards.com/) is a pinot lover's paradise. And, it's now home of Mark's FIRST WINE CLUB membership! Only 10 miles from Monte Rio, it's a no-brainer of an excursion and Rick Moshin, the owner, will likely be on hand to show you around.

If you pick your wines by the label, Moshin's hummingbird logo won't disappoint!

As for the "working " part of our weekend...? We revisited our sites, spoke with our vendors, and imagined endless possibilities - our excitement is renewed...HURRY AUGUST 22!

Things to Do: WINERIES

We've poached our dear friend's "can't-go-wrong" list of in-the-area wineries...and her commentary too! Since "swirling and sipping" is part of the general weekend plan, we encourage you to check these places out. And, if you have a personal favorite (or two or three) let us know the details in a "comment" below and we'll update the list.

rochioli winery (http://www.rochioliwinery.com/)
we had the best chardonnay of our lives here. great pinot noir, too. bring a little picnic + sit out front with a bottle of chilled chard over-looking their vineyards and petting their sweet buddha cat whose name i'm forgetting.

de la montoya (http://www.dlmwine.com/)
we're members here because they're so cool + down to earth, and they've got a very fun back area with bocce. their summer white is crisp, cool + perfect for sipping on a hot day.

lambert bridge (http://www.lambertbridge.com/)
best wine (esp. food wine), best tasting room, best picnic grounds. gus the dog has special sniffing talents.

Wedding-Weekend Events

Time well spent is time spent on a RIVER...right?
Here's a rough idea of our plans thus far. Please join us as early as you can - there are a ton of places to stay and we'd love to see you because...time spent on a RIVER is even better when spent with FRIENDS. (seriously.)

Thursday, August 20 l early afternoon
Mark and Rebecca head up to the River.

Friday, August 21 l pretty much all day
Wading and floating, bobbing and skipping, snoozing and feasting, swirling and sipping, and...TOOBING!

Friday August 21 l 7:00 pm
Welcome Dinner

Saturday, August 22 l 4:00 pm
Ceremony & Reception

Where to Stay

There are inns, private homes to rent, upper-scale hotels and camping all within walking or short driving distance of the festivities.

Inns within walking distance of wedding
Highland Dell (http://www.highlanddell.com/pages/main.html)
* there are no longer any rooms available.
Location of our reception; we have blocked all 13 rooms for guests.
5 of the rooms can sleep 4 people for $179-229/night; remaining rooms have queen beds for $129-179/night. There is a two-night minimum stay for the weekend and rate includes continental breakfast.

Rio Villa (http://www.riovilla.com/)
* there are no longer any rooms available.
The location of the ceremony; has private beach and gorgeous lawn. We have blocked all 11 rooms for guests. There are 4 rooms with 2 queen beds for $150-180; other rooms have queen or king beds and can sleep 2 for $130-180 (two of these have kitchens). There is a two-night minimum stay for the weekend.Wedding guests will receive a 10% discount and rate includes continental breakfast.

Village Inn (http://www.villageinn-ca.com/)
* requires 3-night stay though call closer to the date and they may allow a 2-night stay.
Five doors down from the reception
10 rooms ranging from $135 to $225/night
overlooks the River, restaurant, small dogs allowed

Homes for rent within walking distance of wedding
August is still considered "peak season" on the River and most home rentals require a one-week minimum stay -- rates quoted are for 7-day rentals.

Big Yellow House (http://www.spindlerrentals.com/russian_river.html)
Two doors down from reception
5 bedrooms, and can sleep 16 people
$3900 plus 10% tax, cleaning fee and deposit
sunny deck overlooking the River

Russian River Getaways (http://www.rrgetaways.com/)
Rentals close to the wedding are:
Artisan (5+ BR, $3210 – within a half mile of Reception
Eye Candy (2 BR, $1450) – within a half mile of Reception
Jujube (2 BR, $1200) – less than a mile upriver
Harmony (3 BR, $1470) – less than a mile upriver
Como Estate (5 BR, $3210) – 1 mile upriver
Sundancing River Lodge (5 BR, $3180) – a short walk from Ceremony
Moondance (3 BR, $2220) – a short walk from Ceremony

Inns/hotels a short drive away
Boon (http://www.boonhotels.com/)
4 ½ miles upriver in Guerneville on road to Armstrong Woods
$185-250/night
modern-luxe boutique hotel with a pool, spa

Fern Grove Cottages (http://www.ferngrove.com/)
4 miles upriver in Guerneville
$99-259 per night

Applewood Inn (http://www.applewoodinn.com/lodging.html)
5 ½ miles upriver just outside of Guerneville
$195-275/night
full-service, spa, fine dining

Farmhouse Inn (http://www.farmhouseinn.com/inn.html)
11 miles upriver near Forestville
$295-650/night
pool, spa, fabulous restaurant

Camping
Casini Ranch (http://www.casiniranch.com/)
2 ½ miles downriver from the reception, many campsites on the river starting at $26 per night. Full hook-ups are available for RVs too. Some camp sites are better than others so take a look at the site map and select carefully.

Hotels further out
Hilton, Hyatt, Courtyard, and Holiday Inn
21 miles away in Santa Rosa

Fairfield Inn by Marriot
19 miles away in Sebastopol

Bodega Bay Lodge, Inn at the Tides, Bodega Coast Inn, Bodega Harbor Inn
17 miles away in Bodega Bay

Save the Date

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