An Evening to Remember

This past Friday we went to Bakersfield, California to attend a family wedding. Even though it was a family wedding, I have to say that I wasn't that excited about going. I mean, really, Bakersfield?! What is in Bakersfield? Well, plenty. It turned out to be one of the most memorable evenings and was simply one of the most elegant events we have attended. We knew as soon as we walked up to the gate that it was going to be something pretty extraordinary. We were met at the gates by two men in tuxedos who checked our names off on their handheld lists. As we walked up the long driveway we saw a beautiful white Rolls Royce at the end of the drive that had carried the bride and groom from the church. We turned the corner and our eyes met beautiful lush gardens with soft music wafting through the summer night air. Luckily, it wasn't a typical evening in Bakersfield. The temps were in the mild 80s, but usually it is right around 100 degrees this time of year.










A tent just for fruit.

The gardens were absolutely beautiful. In my excitement, I didn't get a picture of the rose garden (darn it!), but it was picture perfect with a black rod iron table and chairs set in the center.

The main house.

I saw different people sitting in front of this fireplace throughout the night. It is a perfect place to 'get away' from it all.








The tennis court was covered with pea gravel for the event and the net was removed of course. I was standing in a gazebo that overlooked the tennis court that was now the larger eating area.





Guests mingled at the pool house (far back).

There was a live band that played Big Band music all night. It was the kind of music that is timeless and guests from all ages could dance to and enjoy. Just perfect. Interestingly, the band is composed of scientists from Stanford University who play music as a hobby and do gigs such as these on the weekends.

This is a table setting in the gazebo. The tables here were decorated differently than the rest of the tables, but it worked. Everything was picture perfect. The menu was filet mignon, the best rice pilaf I have ever tasted and roasted asparagus wrapped in a carrot shaving. For dessert, chocolate or white cake and flan. A very nice White Zinfandel and Cabernet Savignon were served with dinner. There were also two open bars which made for a very fun evening with guests grabbing a microphone and singing by the end of the night.

This is a gate behind the gazebo that leads to one of the guest houses. I peeked through the window of the gate and could see a beautiful cottage garden and there was also a table set up there for the wedding. A kind of secret wedding celebration garden. Love it. I loved the staghorn ferns growing on either side of the garden gate.

This was taken late in the evening when a lot of the guests had left, but there were white lights everywhere on the property. It made it seem like a magical wonderland.

Even the pool was decorated with pink rose petals and candles. How very romantic!

This home was simply a wonderful place to have a wedding reception. I am so glad that we went and it was even better that we got to catch up with family members that we haven't seen in awhile surrounded by these lush gardens and fantastic music. Bakersfield. Who knew?!