A Meritage Wedding: Maria and Eric's Napa Valley Celebration

Some weddings just have a feeling to them from the very first hour — Maria and Eric's summer celebration at Meritage Resort was exactly that kind of day.

The couple exchanged vows at Saint Helena Catholic Church before heading to Meritage for the reception, and Maria's planning was intentional down to the smallest detail. White lilies, soft draping fabric, and delicate white florals set the tone throughout the day, and cocktail hour took full advantage of the resort's sweeping valley views from the top of the property.

A few moments from the day stood out as pure magic behind the camera:

• The champagne pour. Simple, classic, and endlessly photogenic — there's a reason this moment makes it into so many of our favorite wedding galleries.
• A Porsche through the valley. Maria and Eric rented a Porsche for the day, and we got to capture some incredible drone shots of them driving through the Napa Valley countryside — one of those details that made this wedding feel like its own little film.
• A private cake cutting, done their way. Rather than the traditional in-front-of-everyone moment, Maria and Eric decorated their own cake together during a private cutting, complete with bubble wands. It made for some of the most joyful, candid images of the entire day.
• Their dog, by their side. No wedding day is complete without the full family, and for Maria and Eric that meant having their dog with them from start to finish.

The reception carried on late into the night in Meritage's wine caves — a setting that turns any celebration into something a little more intimate and unforgettable.

Maria and Eric's day is a great example of what we love most about weddings at Meritage: the ability to get ready, marry, and celebrate all in one place, paired with the freedom to make the day distinctly your own.

Dreaming up your own Napa Valley wedding? We'd love to hear about it — reach out and let's start planning.