Swept Away « C California Style magazine

Stephanie Oshana and Tyler Mitchell of San Francisco join hands amid the glamorous idyll of Napa Valley’s Durham Ranch

Now presenting. PHOTO: Jose Villa.

VENUE Durham Ranch CAKE SusieCakes MENU Paula LeDuc Fine Catering DRESS Oscar de la Renta FLORIST + RENTALS Kathleen Deery Design RINGS Louis Newman MUSIC Robert Vickers Orchestra PLANNER Laurie Arons Special Events STATIONERY PS Paper HONEYMOON St. Regis Bora Bora and Le Taha’a Island Resort and Spa

Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” marks the first dance. PHOTO: Jose Villa.

One splendid Positano evening in 2011, at a chic little hotel on the beach, Tyler Mitchell confessed his love to Stephanie Oshana with a cushion-cut sparkler he designed with Louis Newman. Then, the lovebirds spotted something unusual. Recalls Oshana, “It was so beautiful. A clear day opened up and there was actually a twister far out on the deep ocean.” The stirring sight was not lost on the young couple.

After meeting in 2009 and dating discreetly for a year, the pair left their native Connecticut for San Francisco so Mitchell, co-owner of the Mitchell Family of Stores, could run the west coast Wilkes Bashford stores (of which he is fashion director). He would not move without Oshana, then a jewelry specialist and assistant buyer. She took the leap. “I knew then, if I moved with him, he’d be my lifelong partner.”

For the August affair, the families kicked off four days of events at The Napa Valley Reserve, where a gourmet barbecue spread—including pasta, charcuterie, Aperol spritzes and local wines—fueled the bocce competitions. Rehearsal dinner at Yountville tasting collective Ma(i)sonry (and a surprise performance by the Jersey Boys) followed on Friday. “Seeing my 88-year-old grandmother dancing around was so magical!” says Oshana.

And for the nuptials at friend Ken Fulk’s Durham Ranch in St. Helena, the couple called upon the area’s doyenne of events elegance. Laurie Arons designed a strictly black-tie evening incorporating the groom’s desire for a rustic look with the bride’s unabashed flair for “girlie” romance. “I assured them I could use modern stripes and add blush pale pinks and peonies to soften the setting,” explains Arons. And decadent it was; on offer was everything from an oyster bar to truffled pearl mac-and-cheese. “It was over-the-top,” gushes Oshana of the custom SusieCakes confection driven up for the occasion and carne asada tacos for the after-party.

The future Mrs. Mitchell selected an Oscar de la Renta peplum gown, Louis Newman chandelier earrings and a vintage Cartier bracelet. Extra special was a garter affixed with one of the groom’s baby charms—crafted by Mitchell’s mother, who also created the flower girl dresses. Mitchell’s tuxedo, designed by Jim Shay, lent a sharp touch in midnight blue.

Keeping the 140-guest event intimate, Mitchell was attended by his two brothers, Chris and Scott, while Oshana chose best friend, Alyson Harrington, as maid of honor. True to the couple’s propensity for whirlwinds, a strong gust blew Oshana’s veil off as they held hands at the altar. “I didn’t realize, and everyone gasped. I just didn’t care. Looking around, surrounded by our closest family and friends, it was only about that one special moment.”

[C What's Hot, Spring Weddings 2013]

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