A Sonoma Celebration: Ann & Jarrod in Glen Ellen, CA

For Ann Haley and Jarrod Salmon, deciding where to get married wasn't so simple.; after all, they lived in different hemispheres. Since meeting at Airlie Beach in Australia two years before, the pair had been in a long-distance relationship. Jarrod, a team leader for a financial company, lived in Melbourne, while Ann, who had been vacationing there, was back in her hometown of Sonoma, California. But even though they intended to make their home in Australia, Sonoma won out as the wedding site.

A Sonoma Celebration: Ann & Jarrod in Glen Ellen, CA
Ann, a retail buyer, had spent time working in the event-planning industry, so she took on the bulk of the preparations herself. She quickly chose Beltane Ranch in nearby Glen Ellen. "Beltane has gorgeous vineyards, and olive orchard, and huge oak trees," she says. "Plus, it has rustic barns, complete with barn cats, and the feel of a working ranch."
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A Sonoma Celebration: Ann & Jarrod in Glen Ellen, CA

For Ann Haley and Jarrod Salmon, deciding where to get married wasn't so simple.; after all, they lived in different hemispheres. Since meeting at Airlie Beach in Australia two years before, the pair had been in a long-distance relationship. Jarrod, a team leader for a financial company, lived in Melbourne, while Ann, who had been vacationing there, was back in her hometown of Sonoma, California. But even though they intended to make their home in Australia, Sonoma won out as the wedding site.

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A Sonoma Celebration: Ann & Jarrod in Glen Ellen, CA

A table was set up with a matted photo of the couple for guests to sign.

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A Sonoma Celebration: Ann & Jarrod in Glen Ellen, CA

When guests arrived on that August afternoon, they were treated to lemonade in raspberry-pomegranate and mint flavors. They took their seats facing a view of the Sonoma countryside.

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A Sonoma Celebration: Ann & Jarrod in Glen Ellen, CA
Pomegranates add color to the escort table.  
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A Sonoma Celebration: Ann & Jarrod in Glen Ellen, CA
For the meal, guests were seated at tables with green cloths and flower centerpieces. Then to resounding cheers from the crowd, the bride and groom were announced. "That was the best feeling in the world!" says Ann. As the sun went down, guests tucked into beef tenderloin, halibut or butternut-squash ravioli.
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A Sonoma Celebration: Ann & Jarrod in Glen Ellen, CA
The table markers were personalized to the bride and groom's experiences.
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A Sonoma Celebration: Ann & Jarrod in Glen Ellen, CA
The centerpieces included roses, lilies, berries, lady apples, cherries, and bells of Ireland.
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A Sonoma Celebration: Ann & Jarrod in Glen Ellen, CA
After the ceremony, everyone headed to a nearby grassy area, where beer and local champagne and wine were served. They feasted on raw and barbecued oysters and passed hors d'ouevres of mini bacon cheeseburgers, spring rolls and prosciutto-wrapped goat cheese and arugula.
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