When Mike and Shara decided to get married, they weren't looking for a venue. They were looking for a feeling. The answer was right there: Mike's brother's backyard in Kenwood, tucked into the hills of Sonoma Wine Country, shaded by the kind of sprawling oak trees that feel like they've witnessed a hundred summers.
Between the two of them, they came to this day with five boys, ages ranging from 8 to 18, and a story that carries both loss and deep joy. Shara is a widow, and this was a second chapter for both of them. That history made the 65 guests gathered under those oaks feel less like a crowd and more like a circle of people who truly understood what they were witnessing.
The ceremony was held at Kenwood Community Church, a sweet white chapel that's been part of the Valley of the Moon community for generations. Simple, sincere, exactly right for them.
The reception unfolded the way the best backyard parties do: long tables under the trees, wine country light filtering through the leaves, kids running around, and guests who didn't want to leave. Mike and Shara wanted photos that showed the whole scene, the vibe of people lingering over dinner, the golden-hour glow on the hillside, the sense that this place mattered. That's exactly what the evening gave us.
