• Cooler evenings-celebrate the season
• Harvest Table scapes
• Road Trips-Missouri Wineries
• Fabulous evenings! The gathering season.
  

Best FALL Flowers:

• roses (always)
• sunflowers-all varieties
• hydrangeas (all colors)especially green
• fruit, grapes, candles
• lots of good local filler
• grape-ivy plants,
  

Sunflowers are still in season throughout September and make for great color accent at any winery gathering or Sonoma/Napa themed table-scape.

St. Louis Homes and Lifestyles

Magazine Fall Cover shots

Covers of ST LOUIS HOMES AND LIFESTYLES  (left) with floral designs by Scott Hepper consisting of apples, peppers, grapes, kale, roses, seedum, raddishes, crespedia and milo assembled in 7 smaller concrete planters for an "Oscar" style seating. The cover on the right consists of artichokes, cherry brandy roses and broccoli spears with pin oak leaves-a Scott Hepper fall favorite.

TABLE SETTING TIPS:

• "Oscar" (family) style always best.
• keep it casual-but sophistocated.
• outdoors-bug spray, citronella candles
• pots of flowers  can also be placed down the middle of the table.
• simple water pitchers with sunflowers and local filler like milo.
• clear glass always works-so do crocks, large mason jars and wood boxes (lined).
  

 FAB FALL TIPS:

A Winery Wedding!!

Outdoors in October is the

"safest" time of year to plan an

outdoor wedding.

• Sunset time is the best.
• Check for bus transportation for guests.
• Know the winery/manager/vintner/proprietor
• Involve your guests with a harvest feel-Utilize your surroundings.
• Plan to make a day of it...true Tuscan-Napa/Sonoma winery events are not just from 6-8...they are for the duration of afternoon into the evening. Celebrating life.
• Over 66 Missouri wineries and over 150 Illinois wineries-shop 'til you drop!!! Pick out your fav!
• The winery can usually private label one of their vintages with your wedding label on it.

 FAB TABLESCAPES!

Think Winery-Sonoma/Napa Style. Gather some outstanding inspiration from our nearby Missouri Wineries and Estate Vineyards.

Some helpful tips to remember:

• Grapes, cheeses, fresh baked french bread, etc...are all part of a fall harvest Sonoma/Napa -style set up-include them as part of the tablescape.
• white dishes-make flowers and food stand out! Simple and elegant-with a relaxed flavor.
• water pitchers-clear glass jars...always a favorite for a "winery" themed event.
• Beaujolais, Pinot Noir's, Zinfandels begin the harvest season wines!
• Wine tastings make for  great patio get-to-gethers
• Set the dining table up outside in the backyard and "do it up!" Napa Style.
• Clay pots and terra-cotta also make great vessels for flowers, smaller plants-or both.

A true taste of Sonoma County (Hepper's "growing up" space) filled the Olivia for a true to style  summer wine tasting venue complete with grape vines, leaves, grapes, mustard flowers and wild sunflowers. Catering St. Louis is the contact for this fabulous place.

Scott Hepper sets a table for a truly "Sonoma-style" bridal reception shown below at the Olivia in St. Louis.

"FAV-5-STAR  FINDS!"

My Favorite Missouri Winery:

My Favorite Bed & Breakfast:

Voted among the TOP 10 Romantic Inns in America!

OVERLOOK FARMS

Clarksville MO

www.overlookfarmmo.com 

My fav new day trip-bed & breakfast-5star!!! The restaurant menu is first class.

Perfect for an outdoor out of the box wedding ADVENTURE-not just a ceremony. Also a fantastic affordable CLOSE weekend get-away for the city dweller. Come back rested and rejuvenated! The several inns placed like gentile southern mansions atop the bluffs overlooking the village of Clarksville and the mighty Mississippi river make for a fantastic "must-see"  and "eat" experience . Whether a day trip, an overnight get-away or complete wedding ceremony atop the overlook bluff  at twilight...I give Clarksville Station and Overlook Farms 5 stars. Totally unexpected!Totally first class. Totally beautiful!Contact Moira Ross <moira@overlookfarmmo.com>