Espresso, Three Ways
Sophia Holman and Scott Donahue gave their planning sheet two colors: olive green and espresso brown. On Friday, October 2, 2026, that second color showed up three times at Zorvino Vineyards in Sandown, New Hampshire. It was in the satin their bridesmaids wore. It was in one of the two signature cocktails at the bar. And it rolled into the reception at seven o’clock on a specialty espresso cart.The olive half of the palette came easier. In the first week of October, the vineyard leaves still hold their green while the maples behind them turn yellow and orange. Sophia and Scott planned an olive green vineyard wedding for 176 guests and timed it for the week the estate matched their colors.
A Long Morning, a Short Walk
Sophia arrived at the bridal suite at nine with a mimosa bar for eleven and lunch for her bridal party. Scott and his groomsmen took over the groomsmen suite at noon. Both suites sit on the property, so neither side of the wedding party spent the day in a hotel room or in traffic.
At two o’clock, Sophia’s father, Peter, saw her in her gown for the first time. First look photographs followed, and the afternoon moved out into the vines.
The Afternoon in the Vines
Bob of A Photographic Memory and his assistant worked the grounds with the couple while two of the studio’s videographers filmed. The estate’s 80 acres gave them a different backdrop every few minutes: a brick path under a grapevine arbor, rows of vines with leaves just starting to yellow, and open lawn with a tree line in full October color.
Sophia wore a strapless satin gown with a row of covered buttons down the back and a cathedral-length veil edged in lace. Her bouquet carried quicksand and cream roses, white snowberries, eucalyptus, plumes of pampas grass, and long strands of green amaranthus that swung when she moved.
Piano at the Gazebo
The ceremony began at Zorvino’s gazebo, with guests seated on white chairs on the lawn, white impatiens along the edge of the aisle, and maples overhead. Craig Fahey of @getdowntonightentertainment played piano for the ceremony.
Sophia’s grandmother, Annie, walked in on the arm of Sophia’s mother, Kim. Scott’s grandparents, Lois and George, were seated to watch. Two-year-old Scottie came down the aisle as flower girl, and five-year-old Hunter handled ring security. Ten bridesmaids and eight groomsmen stood up with the couple, with Grace as Maid of Honor and Sophia’s sister Emily as Matron of Honor. Brendan, a member of the family, officiated.
Zorvino offers both the gazebo and an indoor fireside ceremony space. Couples marrying in October can plan for the gazebo and keep a covered option on the same property, with no tent rental and no second venue.
Olive and Espresso, in Satin
The bridesmaids carried the palette. Each one wore her own cut, from halter necks to cowl necks to square necklines, in olive, sage, and espresso brown satin. Lined up together, the mix of shades read as one color story without eighteen matching outfits.
The wedding party posed on the stone steps beneath the grapevine arbor, where string lights wrap the railings. Out on the lawn, under a gray October sky, they cheered as the newlyweds kissed, with a bouquet thrown into the air at the end of the line.
Cider on the Patio
Guests walked from the gazebo straight to a table of Apple Cider Sangria, poured and waiting for them. Cocktail hour took place on the outdoor patio beside the vines, in the last month of its May through October season, with the bocce court and fire pits open.
The open bar ran for four and a half hours. It poured wines produced on the estate, beers, and hard seltzers, plus two signature cocktails: a Margarita and an Espresso Martini. That martini was the second appearance of espresso on the day.
The Tuscan Grazing Table held Italian cured meats with crostini, imported and domestic cheeses, spinach dip with pita chips, crudités with Boursin dip, seasonal fruit with honey vinaigrette, marinated mushrooms, and mixed olives. Servers passed tempura cauliflower with curry aioli and Aleppo pepper, coconut chicken with chili lime chutney, scallops wrapped in bacon with maple and black pepper, and arancini.
The Hall in Ivory and Rose Gold
Inside, Ford Flowers hung sheer ivory drapery from the center of the timber-frame ceiling and swept it out across the beams, with strands of bulb lights running alongside. Ford Flowers also made the beautiful centerpieces.
Sophia and Scott set up a memory table with candles and photographs, and swapped a written guest book for a Polaroid one, so guests left a photo with their message.
Three Toasts and a First Dance
Introductions brought the wedding party in, and Sophia and Scott went straight into their first dance. Guests filled the edge of the dance floor and leaned over the loft railing above to watch.
Three people gave toasts: Sophia’s mother, Kim; her sister and Matron of Honor, Emily; and Best Man Mike. Champagne went around for every adult in the room, with a non-alcoholic pour for the youngest guests.
A Harvest Plate, Gluten-Free Where It Mattered
Sophia and Scott chose Zorvino’s Reserva Wedding Package. Dinner opened with the Zorvino Harvest salad: candied pecans, apples, goat cheese, sun-dried cranberries, and cider vinaigrette. Guests then chose chicken piccata, prime rib with au jus, or portobello mushroom ravioli in marsala cream with sautéed spinach, all served with mashed potatoes and asparagus.
Scott ordered the prime rib, and 98 guests followed him, making it the most-ordered plate in the room. Sophia had the chicken, prepared gluten-free.
Sophia was not the only guest with a restriction. The kitchen tracked twelve guests by name and table, covering gluten-free plates, nut and peanut allergies, shellfish allergies, and one no-seeds request. Guests with nut allergies received mixed greens in place of the pecan salad, and the couple moved from table to table during dinner to thank everyone for coming.
The Third Espresso
After dinner came the cake cutting, the parent dances, and a group photo of the whole room. Chickadee Hill Cakes made the wedding cake and filled a dessert table beside it, set out with a coffee and tea station.
Then Espresso Dave rolled in his specialty cart for two hours of espresso drinks. Espresso in the bridesmaids’ satin, espresso in the cocktail, and now espresso in the cup: the palette Sophia and Scott chose had become something guests could hold.
Flatbreads After Dark
Later in the evening, the kitchen sent out a late-night board of Margherita, vegetable, and meat flatbreads for all guests, with gluten-free options so the bride could join in. Get Down Tonight Entertainment kept the dance floor full until the bar closed.
Two First Student buses carried guests back to the Holiday Inn in Salem, New Hampshire.
Dream Vendor Team
| Role | Vendor |
|---|---|
| Venue | Zorvino Vineyards |
| Photography & Videography | @apmphotoandvideo A Photographic Memory |
| Florals & Ceiling Drapery | @fordflower Ford Flowers |
| Wedding Cake & Dessert Table | @chickadeehillcakes Chickadee Hill Cakes |
| DJ & Ceremony Piano | @getdowntonightentertainment Get Down Tonight Entertainment, @faheycraig Craig Fahey |
| Espresso | Espresso Dave |
| Accommodations | Holiday Inn, Salem, NH |
| Transportation | First Student (2 buses) |
Congratulations, Sophia & Scott!
To the couple who dressed their bridesmaids in olive and espresso, walked their guests from the gazebo to a table of apple cider sangria, made sure the bride’s gluten-free plate matched everyone else’s, and put espresso in the glass and the cup: thank you for choosing a Friday in October with us. It was our honor to host you at Zorvino Vineyards.
Planning a fall wedding of your own? See how a Zorvino wedding comes together, compare the Reserva with our other wedding packages, and read more real weddings from the estate. When you want to stand at the gazebo and walk the vine rows yourself, schedule a venue tour.
Learn About Weddings at Zorvino Vineyards
Zorvino Vineyards | 226 Main Street, Sandown, NH 03873 | (603) 887-8463 zorvino.com/weddings | Instagram: @zorvinovineyards
