Before guests arrived, every detail reflected Makenna and Brendan’s vision for a warm, welcoming celebration. From the thoughtfully chosen florals to the rustic architecture of The Old Homestead, every element complemented the venue’s timeless East Bay charm and their relaxed wedding style.
Makenna and Brendan’s Old Homestead wedding in Crockett, California was a warm, rustic celebration in the East Bay hills overlooking the Carquinez Strait. As a Bay Area wedding photographer based in Northern California, I photograph weddings throughout Crockett, Napa Valley, and the greater Bay Area, and this celebration is a perfect example of a deeply personal, story-driven wedding day.
The Old Homestead Wedding in Crockett, CA: A Love Story That Started in Montana
It started not with a grand gesture, but with a text message:
“Hey, I just moved to Bozeman and I don’t know anyone. Want to hang out?”
It was 2021, and Brendan had just landed in Montana looking for a fresh start. A mutual Bay Area friend tipped him off that Makenna—who had made the same leap to Bozeman just months earlier—was living nearby. What followed was a friendship first, the kind that builds slowly and quietly before you realize it’s become something more. They didn’t start dating until August 2022, by which point Brendan had moved back to California and Makenna was still in Montana.
Long distance, different states, and their actual first date was at an outdoor concert at Wente Winery on Labor Day weekend—110 degrees, Brendan’s parents in tow, and somehow still a perfect day. The distance only made it clearer that what they were building was worth holding onto.
It’s fitting that their story began at a winery. Brendan spent a decade working in the wine industry before transitioning to insurance, and wine has always been woven into the fabric of their relationship. So when it came time to propose, he did it the only way that made sense: with a blind tasting.
During Makenna’s 28th birthday party—pizza, wine, and her best friend visiting from Montana—Brendan ran one of his signature wine quizzes for the group. Everyone blind-tasted, answered questions, and at the end, Makenna won. (The jury is still out on whether it was rigged, but she maintains she actually won.)
Brendan stood up to give a birthday toast, got down on one knee—champagne glass still in hand—and proposed. Makenna was so overwhelmed with excitement that she knocked the glass right out of his hand.
No broken glass. A little spilled champagne. A whole lot of yes.
Looking back on their wedding day, it’s hard to imagine a proposal that could have fit them more perfectly.
From the very beginning, their relationship was built on friendship, laughter, and choosing each other across the miles. Their wedding day reflected all of that—and so much more.
The Wedding Day
On May 15, 2026, Makenna and Brendan got married at The Old Homestead in Crockett, California, a Bay Area wedding venue known for its rustic East Bay charm that feels like it’s been waiting for exactly this kind of love story. Tucked into the hills above the Carquinez Strait, the venue offers sweeping views, warm wood details, and an intimate outdoor ceremony space that made it the perfect backdrop for a couple who have never been interested in anything overly formal or fussy.
The morning was soft and unhurried. Makenna got ready surrounded by her closest people, the kind of getting-ready energy that’s equal parts nerves and pure joy. Brendan waited with the quiet confidence of someone who has known for a long time that he was making the right choice.
The ceremony was held outside, officiated by Scott Berglin of Rock Bible Church, under the kind of open sky that makes vows feel weightier and more real. As guests looked out across the rolling East Bay hills, there wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd.
The reception that followed was pure them — Fox Pizza Marin serving up wood-fired pies, Mitra Art Cakes delivering a stunning dessert, Murphy’s Entertainment keeping the dance floor full well into the evening, and Fresh Petals florals bringing warmth and texture to every corner of the space. Blushn Beauty had Makenna glowing from the first look to the last dance.
And somewhere in the middle of it all, two people who met as strangers in Montana, fell in love over wine and music and long conversations, and built something real across state lines — stood together in Crockett, California, and called it forever.
Vendors
- Venue: The Old Homestead, Crockett, CA
- Planner/Coordinator: Arlene Munoz Events
- Catering: Fox Pizza Marin
- Florals: Fresh Petals — Karen Passmore
- Cake & Desserts: Mitra Art Cakes
- DJ: Murphy’s Entertainment
- Officiant: Rock Bible Church — Scott Berglin
- Hair & Makeup: Blushn Beauty — @blushn.beauty
- Photographer: Vanessa Montano Photography
- Second Photographer: Nicole Flotte
If you’re planning a wedding at The Old Homestead, in Napa Valley, or anywhere throughout the Bay Area, I’d love to capture your day with timeless, heartfelt photography that tells your story.
Ready to get started? Inquire here to check my availability and learn more about my wedding collections.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Old Homestead Wedding Venue
Where is The Old Homestead located?
The Old Homestead is a rustic wedding venue located in Crockett, California, in the East Bay. Nestled in the hills overlooking the Carquinez Strait, it offers beautiful views, historic charm, and a peaceful setting that’s perfect for intimate and romantic weddings.
What makes The Old Homestead a unique wedding venue?
The Old Homestead combines historic character with scenic outdoor spaces, warm wood interiors, and sweeping hillside views. Couples who love a relaxed, rustic atmosphere with timeless charm will feel right at home here.
Is The Old Homestead a good venue for outdoor ceremonies?
Yes! The venue features a beautiful outdoor ceremony space surrounded by rolling East Bay hills and natural landscapes, creating a stunning backdrop for exchanging vows and capturing wedding portraits.
When is the best time of year to get married at The Old Homestead?
Spring and fall are especially popular thanks to the mild Northern California weather, but The Old Homestead photographs beautifully throughout the year. Each season offers its own unique scenery and atmosphere.
Do you photograph weddings at The Old Homestead?
Absolutely! As a Bay Area wedding photographer, I love photographing weddings at The Old Homestead and throughout Northern California. The venue’s natural beauty and intimate setting make it one of my favorite places to capture authentic, heartfelt moments.
How can I book Vanessa Montano Photography for my wedding?
If you’re planning a wedding at The Old Homestead, in Napa Valley, or anywhere in the Bay Area, I’d love to hear about your plans. You can contact me here to check my availability, learn more about my wedding collections, and start planning your photography experience.
Are you planning a wedding in the Bay Area?
I’d love to be your photographer. Whether you’re dreaming of a vineyard celebration in Napa, a rustic estate in the East Bay, or something completely your own — I’m here for all of it. Get in touch here and let’s start telling your story. 💕
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