Some couples want a park bench and a sunset. Melissa and Jake wanted a love story. When they first reached out to us, they shared that their biggest inspiration was The Notebook, the film that has made generations of viewers believe in sweeping, all-in, once-in-a-lifetime romance. They wanted their engagement photos to carry that same feeling: tender, nostalgic and just a little bit cinematic. To match that vision, they chose one of the most storybook settings in California, Castello di Amorosa. Tucked into the hills just south of Calistoga, this castle winery looks as though it was lifted straight out of the Italian countryside and set down among the vines of Napa Valley.
From the moment we started planning, we knew this session would be something special. What we did not expect was just how naturally these two would bring their favorite love story to life.
A Love Story Inspired by The Notebook
Ask Melissa and Jake about The Notebook and you will quickly learn it holds a special place in their relationship. It was one of the first movies they watched together, and they still joke about which of them cried first. What draws them to it is not the drama so much as the devotion: two people who choose each other again and again, no matter what life puts in their way.
Our goal was never to recreate the film shot by shot. Instead, we wanted to borrow its mood. Think soft, golden light, unhurried moments, forehead touches, laughter caught mid-twirl and the kind of embrace that makes the rest of the world fall away. Every image in their gallery was guided by that question: does this feel like a scene from their own love story?
Why Castello di Amorosa Was the Perfect Choice
Castello di Amorosa was the lifelong vision of vintner Dario Sattui, who set out to build an authentically styled Tuscan castle using the same traditional methods that medieval craftsmen relied on centuries ago. Since opening its gates in 2007, it has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in the valley. Hand-laid stone walls, heavy timber doors, iron details and arched passageways give the property a timeless character that suited a nostalgic, film-inspired session perfectly.
For a photographer, that texture is a gift. Weathered stone softens skin tones, deep doorways create natural vignettes, and the rolling vineyards beyond the walls add a sense of place that instantly says Napa. Melissa told us she had visited the castle years earlier for a tasting and had quietly hoped she would return one day for something meaningful. Getting engaged turned out to be the perfect excuse.
Meeting Melissa and Jake
Melissa is the planner of the pair, organized, thoughtful and full of ideas. Jake is the easygoing one who keeps everyone laughing, especially when the planner starts to feel a little nervous. Together, they balance each other in a way that shows up in every photograph. Within the first ten minutes, Jake had already cracked a joke about guarding the castle from invaders, and Melissa was laughing so hard she had to lean on his shoulder. That moment became one of our favorite frames of the entire day.
Plenty of couples tell us they feel awkward in front of a camera. These two were no exception at the start, but the setting did a lot of the work. When you are walking hand in hand across a courtyard that looks centuries old, it is hard not to forget about the lens and simply enjoy each other.
Planning a Vintage, Romantic Look
Good engagement photography starts long before anyone says cheese. We worked closely with Melissa and Jake to choose a late afternoon time slot, when the sun begins to drop behind the western hills and the light turns warm and gentle, much like the hazy summer glow that runs through The Notebook. We also coordinated with the winery ahead of time, since the castle operates by reservation and photography arrangements need to be confirmed in advance.
Wardrobe was where the film’s influence really shined. Melissa chose a flowing, softly fitted dress in a dusty rose with a gentle vintage silhouette, a quiet nod to Allie’s classic 1940s style. Jake went with high-waisted trousers, suspenders and a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, giving him an easy charm that felt straight out of a Southern summer. For the second half of the session, he added a tailored jacket for a slightly dressier evening look. The palette of warm neutrals and muted tones blended beautifully with the honey-colored stone and gave the gallery a timeless, almost filmic quality.
Inside the Castle Walls
We began near the entrance, where the stone bridge and towering walls set a dramatic opening scene. From there, we wandered through the inner courtyard, using its arches and staircases to frame quiet, close moments. Jake twirled Melissa beneath one of the archways, and the sweep of her dress against the stone looked like it belonged in a period film.
Some of the most intimate images came from the shaded passageways. The cooler light inside gave the portraits a moody, romantic feel, reminiscent of the film’s more tender, hushed moments. At one point, Jake pulled Melissa in for a sweeping, dipped kiss that had everyone thinking of the famous rain scene, minus the downpour. We encouraged them to slow down, whisper something to each other, and just be present. Those genuine reactions, a shy smile, a forehead kiss, a quiet laugh, always make the strongest photographs.
Golden Hour Among the Vines
As the afternoon light deepened, we moved out toward the vineyard rows. This is where Napa truly shines. The vines stretched across the hillside, the castle towers rose in the background, and the sun wrapped everything in warm, buttery tones. Melissa and Jake walked between the rows, raced each other playfully up a small slope, and then shared a slow, unhurried dance as the sun slipped lower.
That dance was a deliberate wink to one of their favorite moments in The Notebook, when Noah and Allie sway together in an empty street with nothing but each other for company. Here, the street became a quiet vineyard path, and the soundtrack was the evening breeze through the vines. It was simple, unscripted and exactly the kind of moment their whole session was built around.
We wrapped up with a celebratory toast, a small nod to the setting. Clinking glasses with a fairytale castle behind them felt like the right way to close the evening, and it gave us a lovely, joyful final image for their gallery.
Tips for Couples Planning a Film-Inspired Engagement Session
If Melissa and Jake’s story has you dreaming about your own wine country session, a few simple steps will help everything run smoothly. First, if a favorite movie inspires you, share it with your photographer early so the mood, wardrobe and locations can all work together. Second, confirm the venue’s photography policies in advance, since many Napa wineries require permission or reservations. Third, plan for late afternoon light whenever possible. Finally, choose outfits with soft, earthy or vintage-inspired tones that complement stone, greenery and vines, and wear comfortable shoes for walking between locations.
Most importantly, let the inspiration guide you without boxing you in. The best engagement galleries feel personal, and the moments that stand out are almost always the real ones.
Let’s Create Your Story Together
Melissa and Jake’s session reminded us why we love what we do. A beautiful setting and a meaningful source of inspiration matter, but it is the connection between two people that turns a pretty picture into a lasting memory. If you are newly engaged and dreaming of a session that feels timeless, romantic and entirely your own, we would love to hear from you. Visit anviparikhphotography.com to check availability and start planning your engagement session with Anvi Parikh Photography.
