On Christmas Eve, Warner Higgins Bailey proposed to his girlfriend of two years, Augustinus Bader Sales/Marketing Executive Annabel Scarlett Lovejoy Prouty. “We were at my parents’ house in Connecticut. Warner asked if we could take a photo in front of the Christmas tree and asked my parents to snap the picture,” Annabel explains. “But when we stood in front of the tree, he got down on one knee and proposed with my parents right there.”
Since their love story began in California, the East Coast–raised pair jumped at the chance to host their wedding at Stanly Ranch Napa. “When we found out the on-site restaurant was called Bear, we couldn’t help but take it as a sign, especially since that’s the name of our dog!” Annabel exclaims. The excitedly set the date over Fourth of July weekend, and Emma McNeilly of Cole Drake Events brought their vision to life. Photographer Mimi McCormick lensed every moment of the weekend.
On America’s Independence Day, the welcome party had a fun, western aesthetic. To this, Annabel wore a Magda Butrym top, Ulla Johnson skirt, and Zimmermann sandals. Warner complemented her in a Bode jacket and a matching cowboy hat. The next night’s rehearsal dinner, featuring a tomato-inspired tablescape by This Humble Abode, called for the bride to wear a Johanna Ortiz polka dot dress.
For the wedding ceremony, Annabel found her Ines Di Santo dress in New York, and Warner wore a Canali tuxedo, as a nod to the outfit his dad wore to his own wedding. The bride got ready with makeup artist Sierra Matthews and hairstylist Niki Rae. Later that evening, she changed into a Paco Rabanne mini dress with Aquazurra shoes—and let her hair down—for the disco after-party.
On July 6, 2024, Annabel’s brother-in-law, John Brodie, performed the meaningful ceremony. “Given the 20 year age gap between my sister, Honor, and me, I’ve known him since I was just six years old,” the bride explains. “John is an extraordinary writer with a sharp wit and a great sense of humor, so we knew he would strike the perfect balance between lightheartedness and the gravity of the moment.”
After being announced as officially married, the newlyweds joined their loved ones in the garden for light bites. A delicious dinner and speeches followed. “My dad, at 86, gave a heartfelt [toast], and then we shared a dance to his favorite song, ‘Cheek To Cheek,’” Annabel recalls. She and Warner danced to a cover of “I Found You” by Calvin Harris, her favorite moment of the reception. As the formal reception came to a close, everyone headed to the after-party, where giant Jaime XX–inspired disco ball was featured in the space—sourced through Warner’s connections working in the music festival and entertainment industries. And the couple’s friends and DJs, James Rajaratnam and Jaime Olaez—a.k.a. Venice Afters Club—played an incredible set with a lively saxophonist.
After the special wedding day, Annabel and Warner spent a mini-moon driving from Napa to Los Angeles, followed by a longer adventure in Italy.
