Our beautiful gazebo wedding location on the Central Coast, with an ocean view.

When I first started the conversation with the bride about the wedding ceremony, she was a little unsure about the officiant.  The couple had been together for over 10 years, and finally wanted to have a Catholic Gazebo Wedding and have their commitment to be very special and traditional to them.  At first, they had requested a male minister, because sometimes our couples think a male minister is a little more traditional. Actually, Lynda is very good doing all sorts of wedding ceremonies.  In the end, the bride left this comment to me after the ceremony:

“I thought it was perfect ! I have one special request is it possible to get from Lynda the pages she read , we thought it was wonderful and wanted to include it in our album !! she was PERFECT !! and so was everyone on your team !!

Thank you again ! I will highly recommend you !!”

Lynda did an amazing job on their ceremony.  The couple had a request to have the ceremony be a little more Catholic gazebo wedding since that was the faith of the bride.  I love getting special requests from couples about how we can make their ceremony unique and special to them.   

Adding more special elements to the ceremony, the couple involved the groom’s children in the ceremony and his daughter even walked the bride down the aisle! Then, during the ceremony, this couple was joined by the groom’s grown children.   You see, this couple had met eleven years ago, and fell in love very quickly.   But, during those eleven years, the focus of this single dad and the love of his life was on raising his children.   As the years passed and the children reached adulthood, the bride and groom felt the time was right to focus on their life together, serving God through honoring their marriage.   So, this special wedding had a deep, rich meaning for the two of them.

Lynda writes, “As the minister, I was able to talk with the bride several weeks before the ceremony to discuss the ceremony and to get to know their touching story.   It was a privilege to marry them and to see the love that had grown during their eleven year journey, conquering challenges but still staying deeply committed to each other over all that time.   We discussed various bible readings, religious touches to the ceremony, and other traditional elements.   When the bride and I discussed the vows, she became a little teary-eyed.   But, during the ceremony, her eyes were focused on her groom – and she had a beautiful smile that revealed how truly happy she was to be getting married.   Her groom’s delight was also written all over his face.   In fact, all of the guests were delighted to see this couple united in holy matrimony.”

Even though there was a breeze, we were able to have a unity candle ceremony.   The groom’s son lit the two candles and then the bride and groom lit their unity candle that was in a decorative hurricane holder filled with shells – so appropriate to this location.   The two candles represented their separate paths leading up to this day.   As they lit the unity candle, their separate paths were symbolically joined as one, as they expressed their willingness to walk life’s path together.  The bride also carried a rosary during the ceremony.

After the blessing, the pronouncement, and the first kiss, the couple walked down the aisle as husband and wife.   As music played softly, the photographers were able to snap group pictures as well as family photos.   A festive note was added when the guests blew bubbles during the group photos.   After well-wishes by the guests, the photographer and the couple slipped away to a private beach for more pictures.   The fog still hugged the coast, but it did not dampen the mood of this special occasion.   As the groom and his beautiful bride, dressed in an elegant lacy white wedding gown and carrying a bouquet of red roses, disappeared for their private photo session, love and joy still continued to linger in the air.  

By Natalie Jones February 27, 2025
Here’s why you should have a small wedding in Pismo Beach Small weddings are the way to go these days! We aren’t just saying that because small weddings have been our thing since we started our business back in 2015. A small wedding can have the same parts of a large wedding - unforgettable moments, celebration with friends and family and the start of the rest of your life together. But, small wedding have a few more benefits like - less stress, less more, and more of the two of you and what you want for your wedding! We love the scenery of the Central Coast for small weddings. There are million dollar views - from your toes in the sand at one of the beach locations, to overlooking the ocean, to shaded eucalyptus trees, and jagged cliff sides. Small weddings are our favorite because the couple is free to focus on the most important things, like having their day, their way, spending the day with the people who truly matter, and having an amazing day packed with lasting memories. What Is Driving the Trend Toward Smaller Weddings? Several factors are behind the increasing trend of smaller weddings. Modern couples are redefining what it means to celebrate love, and in most cases, they focus on quality over quantity. Small weddings have become for popular and couples embrace fewer guests and find the beauty of intimate gatherings. Changing societal norms and the desire for unique, personalized experiences also make smaller weddings an attractive option. How Do Small Weddings Create More Meaningful Connections? Small weddings foster more meaningful connections by allowing couples to spend quality time with each guest, creating an intimate and personal atmosphere. With fewer attendees, conversations feel more genuine, and guests feel truly valued and appreciated. Some couples will have a few day long celebration for their wedding - starting a few days before the wedding with wine tasting or seeing the sites of the Central Coast, then relax on the beach the next day. After some fun in the sun, it's wedding day. The day will end with a group dinner or casual private reception. Then, the guests will leave and the couple has a few more days to celebrate their honeymoon in Pismo Beach or other beach location. This setting also encourages deeper interactions, making it easier to share special moments, heartfelt toasts, and personal stories. Without the hustle and chaos of a large event, couples and their loved ones can be fully present, strengthening bonds and making the celebration even more memorable. How Does a Smaller Guest List Reduce Wedding Stress? Planning a wedding can be quite challenging. It is easier for couples to plan their weddings with smaller guest lists, as this dramatically lowers their prospects of worrying. Incorporating fewer guests into a wedding means that there are fewer logistical elements to take care of, such as catering, seating arrangements, accommodations, and more people to please. This way, couples can spend more time and energy making their special day more unique instead of fretting over accommodating numerous people. A more personal gathering helps create a homely and calming vibe, giving the couple a chance to make the most of each interaction with their guests. Most importantly, a smaller guest number means that there would be fewer changes needed at the last minute, which translates to lower expenditure and costs. Hence, all attendees, coupled with the couple, can fully enjoy themselves without feeling the pressure of the wedding arrangements. What Are the Financial Benefits of Hosting a Small Wedding? Hosting a small wedding can be a cost-effective choice, offering couples the chance to allocate their budget more intentionally. With fewer guests, expenses for catering, venue size, and decor are reduced, freeing up funds for other priorities such as an unforgettable honeymoon or investing in a dream home. This financial flexibility allows couples to create a celebration that reflects their values and vision without overspending. Celebrate your love story with us! Small weddings are more than just a trend—they represent a shift in how couples approach one of the most important days of their lives. By focusing on intimacy, meaningful connections, and thoughtful planning, small weddings offer a unique and heartfelt way to celebrate love. For couples looking to create a stunning and intimate wedding experience, Coastal California Weddings is your simple and stress-free way to plan your wedding. We provide expert guidance and inspiration.
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Celebrate your wedding in Cambria! Come have your elopement or small wedding in Cambria. This wedding location overlooks the ocean, have a pretty tree grove and access to the beach. Let us plan your wedding in Cambria!
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