Wedding Resources For Couples Getting Married



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After years of helping our happy couples, we ready to share with all couples our planning advice!   Check out our blog posts,  locals guide, and  tips and tricks.


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.
February 1, 2025
Not sure what to wear to a small wedding? We've got some tips on how to dress for a small wedding. Let us plan your small wedding in Pismo Beach.
January 30, 2025
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!
January 15, 2025
Cambria and San Simeon Wedding Day
January 7, 2025
Pismo Beach Casual Wedding Reception Ideas - Celebrating after your wedding, the casual way can be a lot of fun and also less stress! A beach wedding has a more casual feel to it - so why not celebrate after the ceremony with friends and family with a more relaxed vibe! Also, if you have children or a lot of children as guests at your wedding, you may want to consider having a kid friendly wedding reception. I always tell my couple that there are no rules with planning weddings these days - so planning your day, your way also applies to the wedding reception or after wedding celebration. I always get inspiration from our Pismo Beach wedding couples and I wanted to share some ideas from real weddings. Here’s some casual wedding reception / wedding celebration ideas: Vacation Rental Finding a vacation rental that allows large groups of people is a great way to bring the celebration back with you to where you are staying. The food can be catered or brought in my friends and family. The kids can be comfy and relax in a larger space than a sit down dinner option. Our couple had a 2 year old and the thought of sitting through a long reception didn’t sound like fun to them. They had the vacation rental for their group of guests and the space for their daughter to nap if she needed to. The vacation rental was the perfect plan for their Pismo Beach wedding reception. The Rib Line in Grover Beach has a nice take home food package so you don’t have to worry about cooking. Pizza on the Beach We had a couple have their wedding at the Pismo Pier View location. They asked their guests to bring their beach chairs and beach towels for the ceremony and stay for pizza on the beach as their after party. Here’s some favorite pizza places for pick up that are walking distance from the pier: Dels Giuseppe’s Express Pizmo We also had a couple stay at the Pismo Beach State Parks Campground and order in pizza for their beach reception. I have to say this is one of my favorite ways to celebrate the causal way with family and friend! Speaking of Pizza… Pismo has Mountain Mikes pizza parlor 5 Cities that’s available for large parties. They also have a small arcade for kids to play at. There’s also Blast and Brew where you can make a large party reservation in their semi private space. Bowling - A Little Friendly Competition Pismo Beach has a bowling alley and so does Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. Pismo Beach bowling alley info Cal Poly Bowling at Mustang Lanes Plan an activity for friends and family and celebrate with a little friendly competition. Both places serve food and drinks. A large party reservation in Pismo Beach and other beach cities This option is the most popular with our couples! When calling about a large party reservation in Pismo, call as soon as possible. Some of these locations may not take large parties over the busy times (summer or holidays) Here are some Pismo Bach restaurant favorites for large party reservations: Blast and Brew - Pizza and sandwiches in Pismo * Brew House - American food in Pismo Cool Cats - Burgers in Pismo (by the Pier) Finns - American food in Grover Beach by Grand Ave. Old Juan’s Cantina - Mexican in Grover Beach * Rosas - Italian food in Pismo * Vista - American seafood in Pismo Mason Bar - American in Arroyo Grande AJ Spurs - Steak and seafood in Grover Beach * If there’s a * it means they may also have private or semi private options Just Eat Cake We’ve also had a few couples celebrate with just having cake and a toast right after the ceremony. A few ceremony locations have picnic benches so our couples have set up the bench to look really nice and added on a cake cutting. There’s a few different options for how to celebrate after your wedding ceremony. Being in the wedding business as long as I have I have seen it all from Couple having a reception in a private room to having pizza at the beach. I’m here to tell you there is no wrong or right way to celebrate after your wedding ceremony. Whatever way you celebrate, consider having a casual Pismo Beach wedding reception and celebrate your way!
By Natalie Jones October 8, 2024
Find out 6 reasons why a small wedding in Pismo Beach or elopement in Pismo beach during fall time might be just what you’re looking for when you are planning your wedding. With beautiful ocean backdrops, to intimate settings with loved ones, we help you have a simply amazing wedding!
By Natalie Jones June 18, 2024
Pismo Beach is the perfect place for an elopement and for a honeymoon after your elopement. Head up the sandy beach and stop off in places like Avila Beach, Morro Bay, Cambria and Hearst Castle. Having a wedding and honeymoon just adds to the romance of a beach elopement. With our all elopement packages we take care of all the planning details for your Pismo Beach elopement.
March 18, 2024
Best Event Catering Theme Ideas by Kimberly Gumera
By Natalie Jones February 25, 2024
Looking to have a beautiful beach wedding? Have a San Simeon elopement or small wedding. There's a perfect location where you can stay and say I do. The sandy beaches at sunset are the perfect backdrop for your San Simeon small wedding. While you are having your San Simeon honeymoon, stop by Hearst Castle or venture up Highway 1 towards Big Sure.
By Natalie Jones February 25, 2024
5 Ways to Have a Stress Free Wedding
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