Winter Gazebo Weddings

With the storms that hit the Central Coast this winter, we had to find a plan b for a lot of our couples.  They had planned to get married on the sandy beaches, with the sun overhead. But, the rain came and we had to find cover!  We had a special winter gazebo wedding for these couples.  But, for some weddings we were greeted with 70 degree weather. It’s been an interesting winter so far!

These lovely couples were married this winter at our gazebo location. That location was perfect since everyone was under the shade of the gazebo.  Thankfully, the rain stopped for a few minutes and we were able to get photos on the beach and on the cliffs overlooking the water.

 

Hope and Edwin

This couple traveled together from Southern California to the Central Coast of California for their February wedding. They had never been to Pismo Beach, but knew they wanted a special place to celebrate their wedding. The raindrops did not dampen the spirit of this couple, who were so much in love as they looked at each other and exchanged their vows.  In fact, they loved the Gazebo, overlooking the ocean and surrounding landscape.  The bride carried a delicate bouquet of pink and white flowers and wore a beautiful lacey wedding gown, with a fashionable slit up the side.  And, she wore a ring of flowers in her hair. And, her groom looked so handsome in his white slacks – perfect attire for a California wedding.

 

Emilee and Nick

This couple knew they had wanted to get married for a long time. But, life just seemed to get in the way.  Finally, they made a pact and drove over to the beach for their wedding.  They had a special get away with 2 close guests.  The bride wanted to remember her mom and asked for a purple and lavender bouquet.  The beautiful purple flowers created such a pretty contract against her white dress and the ocean.

 

Camila and Devin

“Hey let’s get married in Las Vegas! ” This was a thought that crossed the couple’s mind. But, when friends and family heard the couple wanted to do this, they decided to have a beach wedding instead.  For this couple’s wedding, the skies were still sunny.  I loved the lace on the brides dress. I think it was a perfect choice for a wedding at the beach.

 

Jeannie and Ken

My favorite part about this wedding was how the bride remembered her parents by having a cameo wrapped around her bouquet with photos of both of her parents. The groom’s parents had front-row seats inside the gazebo.  Even though the bride’s parents had both passed away, they were remembered at the beginning of the ceremony.  The bride’s sister read a brief note to lovingly remember them, and the bride’s two nephews tied cameos with their pictures onto her bouquet. During the ceremony the bride’s sister read something special about her parents, the groom’s sister read a poem, and the bride’s nephews tied the cameos around the bouquet. This couple really personalized their wedding by selecting family members to be part of the day.   The ceremony itself also reflected their faith in God:  they began the ceremony with a prayer, and concluded with a prayer.

Makara and Michael

From Lynda, the minister: The bride was from Cambodia, and so her future mother-in-law wanted to welcome her into the family.  So, as the minister, I made sure I included Christian elements into the ceremony to represent the groom as well as several Buddhist elements to represent the bride.  After reading the 1 st Corinthians’ verses about love being kind and patient, I then read from Buddhist Scripture, giving advice to the new couple:   “Do not deceive, do not despise each other anywhere. Do not be angry nor bear secret resentments; for as a mother will risk her life and watches over her child, so boundless be your love to all, so tender, kind and mild.”  Also, before their vows, I offered a Buddhist Wedding Prayer.  And, then I closed the ceremony with a Christian blessing.  I think it is very important to blend parts of both faiths when the bride and the groom have different beliefs.

The bride wore a satin, beaded wedding gown, with a long, flowing train with appliqued flowers and carried a bouquet of blush and white flowers.  The gazebo where the couple wed was draped in tulle and bouquets and blush sashes were attached to each of eight pillars, adding a special softness to the setting. The groom wore a grey suit, and his grandmother commented that he looked so handsome that she didn’t even recognize him.

 

Why you should have a small wedding in Pismo Beach

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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