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.

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