By Tina Swithin

There is something truly enchanting about vineyard weddings in San Luis Obispo County.  With summertime approaching, that notion becomes even more appealing.  Imagine your guests dancing the night away while soaking in the warm summer nights in Paso Robles.

Zenaida Cellars is a Central Coast wedding venue that offers a fun and festive setting for a vineyard wedding.  The property is located in the Templeton Gap area, west of Paso Robles and is nestled into the base of the Santa Lucia Mountains.  This 36-acre property is made up of 22 acres of rolling vineyards, open space, wooded areas and the winery itself.  I recently spoke to CCWP photographer, Mark Winkler of Mark Winkler Photography about his experiences at Zenaida Cellars.  “I always enjoy working at Zenaida Cellars -- it's such a great venue and offers so many different options for wedding photography”. 

This family-owned winery is available for a variety of events such as weddings, parties, anniversaries, vow–renewals and birthdays.  Depending on your specific needs, Zenaida Cellars has two different options for your wedding or event.

• The Barrel Room is available for your event December through August. This spectacular wood paneled room has super-high ceilings and surrounds your guests with a dramatic backdrop of oak barrels.  The Barrel Room is perfect for smaller gatherings such as rehearsal dinners, meetings or small catered events.  The Barrel Room can accommodate 50-60 guests.
• The Zenaida Cellars Patio offers a tranquil setting for your special event featuring 1,200 square feet of oak-shaded lawn and garden complete with old, red wood fountain. Ceremony vignettes can be set-up in a couple of different locations throughout the winery property. The outdoor event facilities at Zenaida Cellars are available year-round.

As an added benefit, you may stay in Loft or the Suite during the time of your event.

• The Winemaker’s Loft is a 1500 square foot, two bedroom suite located above the winery. This home-away-from-home offers comfortable accommodations for up to four adult guests, a fully equipped kitchen and breathtaking views of the vineyard.
• The Cellar Master’s Suite is a 350-square foot master bedroom suite featuring a California King sized luxury bed and a relaxing whirlpool tub. The window above the bed actually looks out into the cellar. The Suite has a spa-like feel to it and is designed for one to two guests.

CCWP Photography Credit to:

• Mark Winkler Photography (Upper photos)
• David Pascolla Photography (Lower photos)

Also shown is CCWP Member Jeffrey Peters, The Wedding Guitarist

Zenaida Cellars
1550 Highway 46 West, Paso Robles
(805) 227-0382

Tina Swithin is the Social Media Queen and Blog Manager for Central Coast Wedding Professionals.  Follow the CCWP Blog, Facebook and Twitter  for the latest and greatest in Central Coast weddings. As a lifelong Central Coast resident, Tina looks forward to keeping you “in the know” when it comes to anything old, new, borrowed or blue.

By Tina Swithin

The fine folks at Robert Hall Winery proudly describe themselves as the “Essence of Paso Robles” and by all accounts, I happen to agree with them.  If you are planning a wedding on the Central Coast then I highly recommend stopping by Robert Hall Winery while perusing venues.  The appeal of a wine country wedding in such an elegant, romantic setting is sure to delight everyone involved.

Upon your arrival, you are greeted by a stunning setting that will take your breath away.  On the property, you will find a majestic oak tree and a gorgeous vineyard backdrop.  The winery is nestled on a hilltop overlooking Syrah and Cabernet vines.  An elegant yet inviting ambiance only adds to the charm of this Paso Robles wedding venue.  Robert Hall is the perfect venue for a local or a destination wedding.

I asked Dennis Swanson of Studio 101 West Photography about his experiences at Robert Hall Winery and this is what he told me, “The architecture and setting of Robert Hall Winery is really hard to beat.  They have the ability to move the wedding indoors if the weather turns bad. This particular event was a wedding vow renewal for Jeff and Debra's 24th anniversary and was put on entirely by members of the Central Coast Wedding Professionals. The ceremony was originally planned to take place outside overlooking the oak studded vineyards but with rain in the forecast it was moved into the wine caves. Elegance was added to the caves by the use of some great up-lighting and floral arrangements.”

The CCWP members participating in this event were:

• Lighting by Bailey Entertainment and Decor Lighting
• Floral design from Flowers By Kim
• Food by In Good Taste Catering
• Officiant Rev. Mike from Wine Country Weddings
• Music by Jennifer Eckerman and Many Mestas
• Photography by Dennis Swanson, Studio 101 West Photography
• Video by Jack Hutchinson Videography 
• Wedding dress by Down the Aisle, Inc.
• Hair and Make-up by Hair & Make-Up by Angell

Central Coast Wedding Venue:

Robert Hall Winery
3443 Mill Road, Paso Robles, California
805.239.1616 ext. 24
events@roberthallwinery.com

Tina Swithin is the Social Media Queen and Blog Manager for Central Coast Wedding Professionals.  Follow the CCWP Blog, Facebook and Twitter  for the latest and greatest in Central Coast weddings. As a lifelong Central Coast resident, Tina looks forward to keeping you “in the know” when it comes to anything old, new, borrowed or blue.

By Tina Swithin

There are few places that are more magical than the world famous Madonna Inn.  The Madonna Inn is a Central Coast landmark and a spectacular wedding venue whether you are planning to accommodate a guest list of 25 people or 2,600 people.  The wedding of your dreams awaits you at the historic Madonna Inn.

Built by Alex and Phyllis Madonna over fifty years ago, their vision was to create a location boasting of both elegance and comfort.  They were successful in their dream as “elegance and comfort” describes the Madonna Inn perfectly.  You will notice hand-crafted details and sheer romance at every turn.  There are a multitude of options for your ceremony and reception site and each area brings forth its own unique ambiance.  Your wedding day at the Madonna Inn is one that you will cherish and remember forever.

The staff at the Madonna Inn is dedicated to making your wedding day dream come true.  The staff pays close attention to your needs and wants as a couple and will customize your experience to ensure that your day is magical from start to finish.  Depending on your needs, they have a variety of banquet rooms for you to choose from.   Whether you choose to have your wedding ceremony at the Inn or only your reception, they can accommodate your personal requests.

Your guests will delight in a culinary dining experience by the award-winning chefs of the Madonna Inn Steakhouse. An additional bonus to a wedding at the Madonna Inn is that their on-site pastry chefs will be at your beck and call.  They will be thrilled to design a one-of-a-kind wedding cake which is sure to be the talk of the reception.  After your reception, you can retreat into one of their luxurious, romantic honeymoon suites for a honeymoon made for a Queen and King.

CCWP Members involved in this wedding:

• Elegant Details for both the floral design and the uplighting
• Bella Castle Photography

Madonna Inn

100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo
(805) 784-2410
banquets@madonnainn.com

For a complete list of Central Coast Wedding Venues, click here.

Tina Swithin is the Social Media Queen and Blog Manager for Central Coast Wedding Professionals.  Follow the CCWP Blog, Facebook and Twitter  for the latest and greatest in Central Coast weddings. As a lifelong Central Coast resident, Tina looks forward to keeping you “in the know” when it comes to anything old, new, borrowed or blue.

By Tina Swithin

One of my favorite aspects of the Central Coast is the diversity.  I can dip my toes in the beautiful Pacific Ocean in the morning and then watch the sunset over a vineyard in the evening.  When it comes to planning a wedding in San Luis Obispo County, the options are vast and very impressive.  I am personally a huge fan of vineyard weddings because they tend to embody my favorite things about our region: gorgeous rolling hills, a laid back atmosphere and of course, great wine!

I recently spent the afternoon at Still Waters Vineyards in Paso Robles Wine Country and fell in love with this delightful boutique vineyard.  Still Waters Vineyards is nestled in the rolling hills of Paso Robles’ booming wine country.  It boasts expansive views and a rustic charm which is perfect for a dream, vineyard wedding on the Central Coast of California.  I recently spoke to Ashley Blake of A. Blake Photography about this magical place and asked her to give me a glimpse through her camera lens.  “Still Waters Vineyards is a photographers' dream with the olive tree orchard, rolling vineyards and the sunrise or sunset behind the old oak tree.  The options are endless and the views are always stunning", explained Ashley.

Details:  Still Waters Vineyards wedding event site can accommodate up to 150 people. Whether your guest list contains 25 people for an intimate ceremony or 150 people, the staff members at Still Waters will welcome you with open arms.

CCWP Photography Credit:

• A. Blake Photography

• Studio 101 West Photography

Floral Design Credit:

• Flowers by Denise

Still Waters Vineyards is located at 2750 Old Grove Lane, Paso Robles, CA 93446 and can be reached at (805) 237-9231.

Tina Swithin is the Social Media Queen and Blog Manager for Central Coast Wedding Professionals.  Follow the CCWP Blog, Facebook and Twitter  for the latest and greatest in Central Coast weddings. As a lifelong Central Coast resident, Tina looks forward to keeping you “in the know” when it comes to anything old, new, borrowed or blue.

by Tina Swithin

In San Luis Obispo County, we aren't only known for our stunning central coast wedding venues, we are also known for our talented wedding professionals.  At Central Coast Wedding Professionals, we love when our members are recognized and properly spotlighted for the award winning work that they do on a daily basis.  While we already know that they are amazing, it’s nice to see them be recognized by their peers and by the wedding industry as a whole.

We would like to take a moment and shine the CCWP Spotlight on Brittany App of App Photography for a huge accomplishment.  One of Brittany's photographs was recently published in the May Issue of PDN (Photo District News).  I spoke to Brittany yesterday who explained, "I've been waiting and working my entire professional career for this.  This exciting news comes just a few months after being published in an article in Photographer's Forum Magazine, another leading magazine in the photography world".

PDN holds an annual wedding photography contest called "Top Knots : The New School of Wedding Photography Contest".  Brittany was selected as a PDN Top Knots Finalist in the "Candids Category" for 2012.  The finalists images are then printed in the magazine as well.  This sounds like a photographer's dream come true!

On behalf of Central Coast Wedding Professionals, we congratulate Brittany for this amazing award!
Brittany App of App's Photography
(805) 704-3996
brittany@appsphotography.com
PO Box 3304
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403

To find Brittany App of App's Photography and other fabulous CCWP Wedding Photographers, click here.

In San Luis Obispo County, we aren't only known for our stunning central coast wedding venues, we are also known for our talented wedding professionals.  At Central Coast Wedding Professionals, we love when our members are recognized and properly spotlighted for the award winning work that they do on a daily basis.  While we already know that they are amazing, it’s nice to see them be recognized by their peers and by the wedding industry as a whole.

We would like to take a moment and shine the CCWP Spotlight on Martin Fitzpatrick of Fitzpatrick Studios for his recent recognition at WPPI.  Martin Fitzpatrick's work was honored at the recent Wedding and Portrait Photographers International 16X20 print competitions. Martin was recognized with an accolade of excellence award in the Wedding Photojournalism category. Martin 
competed 
against 
an 
international
 field
 of
 photographers 
to
 win
 such
 honors.

The
 Awards 
of 
Excellence 
16
x
20 
Print 
Competition
 awards
 are
 presented 
each 
year
 at 
the 
largest
 conference 
in
 the 
United 
States 
for
 professional 
photographers. 

The 
2012 
competition 
included 
1500 prints in 18 different categories submitted by photographers from all over 
the 
world.

On behalf of Central Coast Wedding Professionals, we congratulate Martin for this amazing award!
Fitzpatrick Studios
Email: melissa@fitzpatrickstudios.com
Phone: 805-783-0313

To find Fitzpatrick Studios and other fabulous CCWP Wedding Photographers, click here.

By Tina Swithin

One of the joys of working for Central Coast Wedding Professionals is hearing the wedding stories.  There are so many categories when it comes to wedding stories—from inspirational to downright humorous.  Have you ever heard the phrase, “if only these walls could talk”?  I’ve re-coined the phrase for the wedding industry to say, “if only these CCWP DJ’s could talk”.  When you really think about it, they see it all.  From the first meeting with the engaged couple to the best man’s speech that leaves everyone completely speechless.  They get to see the behind the scenes fiascoes and that very last dancer who is a bit over-confident in his dancing abilities during the song, “Baby’s Got Back”.

I was recently talking to DJ Bob Stock about a wedding for the memory books.  It turns out that the bride and groom had less than a month to get out the invitations, find their vendors and plan for the entire wedding.  This would prove daunting to most but not this couple.  They had three secret weapons: Mom, Dad and Central Coast Wedding Professionals.  Talk about a Dream Team!  The first part of their mission was quite simple, they got on the phone and booked their favorite resort: Avila Beach Resort and with Alex at the helm, you can’t go wrong with this beautiful Central Coast wedding venue.  With the location problem solved, they moved onto the next task: FOOD!  Chef Mike Foley of GCR Catering gladly came on board to create a feast for the eyes and the stomach.  The decision to hire the Collective Photographers utilizing the talents of William McKee and his partner were also an easy decision for this couple.  At this point, they were on the right track with a solid and amazing team of wedding professionals.

One potential challenge with a February wedding is weather.  Luckily, the rain that was expected that day decided to grace this couple with a sunny day yet sent the wind in its place.  The sun set and temperatures dropped to a chilly 47 degrees.  This is when it pays to have a professional caterer from CCWP who will ensure that despite the weather, your guests will be eating hot, delicious food.  Careful planning goes into developing a menu that follows the bride’s guidelines but also takes Mother Nature’s guidelines into consideration.

At this point, the stage was set for a truly wild, fun and even unexpected evening. The energy these two families had was off the charts as they were bouncing in their seats to the background music and loving every minute of DJ Bob’s rhythms. The volume of the conversations was loud and crazy from the very first minute and carried all the way through dinner and into the traditional events.  They went through the normal song progression such as the first dance, Father-Daughter dance and everyone’s favorite: the bouquet/garter toss.  The evening was perfect in every way but it was missing one thing: the Grandma Dance!

You are probably scratching your head about now.  The Grandma Dance?  One day, I hope to BE this Grandma.  This conservatively-dressed Grandma arrived on the dance floor and let her inner freak loose.  Rumor has it that she was pulling guys onto the dance floor and just having a full blown dance party of her own. I was told that she affectionately received the name, “Lady GaGa” and by the end of the night, she had a fan club of her own!  “Grandma GaGa” is now a wedding legend- glowing with fun and became the total life of the party.

Tina Swithin is the Social Media Queen and Blog Manager for Central Coast Wedding Professionals.  Follow the CCWP Blog, Facebook and Twitter  for the latest and greatest in Central Coast weddings. As a lifelong Central Coast resident, Tina looks forward to keeping you “in the know” when it comes to anything old, new, borrowed and blue.

By Tina Swithin

Imagine your Central Coast wedding complete with rolling hills, vineyards in the distance and an unbeatable location.  Now close your eyes and picture the lush greens lawns that only a golf course can provide. A Tuscan-Inspired clubhouse awaits you complete with an Executive Chef on standby by to cater to your every whim.  It isn’t a dream- it’s reality.  It’s the San Luis Obispo Country Club and it is the ideal venue for your Central Coast wedding.

The San Luis Obispo Country Club is located within minutes from the San Luis Obispo Airport, wineries, shopping, restaurants, hotels, beaches and the vibrant Downtown San Luis Obispo.  This gorgeous wedding venue offers a

plethora of breathtaking views whether you are in the main dining room, fireside room or terrace.  There is an extensive banquet menu available or you can create a custom wine country menu with the assistance of their award-winning chef, Troy Tolbert.  Let their full-time event coordinator personally ensure that every aspect of your wedding is handled with the utmost care and professionalism.

Step outside where the grounds themselves offer a multitude of photo opportunities that you will cherish year after year as you look back at your special day.  I recently asked Amy Wellenkamp, to describe the Country Club from a photographer’s perspective and here is what she said, “The San Luis Obispo Country Club has so much to offer. The ceremony site itself is over the top gorgeous. After the ceremony, you are escorted by your photographer and the wedding coordinator to a few ‘sweet’ spots for your ‘just married’ photos”.  As one who has personally attended several weddings at this venue, I give it a thumbs-up!

If you are interested in learning more about having your wedding at the San Luis Obispo Country Club, feel free to give them a call as they are ready to help you plan the wedding of your dreams

The San Luis Obispo Country Club
255 Country Club Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA
(805) 543-3400 or www.slocountryclub.com

Photo credits to:

• Amy Wellenkamp Photographers
• Photography by Jimmy de

Additional credit to CCWP wedding officiant, Barbara Koenig (shown in photo by Jimmy de)

Tina Swithin is the Social Media Queen and Blog Manager for Central Coast Wedding Professionals.  Follow the CCWP Blog, Facebook and Twitter  for the latest and greatest in Central Coast weddings. As a lifelong Central Coast resident, Tina looks forward to keeping you “in the know” when it comes to anything old, new, borrowed and blue.

By Amanda Rounds, Shell Beach Floral Design

I have had the pleasure of creating breathtaking decorations for many

Central Coast wedding venues.  One of my favorite places in San Luis Obispo County is the stunning Dolphin Bay Resort.  I have been fortunate enough to be tasked with creating a floral ambiance at Dolphin Bay since the day they first opened their doors.

Dolphin Bay Resort is a fabulously modern and unique hotel which offers a variety of things that you can’t find on the Central Coast.  This is the ideal wedding venue for San Luis Obispo residents or those who are planning a destination wedding on the Central Coast.

The guest rooms are completely furnished with granite table top bars, full sized stainless steel kitchen (which can be fully stocked upon check-in if you prefer), private bedrooms, gorgeous linens and fluffy white towels.  Trust me; you will never want to leave this resort!

Step outside of the Dolphin Bay Resort and you will embark upon a whole new world complete with incredible views of the Pacific Ocean.  From the infinity pool or hot tub you will discover a view that will leave you speechless.  (We don’t recommend the view for those who may be planning their wedding reception speech!)

The Fireside Bar awaits you and your bridal party on warm summer evenings and Chef Brian Collins of The Lido Restaurant prepares food that you will write home about.  Your taste buds will be tantalized and your artisan yearnings will be quenched.

If you are engaged to be married then you need not look any further or even lift a hand.  Your every whim will be taken care of by the extraordinary event staff and restaurant.

The Dolphin Bay’s Pastry Chef Benjie can create any cake design that you desire AND it will taste fabulous!  A wedding at the Dolphin Bay is what dreams are made of and you will be pinching yourself for the entire day.  The best part; it isn’t a dream, it’s a reality.

Your guests will be catered to and thoroughly impressed by the way your wedding dress silhouettes against the oceans’ sunset.  Incredible meals, a fabulous day spa, fun cocktails and unbelievable ambiance await you at the Dolphin Bay Resort.

Just when you think it can’t get any better, imagine your anniversary trips and your annual vacation to the Dolphin Bay where you can reminisce about that magical day.  Imagine being greeted every year by a rose petal turn-down on the 400 thread-count sheets and a dozen long-stemmed roses accented with seashells and tropical greens awaiting you and your partner.

Look no further…just say I do!

Some of the other things that Dolphin Bay offers:

Expedited Valet Services upon check in.

Complete privacy is available in their underground parking garage.

A professional, well-dressed staff can accommodate the most challenging requests.

The Dolphin Bay Resort is located at 2727 Shell Beach Road, Shell Beach, California.  You may call them at (800) 516-0112 or on the web at www.thedolphinbay.com

Photo credit for last three photos to The Collective Photographers.

Amanda Rounds prides herself on creating floral masterpieces from her design studio at Shell Beach Floral Design.  She teaches flowers to dance and has proudly been doing so for over 17 years. 

By Tina Swithin

As a lifelong resident of the Central Coast, I am a creature of habit.  One of my favorite drives is the road to Avila Beach- a beautiful winding road with the anticipation of the magnificent Pacific Ocean waiting to greet you just around the bend.

On the right-hand side of the road sits the Avila Beach Golf Course which is a stunning landmark that just so happens to be one of my favorite venues for Central Coast Weddings and events.

Year after year, I drive past the Avila Beach Golf Course on the weekends and I’m greeted by the yellow and white striped tents which could only mean one thing: a wedding or some other fantastic event is taking place!  Lately, I’ve

noticed a change so I picked up the phone and called Alex Lorton of Avila Beach Golf Resort to get the inside scoop on behalf of Central Coast Wedding Professionals.

Q. Alex- I’ve noticed some changes at Avila Beach Golf Resort .  You have beautiful, new, white tents.  Does this mean what I think it does?  Have the striped circus tents retired?

A. Yes, Tina.  All good things must come to an end and I have to admit, I am pretty excited about this change.  The yellow and white tents served us well for 20 years and the new, crispy, white tents gives us a fresh “pop” to the property as you’ve probably seen.

Q. That’s really exciting—change can be good and I’m sure the brides will be ecstatic to hear the news.  I’ve heard a little “buzz” that there are some other changes to the venue.  Have you created some new areas on the property for ceremonies and reception spaces?

A. Actually, the Resort now offers a choice of ceremony sites. The new “Mountain View” site is located on one of our greens, where we hold ceremonies in an oak lined valley surrounded by the rolling hills that characterize the Central Coast. Post ceremony, guests make their way to a beachfront reception location, meaning guests get the best of both Central Coast landscapes!

In addition to the new ceremony site, we’ve also created an “Under the Stars” reception package for brides looking for

romantic outdoor space, installed by our favorite lighting designers at Kramer Entertainment. Both our beachfront green and our putting green on the terrace transform into a velvety lawn under a glittering ceiling of lights, providing an amber glow which sets the tone for lounging and dining alfresco on the water’s edge.  It’s amazing!

Q. If I remember correctly, you have an in-house catering service that you require the wedding party to utilize when having on-site events.  Tell me more about that.

A. That’s another change that will thrill our couples who are planning a wedding at Avila Beach Golf Resort.  After 20 years of catering our own events, we have opened it up to allow our couples to choose the caterer of their choice.

If planning a wedding, Avila Beach Golf Resort has so much to offer.  It is located in

the delightful town of Avila Beach and offers a plethora of possibilities for the wedding party and guests.  In Avila Beach, you will discover restaurants, shopping, the Port San Luis Harbor, Avila Valley Barn, Bob Jones Trail and the charming Avila Lighthouse Suites.

Your out-of-town guests can begin their day sipping coffee in this casual beach town and end their day watching the theatrical sunsets dancing on the horizon.  Avila Beach Golf Resort is a hidden gem on the Central Coast and will make your wedding dreams become a reality.

Avila Beach Golf Resort
6464 Ana Bay Drive, Avila Beach, California
(805) 540-3214 or events@rossi-ent.com

Photography credits to: A. Blake Photography, David Pascolla Photography & Mike Larson, Inc.

Tina Swithin is the Social Media Queen and Blog Manager for Central Coast Wedding Professionals.  Follow the CCWP Blog, Facebook and Twitter  for the latest and greatest in Central Coast weddings. As a lifelong Central Coast resident, Tina looks forward to keeping you “in the know” when it comes to anything old, new, borrowed and blue.