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 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.

Making Central Coast Weddings Easy

Your wedding day is one of the most exciting days of your life, but planning a successful event can be daunting and knowing where to begin can be tricky.

Most brides will immediately think of the perfect Central Coast wedding venue and dream wedding gown, but there are a number of other things that should be considered first.

Make sure your wedding planning process runs smoothly, on time and on budget with the quick wedding checklist below.

Central Coast Weddings Checklist

1. The Guest List - Put together a list of all the people you'd like to invite to your special day. Then review it and decide if it is an acceptable number. Keep in mind that the larger your guest list gets, the larger Central Coast wedding venues you will need.
2. The Wedding Party - Figure out who the best man, maid of honor, bridesmaids and ushers will be and invite them.
3. The Budget - Wedding budgets can be a sensitive subject, but must be considered to establish your limits. If you're managing your wedding yourself, make a detailed list of every item that will cost you and prioritize them. If you have a wedding planner, they will do this for you and make sure you stay within budget!
4. The Date - The most important things to consider are: season and weather, bridal party availability, religious limitations, ideal honeymoon location, day of the week and wedding venue size and availability.
5. The Insurance - Many people overlook the value of wedding insurance. The sooner you can get coverage the better, as your policy can cover scenarios such as losing your wedding rings, damage to your bridal gown and wedding venue double bookings.
6. The Planner - A professional wedding planner can take on full management of your wedding, specific aspects or just guide you through a detailed plan of action and provide you with advice. CCWP wedding planners have many Central Coast wedding contacts and can usually negotiate better rates than if you go direct.
7. The Service - The two most important things to think about in regards to your service are whether or not your service will be civil or religious and whether or not you'd like your ceremony and reception held in the same wedding venue or in multiple locations.  Some Central Coast wedding venues have designated areas for receptions while others do not.
8. The Venue - If you want your ceremony and reception in one location, look for Central Coast wedding venues that can accommodate this. Things to consider: cost, capacities, number of rooms, space for dancing, licenses and time restrictions. For separate venues, consider the distance between the two and transportation factors.  Here’s a list of San Luis Obispo County wedding venues.
9. The Timeline - Most people spend an average of one year planning their wedding. Many popular Central Coast wedding venues are booked up well over a year in advance! Plan and prioritize accordingly.
10. The Suppliers - Work out if the venue will provide the suppliers - florists, caterers and decorations. This is important if you have a local florist or caterer you wish to use. Here are the  CCWP members located in San Luis Obispo County:

• Wedding Apparel

1. Something Blue & True
2. Down The Aisle

• Wedding Bakeries

1. Madonna Inn
2. The Cakery
3. Cassie’s Custom Cakes

• Wedding Catering

1. In Good Taste
2. Mama’s Meatball
3. The Coffee Diva
4. Epic Weddings
5. Testa Catering
6. GCR Catering
7. Phil’s Catering
8. Pacific Harvest Catering
9. Linda Mora’s Classic Catering

• Wedding Coordinators

1. All Traditions
2. Arranged By Patrice
3. A Heart To Heart Wedding Consultant
4. CJN Event Planning

• Wedding DJ’s

1. Muir Music
2. Phase 1 Mobile DJ
3. The Central Coast DJ
4. At Your Service Weddings
5. Kramer Weddings
6. Bailey Entertainment
7. Entertainment Now
8. Escape DJ
9. Guy Ryder
10. AMS Entertainment
11. Joe Labarbera

• Wedding Flowers

1. Festive Designs
2. Fleur Flowers
3. Flowers By Denise
4. Flowers By Kim
5. Flowers To You By Jessica
6. Jenny McNiece Flowers
7. Adornments
8. Shell Beach Floral Design
9. Elegant Details
10. Harbor Floral
11. D&D Floral Design
12. Cambria Nursery
13. Bloom N Grow

• Wedding Hair & Makeup

1. Karla Murray (Mary Kay)
2. Bridal Makeup & Hair
3. Hair & Makeup By Angell
4. Kim & Co. Salon

• Wedding Invitations

1. All Traditions

• Wedding Lighting

1. Bailey Entertainment
2. Kramer Weddings
3. Grand Event Lighting

• Wedding Officiants

1. The Roc N Rev
2. Wine Country Weddings
3. Barbara Koenig
4. Reverend Mike Brewster
5. A Central Coast Wedding
6. Ronn Howe

• Wedding Music

1. Jeffrey Peters (Guitarist)
2. Manny Mestas
3. The Candlelight Strings
4. Carter House Productions
5. Jennifer Eckerman
6. Larkspur String Quartet
7. Penny Beavers

• Wedding Photo Booths

1. The Photobooth Experience
2. ShutterBooth

• Wedding Photographers

1. Mark Nakamura
2. Marcia Michael
3. Tom Meinhold Photography
4. Touch of Grace
5. Brittany App
6. Art Designs Photography
7. Blessed Beyond Belief
8. Blue Photo
9. Colleen Rosenthal Photography
10. Dasmann Photography
11. David Pascolla
12. Fitzpatrick Studios
13. Frame 37 Studio
14. Jimmy De
15. A. Blake Photography
16. White Wolf Studio
17. Bella Castle Photography
18. Mark Winkler
19. Studio 101 West
20. Allyson Magda Photography
21. Amy Wellenkamp
22. The Collective Photographers

• Wedding Publications

1. Central Coast Bride

• Wedding Rentals

1. Taylor Rental
2. Cover Ups
3. Got You Cover’d
4. All About Tabletops

• Wedding Transportation

1. Elegant Rentals
2. Nolands Carriage
3. Canyon Shadow Carriages
4. Wine Country Charters

• Wedding Videographers

1. Figleaf Video
2. Jack Hutchinson Videography
3. Caballero Videos
4. Jimmy De

Central Coast Weddings Are Easy With CCWP

There are many elements to planning a wedding, but hopefully you will find these tips useful to get you started.  Feel free to contact any of the Central Coast Wedding Professionals members located in San Luis Obispo or check out our directory of over 120 pre-screened local wedding professionals.

Check out the Central Coast Wedding Professional membership process if you’d like to add your San Luis Obispo wedding service to this list.

Central Coast Weddings are easy with CCWP.  Use this checklist to plan your San Luis Obispo wedding and check out our directory of over 120 prescreened local wedding vendors.

by Tina Swithin

The Central Coast is the premier location for coastal weddings in California.

Pristine beaches and stunning ocean views provide the dream setting for a San Luis Obispo County wedding.  I recently had the pleasure of discussing coastal weddings with Jenny McNiece of Jenny McNiece Flowers who was kind enough to give me her thoughts on a few coastal wedding venues.

Q: Jenny, you’ve been involved with hundreds of weddings on the Central Coast.  What are some of your favorite central coast wedding venues?

A: The Cliffs Resort is one of my favorite venues for a few reasons. My husband and I were married there almost 17 years ago so it definitely holds a special place in my heart. I really enjoy working with Anna Fergus, the Cliffs coordinator and

her entire staff.  Anna is very efficient and has a pleasant and sweet demeanor.  I also love this venue because of its location on the coast line.  It truly takes your breath away.

Q: There is another fabulous venue right next door.  What are your thoughts on the Dolphin Bay Resort?

A: The Dolphin Bay is another magical spot. The moment you step foot onto this luxurious resort you feel like you have been transported to a tropical island. From the perfectly manicured landscape to the most amazing food you will ever taste.  This is one of the most beautiful spots on the Central Coast. I have worked with Denai Vine, the Event Coordinator at Dolphin Bay for many years. She is both professional and fun to work with.

Q: Just down the road is the Sea Venture Resort.  Give me your thoughts on this particular wedding venue.

A: This is one of the only resorts along the Central Coast where the ceremony actually takes place in the sand. It's very unique and ideal for a couple seeking a more casual beach setting. The food is wonderful and the view is unobstructed.  In addition, it’s a great place for your guests to stay as it boasts cozy rooms with balcony hot tubs, fire places and soft down comforters on all the beds.

Q: Another great wedding venue that comes to mind is the Shore Cliff and Ventana Grill.  It seems like the Shore Cliff gazebo has become a wedding icon for both locals and destination weddings.

A: Yes!  The Shore Cliff is like a second home to me. Over the years I have been fortunate enough to decorate hundreds of weddings at this site. The banquet room has been newly remodeled and it is stunning. There really is no other banquet room on the Central Coast with comparable panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. The food is exceptional and the staff is so easy to work with.

Photo Credit: Ashley Blake Photography

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

As a little girl, my dream home was a fabulous Victorian House with gorgeous flowers lining a perfectly manicured walkway and a white gazebo in the backyard.  When I stumbled upon the stunning Kaleidoscope Inn, I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.  If I were personally planning a Central Coast wedding, this would score in the top five wedding venues on my list.

This wedding venue is truly a bride’s dream come true whether you are a local bride or planning a destination wedding in San Luis Obispo County.  While doing a bit of research, I reached out to CCWP wedding photographer, Keith Dunlop of Frame 37 about his experience at the Kaleidoscope Inn.  "The Kaleidoscope Inn is one of my favorite venues because it provides a wealth of image making opportunities in one place-- everything from the gardens, the Victorian architecture, and the interiors of the B&B itself. The venue really makes my job very easy as a photographer", explained Keith.  I also had the pleasure of speaking to another one of the CCWP photographers, Photography by Marcia and Michael who added, "The Kaleidoscope Inn has the most beautiful gardens, and the lighting and atmosphere is simply magical".

A few things you should know about the Kaleidoscope Inn:

• The Inn and gardens were renovated to recreate the elegance and charm of the Victorian era.
• You will discover one-acre of lush, flower-filled gardens which are stunning
• The site can accommodate up to 300 guests.
• Recommended times for a wedding in the gardens: Spring, Summer and Fall.
• They only allow one wedding per day to give proper focus and attention to each wedding.

Wedding Photography Credit for featured weddings:

Photography by Marcia and Michael
Frame 37 | photography by keith dunlop

To see a list of all CCWP photographers, please click here.

Other CCWP Members who participated in the featured weddings:
Down The Aisle
Flowers to You by Jessica
DJ Bob Stock

To see a list of all CCWP members, please click here.

Kaleidoscope Inn
130 E. Dana Street, Nipomo, California 93444
Info@Kaleidoscopeinn.com
(866) 504-5444.

To see other Central Coast wedding venues and reception sites, please 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.