Brides 2017 - Perfect weddings are about memories, love, and planning

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2017 SPECIAL PUBLICATION

Pe r f e c t w e d d i n g s a r e a b o u t

memories, love, a nd pla nni ng

Head to Toe... Start to Finish...

Picture Perfect

2017

photos: applemoonphotography.com stylist: Danae Pearce

A hair · facials · waxing · make-up · massage manicures · pedicures · lash extensions bridal packages · gift cards

early notice getting married at a place like greengate ranch and vineyard takes planning things six to 12 months in advance.

894 Monterey Street · Downtown San Luis Obispo · 805.541.5131

ll this rain we’re getting is going to make wedding season on the Central Coast extra magical this year. Green, wildflower-filled hills will greet out-of-towners on their quests to celebrate love in a vineyard, next to a barn, on an oak-smattered hillside, or overlooking the Pacific as the sun goes down. Yes, this is a pretty idyllic destination to say “I do.” But there’s more to a wedding than simply inviting your guests, and New Times wants to help you remember that your wedding day should reflect you. Whether that means you want to hire someone to help or try to do it all yourself, our annual Brides issue contains some handy tips that can push you in the right (meaning: less stressful) direction.

Camillia Lanham Editor

www.TheBladerunner.com

Sage advice on love that lasts decades .......................................4 Look like you on the big day, only better ..................................6 Party favors your guests will actually keep ...............................8 The stress and relief of a perfect proposal ...............................10 Take advice from SLO wedding planners ................................12 Wedding spots that aren’t vineyard, beach, or barn ...............16 Skip the family-induced headache and elope ..........................18 A Central Coast wedding vendor directory ............................20

COvER DESIGn BY LEnI LITOnJUA COvER PHOTO COURTESY OF MATT KEnnEDY AnD KARSOn BUTLER EvEnTS

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Publishers Bob Rucker Alex Zuniga editor Camillia Lanham Art director Alex Zuniga editoriAl designers Leni Litonjua Jordan Dunn Writers Glen Starkey Ryah Cooley Chris McGuinness Peter Johnson Karen Garcia contributor Hayley Thomas Cain ProofreAder Andrea Rooks

grAPhic designers Eva Lipson Geneé Toy Ellen Fukumoto MArketing & events coordinAtor Giselle Armstrong Account MAnAger Colleen Garcia Advertising executives Rhonda O’Dell Tracey Joyner Scuri Katy Gray Kimberly Rosa Jason Gann Christina Madden-Hanson Jennifer Herbaugh A special thank you to the wonderful professionals and wedded couples of the Central Coast who shared their stories and experiences.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF LEONARD AND SUE ANNE ROCHA

CRUISING THROUGH LIFE Leonard and Sue Anne Rocha, seen here on a recent cruise, will celebrate 52 years together on March 19.

must have looked like a convict eating,” Sue laughed, making a protective posture over an imaginary meal in front of her.

“There was no stopping either of us.”

After dinner, they went dancing at the Sportsmen’s Club and then Leonard took Sue home.

“I thought, ‘Oh, after that display, I’m never going to see him again,’ but the next day he called me to ask if I wanted to go to a show. I reminded him that I had a child and that my mom watched him last night and I couldn’t ask her again, and he said, ‘Why can’t he come with us?’ And from there on, Reese did. We went everywhere together, and when we got married, instead of going out, we’d have friends over to the house and play cards.”

Sue and Leonard went on to have two more kids, Audrey and Len. Reese was a junior high and high school wrestler, Audrey a basketball player, and Len a baseball player.

They also have 13 grandchildren, 11 from Reese and his wife, Sharon; and two from Len and his wife, Lisa.

The proposal

L e ona rd a nd Sue A n ne Roc ha show you n g c ouple s how it ’s done on t he c u sp of t hei r 52 nd a n n ivers a r y

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ove isn’t a feeling; it’s a decision, a decision you have to constantly recommit to every day. Just ask Leonard and Sue Anne Rocha, who will celebrate 52 years of marriage on March 19.

The couple has lived in San Luis Obispo that entire time, and they recently sat down at the SLO Elks Lodge for lunch to talk about how it all began.

“I met her at the beach,” Leonard recalled.

“No you didn’t. We had a party at our house and you went through all my baby pictures and commented on how cute I was,” Sue countered.

“I thought I first met you at the beach.

Oh well, that was 55 years ago.”

The Rochas are the sort of sweet older couple who adore each other and who dote on their grandkids. Both have long ties to San Luis Obispo.

Sue was born in Santa Barbara and moved to SLO as a 2-year-old. Her father, Ted Davies, was involved in starting KVEC radio as well as the town’s first TV station, which went on air in May of 1953 under the call letters KVEC-TV, the VEC standing for Valley Electric Company.

Leonard was born in Lemoore and

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raised in Riverdale where his family had a dairy farm. He moved to Arroyo Grande when he was 7. It was doctor’s orders.

Leonard then suffered from what’s now called valley fever, and he couldn’t walk, but the coastal weather apparently did him good, and in high school Leonard played football, baseball, and ran track.

“The doctor said I’d never play sports, and when I did, he was shocked,” Leonard recalled.

They both came from big families. Sue was the oldest of six, with four sisters and a brother. Leonard was the oldest of five, with three sisters and a brother.

“I was born on Jan. 9, 1938, and Leonard was born on Oct. 10, 1938, exactly nine months and one day after me,” Sue said. “I like to joke that when I was born, he was just a twinkle in his father’s eye.”

Leonard wasn’t Sue’s first love. In fact, she was married to Roy Blake, with whom she had her first child, Reese. Tragically, Roy was killed in an auto accident when Reese was a baby, and Sue—then a single mom—lived with her brother in a house on Mill Street.

The first date After high school, Leonard did a twoyear stint in the U.S. Army followed by two years as a reservist in the California National Guard.

“My brother was in the same program when we shared a house on Mill Street, and one day after coming home from what he called ‘playing army,’ my brother said someone from the Guard wanted to take me on a date, and he asked was I ready to start dating again. I said, ‘Sure, have him call me.’ Well, Leonard called and asked me out for dinner and dancing, and I said yes.”

Sue never dated anyone but Leonard after her first husband died, and on their first date, the couple went to Jocko’s in Nipomo. The place was packed and they had to wait about two hours in the bar before a table opened up.

“By the time we got seated, I was starving. I grew up in a big family, and we didn’t play any games with our food.

You play with your food, you go hungry.

Leonard came from a big family too, so we both dug in. I think we went through three baskets of bread and a couple bowls of beans along with our meal. I think I

Leonard’s marriage proposal was slightly less than romantic, but it worked.

They’d been dating for a couple of years and things were going nicely.

“He asked me to do his taxes for him,” Sue recalled. “We were both filling singly, and after I did his taxes I did mine, and he said, ‘After we get our tax returns, we’ll go to Vegas and get married, OK?’ And I said, ‘Well, OK.’ Both our families came with and we had a great time.”

Even though Sue was a single mom, Leonard never thought twice about it.

“It was no big deal to me.”

They’re very close with all their kids.

Audrey and Len live in Templeton and Reese is in Reno, and they visit often.

Good advice “Don’t ever go to bed mad,” Sue said.

“Always be willing to say thank you.

Treat your spouse as a friend. Always take care of your spouse. Always be respectful at all times. In all the years we’ve been together, we’ve never used foul language.”

“I don’t believe in it,” Leonard jumped in.

“And our parents never did,” Sue added.

“You have to help your wife whatever you do,” Leonard finished.

These days their life is spent with family or travel. They’re headed to Australia and New Zealand for their upcoming anniversary. Last year they visited the Azores.

Sue worked in banking for 35 years as well as doing bookkeeping on the side, at one time working for Alex Madonna.

In fact, she’s still working part time. She has a bookkeeping business with her daughter, Audrey.

“Slowly but surely I’m leaving the business to her. It’s getting close,” Sue said.

Leonard worked for Cal Trans for 33 years, but he’s been retired since December of 1999. According to Sue, however, he’s as busy as ever.

“I can’t keep still,” Leonard admitted.

“And if he does keep still, he falls asleep,” Sue quipped.

Yep, that’s amore!

Glen Starkey is New Times’ senior staff writer. Reach him at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEX RICHARDSON

WOKE UP LIKE THIS Undone hair, left, a low-key vintage-inspired gown, and a tuft of dusty flowers bring the focus on your beaming smile.

Makeup by the Queen’s Bees.

Sk ip t he c r a z y l a she s a nd spr ay t a ns a nd a i m to look l i ke you rsel f, on ly be t ter

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es, wedding day beauty prep takes a lot longer than your normal Friday date night look. However, it doesn’t need to take a dozen hours, a yard of human hair extensions, and a bucket of self-tanner to look “natural and glowing.”

All you need is the right beauty team and a few sane tips. Thankfully, Jennifer Marie Hix of The Queen’s Bees isn’t afraid to give us the straight talk on how to “do you” while saying, “I do.”

Find the right beauty team Every bride needs a beauty team to make those photos pop, but where to start? Research, research, research. Head to your beauty contenders’ websites and their respective Yelp reviews. Look at their work. Do these the brides in their photo shoots look fresh faced and rosy cheeked or a little too done up?

Check their social media feeds with the gusto of a deranged cyber stalker.

Note: Hix reminds brides to always make sure the photo you’re looking at is actually of the artist’s work, not simply an “inspiration” shot, which can be a common mix-up on Instagram.

Another obvious but overlooked tip?

Make sure you meet the artist face to face and see if you like their hair and makeup in real life.

“Is their makeup well blended? Did they use a flattering tone? Is their hair and makeup done well? It doesn’t have to be your style, per se, but it should be done well,” Hix says. “Say you’re going to get your eyebrows waxed, but the waxer has horrible eyebrows. Just walk away.”

Aim to look like yourself, only better “The best description of this is when a bride told me she wanted to look like herself, but in her fiance’s fantasy,” Hix says. “What that comes down to is correcting what needs to be corrected, while leaving all the amazing features that make you, you.”

Freckles? You might want to hang on to them. Hix says she’s known many a groom devastated by their bride-to-be’s

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choice to cover up that beauty mole, scar, or birthmark. After all, he married the real you—not a Photoshopped version.

For this reason, avoid deep spray tans, which can turn lovely pale skin into an unnatural hue. Orange is not a good look with a white dress.

“When you walk down the aisle, you don’t want your groom to ask, ‘Who’s that?’” Hix says. “It’s about maybe lightening up your under eyes or a little redness around your nose, which most women have. It’s important to use the right products to make sure your skin still looks like your skin.”

DIY with caution Although Hix recommends hiring a professional team to make sure you look dewey, fresh, and gorgeous, she knows plenty of gals will choose to DIY some part of their beauty for the big day. That’s OK, too—just beware of these pitfalls.

One huge disclaimer: Be aware that not all makeup is “photo ready.”

“There are certain kinds of makeup that you absolutely cannot wear in photos. These usually have an ingredient called mica, which is light reflective,” Hix says. “You don’t want a two-toned look on your wedding day.”

Smashbox, developed by a photography studio, is always a good choice for the flashbulbs. Avoid Bare Minerals and other mica-filled cosmetics like the plague.

Speaking of avoidance, false lashes bring up quite a bit of resistance in most ladies. Here’s a down-and-dirty primer for anyone who has nightmares about that pesky strip dislodging from your eye at the most inopportune time, i.e., reciting your heartfelt vows.

First: Buy quality lashes (Hix likes Ardell). Next, warm up the lash strips by bending the lashes around your finger.

Then, trim from the outer corner to fit the shape of your eye. Apply your eyeliner and mascara first to give it a base to stick to (obviously waterproof formulas are best for brides). After applying lashes, resist the urge to go too heavy on the second coat.

NATURAL continued on page 7

JUST THE WAY YOU ARE Let the sun shine in, below, with a rosy glow that’s all you.

Makeup on bride Arielle Allen by the Queen’s Bees.

Contact the Queen’s Bees, which features talented hairdressers and makeup artists from around the Central Coast, at thequeensbees.com or by emailing jenn@thequeensbees.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SCOTT AND DANA PHOTOGRAPHERS

REAL LIFE BLUSH A natural flush and neutral shadow, left, allow your inner beauty to shine through.

Makeup by the Queen’s Bees.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KELSEA HOLDER PHOTOGRAPHY

BE HAPPY Don’t sweat it, right.

The most beautiful bride is the one who is well fed and well hydrated.

Makeup on bride Kara Goldstein by the Queen’s Bees.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELLE WARREN

NATURAL continued from page 6 “We want your eyelashes to look fluttery and soft, not spider-like,” Hix says, adding that eyelash extensions— which you can get at local salons like Tiger Lily—are a good option for those who just can’t get the hang of it.

When in doubt, find someone trained in this tricky skill.

“I’ve heard so many women say that false lashes are uncomfortable to wear, but when a professional puts them on, you shouldn’t be able to feel a thing,” Hix says.

ATASCADERO

For the makeup phobic Never wear makeup? Freaked out about whether you’re skin tone is a summer or an autumn? Breathe easy.

Hix says a fresh, even skin tone, neutral eyes, and subtle cheeks and lips are flattering on everyone. Tip: Forget about intimidating shades of eye shadow.

Instead, swipe on a few different shades of lipstick and see what emerges.

“The right lip color can make the green in your eyes pop,” Hix says.

Another good rule of thumb: Always shape your brows well before the week of the wedding (no one wants to risk redness or burns on their forehead or— God forbid—upper lip when the officiant says, “You may now kiss the bride”).

What’s the one thing every bride should be doing but doesn’t? According to Hix, it’s exactly what your mother, your doctor, and your favorite celebrities have been saying all along. Be sure to drink plenty of water. Hydrated skin is plumped skin and plumped skin takes makeup like a champ.

Chill out Stress is never pretty. Hix says she sees the ravages of sleep deprivation on a regular basis and reminds all brides of this little fact: The night before the wedding, you cannot completely change your reception décor or arrange a thousand flowers. All you can do is get some shut-eye and think about the incredible person you’re marrying.

Get plenty of sleep the night before your wedding and remember that although it’s totally your choice to do those tequila shots, your skin will not be loving it come morning. A rested, healthy bride is a happy bride, and happiness comes from enjoying this momentous occasion in your life.

Still not convinced you should put a little time and effort into this aspect of your wedding? Remember: Looking your best isn’t necessarily just about you or your vanity. Hix recently stumbled upon her great-grandparents’ wedding photo, and it took her breath away.

“They have been passed for years, and everybody who was at their wedding is long gone. But me, as their greatgranddaughter, I can look at that photo and see how happy and wonderful they looked, and that’s really important,” Hix says. “Your wedding photos aren’t just for you. They can be part of a lineage that’s passed on for generations.”

Hayley Thomas Cain is a fan of looking good every day at hthomas@newtimesslo.com.

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GET A LITTLE MORE COLORFUL EVERY WEEK

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FILE PHOTOS

PARTY TIME Mini bottle of champagne will instantly kick the reception into celebration mode or guests can sip on the bubbly at home afterwards as they fondly think back on the good times at the wedding.

We dd i n g favors to del i g ht g ue st s

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ove is in the air, and the invitations are in the mail. Wedding season is upon us.

With all of the big-picture details to plan, like the venue, caterer, and dress, some of the smaller aspects of the day can sneak up on an unsuspecting bride and groom’s planning and wallet. Sure, at the end of the night, the lovebirds take home a pile of presents, but guests should also walk a way with a little something other than fond memories. Enter the wedding favor.

If you’re an adult in your 20s or older, odds are a wine glass or pack of matches with a couple’s name and wedding anniversary is gathering dust somewhere at home. But Amanda Leath, owner and wedding planner at Amanda Leath Events in San Luis Obispo, said that favors can be fun and something guests can actually enjoy (read: not just a total money suck). Who’da thunk?

“Trends come and go in the wedding industry,” Leath said. “Twenty to 30 years ago it was candy-covered almonds, and you either loved it or hated it. Nowadays, it’s all about personalization.”

Favors to be forgotten The biggest danger of spending money on favors is that guests will forget to even take them home. Topping out Leath’s list of momentos that are unlikely to even make it to the car? Edibles like candy—cough, Jordan almonds, cough— and chocolates, since people are often full from several courses at dinner and a heaping serving of cake. Things like napkin rings are confusing unless it’s clearly communicated to guests that they can take them home. And while a succulent centerpiece that guests can take home might seem like a pretty, environmental favor, Leath said that outof-town guests will ditch the plants since traveling with them can be a hassle.

“It’s really about creating an experience for the bride, groom, and guests,” Leath said. “Is the favor you’re presenting practical?”

Take me home tonight When it comes to favors, Leath recommends going personal. One of her

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top favors from a client’s wedding were handmade ring dishes (made by the bride’s ceramicist mom). Each dish had the guest’s name on it and had a paper affixed to it with their table seating at the wedding.

“I thought that was one of the neatest things because it served a purpose at the wedding and after,” Leath said.

Some local venues, like Tiber Canyon and Still Water Vineyards, even include wedding favors as part of the package: Guests can take home artisanal olive oil made with local olives from the premises.

“It’s very popular,” Leath said.

Another way to go DIY without breaking the bank or spending too much time is to buy bubbles or bath salts from places like the dollar store or Bath and Body Works and put them in cute jars or tulle baggies.

“Most people are excited about having a way to relax,” Leath said.

And when all else fails, there’s a different kind of bubbly to offer up.

Mini bottles of champagne or wine are a hit among guests, who can sip away as they wait for the bride and groom to finish taking photos or save it for later.

Note: Large quantities of mini bottles of alcohol, say more than 50, usually need to be special ordered from stores like BevMo or local wineries ahead of time.)

For the bride and groom who really want to splurge, Leath has seen more and more weddings feature extravagant gift baskets as favors, filled with local wine, cheese, and meat.

A TASTE OF THE CENTRAL COAST Who doesn’t like fancy olive oil to cook with or nosh on with some quality bread? Even better, local wedding venues like Tiber Canyon and Still Waters Vineyards offer mini bottles of olive oil (made on the premises) for wedding favors as part of their event packages.

THE GIFT OF RELAXATION After a dancing the night away, wedding guests will happily soak their tired toes in a bath filled with bubbles or muscle relaxing bath salts.

Let’s just call the whole thing off If at the end of the day, wedding favors seem like a scam, Leath said you can always opt out and choose to spend the money allocated for favors on something you’ll enjoy more, like food, alcohol, or flowers.

“It’s totally customizable depending on what you want and what your budget it is,” Leath said.

Ryah Cooley is double fisting with mini bottles of champagne at rcooley@ newtimesslo.com.

PASS ON THE ALMONDS About 20 or 30 years ago Jordan almonds might have been the it girl when it came to wedding favors, but there’s a few new queen bees in town.

Photo: Ken Kienow

Photo: Ken Kienow

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PHOTO BY CHRIS MCGUINNESS

PUT A RING ON IT Asking someone to marry you can be both exciting and terrifying.

A g u ide to p oppi n g t he que st ion

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o you’ve made the decision to ask that special person in your life to marry you. Congratulations! It’s not unusual to feel nervous, insecure, or even scared after deciding to undertake such a potentially life-changing resolution. There are a lot of questions: When do I ask them? Where do I ask them? What if they say no?

Well you’re in luck. I recently proposed to my fiancée, and she said yes. This not only means I pulled off a successful marriage proposal but it also pretty much makes me an expert on the subject. That being the case, I thought I’d offer a few pieces of sage advice to get you through the process of planning and popping the big question and ensuring you create a memorable proposal that you will both treasure for the rest of your lives.

Make it a surprise Part of what makes giving someone a gift so fun is that they usually don’t know what they’re getting. A proposal is the same way. Try to do it at a time or place your significant other doesn’t expect.

This is trickier than it sounds. Sure, your longtime partner would never expect you to get down on one knee while in line at Arby’s, but the location may not inspire the romantic awe that would encourage them to agree to spend the rest of their life with you. Instead, try to choose a day, time, location, or activity that means something to the two of you but that doesn’t completely telegraph what you’re planning. For example, I planned to propose to my fiancée on New Year’s Eve, getting her to go out with me under the guise of simply celebrating the holiday (which also happens to be the anniversary of when we first started dating). I think my efforts were pretty successful, seeing as the first words of my fiancée’s mouth after “yes” were “oh my God, I can’t believe it.”

Location, location, location Picking the right spot to propose to your loved one is one of the most fun and exciting parts of the whole process. Some people choose to go for the traditional fancy restaurant, or a romantic spot on the beach. Other folks go for more

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creative approaches, like proposing on the Splash Mountain Ride at Disneyland (I would have picked Space Mountain).

In the end, the important thing is to pick a place that has some significance to the two of you. A place that shows you know your better half and took the time to pick a location that resonates emotionally with them. I ended up deciding on the Santa Maria Inn, a beautiful hotel near where we live that was originally built in 1917 and has retained much of that ornate, old West feel in its decor. During the golden age of Hollywood, a parade of famous movie stars stayed at the hotel on their way to party at Hearst Castle. We’d been to the hotel before, and between its historic elegance and my fiancée’s love of classic film and classic Hollywood in particular, I chose to ask her on the balcony of our room, which had a great view of the hotel’s lush garden and Spanish-style fountain.

Be patient If you’re smart, you will have tried your best to plan things out ahead of time. Once you’ve concocted your proposal plan, picked the perfect ring, location, day, and time, etc., you might have to wait a few days or maybe even weeks before the big day. The wait can be nerve wracking. It’s never easy to keep a big secret from anyone, let alone the person closest to you. Even when the secret is a good secret, it might be tough to hide your nervousness and anticipation. I’m terrible at lying but tried my best to act normal in the few months or so between buying the ring and popping the question. Every day I went to work consumed by thoughts that somehow my lovely fiancée-to-be would stumble upon the ring I’d hidden in my home office. Worse, what if some cunning group of burglars somehow devised an elaborate heist to break into my apartment and made it out with the ring? Sure, it’s the plot of Ocean’s 11, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen, right?

What I’m trying to say is that it’s normal to be nervous, and that anxiety might come out in different and odd ways. You might even be tempted to totally scrap all your well-thought-out engagement plans and propose at the

next possible second. Before you do, stop and take a deep breath. Do something to relax, like mediate or go for a walk or listen to Kenny G. Remind yourself of all the planning you’ve done and that it will pay off when you see the look on his or her face.

Be flexible Even the best laid plans never go perfectly, and a proposal is no exception.

No matter how meticulous you’ve been at masterminding the perfect proposal, make room and be ready to roll with the punches if things don’t go your way. I’d originally planned to propose at one of the lovely beaches along the Central Coast. But just days before, the weather was already turning cold and gray, and my fiancée wondered whether we should consider something “more low key” to ring in 2017 and celebrate our anniversary. My initial plans were dashed, and I wondered if I might end up asking this woman to marry me in our apartment in front of our tiny dog and a few baskets of laundry I been putting off folding. Not ideal. But I didn’t panic and began to gently probe for other options.

Thankfully, we came across an advertisement for the Santa Maria Inn’s big New Year’s bash and booked a room.

The plan was back on, and I was still able to keep my plans to propose a surprise.

Even after the change of venue, I still wasn’t sure exactly where or when I'd ask. There was a cool-looking waterfall in front of the hotel, but did I really want to stop and drop to one knee while we were lugging in our suitcases? Did I want to wait until the big celebration at midnight, and ask her in front of a crowd of screaming strangers? Not really. In the

end, I trusted my gut and waited until after we got in our room and she went out on the balcony to take in the view.

It felt right, and in the end, it was the perfect moment.

So don’t worry if everything doesn’t go exactly as you’d expect. Trust your instincts and be ready to improvise.

Have fun In the end, a proposal is really about your making a commitment to take the next big step with the person you love more than anything in world. While the little stressing of wanting this to go right might weigh on you, don’t forget that it’s actually supposed to be a sort of celebration of your love for someone else, and their love for you. Remember to take some time to be happy and excited about your future, and realize that there’s no “wrong way” to propose (unless you’re that dude who illegally climbed Morro Rock to propose to his girlfriend over Skype. That was dumb). Do what feels right and good to you, and celebrate what makes your relationship different from everyone else’s. Stay true to what makes your relationship unique, and don’t worry about the way everyone else does things.

The great poet Walt Whitman once said, “Do anything, but let it produce joy.” While old Walt may not have specifically had proposals in mind, it’s definitely advice worth taking when it comes to asking someone you love “the big question.”

Staff Writer Chris McGuinness just realized he still has an entire wedding to help plan. He can be reached at cmcguinness@newtimesslo.com.

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PHOTO COURTSEY OF MATT KENNEDY AND KARSON BUTLER EVENTS

VIEWS Nothing enriches wedding photos like the numerous rows of vineyards in the gorgeous Edna Valley.

Adv ic e f rom a C ent r a l C oa st we dd i n g profe s siona l on how muc h t i me you ne e d to pre p for t he bi g d ay

S

ome girls dream about their weddings from childhood, about the details of the dress, the moment they walk down that aisle adorned with white rose petals. But styles and trends are constantly changing in the wedding industry, and planning such a joyous occasion is a tough task.

Cue the wedding planner, that pro to help a bubbly couple iron out the details without loosing their cool.

Planning a wedding is a meticulous and intimate job that Amber Karson, of Karson Butler Events, knows all too well.

She’s been in the event planning business for 15 years, organizing corporate dinners, fundraisers, anniversaries, and weddings. She started her business in Washington, D.C., in 2008, but her sister came on board in 2010 and they expanded, opening a West Coast office right here on the Central Coast. Her design services and events general store can be found on Palm Street at the historic Ah Louis Store. Surrounded by birthday cards, balloons, and event knick knacks, Karson said she’s definitely inspired by the places she’s planned events in, such as London, India, and Iceland, to name a few.

“We very intentionally attracted a clientele that, one day we’re out on the field leveling a floor and bringing in generators and the next day we might be in a beautiful art museum dealing with load-in and load-out when the museum is closed,” she said.

What keeps Karson on her toes are the unique challenges that present themselves at different events. Each is a puzzle that she puts together when figuring out who the clients are, what their wedding goals are, and how big the budget is. That’s the goal of the “kick off session,” the first meeting Karson has with clients to talk through what their priorities are, whether it be a threecourse dinner or more time on the dance floor.

“We definitely want to flesh out a budget that’s custom to what their priorities are and then allocate the

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PLANNER Amber Karson is the creator of Karson Butler Events with a design office and general store located at the Ah Louis Store in San Luis Obispo.

budget accordingly,” she said.

That initial conversation also brings out the date and venue ideas. Once a couple locks in a venue, Karson said the wedding starts to feel real because they have a date they’re working toward.

Karson’s favorite venue to work with is the vast greenery of Greengate Ranch and Vineyard.

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

TOAST Nothing brings family and friends together more than a beautiful venue such as Green Gate Ranch and Vineyard.

The venue Nestled into Edna Valley’s verdant hills and surrounded by rows of grapevines is Greengate Ranch and Vineyard. It’s a perfect spot for a quintessential Central Coast wine country destination wedding.

With 140 acres and three vintage style vacation rental homes equipped with 12 bedrooms, the bride and groom can book the venue for the wedding ceremony, dinner, and proceeding reception.

Connie Smith, director of marketing for Greengate, said the atmosphere of the ranch is quintessential California ranch and vineyard. The venue has horse stables, a vintage barn, and a courtyard.

Smith said that wedding weekend experience packages begin on Thursday and guests check out on Sunday.

“As guests arrive in the area, we are happy to set up wine tasting tours, recreational outings, or welcome them to stay here and enjoy the coast lifestyle for a couple days,” she said.

The main goal of the venue, Smith said, is to provide a unique and memorable wedding experience.

In order to get that dream wedding vacation, though, you should start planning six to 12 months in advance.

Smith said the venue hosts about 30 to 36 events each season.

The meal Karson said food is the second priority in the event planning journey. You want your guests to rave about how beautiful the bride looked, but you also want them talking about how amazing the food tasted. One of Karson’s favorite local catering companies is Field to Table,

PHOTO COURTSEY OF MATT KENNEDY AND KARSON BUTLER EVENTS

whose specialty is fresh ingredients that create the perfect custom menu.

The catering company has strong roots on the Central Coast as chef and owner Tracy Labastida grew up in a third generation farming family. Labastida brought Field to Table to life after realizing his true passion in hospitality and the food service industry, said Jillian Koetsier, the company’s account executive and event producer.

Menus are focused on what the clients want and what they envision for their big day.

“We like to incorporate the bride and groom’s favorite meals and put that into one cohesive menu that reflects their relationship and personality,” she said.

Going along with the Central Coast vibe of locally grown and fresh fruits and vegetables, the company uses as much local produce as possible. The company also grows a lot of herbs at its Nipomo farmhouse location. Koetsier said they draw inspiration from their favorite form of research: eating.

“We are constantly trying out new restaurants around San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, and whenever any of us go out of town, we are trying new things, working to expand our knowledge on the ever-changing foodie world,” she said.

For Field to Table, the rewarding aspect of the job is being able to sit down with a couple in the farmhouse kitchen

and tasting room in Nipomo to present samples of the proposed meal.

“Oftentimes, within the first two appetizers everyone is glowing and the mood shifts into this super enjoyable time eating great food with their closest loved one,” Koetsier said.

Booking with Field to Table is something to think about far in advance.

Normally, the catering company is fully booked about a year to seven months in advance. This year, the company has 200 events booked, so reserving ahead of time is definitely a must.

The arrangements One of Karson’s go-to vendors for florals is Precious and Blooming in Arroyo Grande. Owner Kellye Clifford pulls from farms on the Central Coast and vendors from Los Angeles. With 15 years of experience working on the fine details with clients, Clifford said she really has an eye for selecting colors and greenery textures that represent the theme of the wedding.

“I’ve always gravitated toward colors and art, which really is essential in this business,” Clifford said.

What lends to her arrangements is the location of her business.

“Where we live, we’ve got some great growers around there with different kinds of flowers to choose from. There’s PLANNING continued on page 14

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PLANNING continued from page 12 something beautiful every day,” she said.

Her main piece of advice for clients is to be slightly flexible, as many flowers are seasonal. It can be a hard concept to convey to clients as most couples are fixed on using certain flowers in their arrangements.

When it comes to budget, Clifford said she talks about the theme of the wedding and what arrangements the clients are looking to have and the cost adds up from there. There isn’t really a price range that she likes to share with her clients right off the bat, as she wants them to explore their dream setup.

The dress There are so many aspects to planning a wedding, but a bride’s dress is sometimes not included in that process, Karson said. Often the dress is on its own, a special piece of the wedding that’s solely for the bride to enjoy.

New to the wedding scene here in San Luis Obispo is Moondance, a bridal shop that opened up in May of last year. Amira Albonnie is a stylist at the shop who describes the dresses the shop carries as relaxed and free spirited. They have dresses on the racks from ball gowns to Bohemian style. But when it comes to dresses, the first questions that Albonnie has for a bride are how far along in the planning is the soon-to-be husband and

wife, what does the venue look like, and just how much of the vision has come together.

“For some brides, it’s nothing, so you know the dress is really the foundation of what this wedding is going to be like,” she said.

The next question is what the vision for the dress is. For some women, they’ve been dreaming about their perfect dress since they were young, and some women haven’t even thought about getting married.

“I think its really important when you go into a bridal store, you really need to have someone who can help you figure out what you are looking for because a lot of girls come in not having an idea,” Albonnie said.

A piece of advice Albonnie shares is to be selective about the people you bring with you to the dress appointment. She said many females are heavily influenced by the show Say Yes to the Dress, where picking a wedding dress is a huge event with the mother, sisters, friends, and other family members present. While it is something special, it should also be something intimate.

“I’ve seen so many times, you bring people who don’t necessarily have the most constructive advice, maybe aren’t the most supportive, maybe even putting their opinion on yours a little too much,” she said.

FRESH Field to Table aspires to create garden-fresh dishes such as Italian braised short ribs topped with a garlic butter shrimp skewer and goat cheese mashed potatoes, right.

LOCAL Chief Tracy Labastida uses local ingredients to create this tomato bisque soup shooter with a mini grilledcheese appetizer.

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PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

UNIQUE Recently established in May of last year, Moondance has something for all brides in its chic bridal shop.

CAPTURE Sharing the precious moments of finding the perfect dress that makes you feel like a million bucks is what Moondance strives for.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TARYN DUDLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOS COURTSEY OF JEN HUANG PHOTOGRAPHY

ROOTS Field to Table was grown from the ground up by chef and owner Tracy Labastida, who used his knowledge of working in the field to source his locally grown ingredients.

COLOR Kellye Clifford is no stranger to color as she hand picks from various flowers to create the perfect arrangements for a client’s special day.

It needs to be about the bride and what she wants because it’s her big day.

Albonnie advises brides to bring one to two friends or family members who are kind but honest.

Dresses are all unique, from the satin or chiffon material to the mermaid train that can provide a stunning walk to the altar. Albonnie said that brides should keep an open mind and try on different kinds of dresses. Many women come in with an idea of what they’re looking for but end up choosing something different.

Every dress is made to order and usually takes anywhere from four to six months to arrive. The closer a bride gets to her wedding date without a dress, the fewer options she will have to choose from.

And once the dress arrives, it’s time for alterations. Albonnie said that when Moondance orders a dress, they order one standard size. But every body is so different that the gown might be loose in the waist or too long, so they visit a tailor.

“We recommend going to a tailor not a seamstress, because a tailor actually understands the construction of gowns,” she said.

Visiting the tailor for nips and tucks is typically a two- to three-month process leading up to the big day.

Working with brides to help them achieve the feeling of being a knockout is what Albonnie loves most about her job.

“My role is really to just be on the bride’s

team and maker her realize she’s beautiful and she has a fiancé that loves her in whatever she chooses to wear,” she said.

The big day The days leading up to the wedding ceremony should be full of comfort and ease, according to Karson. If the right vendors are selected, then a bride and groom should be able to trust that their vision will be brought to life.

“You know you have this amazing team and a planner making it all come together. This is sort of the time for the client to really relax,” Karson said.

For Karson, wedding planning is a rush from the beginning of getting to know a couple, to the end of watching them recite their vows. She said it’s like becoming part of the family and seeing one of your family members get married.

To get to that point, there is no magic formula, but the more time a couple has the more opportunities they’ll have.

Making every event as unique as possible is the goal for Karson.

“We don’t want someone to look at our portfolio and think, ‘Oh that’s a Karson and Butler Events wedding,’” she said.

“The biggest compliment is when the guests can walk away and say, ‘That was so bride and groom.’”

Karen Garcia is ready for wedding season at kgarcia@newtimesslo.com.

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RUSTIC LOVE Riley Francis, left, and Jessica Milton, right, turned Camp Yaeger in Cambria into a woodsy and charming wedding venue. At a very reasonable price, they hosted about 100 guests. Half stayed the night in the cabins on site.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAYSON MELLOM PHOTOGRAPHY

A be ac h or w i ner y at su nse t i sn’t t he on ly w ay to we d on t he C ent r a l C oa st

M

ost would agree that the Central Coast sets the gold standard for fancy weddings.

You’ve got your beautiful beaches, elegant resorts, classy barns, and countryside wineries that attract couples from around the world to say their vows.

But idyllic and fancy can also sometimes equate to pricey (and, dare we say, corny). Not everyone is seeking that experience or that bill. Some opt for nontraditional and see it as an opportunity to be creative.

Jessica Milton is one of those people.

The San Luis Obispo resident got acquainted with “Camp Yaeger” in Cambria when she went to summer camp there as a fifth grader. A 14-acre site tucked into a pine forest, stocked with cabins, a rec hall, dining room, and plenty of open space, Camp Yaeger is that classic outdoorsy kids camp spot we all know and love.

Milton has fond memories of the campsite that she explored as a kid. But she never expected to revisit it in such a meaningful way as an adult.

“I went there for science camp,” Milton said with a wistful chuckle. “I liked it, but wasn’t really thinking about my future wedding at the time.”

It turned out that a good friend of Milton’s mom also hosted her family reunions at Camp Yaeger. When Milton and her now-husband Riley Francis decided to tie the knot, her mom suggested it as a wedding location.

“I knew I wanted a two-day wedding, so I was looking for places I could afford to book for two days,” Milton said. “It turned out perfect because the camp rents for $800 per night. That includes the cabins and kitchen—you get the entire place to yourself.”

Milton and Francis booked it and then went to work on transforming it into the welcoming and down-to-earth venue that they wanted—which was easier said than done.

While Camp Yaeger is readily available to rent via the Coalinga-Huron Recreation and Park District, it isn’t exactly prepped for a wedding ceremony and reception. Though the amount

16

of effort required was daunting to the couple, by the same token, the location provided a blank canvas for whatever they wanted to do. And that was part of the fun.

Milton said she “swagged up” anything unbecoming about the campground with baby’s breath. As for the sore thumb of two tetherball polls, she covered them in tablecloths, drew a string between them, and then made it an activity for guests to draw pictures and hang them for display.

She hired a friend with a knack for building haunted houses to set up muchneeded temporary lighting structures.

They planned to hold the ceremony and reception on Saturday and have an informal potluck family day on Sunday.

“I wanted something really chill where everybody could hang out,” Milton said of the potluck. “I put card games and books out, so nobody was bored. The venue really lends itself to kids running around being crazy. I took several pictures of my husband climbing trees.”

When the day arrived, about 100 friends and family members came for the weekend. About half the guests spent the night in the camp cabins on site, while the rest took to motel lodging in Cambria. The wedding was a smash hit.

“I would [recommend it],” Milton said.

“It was perfect—everything I wanted it to be. Everyone who went loved it.”

But I get it, woodsy and rustic isn’t everyone’s style. Sleeping in a bunch of cabins out in the middle of nowhere? On my wedding day? No thank you!

If that’s you, then consider a wedding at Morro Bay’s Coalesce Book Store.

The local favorite has a charming chapel behind its backyard garden where you and your bride/groom can have a ceremony with up to 60 guests.

Minister Sherri Hereford, also a manager at Coalesce, called the location “very private, secluded, and affordable.”

“A lot of people come here because it’s so quiet, serene, and beautiful,” she told New Times.

Hereford also mentioned that the venue is a hit with bookworms.

“A lot of our brides and grooms love books. That is always a draw: ‘Let’s go get

BOOKWORMS UNITE Morro Bay’s Coalesce Book Store hosts wedding ceremonies in a backyard chapel just beyond its garden.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAYSON MELLOM PHOTOGRAPHY

FIND HARMONY Local minister Sherri Hereford called Harmony Chapel, in the tiny town of Harmony between Cayucos and Cambria, an “intimate” and “sweet” place to wed.

FILE PHOTO BY DYLAN HONEA-BAUMANN

LANDMARK DAY You can add a flavor of history to your wedding by booking the Point San Luis Lighthouse on the cliffs near Avila Beach.

PHOTO COURTESY OF POINT SAN LUIS LIGHTHOUSE

married behind the bookstore!’” she said.

While Coalesce isn’t set up for receptions, Hereford emphasized that they allow plenty of time for photos before and after the ceremony.

Of course, there are plenty more beautiful small wedding chapels to choose from. Hereford, who officiates weddings throughout the county, singled out the teeny-tiny town of Harmony’s chapel as one of the best.

“It’s so sweet,” she said. “It’s a very small, intimate wedding.”

If you’re really lucky, you may be able to get the people at Shandon’s breathtaking Chapel Hill on the phone, though New Times was told that most of their wedding requests have to be turned down.

If flowers are your thing, the SLO Botanical Gardens or Dallidet Adobe and Gardens are also good bets.

For a little more fanfare, you can take over Point San Luis Lighthouse on the cliffs of Avila Beach and add a little flavor of history.

The point is, SLO County has something for everybody. So whether you’re diving head first into a $30,000 wedding at a winery or you’re looking for something more modest, there’s more to this county than beaches and grapes!

Staff Writer Peter Johnson is playing tetherball at pjohnson@newtimesslo.com.

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If the idea of eloping makes your heart soar, this story is for you

S

o, you’ve been hemming and hawing about eloping for a while now. On one hand, there’s the idea of that fantastic rush that comes only after you’ve followed your heart’s most passionate desire. Eloping would be inexpensive and intimate, devoid of family drama, seating charts, and a million other tiny details that don’t really matter anyway. You’d look into your lover’s eyes and everything in the universe would melt away as you both uttered those two little words.

On the other hand, there’s a formidable pressure: your granny’s tightly wound wishes and your well intentioned but pushy mother-in-law, to name a few. Then there are all of your friends who might not click “like” on your surprise Facebook post, “Hey guys! We tied the knot in Mexico by ourselves!” Maybe part of you wants the big dress and the big party. But is planning an entire wedding really what you want, deep down?

If the idea of eloping makes your heart soar, you owe it to yourself to consider it as a rewarding, exciting, and supremely romantic option, despite what our mainstream “more is more” wedding culture has to say. Plus, you can always wear a fantastic dress, despite how many people actually see it in person.

The following details the story of one bride who made the leap to elope (and lived to tell the tale). Meet Diane Sayre of Paso Robles, a woman who would not change her wedding for all the party favors in the world.

18

“Eloping allowed our big day to be a much more personal event for us. Instead of having to negotiate hotels for relatives or pick out bridesmaid dresses, we really just focused on where we wanted to be, and what we wanted to say to each other,” Sayre said of her 2005 wedding on the beach in La Jolla, Calif. “We were blending a family, and we didn’t want the fact that we were creating a new family to be pushed aside because of all of the logistics involved.”

How did she come to this realization?

Like many brides, Sayre and her husband, Kevin Lehar, have family scattered around the country and the globe.

Looking at wedding dates immediately produced a dozen scheduling conflicts that just could not be reconciled. It was exhausting and not very romantic.

“The realization came that there was never going to be a day that everyone was happy with and could do,” Sayre said. “So, we thought, ‘What do we want to do?’”

This itty bitty question soon ballooned into a simple, beautiful dream. It started with “the beach at sunset” and evolved to feature an intimate ceremony that included the couples’ kids in a meaningful way. One of the best parts of getting married like this? It only matters that you enjoyed it.

“When you have a lot of other factors

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE Paso Robles local and Cass Winery Garden Manager Diane Sayre eloped with her husband, Kevin Lehar, on the beach in La Jolla in 2005.

The couple honored the blending of their families with an intimate ceremony that included their children, soft ocean waves, and plenty of authentic, intimate romance.

going for your wedding, it can take the moment away from you two,” Sayre said. “There are so many things you are the responsible decision maker for. You think, ‘Was the food OK? Did everyone have a good time?’ We didn’t have to worry about any of it.”

In fact, the couple didn’t even procure flowers until the day of the ceremony, grabbing a few pretty tufts to brighten a short series of photos (they did pay for a photographer).

When I asked Sayre if she worried about offending friends and family, she was quick to offer some sage advice. One: It’s OK to allude to the fact that you are, indeed, planning to elope. However, Sayre and her hubby were wise not tell friends and family when and where it would happen. This is key.

“If you give out a date or time, your family may somehow insert themselves into it. If you think your family is going to be cool about it, send out an announcement; but again, think about those other people and make sure you understand that they see themselves as stakeholders in your relationship. Are they going to be mellow or are they going to make the event more stressful?”

Obviously, telling one family member but not another is a surefire way to hurt feelings, and not recommended. If you’re worried about the fallout, make a pact with your betrothed: Your lips are sealed until after you say, “I do.”

ELOPE continued on page 19

ELOPE continued from page 18 This brings us to what happens after the wedding bells toll (i.e. the big, expensive party). Well, here’s a little known fact: If you elope, you can still have a big party and make it as expensive and lavish—or cheap and casual—as you want.

“You have the option when you elope to have a kick-ass party after, and loved ones are generally very happy with that,” Sayre said. “We always knew if we wanted to do a mega recommitment ceremony we could.

You can always hold on to that party and do it if and when you feel like doing it.”

For young couples looking for useful wedding gifts (Toasters! Blenders! George Foreman grills!) this can be a perfect way to graciously accept wedding gifts. After all, your friends and family want to buy them for you. In Sayre’s case, she and her husband already had enough stuff and were happy to politely dodge an incoming tidal wave of unwanted appliances.

Knowing there are wedding professionals reading this with a scowl, Sayre recommends that you do, in fact, hire professionals. Maybe you want to make sure your hair or skin looks amazing, or maybe you’re more interested in buying a ornately decorated cake covered in bright pink roses. Just because you are doing things simply, that doesn’t mean you can’t spend like a bride.

Just make sure you spend those dollars on what matters most to both of you.

“Figure out where you want to have that moment. Find an officiant in that area. Then, those initial people can usually hook you up with everything else

you need,” Sayre said. “Your officiant might know a photographer, who knows of a great tux shop, who can recommend some flowers.”

Already been married? You too can elope!

“Just because you have the same husband doesn’t mean you can’t get remarried and/or elope anywhere, anytime you please, as many times as you’d like. I knew a couple who got re-married every year on their anniversary, all over the world,” Sayre said.

That’s right. Whether you are kneedeep in menu options for a huge wedding you really never wanted or just met the love of your life two months ago and want to run off to Vegas, you have permission to let go and dive head first into whatever feels good. Who says it all has to happen in any particular way?

“Some brides will tell you that they were 6 feet under water on their wedding day and had a hard time remembering so much about the day,” Sayre said. “It’s sad; your wedding is supposed to be a moment between you and the person you’re marrying. Some of these gals put in a couple of years worth of planning.

Ask yourself, ‘What happens the day after?’”

If you’ve planned—or deliberately not planned—it all out correctly, the answer to that question should be: “happily ever after, with absolutely zero regrets.”

Hayley Thomas Cain has zero regrets, in general. Contact her at hthomas@newtimesslo.com.

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a c ompi l at ion of sl o C ou nt y we dd i n g vendors

S

uper-sleuthing via Google for wedding planners, music, or hair and nail salons doesn’t always turn up the thing your searching for.

New Times did the searching for you and put together a directory based on the results at the top and bottom of the list. Although we know this isn’t a complete directory of every wedding-serving business on the Central Coast, it’s pretty darn close.

Wedding Planners Location phone emaiL website A Lovely Creative..........................748-9244 ...........kelsey@alovelycreative.com ................. alovelycreative.com Beloved Coordination..................541-602-3177 ....belovedcoordination@gmail.com .......... belovedcoordination.com All Traditions .................................781-8660 ...........alltraditions@att.net .............................. alltraditions.net Le Festin Events ............................936-1086 ...........info@lefestinevents.com ....................... lefestinevents.com Eventful Wedding Planning..........710-4044 ...........colleen@eventfulweddingplanning.com.............eventfulweddingplanning.com Amanda Leath Events ..................559-320-5927 ...amanda@amandaleathevents.com ....... amandaleathevents.com A Bit of Spark and Sparkle ..................408-833-9121 .....kacey@sparkandsparkle.com........................sparkandsparkle.com Sandcastle Celebrations ............345-5823 ...........sandcastlecelebrations@gmail.com ..... sandcastlecelebrations.com Weddings by Sarah Angelique ...........712-1356 ............sarah@sarahangelique.com .................. sarahangelique.com Nanci Bernard Wedding and Event Planner .....................610-1708 ............nanci@nancibernard.com ...................... nancibernard.com Elegant Affairs Event Design and Coordination ...............459-9973 ...............lisa@elegantaffairsedc.com ......................elegantaffairsedc.com Love Always Weddings ..............903-2654 ...........jazmyn@lovealwaysweddings.com ...... lovealwaysweddings.com Monarch Wedding Planning .............896-2075 ..........monarchwed@gmail.com....................... monarchweddingplanning.com Kramer Events ...............................544-9900............................................................................. kramerevents.com Memory Making Events ..............294-0705 ...........mmevents.sp@gmail.com ...................... memorymakingevents.com Grace Lorenzen Events ...............234-3155 ...........grace.lorenzen@gmail.com.................... gracelorenzen.com Lover of Weddings........................626-609-9797 ...kay@loverofweddings.com.................... loverofweddings.com Flawless Functions Event Coordination...................234-2327 ...........jennifer@flawlessfunctions.com........... flawlessfunctions.com Arranged by Patrice.....................801-1308 ............celebrations@patrices.net..................... patrices.net Karson Butler Events ...................704-2477 ...........ambera@karsonbutlerevents.com ........ karsonbutlerevents.com

PhotograPhers Location phone emaiL website Patrick Patton Photography ...........791-9362 ...........patpatton@gmail.com............................ patrickpattonphotography.com Marcia&MichaelPhotography............440-4438 ..........marciaphoto@sbcglobal.net .................. marciamichael.com Taryn Dudley Photography ................610-2016............taryn_dudley12@hotmail.com............... taryndudleyphotography.com Jen Rodriguez Photography..............598-1530 ...........jen@jen-rodriguez.com .......................... jen-rodriguez.com David Pascolla Photography ............748-3061 ...........davidpascolla@gmail.com ..................... davidpascolla.com Amy Wellencamp Photographers .....709-7273 ...........info@amywellencamp.com.................... amywellencamp.com Jaydyn Blair Photography............550-3916 ............................................................................. jaydynblairphotography.com Jake and Necia .............................305-4407...........hello@jakeandnecia.com ....................... jakeandnecia.com Central Coast Photography ...............896-6119 ............................................................................. centralcoastphotography.com Dolce, Inc. ......................................478-7372 ...........roni@dolceincorporated.com................. dolceinorporated.com Heyday Photos...............................345-0566...........matt@heydayphotos.com ...................... heydayphotos.com James D Photography .................550-9612 ...........odonnel@att.net..................................... yourcentralcoastweddingphotographer.com John Patrick Images ....................440-9647 ...........pj@johnpatrickimages.com.................... johnpatrickimages.com Jayson Mellom Photography ..............528-7223 ...........jaysonmellom@gmail.com ..................... jaysonmellom.com A Blake Photography ...................237-5775 ...........ashley@ablakephotography.com ........... ablakephotography.com Katie DiSimone Photography ..................975-7897 ...........photos@katiedisimone.com................... katiedisimone.com He & She Photography ................296-1070 ............................................................................. heandshephoto.com Lindsey Hahn Photography..................674-5196............lindsey@lindseyhahn.com...................... lindseyhahn.com Allyson Magda Photography.................459-2704 ...........info@allysonmagda.com ........................ allysonmagda.com Heather Nguyen Photography .................400-8081 ...........heathernygenphotography@gmail.com ... heathernphoto.com

20

Zelle Olson Studios ......................320-0930 ...........zelleolson@mac.com .............................. zelleolsonstudios.com Blue Photo Wedding Photography .....748-1378............john@bluephoto.biz ................................ bluephoto.biz SLOtography ..................................709-7139............blake@slotography.com ......................... slotography.com Ken Kienow Wedding Photography ........441-4660 ...........ken@kenkienow.com.............................. kenkienow.com Mason and Megan Photography.........242-6243 ...........hello@masonandmegan.com................. masonandmegan.com Photography by Jay C Winter .............925-918-3289 ...jay@jaycwinter.com ............................... photographybyjaycwinter.com Mike Larson Private Estate & Vineyard Wedding Photographer ..............549-0199 ...........info@mikelarson.com............................. mikelarson.com ProImage Weddings ....................888-970-8513 ...trent@proimageweddings.com ............. proimageweddings.com Nakamura’s Photography ...........503-9776 ............................................................................. nakamuraphoto.com Lover of Weddings Photography...............949-702-3181 ....jessica@loverofweddings.com.............. loverofweddings.com Looking Glass Wedding Photography .......................703-3659 ...........info@lookingglassphoto.com ................ mylookingglassphoto.com Rosenthal Photography...............541-4303 ...........colleen@rosenthalphotography.com..... rosenthalphotography.com Jeff Newsom Photography ...............285-3336 ............................................................................. jeffnewsom.com Cheetah Photography ..................748-0264 ...........cheetahphotodj@gmail.com .................. djcheetah.com Loveridge Photography ...............316-0444 ...........tina@loveridgephotography.com........... loveridgephotography.com Samuel Potter Photography................215-2542 ...........sam@samuelpotter.com ........................ samuelpotter.com Katrina Kowalska Photography and Design.................................888-9074 ...........kasialv81@gmail.com............................. katrinakowalska.com Danielle Nunes Photography.....559-303-1801...................................................................... daniellenunesphotography.com Jacob Lacey Photography & Films......459-1646 ............................................................................. jacoblacey.com Applemoon Photography ............727-3686 ...........maren@applemoonphotography.com ... applemoonphotography.com App’s Photography .......................704-3996 ...........brittney@appsphotography.com ........... appsphotography.com Town Country Studios .................244-5177 ...........shannon@towncountrystudios.com ...... towncountrystudios.com Cameron Ingalls Photography.........................471-7056............cam@cameroningalls.com ..................... cameroningalls.com

Catering Location phone emaiL website Mama’s Meatball..........................704-3744 ...........catering@mamasmeatball.com ............. mamasmeatball.com 570 Higuera St., suite 130, SLO Giussepe’s Cucina Rustica ........541-9924 ...........info@giuseppesrestaurant.com ............ giuseppesrestaurant.com 849 Monterey St., SLO Foremost Wine Company............439-3410 ...........cheers@foremostwineco.com ............... foremostslo.com 570 Higuera St., SLO Chef’s Table Catering ..................929-6999 ...........becky@chefstablecatering.com ............ chefstablecatering.com Phil’s Catering ...............................489-3839 ...........chris@philscatering.com........................ philscatering.com 967 Huber St., Grover Beach Testa Catering ...............................739-0809 ...........teamtesta@testacatering.com.............. testacatering.com 2218 S. Thornburg St., Santa Maria Marston’s 101 ................................704-6468...........chris.i.gallag@gmail.com ....................... marstonsbarandgrill.com 9006 W. Front Road, Atascadero Popolo Catering ............................543-9543............................................................................. popolocatering.com 1605 Calle Joaquin, SLO Scotty’s BBQ..................................464-2822 ...........BBQ@scottysbbqpit.com ....................... scottysbbqatascadero.com 5940 El Camino Real, Atascadero Haute Skillet ..................................298-0734 ...........info@hauteskillettruck.com................... hauteskillettruck.com Central Coast Culinary and Catering ..............................550-5081 ...........debbie@centralcoastculinaryandcatering.com .....centralcoastculinaryandcatering.com 2078 Parker St., suite 110, SLO Taste! Catering .............................541-5860 ...........elaine@taste2900.com .......................... taste2900.com 2900 Broad St., SLO Bear & The Wren ..........................316-1951 ............jason@bearandthewren.com ................ bearandthewren.com Gusto on the Go Bistro ................233-7827 ...........info@gustoonthego.com ........................ gustoonthego.com Splash Café ....................................544-7567 ...........heatherb.splash@gmail.com ................. splashcafe.com 197 Pomeroy Ave., Pismo Beach Oasis Restaurant and Catering........543-1155............oasisrestaurant.catering@gmail.com........... oasisrestaurantslo.com 675 Higuera St., SLO Cahoots Catering, Paso Robles.............467-9322 ...........info@cahootscatering.com .................... cahootscatering.com Trumpet Vine Catering ................238-9692 ...........gayle@trumpetvinecatering.com .......... trumpetvinecatering.com 825 Riverside Ave., suite 12, Paso Robles Pacific Harvest Catering ............464-0944...........info@pacificharvestcatering.com ......... pacificharvestcatering.com 9315 Pismo Ave., Atascadero Catering by Chef Charlie .............975-6313 ............................................................................. atascaderocatering.com 8550 El Camino Real, Atascadero McGees ...........................................462-8048 ...........mcgeescatering@gmail.com ................. mcgeescatering.com 3000 El Camino Real, Atascadero Paellas and Tapas ........................325-1492 ...........paellasandtapas@hotmail.com ............. paellasandtapas.com 539 5 Cities Drive, Pismo Beach Thomas Hill Organics ..................226-5888 ...........events@thomashillorganics.com........... thomashillorganics.com 1313 Park St., Atascadero Old San Luis Barbecue Company...........285-2473 ............................................................................. oldsanluisbbq.com 670 Higuera St., SLO Flora and Fauna Fine Food, Arroyo Grande ....................................627-2269 ...........flora_fauna@usa.com............................ floraandfaunafinefood.com The Rib Line, Grover Beach, SLO..........602-2108 ...........riblinecatering@gmail.com .................... riblinecatering.com

DIRECTORY: CATERING continued on page 21

DIRECTORY: CATERING continued from page 20 Field to Table Catering and Events ......474-5719............hello@fttevents.com .............................. fttevents.com 146 N. Thompson Road, Nipomo

Bar services Location phone emaiL website Cork Mobile Bartending .............462-9106 ...........chris@corkmobilebar.com ...................... corkmobilebar.com Sidecar Cocktail Company .........................................info@sidecarslo.com .............................. sidecarcocktail.company 1127 Broad St., SLO Whiskey & June ............................286-8869 ...........erin@whiskeyandjune.com .................... whiskeyandjune.com 5950 El Camino Real, Atascadero Bottles & Ice, Atascadero.............703-0582 ...........bottlesandice@gmail.com ..................... bottlesandice.com Central Coast Party Helpers...........238-7979 ............................................................................. centralcoastpartyhelpers.com 179 Niblick Road, suite 169, Paso Robles Saude Mobile Bar .........................294-0705 ...........saudemobilebar@gmail.com.................. saudemobilebar.com 141 Suburban Road, suite D, SLO

Better together.

Flowers

ARRIVE

Photo credit: SLOtography

Location phone emaiL website Clover and Branch Design Studio ......234-1569 ...........cloverandbranch@gmail.com................. cloverandbranch.com 3021 S. Higuera St., SLO Sprigs Floral Designs .................543-2501 ...........erin@sprigsfloraldesigns.com ............... sprigsfloraldesigns.com 788 Pismo St., SLO Shell Beach Floral ........................474-9710.............................................................................. shellbeachflowers.biz 260 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach D & D Floral ....................................528-4230 ............................................................................. danddfloral.com 1958 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos Wilder Floral ..................................784-0415 ...........hello@wilderfloralco.com ...................... wilderfloralco.com 1349 Chorro St., SLO Albert’s Florist ..............................543-0567............................................................................. albertsflorist.com 1357 Monterey St., SLO Precious and Blooming, Arroyo Grande ..............................408-221-4105 ....kellye.clifford@preciousandblooming.com ..... preciousandblooming.com Fluidbloom......................................215-0529 ...........nikki@fluidbloom.com ............................ fluidbloomdesigns.com Gordon’s Floral Design Studio...............................541-1532 .................................................. gordonsfloraldesigns.com 1532 Monterey St., SLO DIRECTORY: FLOWERS continued on page 22

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DIRECTORY: FLOWERS continued from page 21 Open Air Flowers ..........................541-1417 ............openairflowers@gmail.com ................... openairflowersslo.com 1055 Osos St., SLO Blissful Blossoms ........................776-5067 ...........chelseajeanc@gmail.com ...................... blissfulblossomsslo.com 1685 Corona Court, SLO Noonan’s Wine Country Designs ....458-0917 ...........katie@noonansdesigns.com .................. noonansdesigns.com 710 Fiero Lane, suite 23, SLO The Flower Lady............................350-2848 ...........kim@theflowerlady.com ........................ theflowerlady.org 1728 Spring St. Paso Robles Country Florist...............................800-752-1969 ...................................................................... countryfloristandgift.com 1191 Creston Road, suite 114, Paso Robles Flowers by Kim..............................674-5243 ...........kim@flowersbykim.com ......................... flowersbykim.com 2555 Adobe Road, Paso Robles Bella Bloom Events ......................423-3454 ...........contact@bellabloomevents.com ........... bellabloomevents.com 5875 Stockdale Road, Paso Robles Jamie Jespersen’s Flowers .......466-4582............................................................................. jamiesflowers.com 9479 El Camino Real, Atascadero Arlyne’s Flowers, Etc. .................466-1136.............................................................................. arlynesflowersandgifts.com 6485 Palma Ave., Atascadero April Flowers, Atascadero............704-5822 ...........april@aprilflowersslo.com ..................... aprilflowersslo.com A Love Story Floral Design, Atascadero.....305-9212 ...........cindy@alovestoryfloral.com .................. alovestoryfloral.com Blommor Floral..............................550-6030 ...........blommarfloral@gmail.com..................... blommorfloral.com 2164 Center St., Cambria Cambria Nursery & Florist ........927-4747 ...........info@cambriaflorist.net ......................... cambrianursery.com 2801 Eton Road, Cambria Marshall Gardens.........................528-7725 ...........flowerlady@marshallgarden.com ......... marshallgarden.com 1034 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos Harbor Floral Studio ....................772-0770 ...........flowers@harborfloral.net ...................... harborfloral.net 868 Napa Ave., Morro Bay Pismo Beach Florist .....................773-7673 ...........pismobeachflorist@yahoo.com ............. pismobeachflorist.com 695 Price St., Pismo Beach Nipomo Flowers & Gifts .............929-2135 ...........nipomoflowers@sbcglobal.net .............. nipomoflowers.net 304 N. Mallagh St., Nipomo

phone

emaiL

website

Cake Cathedral, Arroyo Grande ...459-9572 ...........info@cakecathedral.com ....................... cakecathedral.com The Cakery Design Studio, Atascadero .369-0200 ...........slocakery@gmail.com ............................ slocakery.com Christine’s Cake Creations.........237-1303............christines_cakes@yahoo.com ............... christinescakecreations.com 1702 Skyview Drive, Paso Robles Cassie’s Custom Cakes ...............462-2253 ...........cassiescakes1@gmail.com..................... cassiescustomcakes.com 2040 Ferrocarril Road, Atascadero Clementine Cupcake Company .712-6180............clementinecupcakes@yahoo.com ......... clementinecupcakes.com 1215 Windsong Way, Paso Robles Just Baked SLO .............................242-5948 ...........justbakedslo@gmail.com ....................... justbakedslo.com 22720 El Camino Real, suite A, Santa Margarita Atascadero Baking Company ....369-1934 ...........carmen@atascaderobaking.com ........... atascaderobaking.com SLO Baked Bakeries ....................783-1775 ...........johno@slobaked.com ............................. slobaked.com 267 Tank Farm Road, SLO Madonna Inn .................................543-3000............................................................................. madonnainn.com 100 Madonna Road, SLO Arroyo Grande Bakery.................489-1141 .............................................................................. agbakery.com 1231 Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande KK’s Gourmet Bundt Cakes ........489-2600 ...........kksbundtcakes@aol.com........................ kksbundtcakes.com 1331 Sierra Drive, Arroyo Grande The GMO Free Bakery .................305-6155 ............................................................................. thegmofreebaker.com 3500 Bullock Lane, SLO Carlock’s Bakery ..........................528-1845 ...........info@carlocksbakery.com 1024 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos SLO Sugar Rush.............................610-8834 ...........eve@slosugarrush.com .......................... slosugarrush.com PK’s Custom Cakes, Arroyo Grande ...748-3065 ...........greenemap@charter.net ........................ pkscustomcakes.com Éclair Bakery .................................481-7654 ...........eclairbakery@gmail.com ........................ eclairbakery.com 117 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande Lickety Split Bakery ....................481-3255 ...........licketysplitbakery@gmail.com ............... licketysplitbakery.com 1554 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach Daisy Delights Bakery.................619-7888 ............................................................................. daisy-delights.com 235 W. Tefft St. Nipomo SeaBreeze Cupcakes and Sweet Treats, SLO .............242-6588 ...........breanne@seabreezecupcakes.com ....... seabreezecupcakes.com

phone

emaiL

website

Bella Novia Bridal ........................239-5683 ...........bellanoviabridal@yahoo.com................. bellanoviabridalpaso.com 9965 El Camino Real, suite G, Atascadero

22

Something Bridal Boutique........439-4211 ...........info@somethingbridalslo.com ............... somethingbridalslo.com 1349 Monterey St., SLO Hey Gorgeous Formal Wear .......380-3735 ...........heygorgeousformalwear@hotmail.com..........heygorgeousformalwear.com 960 W. Grand Ave., suite B, Grover Beach

renTals Location phone emaiL website Central Coast Tent & Party .........434-6084...........info@centralcoasttent.com ................... centralcoasttent.com 215 Sycamore Road, Atascadero Beach Butlerz ................................995-4065............................................................................. beachbutlerz.com 117 Highland Way, Grover Beach Taylor Rental Party Plus, Paso Robles, SLO..........................238-2030 ...........pasorobles@taylorrents.net .................. taylorrents.net Got You Cover’D Rentals .............541-8363 ...........info@gycrentals.com ............................. gycrentals.com 211 Tank Farm Road, SLO SLO Party Rentals.........................591-0807 ...........slopartyrentals@yahoo.com .................. slopartyrentals.com 19990 Highway 101, Santa Margarita All About Events ..........................239-7777 ...........allabouteventspaso@gmail.com ........... allaboutevents.com 1228 11th St., suite 101, Paso Robles

Hair and makeup Location

phone

emaiL

website

The Queen’s Bees .........................806-5609 ...........jenn@thequeensbees.com..................... thequeensbees.com 630 High St., SLO Bladerunner Salon .......................541-5131 ............thebladerunner1986@gmail.com .......... thebladerunner.com 894 Monterey St., SLO Kim & Co. Full Service Salon .....541-5424 ...........kimandcosalon@charter.net .................. kimandcosalon.com 2103 Broad St., SLO

Central Coast Wedding Hair ......610-7220 ...........furf_n_slo@hotmail.com ....................... ccweddinghair.com 705 Pine St., Paso Robles Joseph Antone Salon ..................610-7220 ............................................................................. hair-salon-paso-robles.com 522 Spring St., Paso Robles Strawberry Blonde Salon ...........239-4200 ...........strawberryblondesalon@yahoo.com .... strawberryblondesalonpasorobles.com 718 10th St., Paso Robles Artistry Beauty Lounge and Boutique.......458-9467 ............................................................................. bridalartistry.us 683 Main St., suite A, Cambria To Have and To Hold .....................459-8323 ...........hello@tohaveandtoholdbeautysalon.com..........tohaveandtoholdbridalsalon.com 774 Marsh St., suite 110, SLO Stilletto Vixens .............................439-4373...........jessica@stilettovixens.com ................... stilettovixens.com 3165 Broad St., suite110, SLO Faces a la Mode ............................544-5729 ............................................................................. facesalamode.com 1601 Osos St., SLO Bluebird Salon...............................593-0234 ...........frontdesk@bluebirdsalon.com ............... bluebirdsalon.com 742 Marsh St., SLO The Beach Hair Studio ................627-1930............info@thebeachhairstudio.com............... thebeachhairstudio.com 310 Front St., Avila Beach Synergy Salon ...............................473-2326 ............................................................................. discover-synergysalon.com 822 E. Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande Summer Expressions Hair Salon........772-2134............summerexpressionsmb@gmail.com ...... summerexpressions.com 735 Napa Ave., Morro Bay

musiC Location

phone

emaiL

website

Kramer Events ...............................544-9900...........melissa@kramerevents.com.................. kramerevents.com Central Coast DJ ...........................772-0407 ...........thecentralcoastdj@yahoo.com .............. thecentralcoastdj.com Phase 1 Mobile DJ .......................440-5504...........bob@p1dj.com ........................................ p1dj.com DJ Pablo Diablo .......................................................................................................................... officialdjpd.com DJ Cheetah .....................................748-0264 ...........cheetahphotodj@gmail.com .................. djcheetah.com DJ Zapp ......................................................................................................................................... facebook.com/zapp.laurel Joe LaBarbera Sound ..................773-0860 ...........labarberasound@gmail.com .................. labarberasound.com At Your Service Wedding ...........544-9338...........mic@rocknrev.com ................................. atyourserviceweddings.net Generation Gap ........................................................................................................................... generationgapca.com Epic Entertainment ......................540-8564...........party@epicentertainmentslo.com......... epicentertainmentslo.com

Wedding dresses/Tuxedos Location

Moondance Bridal........................788-0811 ...........hello@moondancebridal.com ................ moondancebridal.com 1880 Santa Barbara Ave., suite 130, SLO

Bellizzimo Beauty.........................305-9049 ...........info@bellizzimobeauty.com ................... bellizzimobeauty.com 998 Huston St., Grover Beach

Cake Location

A Heart’s Desires Bridal .............771-5683 ............................................................................. aheartsdesiresbridal.com 749 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo

Entertainment Now ......................461-6741............deldj@thegrid.net ................................... weddingdj.net Muir Music Mobile DJ Services ......925-7780 ...........scott@muirmusic.com ............................ muirmusic.com Central Coast Premier Entertainment ....550-1071............info@ccpremier-entertainment.com ..... ccpremier-entertainment.com

IN RUSTIC ROMANCE

Indoor & Outdoor Historic Natural Settings • Rehearsal Dinners Spontaneous Garden Cuisine • On Site Wedding Coordination All Inclusive Packages • Bridal Showers • Award-Winning Day Spa

The Best of 2017.

AMY LASHELLE PHOTOGRAPHY

Create your dream wedding. Call Lauren McIntyre at 805.540.3638 SycamoreSprings.com 1215 Avila Beach Dr. San Luis Obispo, CA

5-4-17DATE N PUBLICATIO

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This New Times publication is the most sought after publication for tourist and SLO natives alike! Let your marketing be seen along side the best the Central Coast has to offer with those who triumphed in our 31st Annual Best of San Luis Obispo County Readers Poll.

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23

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739 12th St., Paso Robles · 805.239.4367 · www.diamondsRforever.com