Winters Park Magic

My first wedding back in full swing since February of 2020.  After 26 years of capturing weddings, I have to admit the pause was exactly what I needed. And to come back to my first wedding after the pandemic to this magical day was exactly what I needed for a breath of fresh air.  The Inn at Park Winters in Winters, CA is a magical venue complete with vista views, a vintage mansion and an old farm house.  Pair that background with a beautiful bride and handsome groom and about 150 people from my hometown of Half Moon Bay, and it was such a perfect day in every way!

 

Hastings House Wedding and Backyard Celebration

What a simple but elegant wedding.  These two chose simple ingredients and really designed a wedding that was intimate and unique to them.  It started at the Seal Cove Inn which was the perfect backdrop for the first look and the family portraits at the nearby majestical forest at the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. We then moved on to the Hastings House, which is this beautiful seaside garden in the scenic town of Miramar.  This place is near and dear to my heart because I too chose to say my vows, 18 years ago, in this magical garden.  But if those two ingredients weren’t enough of simple and meaningful locations… we then moved onto a private residence that belonged to the groom’s father in Redwood City. They transformed this simple backyard into a celebration surrounded with their closest friends and family.  It was truly a special day.

Rainy day wedding at the Oceano Hotel in Half Moon Bay, CA

Its like rain on your wedding day…. This is the song that keeps playing in my head as I was capturing this mother nature induced unique wedding day.  A May wedding.  Should be sunny skies… or at least spring like temps… but not this day… this day decided it needed to dump all day long.

There are so many things I loved about this day though.  The way the bride and groom weren’t even phased by this.  The way the Oceano Hotel has so many options to get artistic and fun captures inside its glorious space.

Throw in a fun band and a twist to cutting the cake (they had a cheese cake…. A cake made up of different cheese rounds, crackers and a honey comb) some chair dancing and what more could you ask for!

A unique and elegant wedding at the Oceano Hotel in Half Moon Bay, CA

To get married at the Oceano comes with so much beauty.  With an ocean backdrop laced with cypress tree’s and the sound of the fog horn it really is a magical place.  To get married at the Oceano comes with so much beauty.  With an ocean backdrop laced with cypress tree’s and the sound of the fog horn it really is a magical place.  But when you add in your own flavor like Stephanie and Jeff did creating nothing like I have ever seen, you get that plus so much more.

Stephanie and Jeff decided to make full use out of the venue but getting married in their rustic gatehouse facility bringing in their own nature and greenery to really bring the venue to its next elegant level.  Stephanie wanted to make sure she created fun for all of her 200 guests including her teenage son… so created a game room separate from the reception complete with air hockey and a life size connect 4 game.  The adults were able to lounge comfortably in sofa’s and tall cocktail tables complete with an espresso bar and a photo booth.  Dancing and fun were being had by all… What a great way to change up the venue… bravo you two!

Stephanie and Jeff decided to make full use out of the venue but getting married in their rustic gatehouse facility bringing in their own nature and greenery to really bring the venue to its next elegant level.  Stephanie wanted to make sure she created fun for all of her 200 guests including her teenage son… so created a game room separate from the reception complete with air hockey and a life size connect 4 game.  The adults were able to lounge comfortably in sofa’s and tall cocktail tables complete with an espresso bar and a photo booth.  Dancing and fun were being had by all… What a great way to change up the venue… bravo you two!