Embracing the Landscape | Wedding at Pacific Grove's "Refuge by the Sea"

Katie grew up in San Francisco and spent holidays at Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove, playing in the sand and searching the tide pools for sea stars. She shared this beautiful place with Chris, who in turn, introduced his parents to it. When Katie and Chris, who now live in Denver, began their initial wedding-planning discussions, they discovered they'd both been imagining a celebration at Asilomar.

The Asilomar Conference Grounds, date back to 1913 when the area was a YWCA Leadership Camp. The lodging, designed by Julia Morgan, offers an upscale summer camp vibe. Cabin-like structures nestled in the Monterey pines provided plenty of space for all their friends and family to share a relaxing weekend at the beach. 

Katie, and most guests, went barefoot for a beautiful ceremony on the sand, looking out at the Monterey Bay and Saturday afternoon surfers. Afterwards, guests walked back up through the dunes to to dinner and much dancing. Scroll down to see the magical way the night ended right back at the beach!

Venue: Asilomar Hotel   |   Boutonnières: Fleurs du Soleil   |   Hair & Makeup: Ashley Pulido   |   Music: DJ Willi   |   Dessert: Mission Minis   |  Gown: David's Bridal    |   Bridesmaid Dresses: Vow To Be Chic   |   Groom's Attire: Menguin   |  Invites: Minted

Elegant Texas Grandeur on the California Coast

When it came to their wedding, this stylish pair wanted to combine their Texas and California roots for an intimate "backyard" celebration in the location where they fell in love and became engaged. 

Megan and Michaela chose  late spring, because the area is bursting with flowers and greenery and enhance the ceremony and reception locations with colorful wind-blown ribbons and bursting spring floral arrangements. 

They poured their creativity, style, and love into every unique, personal detail, collecting plates for 2 years to create an eclectic table of mismatched white and gold place-settings and painting plate chargers and candle-holders by hand. They even gave each guest a small wooden pot filled with small personal notes. 

Ceremony: Lover’s Point | Reception: Private Home, Pebble Beach | Styling: Hanni Liliedahl | Florals: Lilify | Makeup: Jasmine Loren Salon | Paper Suite: Alissa Bell Press | Band: Ben Herod Jazz Trio | DJ: DNAEntertainment | Megan’s Dress: Zac Posen from David’s Bridal; Jacket – BCBG; Custom Design by Amra Alihodzic | Michaela’s Dress: HoughtonNYC, LOHO Bride | Catering: Tricycle Pizza | Cake: Branching Out Cakes | Bar: Pour Girl Cocktails

Intimate Seaside Celebration at Point Lobos

Eric and Krista let their shared love of the coast and nature inspire their wedding day vision. Their ceremony was an intimate affair on the cliffs in Carmel where Eric first brought Krista on one of their beach picnic dates. The reception was held at the Old Whaling Station, a beautiful historic building in Monterey where the couple would meet on their lunch breaks when they first started dating.

The breath-taking views from California’s Central Coast and the Point Lobos trails were the perfect setting. Eric and Krista worked their nature theme into the details, using driftwood for centerpieces and a metallic papier-mâché moon that hung next to the couple during the reception. For another fun touch, they mixed a specialty cocktail for the event and labeled it “Krista and Eric’s Moonshine.” 

Ceremony Venue: Carmel Beach, CA | Reception: Old Whaling Station, Monterey CA | Florist: Lilify | Catering & Party Rentals: Grapes of Wrath | Brides Dress Designer: Bill Blass 1970’s (Foxy Couture) | Bride’s Shoe Designer:  Oasis Sandal Company | Groom’s Suit Designer: J.Crew | Invitations: Feel Good Invites | Day of Paper Goods: Chloe Wilson Art  | Desserts: Cake- Parker Lusseau | Cookies: Happy Girl Kitchen | Coffee: Bright Coffee | Caramels: Bread and Butter Caramels | Hair & Makeup: Tiffany Whitmill & Yeran Attallah  

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