Paso Robles should definitely be on your radar if you’re considering a vineyard wedding venue. Between the open landscapes, and wine country atmosphere, there’s a lot to love about getting married in Central Coast California.
But choosing a vineyard wedding venue isn’t just about finding the prettiest view. You’re also thinking about how the day will flow, where your favorite people will gather, and whether the space actually works for the celebration you want.
I recently got to second shoot Sarah and Kenny’s wedding at Villa San Juliette for ADR Photo, and honestly, this one was such a good reminder of why I love weddings that have a little of everything. Thoughtful scenery, a couple who genuinely enjoyed their day, Taylor Swift karaoke, and brothers dressed as cannoli boys. Obviously, we need to discuss this.
As a California wedding photographer who loves a thoughtfully designed celebration just as much as the candid moments happening around it, I always get excited when a wedding venue gives us room for both.
What to Consider Before Booking a Vineyard Wedding Venue
Vineyard venues are beautiful, obviously. But before you commit to one, I’d also think about the parts of the day that won’t be happening in front of that vineyard view.
Where will guests gather before the ceremony? Is there enough shade if you’re getting married during a warmer month? What happens if the weather changes? And if everyone is traveling to Paso Robles for the weekend, where are they staying?
These aren’t necessarily the exciting questions when you’re touring a venue, but they’re the ones that can make a huge difference in how the wedding actually feels.
Why a Vineyard Wedding Venue is for You
If you’re drawn to outdoor ceremonies, vineyard views, and the whole California wine country atmosphere, I can absolutely see why a vineyard wedding venue might be at the top of your list.
What I love about these spaces is that the landscape already gives you so much to work with. You can lean into thoughtful florals, beautiful tablescapes, and little personal details, but you don’t necessarily need to reinvent the entire setting to make the day feel special.
And can we also acknowledge that you can have an elegant vineyard wedding and still end the night doing Taylor Swift karaoke with your favorite people? Because Sarah and Kenny absolutely proved that.
A Villa San Juliette Wedding in Paso Robles Wine Country
Some venues just make you excited to pull out your camera, and Villa San Juliette in Paso Robles is definitely one of them. Located in San Miguel, just outside Paso Robles, it’s surrounded by vineyards and has that idyllic countryside feel that makes this part of California so appealing.
Sarah and Kenny traveled all the way from Tennessee for their wedding here, and I loved getting to photograph a little piece of their celebration. Between the vineyard scenery and the venue itself, there were so many opportunities to incorporate the surroundings into their portraits.
One thing I particularly love about photographing weddings at places like Villa San Juliette is being able to pull back and show the couple within the landscape. Not every portrait needs to be a close-up! Sometimes giving the scenery a little more room in the frame is what makes a photograph feel iconic, especially when you’ve chosen a location like this.
Planning a San Luis Obispo Wedding? Consider Paso Robles, Too
If you’ve been searching for a San Luis Obispo wedding venue, don’t limit yourself to the city itself. Paso Robles and San Miguel are worth exploring, especially if you’re drawn to vineyard weddings. Villa San Juliette is one example of what you can find in this part of the Central Coast.
One thing I’d think through before booking is where your guests will be staying and how they’ll get to the venue. This is especially important if you’re planning a destination wedding and most of your guests are traveling. A venue can be absolutely perfect, but you still want to make sure the logistics make sense.
I’d also recommend thinking about your wedding weekend as a whole. If you’re bringing people in from out of town, consider how much time you’ll actually get to spend with them and whether you’d like to plan anything outside the wedding day.
And if you’re still narrowing down your venue options, I have a few thoughts on what makes a location worth booking beyond just how pretty it looks. You can read more in my guide to choosing a luxury wedding venue!
How to Make the Most of Your Vineyard Wedding Photography
Something Sarah and Kenny did that worked really well was creating a specific portrait shot list. They knew exactly which photographs they wanted, so we were able to move through their list pretty efficiently. There wasn’t much time spent figuring out poses on the spot, which helped keep things moving.
I love when couples show me the images they’re drawn to, especially when they have a very specific editorial or playful portrait in mind. It gives me a sense of what excites them.
But I also don’t want us spending the whole afternoon recreating someone else’s Pinterest board. Sometimes the better photograph comes from noticing the light, the surroundings, or something you two are doing naturally and running with it.
Now, do I think everyone needs a Pinterest board with 75 poses saved? Absolutely not. But if there are specific portraits you’re excited about, tell your photographer! Maybe you love a certain editorial pose or want a photograph that feels a little more playful. Having those conversations ahead of time helps us understand what you’re drawn to.
Some couples love having a lot of direction, while others prefer a more relaxed approach. Both are completely fine.
Personally, I love a mix of thoughtfully composed portraits and photographs where you’re just doing your thing. You don’t need to spend your entire wedding day posing for the camera to have a gallery full of photographs you love.
This is also why I like getting to know what my couples are drawn to before the wedding. We can talk through your inspiration, the venue, the timeline, and the photographs you’re most excited about so there’s room for both intentional portraits and everything that happens naturally. You can read more about what working together looks like here.
A Vineyard Wedding That Didn’t Take Itself Too Seriously
Okay, back to the cannoli boys.
Sarah and Kenny really knew how to make their reception their own. They had an ice cream cart, Taylor Swift karaoke, and their brothers dressed up as cannoli boys. Their guests were such a fun group, and the dance floor was easily one of the highlights of the day!
I loved that they incorporated these little details into their celebration. None of them needed to match a particular wedding aesthetic. They were just fun, personal touches that made the evening feel like them.
I think sometimes couples feel pressure to make every detail fit into one cohesive vision. And while I love thoughtful design, I also think there’s room for things that are just plain fun. You can have your gorgeous vineyard wedding and your Taylor Swift karaoke. They’re not mutually exclusive.
Photographing the People Who Make Your Wedding Special
Since I was second shooting Sarah and Kenny’s wedding for ADR Photo, I spent a lot of my time photographing their guests.
Something I’ve been doing more lately is approaching guests and asking them to pose for a quick photograph, or setting up a cute group shot that I think the couple would appreciate having.
I love documentary photography and catching people in the middle of whatever they’re doing, but I also don’t think every meaningful photograph has to be completely candid.
Here’s something I’ve been doing more lately: if I see a group of friends or family members together, I’ll sometimes ask them to stop for a quick photo. I know, very shocking coming from someone who loves documentary photography. But I don’t think every meaningful photograph needs to happen completely by accident. Sometimes people are having too much fun to realize they haven’t taken a single photo together all night.
And years later, I think those photographs can mean just as much as the beautifully composed portraits. Your people are a huge part of your wedding story. I want them in the gallery too.
Your wedding gallery should absolutely include the portraits, the venue, and all those details you spent months planning. But I also want you to have photographs of the people who showed up for you. Those are the images that can become even more meaningful with time.
If you’re drawn to California wine country weddings, you can also take a look through my wedding portfolio to see how I approach different venues, lighting situations, and the little moments happening throughout the day.
Book Your San Luis Obispo Wedding Photographer
Planning a vineyard wedding in Paso Robles or somewhere else in California wine country? I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up!
Whether you’ve got a very specific vision for your portraits, a whole Pinterest board of wedding details, or you’re mostly excited about bringing your favorite people together for an incredible weekend, I’m here for all of it.
We’ll talk through the venue, the light, the timeline, and how to make space for the photos you’re excited about while you actually enjoy the celebration. Because yes, we can absolutely have beautiful, intentional wedding photos and a dance floor full of people doing Taylor Swift karaoke.
Let’s talk about your wedding!
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