If you are looking for a Paso Robles wedding venue that will be perfect for your whimsical garden wedding, you have found one of the best wedding venues on the Central Coast. In my whole career as a SLO wedding photographer this is one of the most fun weddings I have ever captured and it took place in a spot as beautiful as dreams.
Mathew and Nishat’s two day wedding was a beautiful blending of two different cultures, families, religions, and upbringings. It showcased the love between them and the significance of each person’s values, backgrounds and family traditions. The wedding was filled with joy and fun moments along with whimsical and personal touches that really told a story of what was important to them as a couple- their beliefs, their families, their many friends, and of course, Star Wars!
Their rehearsal dinner at Rava Wines in Paso Robles began with a Mehndi pre-party where guests enjoyed getting henna designs and could choose from different bindis and panjas to wear. The groom, wearing a stunning green turban and traditional South Asian attire, then led a procession of the family and wedding party through guests as they showered everyone with bright orange turmeric flowers. The bride, in her incredible blue traditional dress, waited to greet him on her bridal throne. Their rehearsal dinner also included an awesome choreographed dance by the bridal party with some serious dance moves, a magic trick performance, and beautiful singing by the brides’ adorable nieces.
The wedding ceremony took place the following day at Willow and Oak in Creston, California- a small town just outside of Paso Robles. Willow and Oak estate is a sprawling ranch and vineyard wedding venue with gorgeous views in every direction. Matthew and Nishat wanted to represent their cultures and family traditions in the ceremony by having both a Rabbhi and an Imam to officiate. I am not sure I have ever seen anything as lovely as the two of them together at their ceremony, her in her red Dupatta and him in his Yamaka.
The ceremony aisle was absolutely overflowing with flowers in an ombre gradient that softly flowed into each color and created a breathtaking and romantic scene, ending with a modern Jewish Hupa in a simple and refined geometric shape. The entire ceremony scene was so sophisticated and lovely, beautifully blending the more masculine geometric with soft and feminine elements. It was so much fun for me to photograph all of these unique and whimsical elements.
Matt and Nish are unique, sweet, funny, quirky, and full of laughter. Their wedding was a perfect representation of their personalities. The bridal party had both bridesmaids and man-maids, all looking splendid in gold traditional Asian lehengas and sherwanis. Nishat’s bouquet and dress were swoon-worthy with beautiful colors of peach, gold, blush, and cream.. one of the most amazing bouquets I have ever seen. She looked incredibly beautiful, and Matthew looked dashing in his blue tux, with his groomsen all in blue and looking very elegant. Together the wedding party was so sophisticated, and also so silly and fun, flirty and wild and just awesome.
After the ceremony Nishat changed out of her incredible gold South Asian two-piece skirt and top to surprise Matthew with a white western style wedding dress that really hugged her in all the best ways! The look on his face was priceless and she looked so so beautiful. Ladies, if your considering an outfit change, I say go for it. Why have one amazing dress when you can have two!
Matthew and Nishat’s wedding reception was all about the Star Wars tributes. There was even a secret speakeasy bar where guests could enjoy drinks served by bartenders dressed in full Starship regalia. The table settings were designed to represent the famous hand gesture from the show, “take me to your leader.” Nishat’s bouquet even had star wars pins to show their love for the series. The dance party at the reception was epic, and everyone had a blast, and they even lifted both bride and groom up on chairs for the Jewish Hora.
I am so excited to share these photos with you of Nish and Matt at their incredble garden wedding day. Their wedding was whimsical, fairytale-like, elegant, fun, and filled with personal touches special to their relationship. The colors were soft and romantic and the atmosphere was filled with laughter and fun- it honestly doesn’t get better than this. I know wherever life takes them on their adventures, these two will be hand in hand.
I have so many favorite wedding photos from this day- I have been wanting to apply my light and airy photography style to a South East Asian or Indian wedding for a long time- most of the time you see these wedding shot in a more old school and bright style and I was so eager to see how my love for softness and pastels would translate for Nishat and Matt’s wedding and it turned out so beautifully. I love to see all her jewelry captured and their gorgeous invitations in a more modern and luxury photography style and it was so much fun doing these flat lays! I hope this wont be the last wedding I so with asian wedding traditions at is so beautiful to capture all their bridal details.
Here are the amazing Vendors that made Matt and Nishat’s day possible!!
REHEARSAL DINNER VENUE
WEDDING VENUE
PHOTOGRAPHER
VIDEOGRAPHY
FLORAL
HAIR AND MAKEUP
CATERER
HENNA
RENTALS
Avenue Twelve and All About Events
DJ
Dev
RABBI
TRANSPORTATION
PHOTOBOOTH
DRAPING
CAKE AND DESERTS
Santa Barbara based wedding photographer and videographer.
Leana Myra combines a narrative style with a film aesthetic, preserving genuine emotions and connections in stunning imagery that tells each couple's unique love story.