Limekiln State Park Archives

Wind & Sea Estate Wedding in Big Sur

January 22, 2020 by Amy Leyenaar Leave a Comment

Nanllel and Mikael booked the Wind & Sea Estate in Big Sur to celebrate their first wedding anniversary with 30 of their closest friends and family.

On June 16, 2018, Nanllel and Mikael privately eloped at the courthouse. It was a quick and casual affair, but they still wanted the opportunity to celebrate with friends and family. A year to the date, they hosted everyone for a weekend long celebration. Guests traveled all the way from England and Mexico to be there.

A Fireside Vow Renewal at Wind & Sea Estate

The Wind & Sea estate sits right along Pacific Coast Highway, hidden behind an inconspicuous wooden gate. It sits high on the cliff side, with winding pathways to the ocean, populated with native succulents. From the balcony and living room, you’re treated to panoramic views of the coastline.

To kick off the weekend, the couple hosted a casual BBQ on Friday and built a bonfire as the sun was setting. As everyone gathered around the fire, Mikael’s uncle, a pastor, led their vow renewal.

A Quiet Morning at Wind & Sea Estate

Both Nanllel and Mikael got ready at the Wind & Sea Estate, with a handful of close family and friends. Nanllel wore the feminine and romantic, Willowby by Watters Reagan Gown from BHLDN. Neither of them wore traditional wedding clothes for their courthouse elopement, so this was a highlight.

Nanllel and Mikael emphasized a natural, light-hearted, and candid approach to their photography. They wanted photos that captured the atmosphere of Big Sur and tangible essence of their most intimate relationships.

A Cliffside First Look & Redwood Portraits at Limekiln

I found the perfect secluded spot at Wind & Sea Estate for their first look, with amazing views of the coast stretching for miles in both directions. After, we headed down to Limekiln State Park for couple portraits in the redwoods. Nanllel’s wedding dress swept the forest floor and was full of needles and acorns by the end.

Big Sur Bakery Reception Party

After portraits, we drove to Big Sur Bakery and arrived just in time for cocktail hour. Everyone mingled in the Loma Vista Gardens, punctuated by lots of cheery group photos.

The couple asked guests to wear floral and colorful attire to compliment the garden setting of Big Sur Bakery. They kept the decor simple to let the natural beauty of the venue shine.

Peaches & Poppies Floral created colorful flower arrangements for the wooden tables, set on soft pink cheese cloth runners. Herbs like rosemary and lavender were used as escort cards for seat assignments.

Nanllel and Mikael love sweets and opted for a candy bar buffet. For the rest of the decor, they opted for timeless pieces they could display in their home.

Before dinner, a few friends and family members toasted the couple. Mikael’s dad got everyone choked up when he presented a book of “dude trips,” a scrapbook he had been working on since Mikael’s childhood of their adventures together. Afterward, we shared a delicious family style meal, catered by the one and only Big Sur Bakery.

To wrap up the evening, Nanllel & Mikael cut their epic cake. Then a cheery dance party under the market lights broke out.

Their Vendor Team

Accommodations/Getting Ready: Wind & Sea Estate // Catering/Reception: Big Sur Bakery // Entertainment: DC Events and Design // Florist: Peaches and Poppies Floral // Photography: Paige Nelson Photography // Transportation: The Monterey Party Bus // Wedding Dress: Willowby by Watters Reagan Gown from BHLDN

If you enjoyed this Wind & Sea Estate wedding, I recommend checking out Hannah and Rocky’s Intimate Wedding at Henry Cowell Redwoods.

Jessica & Paul

Intimate Big Sur Wedding

Big Sur, CA

October 20, 2016 by Paige Nelson 2 Comments

Jessica and Paul’s intimate Big Sur wedding at Limekiln State Park was the most enchanting day I’ve ever witnessed. These two feel so deeply about each other. Their joy and love is truly infectious in these images.

They knew in the early stages of wedding planning they wanted an intimate celebration with their closest family and friends. Jessica was inspired by the atmosphere of my sister and her husband’s wedding along the Big Sur coast last year. Limekiln State Park has a magnetic pull to it like that. I also got to team up again with my friend Whitney Justesen who is an incredible videographer!

When I’m planning with couples, I always send out a questionnaire to learn more about their relationship to inspire more meaningful images. Jessica and Paul’s individual responses to the question “What do you love most about each other?” are so heartfelt and genuine, I wanted to interweave it into their story.

Jessica & Paul’s wedding day was featured on Intimate Weddings if you’d like to check it out here.

Honestly, Paul is the best person I know. There’s so much to love. He’s so dynamic. He has this scholarly side (very professional, knowledgeable), the silly, hilarious side, and there’s the deep soulful side. This last one is the one where we sit on the couch and have honest conversations about who we are, what we think, and how we both feel things very deeply.

Like me, Paul is what I call a deep feeler. It’s this powerful sense of empathy where you can feel the world’s aches and joys. I’m not sure whether or not that will translate, but it’s a visceral feeling, and to share it with another is very special. We have this bond where it seems we are almost always on the same page.

Jessi is incredibly thoughtful. She not only shows her kindness through words, she shows people how much she cares about them through actions. One of her favorite things to do for her family is cook a wonderful meal for them, and I am the same way. I think this is part of the reason why we love cooking for each other and together. It is one of the many ways that we show our love.

Before I met him, I wasn’t sure whether or not I would marry. I could picture myself growing old, writing books in a little nook, quietly by myself. And that would be fine. But then I met him and there wasn’t any other choice. I’d met my match.

An Intimate Forest Ceremony at Limekiln State Park

Jessica took cover behind a redwood tree until their song from Sleeping at Last filled the air. Paul’s face when he saw her was heart melting. During the ceremony, he proudly showed her the restaurant receipt from their first date. He knew she was the one for him since that very first encounter.

The first kiss was followed by the first dance. Immediately after, someone popped a bottle of champagne and passed it around. Everyone exchanged hugs and heartfelt words. Then it was just Jess and Paul, dancing in the magical forest light, two souls completely intertwined.

Jessi is so very affectionate. I may be focused on something when her hand gently rubs my back when I’m not expecting it, just as a little reminder she is thinking of me. I have received an uncountable amount of simple, sweet, random texts telling me she is thinking of me. I have never felt so loved in my life.

I can’t picture any other future. I’ll still grow old, quietly writing in my little nook, and when I’m finished, I’ll give my husband a kiss and ask if he’d like to join me for a walk.

When we are together, we like some part of us to be close. We don’t always have to be exploring the world, an evening walk suits us just fine, because it’s nice and slow. We push the world away and there is just us. I want that always.

Golden Hour Portraits along Highway 1

We made our way back up the coast as the sun started to set. This is my absolute favorite time of day to experience Highway 1 in Big Sur. It feels like you’re in a beautiful poem brought to life by the colors and landscape.

An enchanting meal at Restaurant 1833

By the time we made it to Restaurant 1833 for dinner, it was completely dark. Jess and Paul reserved a private room lit by candles to celebrate the rest of the evening with their family. The tables twinkled with beautiful fairy lights, sustaining the whimiscal atmosphere of the golden forest.

After a wonderful meal and celebratory cake cutting, we said our goodbyes. On the drive home, I had to pinch myself several times to make sure this day was real. Congrats Jessica and Paul! Your intimate Big Sur wedding was as magical and romantic as your love for each other. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together.

Their Vendor Team

Accommodations: Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn // Cake: Parker Lusseau // Ceremony Site: Limekiln State Park, Big Sur // Dress: Handmade by Terri and Lisa (Jessica’s mom and aunt) // Florals (Ceremony): Emily (Jessica’s sister); Florals (Reception Dinner): Design by Reina // Groom’s Attire: Charles Tyrwhitt (jacket); Suit Supply (Vest and pants); Allen Edmonds (shoes) // Invitations (calligraphy): Pirouette Paper // Make up: Virginia White // Photography: Paige Nelson // Reception: Restaurant 1833, Monterey // Videography: Whitney Justesen

Kaitlyn & Matt

Intimate wedding in Big Sur

Big Sur, CA

December 1, 2015 by Paige Nelson Leave a Comment

I credit Kaitlyn and Matt’s intimate wedding in Big Sur as the one that started everything for me.

Matt and Kaitlyn are high school sweethearts. After moving in together, they took the next step and got engaged. Instead of an elaborate proposal, they decided to wear rings in unison up until the wedding day. Nothing over the top…that’s not them.

Kaitlyn and I quickly dreamed up places for her and Matt to elope to. First, there was Canada, then Iceland, then Scotland. Finally, they settled on a magical place a little closer to home: Big Sur.

Intimate Big Sur Wedding

Kaitlyn and Matt invited our immediate family members to join them for a private ceremony in the redwoods. Kaitlyn asked our best friend, Marissa, to officiate. With only 13 of us as witnesses, it was the perfect size for an intimate wedding in Big Sur.

Kaitlyn and Matt ventured up a few days early to settle into our incredible yurts at Treebones Resort and scout ceremony locations. The mile-high redwood trees and delicate green clovers at Limekiln State Park made it an instant winner.

It was overcast and lightly raining the morning of the wedding…always a sign of good luck. I woke up early to take in the beautiful view. I was a little stressed at the thought of trying to be in a wedding while also photographing it.

Looking back, I don’t think I would have had it any other way. It wasn’t easy, but I’m incredibly proud, and even more emotional, to share these images of my sister and brother-in-law’s day with you.

Congratulations you guys, you two were meant for each other. I’m so happy to see my family continue to grow!

Kaitlyn and Matt’s wedding is featured on Intimate Weddings. Check it out here.

After a quiet morning of preparation, Kaitlyn and Matt shared their first look on a cliff overlooking the coast right by their yurt. We made a quick trip to the beautiful, organic garden on the grounds before shuttling ourselves in three different cars to Limekiln State Park.

Ceremony in Limekiln State Park

The bridge was closed for maintenance, so we found ourselves balancing on a log to get the other side. When the path through the forest opened up…it was straight out of a fairytale.

Kaitlyn and Matt exchanged vows by a small creek, surrounded by the people they love most. I dropped the camera for a second to step inside the ring-warming circle.

After lots of hugs, we planned to meet up with the rest of the family later at Nepenthe for their celebration dinner. We frolicked in the forest for a bit longer and made our way to a top secret location on the bluffs for more photos, courtesy of Matt. It was perfect and breathtaking.