What started as study buddies for their shared major in animal science, California transplants Johana and Hugo connected quickly and began to fall for one another. Whether it was volunteering together, sharing a late-night meal, taking spontaneous trips during their internships, or just chatting about their mutual love for animals, they found themselves enjoying life much more as a unit. That love would eventually bring them to a sunny day in Paso Robles, California, and a venue that looks like it was plucked out of the Tuscan hills to say “I do.”

As two California natives living in Virginia, the Golden State held a landscape and culture they felt at home in, plus it meant their families could easily attend. That being said, Johana and Hugo still desired a setting offering different vibes than a venue in the city.

“A winery was perfect because it gave us ‘out of the country vibes’ but also staying within our roots,” Johana explains.

Their venue search ended after visiting Villa San Juliette in the heart of Paso Robles wine country. Designed as a “destination-style winery experience,” the vineyard’s atmosphere and tailored approach to each event hosted on property won the couple over.

However, since they currently reside thousands of miles across the country in Virginia, Johana and Hugo’s Villa San Juliette wedding in Paso Robles would take a high level of intention and organization to pull off.

This took “spreadsheets and constant phone calls with vendors,” according to the couple. Also helpful in the process: meetings via FaceTime or Zoom to speak with their wedding team face-to-face, or at least as much as was possible from the East Coast.

Welcoming new experiences while honoring tradition, Johana and Hugo’s wedding day blended vintage touches with the natural beauty of their California vineyard setting.

That day, Hugo gifted Johana a bracelet to represent his never-ending commitment, while Johana gave him custom cufflinks engraved with the words, “Meet me at the altar, I will love you forever.”

The couple wed in a Catholic ceremony at Mission San Miguel, with different family members participating throughout the event. A butterfly release outside the church capped off the ceremony and symbolized their new beginning as a married couple.

Back at the venue, statuary, wild roses and sweeping hillside views heightened feelings of romance. The couple chose to arrive at the reception an hour early to share their first meal in private before welcoming guests.

As the evening unfolded in the open-air setting, guests enjoyed vineyard views while Johana and Hugo shared their first dance atop yellow rose petals. The head table, detailed with white florals and green grapes, was finished with linen reading “just married.”

The reception kicked off with the Vibora de la Mar, a dance shared with family members to symbolize unity through life’s challenges. “We stood on chairs with a 4-foot gap between them while holding onto each end of my veil,” Johana says. Family members link hands, rotating around the dance floor in the shape of a snake. The intent is to try to knock the bride or groom off the chair.

They also assembled and served a Mille Foglie, an Italian cake meant to reflect the imperfect beauty of a lasting relationship: messy, joyful and delicious.

After a wedding celebration as picturesque as Johana and Hugo’s, the two share possibly the best (and briefest) advice the Destination I Do team has heard: “Use spreadsheets, discuss over coffee, and finalize over wine.”

Vendors: Photography & Videography: Nicole & Photo; Ceremony Venue: Old Mission San Miguel Arcangel; Reception Venue: Villa San Juliette; Florist: Country Florist and Gift; Cake: Lety Lamas; Bride’s Dress: Casablanca Bridal; Groom’s Clothing Designer: Jos A. Bank; Entertainment: Crush Events; Rentals: All About Events; Staffing: Crui Event & Winery Staffing; Ceremony Harpist: Jan Walters; Catering: Órale Taqueria; Bakery: La Migliore Bakery