Emily O'Brien & Ken Barnett
BURLAP & OAK WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
Days of Our Lives' Emily O'Brien Marries Ken Barnett in Paso Robles
SUMMER GARDEN PARTY AT CALIPASO WINERY
There are some weddings that feel completely true to the people at the center of them, and Emily O’Brien and Ken Barnett’s wedding at Calipaso Villa & Winery was exactly that.
Emily, known for her work on Days of Our Lives, and Ken celebrated their wedding surrounded by family and friends in Paso Robles, California. Their day brought together the relaxed beauty of California wine country with the color, personality, and nostalgia of a vintage summer garden party.
Calipaso Villa & Winery was the perfect setting. From the vineyard views and Mediterranean inspired architecture to the gardens, warm summer light, and intimate courtyard spaces, the entire property gave us an incredible variety of backdrops while still allowing the wedding to feel personal and connected.
For me, the goal was never simply to photograph how the wedding looked. It was to document how it felt. The quiet moments between Emily and Ken, the people closest to them, the energy of the celebration, and all of the little interactions happening in between the big moments were just as important as the portraits and details.
It was an incredibly fun wedding to photograph and an honor to have the images from Emily and Ken’s celebration later featured by PEOPLE.
As Seen in PEOPLE
Emily and Ken’s Paso Robles wedding was featured by PEOPLE, sharing their story along with photographs from their celebration at Calipaso Villa & Winery captured by Burlap & Oak Wedding Photography.
A Vintage Summer Garden Party at Calipaso Villa & Winery
Calipaso Winery & Villa
Set among the vineyards of Paso Robles, Calipaso Villa & Winery gave Emily and Ken’s wedding the perfect backdrop for their vintage summer garden party vision. The property has an old world feel, with warm architecture, lush landscaping, vineyard views, and intimate spaces that made the entire celebration feel tucked away in wine country.
What I loved most about their wedding was the use of color. Instead of playing it safe with a traditional neutral palette, Emily and Ken leaned into vibrant florals, thoughtful details, and a relaxed summer atmosphere that brought so much personality to the day. Every part of the celebration felt intentional without feeling overly styled.
Calipaso is also an incredible venue to photograph because there is so much variety within one property. The villa, gardens, vineyards, courtyard, and surrounding Paso Robles landscape each create a completely different look. It allowed us to move between candid documentary moments and more polished portraits while keeping everything connected to the setting.
As the afternoon light softened over the property, the colors, textures, and surrounding vineyards really came alive. It was the kind of Central Coast wedding where the venue wasn’t simply a backdrop. It became part of the story.
Color, Personality & the Details That Made the Day Their Own
Calipaso Winery & Villa
Emily and Ken’s wedding was filled with details that felt personal, colorful, and completely their own. From the florals and table settings to the fashion and smaller touches throughout the day, everything worked together without feeling overly formal or staged.
The vintage summer garden party inspiration came through especially well in the reception. Bright florals and playful pops of color stood out against the warm tones and natural surroundings of Calipaso Villa & Winery, creating a celebration that felt elegant while still being relaxed and fun.
Those details are always an important part of how I photograph a wedding. I want to capture the big moments, but I also look for the smaller pieces that help tell the complete story. The flowers on the tables, handwritten details, reactions from family and friends, a quick glance between Emily and Ken, and the little moments happening when nobody realizes a camera is there.
Together, those photographs become more than individual images. They create a visual record of what the wedding actually looked and felt like, preserving all of the personality that Emily and Ken brought to their day in Paso Robles.
Golden Hour Portraits, Dinner
& Dancing at Calipaso
Calipaso Winery & Villa
As the sun started dropping over Paso Robles, we stepped away with Emily and Ken for portraits around Calipaso Villa & Winery. This is always one of my favorite parts of a wedding day. The pace slows down for a few minutes, the light gets softer, and the couple finally has a chance to enjoy a little time together away from everything happening around them.
Calipaso gave us plenty to work with, from the vineyards and gardens to the warm architecture of the villa. Rather than spending a long time posing, I wanted Emily and Ken to be able to move, interact, and enjoy the evening while I photographed a mix of natural moments and more intentional portraits.
From there, the celebration moved into dinner and eventually the dance floor. The energy shifted completely as everyone settled in, celebrated, and let loose. I love photographing this part of a wedding because it is unpredictable. Once the dancing starts, I can play with movement, off camera flash, and different angles while still documenting the real moments happening in front of me.
It was the perfect ending to a colorful summer wedding in Paso Robles: good people, a packed dance floor, and Emily and Ken right in the middle of it all.
Planning a Calipaso Villa or Paso Robles Wedding?
Calipaso Winery & Villa
If you’re planning a wedding at Calipaso Villa & Winery, in Paso Robles wine country, or anywhere along California’s Central Coast, I’d love to hear what you’re putting together.
Every wedding is different, and that’s exactly how I approach photographing them. I want your gallery to feel like your day actually felt, with the people, emotion, atmosphere, and unexpected moments that made it yours. I combine candid documentary photography with creative portraits and off camera lighting when it adds something to the story, without turning your wedding day into an all day photoshoot.
Paso Robles is one of my favorite places to photograph weddings because of the incredible variety of vineyards, estates, rolling hills, and golden Central Coast light. Calipaso in particular offers so many beautiful settings within one property, making it an amazing venue for a celebration that feels intimate while still giving us plenty of room to create.
You can also explore my Paso Robles wedding venue guide for more inspiration and some of my favorite places to get married throughout Paso Robles wine country.
If you’re considering Calipaso Villa & Winery or another Central Coast wedding venue, tell me about your plans. I’d love to document the story.
Vendor Team~
Venue @calipasowineryandvilla
Planner @saraelizabethweddingsandevents
Photo @burlapandoakphoto
Beauty @thequeensbees
Hair: @angelaknoxhair
Florals @hepburnandjane
Rentals @slopartyrentals
Video @ndfilm.media
