Plan Your California Wedding: Vendors, Inspiration, & Expert Advice

Shooting with Will was a dream! I found him totally randomly on Instagram and was obsessed with his work. We were just newly engaged and wanted a photoshoot that reflected our mutual love for the outdoors and Will was the man for the job! Will is the most humble, down to earth, easygoing, hardworking, fun to be around person I've ever met! We shot in some insane locations and it was an all day adventure - including hiking, climbing rocks, etc (while looking fabulous). He immediately gets you out of your shell and comfortable and your photo reflect that. He also has a great eye for unique shots and you wont always understand his vision until you see the photos! Stunning! Don't think twice, book with Will! You wont regret it!

Where do I begin? Vivian photographed our September wedding in Sonoma and every picture is STUNNING! We love the portraits, but her candids is what really took things over the top. All of our guests look like they're glowing in her photos! She truly captured the joy of the day. I could not stop smiling scrolling through our gallery. She went above and beyond to include a photo of all of our guests. Vivian is super cool. She made sure everyone was comfortable and she kept things on time on the wedding day. We were tight one time, but she got my "getting ready" pictures done in minutes. You would never know by looking at them what a short timeframe she had. Vivian already had a strong working relationship with our wedding videographer. That partnership made things run smoothly from a logistical perspective, but more importantly showed how respected Vivian is in the industry. We're so happy we booked her for our big day!! You won't be disappointed working with Vivian.

Karla got my vision immediately. She made us feel really calm and comfortable on the day and was always so sweet and kind and easy to work with. I highly recommend Karla and would use her again in a heartbeat! The photos came out looking like works of art!

We had a wonderful experience with Apollo Fotografie for our wedding photography and videography. The photos we received are absolutely beautiful, and although the videos are not yet available, I have no doubt they will be just as amazing. We chose Apollo Fotographie because they are one of the few in the industry that offer a combined photography and videography package with extensive experience in San Francisco City Hall weddings. I was especially impressed by our photographer, AJ, and videographer, Jordan. They made an incredible team and did an outstanding job capturing the stunning interiors of the Rotunda and the Grand Staircase at San Francisco City Hall. Despite the venue being quite crowded on our wedding day, they managed to beautifully frame me, my husband, and the lovely Christmas tree in the background. Our guests also had a fantastic time joining in on the photos inside and outside City Hall, thanks to AJ and Jordan’s great suggestions and guidance. A special shout-out to Liv, who was extremely responsive and helpful throughout the entire process, addressing all our inquiries before and after the wedding. We can't wait to see our wedding teaser and couldn’t be happier with our experience with Apollo Fotografie!

Teri was the best photographer we could have asked for! She captured every part of our wedding day. We loved candid shots of the attendants getting ready, the ceremony, and our guests drinking and dancing at the rehearsal. The portraits of our family and wedding party never felt awkward or posed. The extra touches she captured of the decoration, food, venue, and signage really completed the photo set. She also helped us choose our first look location and drove to a nearby local landmark for our post-ceremony sunset hour photos. We'll never forget our wedding day, but having someone so amazing take record of it will always be a special reminder! Book Teri for your wedding NOW!

My fiancé and I hired Ash for our engagement photos and they came out beautifully! She is the sweetest and was such a pleasure to work with! My fiancé and I completely trusted her guidance! She was so helpful with directing us on how to pose! And I mean the pictures speak for themselves!

Danya has the vision for everything. She comes well prepared and has the timeline down to the minute. She had already photographed our wedding venue prior, so she knew all the spots that would really have us shine. We had an outfit change near the end of the session and she was so encouraging of it; she really got to capture the moment and the fun we had. Within three days, we had already gotten a sneak peek of some of the photos and they look amazing. Thank you so much Danya!

We loved our experience with Julia. She was very good with her communication from the beginning. She started out with making sure she knew what we wanted from the shoot and then made sure we knew what things to bring so we'd be prepared for the shoot. Julia has a naturally open personality and it was fun to talk to her during the shoot. To finish it off, the pictures she gave back to us were absolutely gorgeous! 10/10 experience all the way through :)

It’s very rare that someone checks every box, and exceeds expectations, but Nayza has done just that. She’s talented, artistic, expert at her craft, visionary, an excellent collaborator, and provides a supportive/safe energy space for your true self to shine through her photography. All of these characteristics translate through the final product. We’ve used her 3 times so far, each for important milestones in our lives (engagement, wedding, birthday), and couldn’t have found anyone better. Her ideas, her photography skills, her editing skills, her energy, her genuine excitement for the craft, all combine for her to produce something ethereal, something so magical, that we are forever touched by. All these years I thought I wasn’t “photogenic” but really, the person photographing me couldn’t “see” me. Nayza has the ability to do that. To bring out something special in each photo. Her photos encapsulate the not only the physical environment, but the emotions felt as well. I see our engagement and wedding photos, and immediately feel the feelings I felt on that day. And did I mention her own emotions while shooting? She’s so excited and the best “hype man” anyone could ask for. She makes us feel beautiful, and secure in knowing that she’s going to catch us in our best moment, in our best light. I could go on, but I’m hitting this website’s word limit! Just know that she hits the target every single time, and we can’t wait to use her over and over (and over) again!

From the moment we first talked to Amanda, her relaxed, funny, and warm personality instantly put us at ease. She is the perfect blend of professional and personable. Amanda fit right in with our friends and family on the wedding day, and somehow was everywhere at once to capture all the little moments we didn't even get to see. The photos she delivered are honest, artful and beautifully document our special day. She has a very light touch with posing and really let us just enjoy our day. We couldn't be happier with our wedding photos, and highly recommend Amanda to any couple looking for a talented, personable wedding photographer who is really fun to hang out with!

Alison was an absolutely wonderful photographer and a pleasure to work with. She was super communicative and clear about what to expect and made the process stress-free for us. Anyone lucky enough to work with her is in for a treat and will not regret it. The photographs were beyond perfect.

Alex and his team were such a wonderful part of our day. Finding a company that offered digital, film, drone, and video was more difficult than I thought it would be. But it was so refreshing to work with a small team and be able to craft the vision of our photos and video with him. Our guests absolutely loved him, and I couldn’t believe how quickly we got our images back! Thank you so much Cinematica for your magic and hospitality!

You will be in good hands with Michael and his team. He made sure the day ran smoothly, showed up and did whatever was necessary to make sure we had beautiful photos to remember our wedding day. I love our portraits, but having so many additional photos of us enjoying the night with our loved ones and of friends and family enjoying themselves was an added bonus. Michael and Moi also brought fun energy and good vibes to the party, I am so happy they are a part of our memory forever! Michael has been amazing to work with. Michael and his team came highly recommended by many friends, and everyone that I know who have used Michael and his team have been blown away by their engagement, wedding and family photos. My fiancé and I felt so comfortable during our engagement shoot and had so much fun! We received an absolutely stunning photo gallery just a few days later! Michael really pays attention and listens to your needs to make sure the desired style and vibe of your photos come to life. Michael communicates well and provides resources and support to make sure every single detail of your wedding day will run smoothly and be captured accordingly. I cannot wait for our wedding day and would not trust anyone else to capture the memories on our special day!

One of my favorite memories from our wedding day and all of the planning up to the big day was our interactions with Michele. From the moment we met her, we felt this genuine connection, and could not stop smiling after our introduction. I figured, we picked a venue, have our wedding outfits and a guest list, that is all we need, right? Well, if we didn't have Michele and her amazing team, I would have been a deer in headlights! Every conversation with her, you learn a little bit more about yourself. Her attention to details, understanding who you are individually and as a couple shines in her work. I don't have much of a creative eye, I didn't know what florals to choose or colors, all I had was a vision, inspired by my childhood. Michele brought it to life. Over the years, I have heard my friends say "Make sure you enjoy your big day" or "I wish I had time to enjoy the big day, I was so stressed out". Michele, because of you, we were able to enjoy every moment of our week long celebration. Thank you for all of the emotional support, the comforting eye contact and reminding me to take deep breaths. You kept us on schedule and made sure we had moments to ourselves to take it all in! Michele truly enjoys what she does and it shows. As I look back at our wedding photographs, I love seeing all the little details, representing us. She plays with creativity and makes dreams come true! Big moments in life truly take a village, and thank you for being part of ours. Thank you for always keeping in touch even after the wedding, and being part of our lives.

We recently had the pleasure of working with Pro Boda for our destination wedding in Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California, and we couldn't be happier with the experience. From the very beginning, Selene and her Team demonstrated exceptional professionalism, creativity, and attention to detail. They took the time to understand our vision and turned it into a reality that exceeded our expectations. The planning process was seamless, thanks to Pro Boda's expertise and organization. They handled everything—from venue selection to coordinating with local vendors—with grace and efficiency. Their knowledge of the Baja region was invaluable, as they introduced us to stunning locations and unique touches that made our wedding truly amazing. On the big day, Selene, Aaron, and the rest of team ensured that everything ran smoothly. We were able to relax and enjoy every moment, knowing that we were in capable hands. Our guests were equally impressed by the flawless execution, attention to detail and the beautiful ambiance. If you're considering a wedding in Baja California, we wholeheartedly recommend Pro Boda. Their dedication and passion for creating unforgettable events are unmatched. Thank you for making our dream wedding a reality!

ERIA’s approach really highlights how much the guest experience depends on thoughtful details beyond the venue itself. I especially like the idea of treating a wedding as a complete experience, from the welcome dinner through the farewell brunch, rather than focusing only on the ceremony. For destination or winter weddings, the same attention to detail can extend to guest comfort and wardrobe. Layering options such as a well-made sweater for men winter can be a practical addition for outdoor arrivals, evening gatherings, or cooler-weather celebrations.

Kate did ALL the florals for my July 2023 wedding and I cannot tell you how many compliments I received about my florals. My vision was a timeless wedding with white florals, pops of blue, orchids and roses. Her and her team absolutely killed it. We had a mock trail at Terranea and she wow'd me there, so I was super excited for the actual wedding day. Her and her team showed up on time and all my flowers were super FRESH. She simply blew me away. Thank you, Kate. Every detail was perfect.

Having Wildlight film our special day was one of the easiest decisions we made during the course of planning our wedding and definitely one of the details we were most excited about. Steven could not have been more of who we were looking for. I think the best way to describe it would be to say that you can immediately tell this is someone who cares. He cares about the work he creates, the relationships he builds, about you+ yours, and about the work you can create together. Working with him was the perfect balance. You know you’ve got someone who will listen to your ideas, but he is also someone who is full of ingenuity on his own end. He is able to understand who you are and capture it directly. His taste in music, his appreciation for the small details, his style,even his warmth towards your wedding guests will put you at ease. I can’t tell you how many of my friends asked how I knew him, everyone was blown away by not only his professionalism but his friendly attitude. If I can offer anyone advice it’s to book Wildlight at any event that is important to you. Having these memories captured isn’t enough, it’s the way they are captured, the way they are valued, and then presented to you that will make you treasure your event so much more.