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

Karla and the Kape Team are AMAZING! I am incredibly happy I chose them to photograph our wedding day. From the moment they arrived they were professional, friendly and made my husband and I (who are both camera shy) feel so comfortable and relaxed. They captured our most special moments in such a stunning way. I was nervous to book a photographer without having met them before - because photos are such a big and important part of the wedding. Karla was the perfect choice. I can not stress enough how much we love the Kape team and recommend them. You need to book them - they are the best!

My partner and I were drawn to Vivian for her prior experience working with the venue and our wedding planner, and, most importantly, her vision. We were given curated referrals for a photographer from both the venue, Mister Jiu's, and our wedding planner, and something about Vivian's photos struck us as both intimate and purposeful, naturally capturing the best moments in her subjects and the moment. Vivian has a terrific eye for capturing everything from the planned and choreographed to the spontaneous. Many of our photos were taken at the venue and the surrounding area of San Francisco's Chinatown before and during our dinner celebration. We were always in good hands, experimenting with different poses, cameras, and film to achieve a varied look, which, upon reflection, my wife and I were so glad Vivian took the time to do everything she did. We also appreciated her ability to switch gears from serious to witty, perfectly capturing every moment our surroundings or guests placed us in. And importantly, Vivian captured every important moment, framing our loved ones and us perfectly, even when we didn't know she was doing so. Vivian always made us feel welcomed, was always kind, and appreciated the love and joy perfectly captured in our photos that day. Thank you, Vivian, for being there with us on our special day!

From booking to week of the wedding, Will was super, super attentive, scheduling regular check-ins with us as we all tried navigating the journey of planning a wedding during a global pandemic. With every check-in, he was calm, collaborative, and super flexible. Then came the wedding day. We had a Thursday wedding - which, granted, isn’t super traditional, but it was much more doable for us. Will agreed to meet us the day before, scope out the venue with us during rehearsal dinner, & then just hung out with us the rest of the night! He was honestly an honorary member of our wedding party. The day of the wedding was nothing but smooth and wildly fun. Will was there to capture it all, from our quirky little greenhouse venue to getting splashed up to his waist trying to capture some of our friends drunkenly jumping into the hotel pool during the reception. He. Did. Not. Miss. A. Beat. Not only was the day of wedding perfect, but Will also turned around a hefty preview album for us literally the week after the wedding so we could spend half of our honeymoon reveling & reliving the most special day. Needless to say, the photos are nothing short of perfect. He captured our fall colors in springtime lighting like a magician. If you’re looking for someone to produce wizardry on your wedding day, look no further than Will Khoury. - Kaitlin + Andrew

Teri is amazing—kind, easy going, communicative, sweet, and a true adventurer. She is a great communicator and made the process of meeting her and booking her from a few states away super easy. Her pictures are more than just photos. They are art that tells a story you’ll cherish for years to come. My wedding album is beyond what I could have ever dreamt, yet the day didn’t at all feel forced or posed—she captured the feeling and love perfectly. She makes everyone feel at ease during the day and a lot of the time you hardly even know she’s there. She captured all my “must have” photos and many more I never knew I wanted! If you’re in the market for a wedding photographer, look no further. She’s a pro and you won’t be disappointed with her work. I would book her again in a heart beat and can’t wait to have her capture our family photos for many years to come.

Finding a wedding photographer took us longer than expected! We wanted to find a team that did photo and video for ease and alignment on our wedding day, with a skilled team we could trust, without blowing out budget. Apollo checked all these boxes and much more. The team is extremely professional, organized, and has a calming presence. Carie was our photographer and Alexa was our videographer. Liv is such a delight to work with too and delivered beautiful sneak peaks while we were on our honeymoon, the 700+ photos timely after, our movie trailer, and ALL video footage the day before Christmas eve (we got married October 10th). I would recommend Apollo to all and feel they are they are the best bay area wedding photographer..

Ashley is truly amazing! and a wizard behind the lens of a camera. We are overwhelmed with joy at the result of our wedding photos. She captured the day perfectly and hiring Ashley was the best decision we ever made. She was incredibly kind, patient, flexible and accommodating throughout the entire booking process (this was during Covid so something to be noted!) She made the lead up to the wedding seamless and I can't thank her enough for that. The day of the wedding she was fantastic - felt invisible during the ceremony and was then a vibrant energetic and fun burst we needed during our park and sunset cliffs photos. She had water on hand and speakers at the ready! We had a very intimate wedding with just 12 people, yet she made it feel just as important as a 200 person event.

Couldn’t have asked for a better photographer. Not only are her photos breathtaking but she is a wonderful person to spend the most important day of your life with. Also, she is always up for an adventurous hike!

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!

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.

My husband and I were blown away with how creative Alex got during our wedding. The photos and highlight video came out so great! Their out of the box thinking really shows in their work. All of our friends and family have been amazed at our photos.

Some people are talented… but then there are people who are truly gifted at what they do — and our wedding cinematographer was exactly that. From the moment we finally met him on our wedding day, it felt like we had known him forever. His energy, his vibe, his presence… everything was effortless and genuine. He didn’t just show up with a camera — he showed up with passion, creativity, and a heart for capturing moments that actually matter. Every special moment, every emotion, every little detail we never want to forget… he captured it so beautifully. Watching our film back felt like reliving the best day of our lives all over again, with every laugh, tear, and feeling perfectly preserved. His work truly speaks for itself, but what sets him apart is the relationship-building and care he pours into his clients. He made us feel comfortable, celebrated, and understood the entire time. We came for a cinematographer and left feeling like family. We are officially locked in for life. Thank you for giving us memories we’ll cherish forever.

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!

Center Of Attention Events came in at the last minute and not only saved the day, but knocked it out of the park! They planned and executed the most beautiful and flawless wedding event for my son and new daughter in law at the last moment when things went south with a previous wedding event planner. They put us at ease immediately. Their skill and expertise was much appreciated especially in a Hail Mary moment. Their vendor recommendations spot on.

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.

I wish it was possible to give these guys more than 5 stars. We made the decision to book with wild light after postponing our wedding and It’s one of the BEST decisions we could have possibly made. Working with Steven, Robbie, and Scott was awesome! Our wedding video captured our personalities and our special day SO WELL in such a special way. They are one of a kind and I wish we could get married over and over again and book with wild light every single time.