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

Hiring Ashley as our wedding photographers was one of the BEST decisions we made throughout our entire wedding planning process. Not only is Ashley incredibly good at what she does - our engagement photos and entire wedding gallery were stunning - she is also fun, kind and a blast to work with. My husband and I aren't models nor are we overly comfortable in front of a camera, especially for an entire day. Ashley made all the photographs feel organic, natural and "us." She captured our day so effortlessly while managing to get shots that truly blew our mind. When I initially was searching for a photographer, I found a lot of photos/editing to be either too edited, too moody, too cold, etc. Ashley's photography style and editing is PERFECT. Our photos are warm, authentic and artistic but also timeless and classic. Ashley is also incredibly responsive, professional and FUN. Our family and friends loved her and she managed to execute multiple giant group family shots in what seemed like record time. Ash's second shooter for our wedding day, Alex, was wonderful, too -- they make a great team! Because of Ashley, my husband and I have photos that perfectly capture our special day and will help us remember it forever. We can't thank her or recommend her enough!!!

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!

Will is absolutely a one of a kind photographer. He goes above and beyond and exceeds every expectation to give you the exact type of day you want for your elopement. He was able to design our Big Sur elopement day that included everything we asked for and so many other things we never knew we wanted!!! He strives to make sure it feels like a wedding and not a photo shoot and we definitely got that! It was intimate, purposeful, intentional and so perfect for our relationship! An elopement offers such a personalized and intimate experience with your significant other, and it can be anything you want it to be and Will is an expert at turning that day into exactly what you want! What was especially amazing was not only was the day amazing but then the photos were beyond gorgeous!!! Will has such a timeless style and expert quality for editing. Will was such a pleasure to work with and such a genuinely good person! I highly recommend Will and you won’t regret working with him!

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!

Julia went above and beyond my wildest dreams for my special day. She was very professional leading up to the event finding out what my expectations were. She kept me posted about flights and logistics all in advance to help make the even run as smooth as possible. She was very flexible with the time making sure it was the right lighting for the perfect shots. She is creative and talented and you can tell she has a strong passion for photography. She felt just like a long time friend who made being in front of a camera enjoyable. Thank you so much! I would hire her again in a heart beat!

We’ve had the pleasure of working with Vivian Chen on several weddings at The Mountain Terrace and we can’t recommend her highly enough! She’s incredibly talented, experienced and professional. But beyond that, she really has a calm and open presence that puts couples and their loved ones at ease and comfortable in front of her camera. And the results are truly stunning! If you’re looking for a wedding photographer (especially if you’re getting married around redwoods!) Vivian is an excellent choice!

We are so grateful to have been able to work with Karla and Lu for our wedding in Tulum! Not only did they create beautiful photos, but they were such a joy to hangout with all day. We provided some direction of key photos we wanted to capture, the level of candidness and the amount of direction we wanted to be provided, and they listened, creating a stress-free day without being overbearing or bossy, all while creating magic behind the lens. We were provided a preview of over 100 killer photos of our day within a week of our wedding. This alone was amazing considering the anticipation you feel after the wedding is done. I consider myself pretty picky when it comes to photos, and couldn't be happier :D

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!

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.

We worked with Heather during our elopement in Big Sur in March 2023. Before the Big Event, she made sure to gather some information about us, and inspiration. She also shared some insights about the location and where we could go before / after our wedding. We booked a 2-hour photography session, that included the first look, the actual ceremony and about an hour-long session afterward with our friends. Heather made sure to capture everyone who was there with us (most importantly, our dog in a suit). She was also super helpful in taking some stress off my shoulders. She coordinated the photography with the videographer and organized everyone in place for the first look. The best thing? Heather actually made sure to capture the one pose that I really wanted to have, even though I already forgot about it during the wedding. :) The pictures turned out wonderful, we are super happy with the results!

Teri was amazing as both a photographer and a presence at our wedding. When we initially reached out to her she was super responsive and flexible with setting up an intro call to get the feel of our event, and needs. As a photographer she gave direction in a way that felt very natural and mixed it up with traditional and some more experimental shots. We even ran into a snafu before the ceremony where we forgot our marriage license at home and Teri calmly guided us through the steps to quickly obtain another. Oops! We received so many pictures of our day and had so much fun looking over them and remembering our wedding. Thank you Teri!

There are people who take photos, and then there are artists who somehow capture a feeling you didn’t even know could be held still. From the very beginning, working with Alex felt different. He didn’t just show up with a camera; he showed up with intention, presence, and this rare ability to see us. Not just how we looked, but who we are together. Our wedding day went by in a blur of emotion, laughter, chaos, love; all the things you hope for and can’t quite hold onto in real time. And somehow, he did. Every image feels alive. You can feel the air, the energy, the emotion in each frame. It’s not just documentation; it’s storytelling at the highest level. He captured the quiet, sacred moments, the wild, unfiltered ones; the in-between glances that say everything. The way we held each other, the way our families showed up, the feeling in the room; it’s all there. And it’s us. What I’m most blown away by is that nothing feels staged. Everything feels honest, cinematic, and deeply human. Like we’re watching our own love story unfold from the outside. We didn’t just get wedding photos — we got a time capsule of one of the most meaningful days of our lives, preserved with so much care and artistry. If you’re lucky enough to work with Alex know that you’re not just hiring a photographer; you’re trusting someone to hold your memories. And I can say with my whole heart… there is no one I would trust more. Forever grateful!

Bruno is the kind of photographer you don’t only hire for his skill but for the vibes. You instantly feel the passion he has for his profession. Bruno told us, that he would not only accompany but be a part of our wedding - and he meant it. It feels as if you’re having a friend around. We were looking for a cinematic style for our wedding photos and were more than happy to have found Bruno. Don’t expect staged pictures with family and friends but authentic emotions captured in photographs. When looking through the pictures, we truly feel the magic of that special day again. Thank you, Bruno.

We had an amazing experience with Apollo Fotografie from start to finish. They were extremely responsive and helpful throughout the entire process, which made planning much more stress-free (as much as a wedding can be!). If you’re looking for the best wedding photographer in San Francisco, Apollo Fotografie truly delivers. On our wedding day at the Palm Event Center, Carrie and Josh were incredibly professional and knew exactly how to get the right shots while keeping everything running smoothly. They made us feel confident and well taken care of, and the photos turned out beautifully. We couldn’t recommend them more!

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.

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.

They filmed our Tahoe wedding, I was recommended them by a friend to book them. It came out perfect! Clean edits, great music, and they made the whole day amazing. I would definitely recommend them again, great guy. I left a review on google, but I'll also leave one here because they're killer!