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

My wife and I were a lucky COVID wedding and have been through an incredible journey over many years with Will and it is hard to put into words how incredible Will and his wife truly are! I can remember back in July 2019 meeting Will for the first time over a video call to see if there was a good fit both in terms of chemistry but also in terms of our wedding plans with his style. I don’t know if my wife and I have ever been as blown away by someone as we were with Will. Due to COVID, we had to pull the plug a month prior. To reschedule, Will gave us unbelievable flexibility and made confirming a new date (twice) an simple process. Will invested that same time and energy leading up to our actual wedding in September 2021 and had the wedding planned out better than our wedding planner. Our wedding day was in Portugal and part of our contract meant a day before, day of and day after engagement. Our sunset shoot the next day really was the highlight in our gallery but let’s be frank here, the gallery we received from Will was breathtaking! His technical ability with lightening, it’s scary good! The best part for me, all the emotion of that day was captured in the gallery! I can look at that gallery and I can remember every feeling that day brought.

Kape captured life-long memories in such an amazingly creative way--exceeded our expectations!! We are truly able to relive our wedding weekend through the moments they captured in pictures. Karla and team were also such great vibes and are truly professionals. I highly recommend Kape for any event where you want to capture your magical moments with fantastic photography!

We at Two Perfect Events have had the pleasure of working together with Vivian Chen and Erin Prado from Vivian Chen Photography for many years. Their work captures genuine moments, emotions, and connections in a natural and effortless way. The photos are stunning, thoughtful, and full of life. They are professional, friendly, reliable, and are easy and a joy to collaborate with. We look forward to future collaborations.

Teri was recommended to me through a good friend and I'm so glad we had her as a photographer at our wedding! She was very responsive in our communications through email. We had troubles securing a courthouse date in LA during the pandemic and she was flexible to accommodate our needs for our small elopement in the end. She was quick on location and made sure we had plenty of pictures to choose from. We were so happy with the experience and the photos we have from our wedding. You can't go wrong with choosing Teri as your photographer! Highly recommend!

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!

Words cannot describe how incredible Ash Gabes is! From the moment we exchanged emails to the time we first met (at a bar) right before shooting our engagement photos, I KNEW we had chosen the BEST photographer for our big moments. Ash shot our engagement, boudoir, and wedding day and each time I was blown away with the quality of her work. PLUS the added bonus of how quickly she sent us edited sneak peeks! Ash has an amazing bubbly personality and a way of making you feel like a best friend and extremely comfortable right out of the gates. Ash is a great director/coach behind the lens and each time we worked with her she was able to capture all the feels – silly, tender, goofy, loving, intimate moments that we absolutely love and are now able to cherish forever. She is a true professional and was extremely responsive/organized before, during, and after each shoot. One example of this, is prior to the wedding day she had us fill out a list of people/groups that were most important to capture; I am so thankful she did that, because I surely would have forgotten someone without that list! We are so thankful for the beautiful work you do. We love all of our photos and we love Ash Gabes!

We hired Julia for our elopement in Sedona and wow! We could not be more grateful for it! First, she is extremely communicate and punctual. You never realize how important this is until you deal with vendors who aren't! Second, she has a true knack for lighting, posing, and capturing the scenery around you. She knows what angles best compliment you and her creative mind allows her to capture the most stunning photos- the ones you see in magazines! She's adventurous and has no fears, which means she's ready to go anywhere: the edge of that cliff, in that freezing cold water, over that chasm, into that cave- you name it, she's up for it! Finally, Julia is genuinely kind. This is very important, as it makes you feel more comfortable in front of the camera. Whether it's your first experience or you are a pro, she dampers the anxiety and makes it an unforgettable and fun experience. It was a pleasure working with such a talented and friendly soul. Thank you Julia, we will cherish these moments forever!

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!

We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful way to capture our wedding day. The photos and videos are absolutely brilliant and genuinely took our breath away. Looking through them, you can truly feel the love, joy and emotion from the day - it feels as if we’re reliving the whole story again. What makes Bruno’s work so special is his candid style. The photos never feel staged or forced, which makes them incredibly authentic. He captured so many real moments that we didn’t even realise were happening at the time, and it adds such a powerful storytelling element to the whole collection. It’s such a refreshing difference from the usual posed wedding photos. The images also have such a whimsical quality to them - almost like they belong in a fairytale world - which is exactly how the day felt to us. He managed to capture that atmosphere so beautifully. Bruno himself was an absolute joy to have around. He was exceptionally friendly, warm and professional, and made everyone feel completely at ease from the moment he arrived. We’re so grateful to have these memories documented so beautifully. Thank you for giving us such a wonderful collection of photos and videos we will treasure for the rest of our lives.

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 was amazing! He is so kind and fun to work with. He has such a creative approach, and he photographed my wedding beautifully. Every photo captured the emotion and joy of the day, and we couldn't be happier with the results. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a talented and professional photographer.

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!

We cannot say enough AMAZING things about Center of Attention and Events — they are hands-down the reason our wedding was everything we dreamed of and more. Michele, Lauren, Gina, and Mary are THE BEST! From the very beginning, the team was incredibly detail-oriented and deeply patient, guiding us through every decision with clarity, warmth, and total professionalism. They made the process smooth and so enjoyable. Communication was always prompt, clear, and reassuring — we always felt heard and supported. But the true magic happened on our wedding day: Everything flowed flawlessly. Every detail — from the tiniest decor elements to the overall timeline — was executed to perfection. We were able to be fully present and soak in every moment with zero stress, all thanks to their behind-the-scenes brilliance. If you're looking for a team that is passionate, fun, hyper-organized, and truly cares about making your day perfect-Center of Attention and Events is the best decision we made!

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.

We had a fantastic video re-edit experience with Steven, who rescued our wedding video. We hired a different videographer to shoot our wedding, but then she failed to deliver us an edited video as promised (and paid for!). After a year of waiting, we got our money back, and thankfully were sent by a trusted friend to Steven for help. He couldn't have been more understanding of our situation. He took our raw footage and delivered an amazing video in a very quick turnaround that is everything we ever wanted. His incredible talent is only exceeded by his friendly communication and his passion for great work. If you want an amazing video to remember your big day, don't think twice, hire him immediately. Great service, great work, great prices.