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

We are SO SO lucky to have had Will photograph our mini wedding in Yosemite! Not only is he the nicest guy and super fun to hang out with, he is such a talented and dedicated photographer. He was so well prepared and thought of absolutely everything, even before the actual day. He sent us lists of accommodation, what to pack, what to wear etc. On the days we were there, he even brought us water, snacks, headlamps and walkie-talkies. He spared absolutely no effort to help us get the best photos possible, never tiring of helping us find the best light, best poses, best angles etc. Neither my husband nor I are used to being in front of a camera, but he was sooooo patient and made us feel at ease. My husband said that he was afraid that we wouldn’t be able to find a photographer who would be willing to hike to the gnarliest locations with us, but Will had no complaints and was in fact the one leading us off trail to find the coolest spots (lugging all his gear with him too). Will really cares about your experience and no amount of money can buy the amount of love and artistry he puts into his work. The experience was amazing, and the photographs were just stunning. I've had people tell me that they are the most beautiful wedding shots they had seen. I would recommend Will to absolutely anyone.

Vivian did a fantastic job with our wedding. Vivian was a total professional and made everything feel easy. My wife feels like she has a hard time smiling for photos (especially many photos in a row). Vivian did a wonderful job bringing out natural moments between my wife and I and capturing the beautiful scenic venue. She also did an amazing job capturing genuine candid moments among our guests. We are so happy with our wedding photos and highly recommend Vivian.

We have waited 14 months and have not yet received our photos.

I knew that I wanted a photographer to shoot my wedding. Not a company. I wanted to know exactly who would be behind the camera and to trust that he/she would shoot us in a way that told the story of our day. From the sacred, to the quiet, from tears to laughter, to the party. Teri and I had talked on the phone several times (I may or may not have spent quite a few hours stalking all her work and Insta pages) and I knew from the collection of her work that she would capture everything that was beautiful to me. Teri has the personality of a familiar friend, she smiles at you when you look at her! She has an easy personality, I could see her out in the crowd of friends and family in an undemanding way, but you know that she was getting it all. My husband and I HATE to pose, we are the worst clients a photographer could ask for. We told her well in advance that the pictures we will love most will be candid and joyful. Tell her what you want, what you like...then know that she's talented and she's got you!

We have been working with Apollo for over 15 years. They are always fantastic. So easy to work with and their photos are always amazing. As a planner, I love how wonderful they are with our clients. They manage the photo/video timeline, and capture genuine moments. Highly recommend their talented team!

Ash is so incredibly talented at what she does!!! She took the most beautiful pictures for our engagement session and she captured our wedding day perfectly from start to finish!! We were so excited when we received our pictures! She also made us feel extremely comfortable with her guidance with how to pose and we had so much fun! We couldn’t have asked for a better person to capture the most special moments in such an artistic way! I strongly suggest choosing her to be your photographer. She truly is THE BEST!!!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

I had the pleasure of working with Michele as my wedding planner. From the very beginning, Michele was organized, attentive, and thoughtful in the details. She took the time to understand our vision and brought it to life. Her calm presence, creative ideas, and problem-solving skills made the entire planning process smooth and stress-free. On the big day, everything ran flawlessly—allowing us to fully enjoy every moment. If you're looking for someone who genuinely cares, communicates clearly, and will go above and beyond to make your day perfect, Michele is the one.

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.

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.

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!

Jenella and Mikey were the most perfect photographer/videographer duo we could have chosen to capture our special day! Choosing a wedding photographer/videographer is such a daunting task but we’re so glad we found Jenella and Mikey and they were available to shoot for us on our wedding day. When we were looking through their portfolio, we absolutely loved their style and knew that was what we wanted for our own wedding photos/video. Throughout the whole process they were so great at communicating with us and helping us with planning for our big day. We also really loved being able to do our engagement photoshoot with Jenella and Mikey. Especially because when they showed up with their team on our wedding day, they didn’t feel like strangers coming to shoot our special day but more like friends who already knew us. We completely trusted them to capture all the special moments and tell our story through their photos/videos. Not to mention, they delivered engagement photos that we absolutely adore and were so dreamy. On our wedding day, there was so much going on but we felt so taken care of by Jenella and her team. The day felt like a blur but I can recall Jenella always being somewhere close by and available, offering us water and making sure we were good to go. They were so patient with us and we felt so comfortable with them. Mikey did such an amazing job with both our wedding video trailer and wedding film. It’s so hard to describe with words but it was everything we wanted and even more. Just perfect. The wedding video so cohesive with our wedding photos but also so special in its own way. Each photo was so perfectly captured, in the most beautiful way. We loved reliving our special day through the photos and film and will cherish them for a lifetime. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!