Everything you need for a California wedding

Lawrence Edwards40 said:Hey there!
So, here's the deal: I’m getting married next spring in Miami. We're keeping it pretty low-key, just a small gathering of about 30 people. We really want to make it feel special, you know? Somewhere gorgeous, tucked away in nature—maybe a nice restaurant or a terrace with an incredible view... but honestly, my brain is totally blank right now. Does anyone have any suggestions? Any specific restaurants or cool spots that might fit the vibe?

the hotel on the pier

Hey, I need a recommendation for a solid barber in Oakland who can handle fades really well.

Does anyone happen to know a solid hairstylist in San Francisco who can come out to a wedding to handle any last-minute touch-ups? Also, I'm looking for someone who can deliver an exceptional solo during the church ceremony. Thanks a bunch.

I just had to jump on here and share my experience working with Daniel Boic from Pixar. Honestly? This guy is an artist through and through.

Now, look, I’m a total Godzilla when it comes to perfectionism—which, let's be real, is a pretty terrible combo... but I have to say, I am beyond thrilled with his work and how professional he stayed. He’s truly such a great guy and a killer cinematographer.
The way he obsessed over the little things, like syncing the music perfectly with every single scene transition... it was just beautiful.

He definitely has my highest recommendation. I’ve seen work from other loudmouthed cinematographers—not naming names, though maybe I'm a little biased (okay, maybe a little)... but there's just no comparison. I'm so incredibly happy we teamed up with him.

The vibe everyone got—including me—wasn't just "Oh, another wedding ceremony"... it was more like, "Wow, they are so in love." It wasn't just about checking off the formalities; he poured something special into everything. Major props to Daniel.

My folks tied the knot back in a little town in California, and they've been stuck together for 40 years now.

coastalharbor6 said:Well, I’ve actually been thinking the same thing lately... maybe there’s a local baker out there who does everything from scratch at home but still has a professional reputation? I honestly can’t decide if I even need them yet, though I'm sure someone here might have an opinion (no Grasso jokes, please!) but I'll definitely look into it regardless.

If anyone happens to have a recommendation for a talented home baker, I’m all ears!🙂

And thank you so much for those cake recommendations you shared earlier, they were lovely!🙂

Roman's Bakery in Makarska makes killer cakes and pastries—they taste totally homemade, plus they have macarons and those mini treats. Not sure what the small cakes go for, but I think the macarons are about $1.25 each. You might even snag a discount if you order a bunch, so just shoot them a message.

Hey, can someone point me toward where I can pick up some good invitation paper here in San Francisco? Also, for any DIY brides out there who’ve made their own wedding favors—like those cute ones with pearls and bows—where's the best spot to grab supplies without breaking the bank? One more thing: does anyone know where I can find that heavy tulle for church pews? I'm looking for the thick stuff that drapes perfectly, almost like foam.

Hey ladies, does anyone have any recommendations for the Dolce bakery in town? I've heard their cakes and creamy desserts are absolutely incredible! 🙂

Carol Bailey3 said:Does anyone have any recommendations for lighting??

mediarent

Lawrence Edwards40 said:Hey there!
So, here's the deal: I’m getting married next spring in Miami. We're keeping it pretty low-key, just a small gathering of about 30 people. We really want to make it feel special, you know? Somewhere gorgeous, tucked away in nature—maybe a nice restaurant or a terrace with an incredible view... but honestly, my brain is totally blank right now. Does anyone have any suggestions? Any specific restaurants or cool spots that might fit the vibe?

adriatic grašo..

Andrew Taylor12 said:Hey, can someone point me toward where I can pick up some good invitation paper here in San Francisco? Also, for any DIY brides out there who’ve made their own wedding favors—like those cute ones with pearls and bows—where's the best spot to grab supplies without breaking the bank? One more thing: does anyone know where I can find that heavy tulle for church pews? I'm looking for the thick stuff that drapes perfectly, almost like foam.

If you're looking for supplies for boutonnieres—ribbons, pearls, bows, adhesive tape, all that good stuff—your best bet for budget-friendly prices is definitely Ana's Art Supplies.
It's located < >Downtown, right near that Didovo Zlato pizza joint. Now, if you want something a bit higher-end—though it'll cost you significantly more based on my experience—there's Rose Commerce near the mall. For the tulle, I'm not entirely sure, but they might carry it at the art shop; otherwise, if you aren't in a massive rush, just order it online...

In case anyone is looking for vendors for a Wedding *** 09.03.2016 ***

Sale: Sky, Allure, Attorney, Dolis, Castelo
Band: Twist OFF, Rockatansky, Bolero.
Photo & Video: Smile, Prostyle, Tony.
Due to a series of rather unpredictable circumstances—some fortunate, some certainly not... we went ahead and scouted options for that specific date, so here is the list if it happens to be useful to anyone else out there...

Where can I find the cheapest booze, assuming they let you return whatever's left over?

amberhawk60 said:Where can I find the cheapest booze, assuming they let you return whatever's left over?

Maybe Babe?

amberhawk60 said:Where can I find the cheapest booze, assuming they let you return whatever's left over?

Walmart (Target)

Has anyone here actually used the website invitations.com? I found a few designs I really love, but the prices are so low it’s making me a little suspicious 😬

Also, has anyone ordered a wedding cake out in the suburbs? If you have, are the prices pretty standard or do they charge a huge premium for being out there?

I wanted to share my experience with Google Pictures. I actually tried to book them for my wedding last year because I absolutely love their style, but they were already booked up for my date. You wouldn't believe how lucky I felt when I won an engagement shoot with them during a wedding expo raffle! It took some serious convincing to get my fiancé—who honestly can't stand being in front of a camera—to agree to go through with it. We did the shoot in July, and we got married in September. Our wedding photos, taken by a photographer from a small town in the Midwest, arrived within a month... but we are still waiting on these Google ones. I’ve reached out to them so many times asking when they'll be ready, but it's always the same old story: "We're swamped, but yours will be next in line."
Honestly, I think this is incredibly unprofessional. Even though we didn't pay for this session since it was a prize, that shouldn't mean we're at the bottom of their priority list. Personally, I have a nagging feeling those photos might have been deleted already... if you aren't prepared to actually fulfill a prize you're giving away, then don't offer it in the first place. I really hope they aren't treating their paying clients this way too.

David Torres67 said:Has anyone here actually used the website invitations.com? I found a few designs I really love, but the prices are so low it’s making me a little suspicious 😬

Also, has anyone ordered a wedding cake out in the suburbs? If you have, are the prices pretty standard or do they charge a huge premium for being out there?

I actually placed an order with them recently. My invitations showed up in just three days—super fast. Everything was exactly what we discussed; the invites look beautiful, the envelopes were simple white, and I’m honestly thrilled with how they turned out. Before they go to print, they send you a digital proof via email so you can double-check everything and make sure it's perfect. I paid $1.25 per piece, plus $13 for shipping, and when I checked elsewhere in San Francisco, they were asking about $1 per invitation. 👍

granitefox19 said:I actually placed an order with them recently. My invitations showed up in just three days—super fast. Everything was exactly what we discussed; the invites look beautiful, the envelopes were simple white, and I’m honestly thrilled with how they turned out. Before they go to print, they send you a digital proof via email so you can double-check everything and make sure it's perfect. I paid $1.25 per piece, plus $13 for shipping, and when I checked elsewhere in San Francisco, they were asking about $1 per invitation. 👍

That’s awesome! So glad to hear they turned out well 🙂 I definitely don't feel like dropping a dollar per invite either, especially since most designs I see lately look way too tacky for my taste.
Guess I don't need to keep hunting then! 🎉

One more question—how many people should I account for when ordering the wedding cake? Like, if I have 150 guests, should I get a cake sized for 50, 80, 100, or the full 150? I doubt everyone will eat a huge slice, but I wanted to double-check. 😁

So far we've checked off the venue, the photographer, and the band. We handled those right at the start, so I kept telling myself we had plenty of time. Now I'm looking at the calendar and realize I only have 3 months and 11 days left... suddenly it feels like we're running out of time fast. 🤦

David Torres67 said:That’s awesome! So glad to hear they turned out well 🙂 I definitely don't feel like dropping a dollar per invite either, especially since most designs I see lately look way too tacky for my taste.
Guess I don't need to keep hunting then! 🎉

One more question—how many people should I account for when ordering the wedding cake? Like, if I have 150 guests, should I get a cake sized for 50, 80, 100, or the full 150? I doubt everyone will eat a huge slice, but I wanted to double-check. 😁

So far we've checked off the venue, the photographer, and the band. We handled those right at the start, so I kept telling myself we had plenty of time. Now I'm looking at the calendar and realize I only have 3 months and 11 days left... suddenly it feels like we're running out of time fast. 🤦

Honestly, they were perfectly fine for me—I got exactly what I was looking for. I wasn't interested in anything flashy or over-the-top, just something straightforward. I’m happy with the result, and I really hope you end up feeling the same way about yours. 🙂
As for the cakes—honestly, I haven't made a final call on that yet. I'm still weighing my options. They did mention that there’s no need to have everything locked in too far in advance, so I'm just taking my time with it.

I’ve still got two months left on my clock. I’ve only just started tackling the finer details, so there is plenty of time to get everything sorted. Honestly, if you haven't already, you need to focus on yourself first—get your hair, makeup, and that whole look finalized—and then figure out the church situation, assuming that's even your thing. As for the rest? Just take it bit by bit. There's really no need to panic. :-)