Everything you need for a California wedding

Anyone here have any actual experience working with photographers or videographers out in San Diego? Looking for some solid recommendations. 😕 🤷

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Matthew Green44 said:Anyone here have any actual experience working with photographers or videographers out in San Diego? Looking for some solid recommendations. 😕 🤷

Photo exclusive. These guys are great! 👍

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Thanks, I just took a look at the photos on their website and they actually look pretty solid 🙂 just one more thing if you happen to know—does their package include a cameraman, or am I going to have to hunt for one separately?

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Daniel Smith8 said:Lorena, I moved your post over to the California thread, so go dig through the old archives if you need to.

thanks daniel smith8 😉

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Matthew Green44 said:Thanks, I just took a look at the photos on their website and they actually look pretty solid 🙂 just one more thing if you happen to know—does their package include a cameraman, or am I going to have to hunt for one separately?

The videographer is included.

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Olivia Lee5 said:I wanted to put together a little summary of my wedding from ten days ago, just in case anyone finds it helpful for their own planning!

Invitations I believe you might be referring to Penguin Random House over in Philadelphia. $2.00 It’s a bit like being covered in a blanket... I mean, our invitation was actually that one from Angelus, specifically the "Love is in the Air" version—you know, the one designed to look like a flight itinerary, just slightly modified. 😁

I’ve been thinking quite a bit about the perfect suit lately. It seems like such a fundamental part of a man's wardrobe, yet finding that one piece that truly hits the mark can feel like an endless pursuit. I guess there is just something about the way a well-tailored suit changes your entire demeanor, don't you think? It provides a sense of structure and confidence that's hard to replicate with anything else. Maybe it's the fabric, or maybe it's just the silhouette, but I find myself constantly weighing different options—from classic navy wools to perhaps something a bit more contemporary. I suppose it really comes down to finding that delicate balance between timeless elegance and modern comfort. (+ tie, shirt, belt, pocket square, cufflinks) — M. Arbanas $1533It was worth every single penny. Honestly, my husband looked just like the man on the book cover! The saleswoman working the afternoon shift was incredibly capable and helpful—really pleasant to deal with and clearly knows her stuff. She didn't try to push her own opinions on me, which was such a relief. It’s a world apart from what you experience at Mister Motati, where both the departments and the staff can be an absolute disaster.

Wedding. So, I finally had my first experience wearing La Perla, and I have to say, it was quite the moment. It’s one of those things you think about trying for a while, and when it actually happens, you wonder if it lives up to the hype. I guess it really does. There's just something about the way everything fits and feels that makes the whole experience feel a bit more special. It was definitely a lovely little milestone for me! $1833It feels like a dream... 😍 I came home after what felt like a pretty messy day, but the folks at the dry cleaners assured me that they wouldn't have any trouble getting everything looking spotless again.

Makeup. I have to say, Lucija Spajić didn't just do my makeup—she absolutely nailed it. It was beyond perfect. We went through a whole process together: first a trial run, then the full wedding day look (which included my mom and my maid of honor), and finally a session the next day for our photo shoot. She is such a wonderful person to work with. I found her incredibly sweet and easygoing, which was exactly what I needed because she completely relaxed me. She has such steady hands, too; honestly, she managed to calm my nerves right before the big celebration started. As for the makeup itself? It was flawless. It stayed perfectly in place from about 1:00 in the afternoon all the way until 7:00 the next morning without shifting even a little bit. I can’t recommend her enough!$33 Just testing things out here. $67 When it comes to achieving that truly "proper" makeup look, I feel like there’s such a fine line between looking polished and looking like you're wearing a mask. Personally, I think it all starts with the preparation, though maybe that's just my way of overthinking things! To me, "real" makeup isn't about covering up every single imperfection—it's more about enhancing what's already there. I guess if you go too heavy on the foundation, you lose that natural glow that makes skin look healthy. I've found that using a really lightweight tint or even just a good concealer in specific spots works much better for a daytime look. I suppose everyone has their own definition of perfection, but I always lean toward something that looks effortless. It’s almost an art form, isn't it? Finding that balance where you look put-together without feeling like you've spent an hour in front of the mirror. Maybe it's worth experimenting with different textures to see what feels most comfortable for your skin type! $17 I was thinking about eyelashes recently—you know, that whole topic of lash care and aesthetics. It’s funny how such a small detail can really change how you feel about your entire look. I guess there isn't a single perfect way to go about it, since everyone's preferences seem to vary so much, but I've been curious about what works best for maintaining them. Maybe it's just me, but I feel like it's one of those little beauty rituals that can actually boost your mood if you find the right routine.

Flowers I have to say, I was absolutely blown away by everything from the florist in San Francisco. Honestly, everything about it was just perfect. For my bouquet, I went with a mix of white, yellow, green, and pink orchids, paired with some white lisianthus, light pink peonies, and these incredibly vibrant hot pink ranunculus. The whole arrangement felt so soft and airy—it had this lush, romantic, almost overflowing look that was exactly what I wanted. Even the boutonnières for the groom and the best man were made from orchids, and the maid of honor wore a beautiful bracelet featuring orchids and lisianthus. The head table looked stunning; there was one massive floral sphere featuring a colorful blend of white, yellow, pink, and green blooms, including orchids, daisies, green buds, violets, and carnations. We also had two smaller versions of those spheres, and we placed six large candles around them—three on each side between the large and small spheres. On the guest tables, we had lovely vase arrangements that featured a "frosted" effect at the base, using the same color palette as the bouquet and the main table to keep everything cohesive. I’m actually quite sad that I don't have photos ready yet, but I’ll be sure to post them once I receive them! As for the ceremony in the church, we had three grand arrangements decorating the altars, along with organza bows draped over every other pew that flowed all the way to the floor. Tucked inside each bow was a delicate little arrangement of dried flowers in whites, yellows, pinks, and greens. Finally, for the car, we had an organza ribbon stretched across the hood topped with a petite floral piece made of orchids, lisianthus, and peonies. It truly was a dream.
Everything was absolutely wonderful... It turned out to be such a great experience for all of us. $1000It really paid off!

I suppose I should start by saying that I don't always have all the answers, but I’ve been thinking quite a bit about Reveri lately. It seems like such an interesting subject to dive into, though I realize my perspective might be a little narrow. Maybe there's more to it than meets the eye, but from where I'm sitting, it feels like something worth pondering more deeply. I guess we could look at it from a few different angles, if we really wanted to be thorough. I ended up picking up some ready-made pieces for the men in Indianapolis, though I’ve been thinking that maybe I should add a little something extra—perhaps just attach those small decorative pins to turn them into custom brooches, if you know what I mean. As for the ladies, I decided to handcraft some bracelets instead; I actually ordered all the necessary supplies for that project through eBay. I don't have any photos of the finished products yet, unfortunately. 🙂 Don't forget to take photos next time—I have a feeling those photographers might have been too busy chasing after Tin! Anyway, regarding the bracelets, they were made of green organza with a butterfly centered right in the middle, flanked by little flowers on either side. They had these lovely yellow butterflies paired with green floral accents, and then green butterflies accented with white blossoms. Each one was about two inches across, featuring tiny delicate flowers; honestly, the whole effect was quite striking. It’s such a shame I didn't manage to snap a picture. I don't recall the exact price point, but if I remember correctly, the total for both the men's and women's sets came out to about... $133 It looks like we’re sitting right on the edge of our targets—we have about 72 men's pieces, which is just barely enough, but we actually have a bit of a surplus with around 100 women's pieces.

I suppose I should probably touch upon the topic of automobiles for a moment. It’s such a vast subject, isn't it? I feel like there is always something new to discuss when it comes to the industry here in the States. Whether we are looking at the latest shifts in tech or just the way our daily commutes are changing, there seems to be plenty to ponder. I guess it really depends on what one is interested in, but I find the whole evolution of the car to be quite fascinating, if I do say so myself! We ended up renting this vintage red-and-white Mercedes from a local guy—it was about $300. It’s such a classic, total retro vibe! 😍

I suppose I should probably mention my thoughts on traditional vocal groups, though I know everyone has their own preferences when it comes to music. There is just something about that specific style of multi-part harmony that feels so incredibly timeless, don't you think? It’s quite a unique way of storytelling through song, where the blend of voices becomes almost like a single instrument. I guess you could say it has a certain soulfulness that is hard to replicate with modern production. Maybe it's just me, but I find those rich, layered melodies to be quite soothing after a long day. The boys from the band played at my husband's place first, then came over to mine before we all headed out together to the church. Honestly, they were absolutely phenomenal—they completely crushed it. They brought such an authentic West Coast vibe to everything; we mostly stuck to traditional folk songs at my house, and everyone was having the absolute best time. We actually have this little inside joke between us: whenever they play "Wake Me Up in the Morning," it’s our secret signal for the next song. My husband was being quite stubborn about which track to pick next, though. He wouldn't even say the name of the song he had in mind... but then he chose "Now That You've Arrived," and man, the crowd just went wild! It was a total knockout. Huge thanks to the crew! That combination of mandolin, guitar, and upright bass is just a perfect 10/10.
The price was $733, and honestly, I think they could have charged way more! 😉


Regarding the catering — I actually decided to go with an outside caterer for our reception. The gentleman's name was Zdravko, though I seem to have forgotten the exact name of his company, hahaha. Anyway, they were absolutely wonderful; there were four of them in total. They brought everything we needed, including two large buffet tables for food and drinks, a few high-top cocktail tables, and a full set of service items like linens, glassware, napkins, silverware, plates, etc. They even handled all the table settings for us. We purchased the supplies, and they did all the heavy lifting and presentation. They really knocked it out of the park—the fruit arrangements were just stunning. Everything looked so elegant that even I noticed the difference the moment I stepped out of the house, hahaha.
The catering ended up costing us $667 plus the food and beverages we bought ourselves (the drinks alone were about $500, and since people were bringing their own spirits to the hall and drinking quite a bit, I can't say exactly how much the food cost, but it was definitely around $2,000-$833). All calculations were based on a guest list of 160 people.

As for the photographer — we used Photo California, and they were such a fantastic crew. Truly lovely, professional people. We won't see the photos and videos for a month or two, but considering we had a photo session running from 2:30 PM until 9:30 PM, I imagine they will be spectacular... Or, to put it in their terms: the shots are going to be absolute perfection, my friends, just pure perfection!
How much? Less than what you'd pay a top-tier professional. As for anything else, please don't ask me. ☕ (We paid the deposit back in June of last year)

The Band — Bravo Band was simply incredible. We actually helped curate the repertoire ourselves. The first two sets were a bit more commercial—lots of Dance, classic hits, and some fun throwback tracks—while the remaining sets leaned into rock, Studio 54 vibes, and one set featured modern urban artists like Adele. We made sure to avoid all that local cheesy stuff. They played really high-quality music, and people were dancing non-stop; even at 4:00 AM, the dance floor was still packed. That’s my takeaway: for a wedding, you really have to play a little bit of everything.
We made our grand entrance to "Born to Be Wild," and our first dance was to "Nothing Else Matters" (just as a side note—when I walked into the church, an electric guitarist was playing "Nothing Else Matters" on a classical guitar; it was about $50, and I’d highly recommend it if anyone needs that kind of touch), and we kept that energy going. The atmosphere was electric! Even the bikers were dancing to "Sve bi seke ljubile mornare" during the first set! It was total madness! They cost $1,200, consisting of two men and one woman (and by the way, the female vocalist has such a unique, amazing voice!). (Deposit paid in June of last year)

The Cake — It was from Mediterranean Sweets, run by Marina. It was this beautiful round cake with four or five tiers, topped with a motorcycle. It was absolutely wild! We practically demolished the poor thing. It cost $547, but I don't regret a single cent; it was phenomenal and truly delicious, in case you were wondering!

The Venue — It was the Castello in San Francisco, right off the main highway, in the upper hall. People kept telling me the food was excellent; everyone specifically raved about the French cuisine, the black risotto, and the roast (which is funny, because people usually don't praise those specific dishes much!). They said everything else was great too. No one complained about anything; the servers were sprinting all night, the tables stayed well-stocked, and the staff was incredibly helpful and polite—everyone had nothing but good things to say. One big plus for the venue from my side: I’d also highly recommend it (even though, personally, I didn't eat much besides two pieces of cheese 😁). The owner is a lovely, kind woman who is very easy to coordinate with. The price was $35 per person. (Deposit paid in June of last year)

I think that covers everything, though I can't be entirely certain—I might have missed something small. If you have any questions, feel free to ask! Wishing everyone the best of luck! 😍

Congrats! 😍...It's great to see that quality stays quality😍 even after almost three years. 😍 😁

Lucy, The Beach Boys, Mediterranean, Victoria's Secret... they all blew me away. Plus the group I didn't hire, but I've run into those guys at other weddings and they're great. 😍

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Raymond Brooks7 said:Congrats! 😍...It's great to see that quality stays quality😍 even after almost three years. 😍 😁

Lucy, The Beach Boys, Mediterranean, Victoria's Secret... they all blew me away. Plus the group I didn't hire, but I've run into those guys at other weddings and they're great. 😍

thanks yanni and you too...but I still can't stand you...what parties??

Hi there,
Can anyone recommend a good cake maker? I'm looking for someone other than Delta—I saw their cakes at the expo and they were absolutely STUNNING, but the prices are just a bit too steep for me... plus, to be honest, their basic designs aren't really my style. Generally speaking, I don't usually go for bakery cakes. So, if you have any leads, I’d really appreciate it. I'm also open to home bakers or independent women who do custom orders; I've noticed there are more of them lately, and their creativity is honestly incredible. A huge plus would be if they offer delivery outside of San Diego. Thanks! 🙂

Please, I am looking for an accordion player for a party. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Hello, I was wondering if anyone here has any experience working with The Beach Boys? Also, does anyone have a solid recommendation for a hair and makeup artist in San Diego? Thanks

Just a quick heads-up for all the brides-to-be out there... the Villa Hotel in K. Lukšić has reopened its restaurant and banquet hall! They’ve done a bit of a makeover—they have these nice round tables now with chair covers, too. Honestly, the vibe by the ocean is just lovely...👍

I’m starting to feel a little bit of that pre-wedding panic setting in; we are officially about two months out from the big day.😍The venue is set, the officiant is booked, and we've got the DJ, photographer, videographer, and cake all lined up... we're just finalizing those last few details now.
What’s actually stressing me out is the hair and makeup situation. I see everyone recommending people in San Diego like Lucy Smith, Antonia, or Sandy... but I honestly have no clue which one to pick (if anyone could DM me their numbers, I would be incredibly grateful!). On top of that, I am completely lost on where to go for my hair—any suggestions at all would be more than welcome.🤷

Has anyone here actually hired professional lighting for their wedding? I'm looking for some recommendations—does anyone happen to know a vendor who could send over a quote by $1667? Thanks! 🙂

Has anyone here actually worked with Lolita Wedding Lighting? I just received an incredible offer from them—so good that it's making me wonder what the catch is. 🙂))

Betty Hernandez4 said:Has anyone here actually worked with Lolita Wedding Lighting? I just received an incredible offer from them—so good that it's making me wonder what the catch is. 🙂))

Also, if anyone can recommend a lighting specialist in the California area—provided they aren't Overpriced Inc.—I would be Super Loud Co. grateful.🙂

Betty Hernandez4 said:Has anyone here actually hired professional lighting for their wedding? I'm looking for some recommendations—does anyone happen to know a vendor who could send over a quote by $1667? Thanks! 🙂

Maybe you should try reaching out to the Rockatansky Band directly—I mean, if you can actually get a hold of them, anyway. It might be worth asking them yourself... just an idea, I guess. 🙂

Hey there!
I'm pretty new to this forum... hi everyone! 😉
So, I'm looking for a cool venue—ideally right by the beach (somewhere that can fit about 150 people)... and I need to find some killer food... we're talking home-style cooking and Italian cuisine. My husband is actually Italian... so we've been thinking about having a church wedding in California if I can pull all the planning together... if not, we might just do a nice dinner here and then have the actual wedding in beautiful Italy. We're aiming for June or July next year.

I'm also hunting for a great band and everything else—can anyone give me an idea of what Jole might charge??? Also, does anyone know a band that can sing in Italian???

I've been browsing through some of the posts here...

I really need some help!

Can anyone hook me up with Lucija Spajić's number? I’m in a massive rush here... Hvala.