Everything you need for a California wedding

Thomas Scott5 said:Hey ladies, joining the thread. We’ve already booked the Pirate, but everything else is becoming a massive headache. Right now, I’m hunting for a photographer and a band. Both are huge priorities for me, but since I’m not based in San Francisco, I can't just go out and hear bands live. As for photographers, I'm incredibly picky—most of them just don't make the cut. Now that I've finished venting, I have a question (and there will be plenty more 😳 later), but let's take it one step at a time.

Does anyone here have experience with, or know how the decor process works at the Pirate? (linens, tablecloths, the patio...) Also, what's your take on extra lighting? They have those small ceiling lights, but I have no idea how the vibe is at night or if it would be smarter to bring in some additional lighting. Any insight from weddings held at that venue would be super helpful.

What kind of music are you looking for? Are you aiming for that high-energy, party-hard vibe, or something more laid back and mellow?

Paul King5 said:Depends on what your schedule looks like that day. My makeup artist booked me for 12:00 and 1:00... she’s doing my mom and me, an hour each, and guests arrive around 3:30.

Has anyone ever heard of the makeup artist Antonia Guć?

Sam Grant3 said:What kind of music are you looking for? Are you aiming for that high-energy, party-hard vibe, or something more laid back and mellow?

Any suggestions for something chill?

Anyone used Klapon Sufit before? What's the damage like on price?

Thanks for the photographer leads. Honestly, I haven't come across any of them yet. I’m looking for someone who can actually capture raw emotion through the lens since we won't have a video. They need an eye for great shots, but also someone easy to coordinate with for those inevitable "posed" family photos where spontaneity just isn't happening. Basically, I want zero heavy filters or excessive Photoshop, and definitely none of that trendy stuff where people pose in abandoned factories.

As for music, I need a band that will play all night with minimal breaks. They should be able to nail both American classics and rock hits—something fun, maybe some old-school soul or folk vibes thrown in, but keeping the focus on rock. Country twang is strictly forbidden, as is anything by Thompson or any combat-themed songs. I need people I can trust to keep playing until dawn if people want to dance. I don't want a wedding hosted by someone constantly calling out names or forcing people onto the floor. Actually, the fewer speeches and the more music, the better. 😁 Just keep people moving with solid tunes. 🙂 I think we’d probably prefer someone with a female vocalist too, so they can mix it up with solo male parts, solo female parts, or duets... Am I being too picky?

Thomas Scott5 said:Thanks for the photographer leads. Honestly, I haven't come across any of them yet. I’m looking for someone who can actually capture raw emotion through the lens since we won't have a video. They need an eye for great shots, but also someone easy to coordinate with for those inevitable "posed" family photos where spontaneity just isn't happening. Basically, I want zero heavy filters or excessive Photoshop, and definitely none of that trendy stuff where people pose in abandoned factories.

As for music, I need a band that will play all night with minimal breaks. They should be able to nail both American classics and rock hits—something fun, maybe some old-school soul or folk vibes thrown in, but keeping the focus on rock. Country twang is strictly forbidden, as is anything by Thompson or any combat-themed songs. I need people I can trust to keep playing until dawn if people want to dance. I don't want a wedding hosted by someone constantly calling out names or forcing people onto the floor. Actually, the fewer speeches and the more music, the better. 😁 Just keep people moving with solid tunes. 🙂 I think we’d probably prefer someone with a female vocalist too, so they can mix it up with solo male parts, solo female parts, or duets... Am I being too picky?

Check out fox, maybe he's exactly what you're looking for: http://www.wedding.ivicalisjak.com/

Betty Davis93 have you checked out Papaya yet? I honestly think they’re incredible—at least in my opinion. Their photos just have that "something"... they aren't over-processed, they're just simple. To me, their shots really speak a thousand words.
They were booked up on my date, so I ended up going with Bonacci Studio instead. I fell in love with his work, especially since I made sure to look through full wedding albums... that's the only way to actually get a feel for how they capture the whole event. It's all about those spontaneous, unpolished moments—just simple black and white or natural color, catching the real stuff. That's it.
If you want some options, these two studios are Number 1 so you can see
I wasn't really feeling Fox or Matich because their photos look way too Photoshopped to me—but hey, to each their own, I know some people live for that look.

As for the music, if you're leaning more toward a rock vibe, you should definitely check out Taxi Band.
There are endless bands out there, really, it all just comes down to what you want to spend...
Viva, First League, Tip Top, Best, Dice, Volar, Jessy Band, Brava Band....

Betty Davis93 said:Betty Davis93 have you checked out Papaya yet? I honestly think they’re incredible—at least in my opinion. Their photos just have that "something"... they aren't over-processed, they're just simple. To me, their shots really speak a thousand words.
They were booked up on my date, so I ended up going with Bonacci Studio instead. I fell in love with his work, especially since I made sure to look through full wedding albums... that's the only way to actually get a feel for how they capture the whole event. It's all about those spontaneous, unpolished moments—just simple black and white or natural color, catching the real stuff. That's it.
If you want some options, these two studios are Number 1 so you can see
I wasn't really feeling Fox or Matich because their photos look way too Photoshopped to me—but hey, to each their own, I know some people live for that look.

As for the music, if you're leaning more toward a rock vibe, you should definitely check out Taxi Band.
There are endless bands out there, really, it all just comes down to what you want to spend...
Viva, First League, Tip Top, Best, Dice, Volar, Jessy Band, Brava Band....

we have the exact same taste! Papaya is killer! For me though, Bonacci was the top pick and Papaya was the backup... but seriously, they're great. I totally agree with what you said: simplicity is everything. No extra fluff.😁

Yeah, Fox didn't really do it for me. His photos are great, but based on his profile, he’s just not my vibe—they feel a bit "cold," if you know what I mean, except for that one girl who is absolutely adorable 🙂 Papaya is definitely on my shortlist, and I'm still getting to know Bonacci. Haven't run into him yet. I'm starting to get a little desperate and am even considering bringing someone in from out of town to San Francisco, but I'm still holding out hope for finding someone local who actually fits our style.

Regarding the music, Betty Davis93 all the names you mentioned are on my radar. I have this running list that I update every day with new bands I discover, but I don't reach out to anyone until I've done my homework by watching their videos online and ranking them. As for the budget, I'm prepared to drop about $2,000 😢, provided the money is actually worth it—meaning I find a band that truly delivers exactly what we and our guests are looking for.

Did you try calling Papaya? It’s super easy to miss them if they’re booked up—you might want to reach out ASAP just to be safe.

I ended up booking the Best group, and honestly, they were fantastic. I don't think you should skimp on the entertainment... at the end of the day, the band is what really sets the mood for everyone.

As for the venue, I went with Dolis. Looking at the last few posts here, it seems like people have been complaining about the food, but I was actually there for a party just two weeks ago and heard a completely different story. I guess it’s true what they say—everyone has their own opinion...

Thomas Scott5 said:Hey ladies, joining the thread. We’ve already booked the Pirate, but everything else is becoming a massive headache. Right now, I’m hunting for a photographer and a band. Both are huge priorities for me, but since I’m not based in San Francisco, I can't just go out and hear bands live. As for photographers, I'm incredibly picky—most of them just don't make the cut. Now that I've finished venting, I have a question (and there will be plenty more 😳 later), but let's take it one step at a time.

Does anyone here have experience with, or know how the decor process works at the Pirate? (linens, tablecloths, the patio...) Also, what's your take on extra lighting? They have those small ceiling lights, but I have no idea how the vibe is at night or if it would be smarter to bring in some additional lighting. Any insight from weddings held at that venue would be super helpful.

As far as photography goes, Foto California is the best option, though they aren't cheap—expect to pay around $1,950–$2,100 for both photo and video. For a band, check out Bravo Band; they're affordable and quite good. Personally, I think the Pirate is an excellent venue—it has a much better atmosphere than any other hall in the San Francisco area, even without extra decor. It doesn't feel like a warehouse; it has windows, a terrace... and Mark handles everything perfectly, and the food is top-tier. The price isn't small—I believe it's $42 on Saturdays and $40 on other days. It won't fit more than 180–200 people, and I think they require a minimum of 120 or 130 on Saturdays, but compared to others charging $35, it’s worth it. Also, if the wedding party is from San Francisco, it’s actually easier and cheaper to grab a taxi from the Pirate than to travel all the way from Dugopolj.

The issue with Photo California is that they have so many different teams—if you’re actually looking for top-tier shots, you really have to know exactly who to book
And honestly, price isn't always a reliable indicator of quality. They tend to be a bit overpriced for what they offer, and if you ask me, they fall pretty far behind Papaya and Bonacci

Look, I don’t have much experience with weddings in San Francisco. I’ve only been to one there, and if my memory serves me right, it was at the President
so I can't really offer much comfort regarding your venue choice. Hopefully, we didn't make a mistake with ours either.🙂Yeah, I really need to start calling photographers and bands soon, because I could easily end up with zero options left.
It drives me crazy that you can't just research everything you want and book it a month before the big party; instead, you're forced to scramble the second you get engaged because everything is already booked up!
edit:
It's good to hear that feraljackal2 thinks Pirate is a solid choice.🙂 We loved that the space is smaller and has that massive terrace with an ocean view. I’ve heard the food is excellent, which is huge for us. Now I just need to figure out the tablecloths, high-top tables, linens, and lighting—basically, how much we actually need to step in and handle ourselves.
As for that photography studio, I'm a little wary of those places that use more than one lead photographer.🤷

You didn't miss out at all—Pirate is actually great. I was mostly focusing on the financial side of things 🙂 but I've had such good experiences with Dolis that I'm not really worried 🙂

I honestly thought everything would just fall into place smoothly, too... but once I started calling around to local wedding bands and photographers, I realized how chaotic things can get. You really have to act fast, so you're probably better off getting the big stuff sorted early just to have some peace of mind 😉

Thomas Scott5 said:Look, I don’t have much experience with weddings in San Francisco. I’ve only been to one there, and if my memory serves me right, it was at the President
so I can't really offer much comfort regarding your venue choice. Hopefully, we didn't make a mistake with ours either.🙂Yeah, I really need to start calling photographers and bands soon, because I could easily end up with zero options left.
It drives me crazy that you can't just research everything you want and book it a month before the big party; instead, you're forced to scramble the second you get engaged because everything is already booked up!
edit:
It's good to hear that feraljackal2 thinks Pirate is a solid choice.🙂 We loved that the space is smaller and has that massive terrace with an ocean view. I’ve heard the food is excellent, which is huge for us. Now I just need to figure out the tablecloths, high-top tables, linens, and lighting—basically, how much we actually need to step in and handle ourselves.
As for that photography studio, I'm a little wary of those places that use more than one lead photographer.🤷

That's exactly why I think we might pass on them. Honestly, I also feel like they've priced themselves a bit too high. A basic photo and video package would run upwards of $2,200. Handing over that kind of money without knowing exactly who is going to show up to capture the wedding doesn't exactly feel like a smart move.

Thomas Scott5 said:Look, I don’t have much experience with weddings in San Francisco. I’ve only been to one there, and if my memory serves me right, it was at the President
so I can't really offer much comfort regarding your venue choice. Hopefully, we didn't make a mistake with ours either.🙂Yeah, I really need to start calling photographers and bands soon, because I could easily end up with zero options left.
It drives me crazy that you can't just research everything you want and book it a month before the big party; instead, you're forced to scramble the second you get engaged because everything is already booked up!
edit:
It's good to hear that feraljackal2 thinks Pirate is a solid choice.🙂 We loved that the space is smaller and has that massive terrace with an ocean view. I’ve heard the food is excellent, which is huge for us. Now I just need to figure out the tablecloths, high-top tables, linens, and lighting—basically, how much we actually need to step in and handle ourselves.
As for that photography studio, I'm a little wary of those places that use more than one lead photographer.🤷

I'm not sure when the mashed potatoes are served, but that terrace and the general vibe are absolute winners. I’m usually not a picky eater—honestly, I often leave 90% of my plate untouched—but the sides at Pirate are something else. I eat everything they put in front of me there (and they serve huge portions with constant refills). In my opinion, Pirate is currently the best option in San Francisco.

The only issue I see with that photo studio is that they are so slammed with work that you might be waiting six months just to see your photos; otherwise, everything is a 10/10. I'm not saying there aren't other photographers who could do an equally good job for less money, but their portfolio is top-tier.

If you go with Pirate + the photo studio + say, a band like Viva... for 120 people, you’re looking at $80 per head—and that doesn't even include the decor you're planning, the pre-church catering, the dress/suit, or the rings...

Thomas Scott5 said:Look, I don’t have much experience with weddings in San Francisco. I’ve only been to one there, and if my memory serves me right, it was at the President
so I can't really offer much comfort regarding your venue choice. Hopefully, we didn't make a mistake with ours either.🙂Yeah, I really need to start calling photographers and bands soon, because I could easily end up with zero options left.
It drives me crazy that you can't just research everything you want and book it a month before the big party; instead, you're forced to scramble the second you get engaged because everything is already booked up!
edit:
It's good to hear that feraljackal2 thinks Pirate is a solid choice.🙂 We loved that the space is smaller and has that massive terrace with an ocean view. I’ve heard the food is excellent, which is huge for us. Now I just need to figure out the tablecloths, high-top tables, linens, and lighting—basically, how much we actually need to step in and handle ourselves.
As for that photography studio, I'm a little wary of those places that use more than one lead photographer.🤷

Since I work as a photographer myself, both freelance and for other studios, I shouldn't really be giving out recommendations here since it might look like an ad. But if you want some advice based on what you're looking for, feel free to DM me. I'm in that world and know who does good work.
Also, I'm getting married on October 25th this year. The date got moved up seven months suddenly (no, we aren't waiting for a baby! ;-) ), so we were a little worried about getting everything sorted. But honestly, I'm proud to say we knocked almost everything out in just two days—practically a few hours. All that's left is the suit and the dress :-)))) We knew exactly what we wanted, and I know plenty of people in the industry, so it went smoothly. I'll let you guys know how it all goes on Oct 26th. :-D

Thomas Scott5 said:Thanks for the photographer leads. Honestly, I haven't come across any of them yet. I’m looking for someone who can actually capture raw emotion through the lens since we won't have a video. They need an eye for great shots, but also someone easy to coordinate with for those inevitable "posed" family photos where spontaneity just isn't happening. Basically, I want zero heavy filters or excessive Photoshop, and definitely none of that trendy stuff where people pose in abandoned factories.

As for music, I need a band that will play all night with minimal breaks. They should be able to nail both American classics and rock hits—something fun, maybe some old-school soul or folk vibes thrown in, but keeping the focus on rock. Country twang is strictly forbidden, as is anything by Thompson or any combat-themed songs. I need people I can trust to keep playing until dawn if people want to dance. I don't want a wedding hosted by someone constantly calling out names or forcing people onto the floor. Actually, the fewer speeches and the more music, the better. 😁 Just keep people moving with solid tunes. 🙂 I think we’d probably prefer someone with a female vocalist too, so they can mix it up with solo male parts, solo female parts, or duets... Am I being too picky?

For what you're describing, Barbary would be perfect www.barbary.com. They have a female vocalist, they don't quit until the sun comes up (I've seen it myself), and they handle the entire program flawlessly without acting like they're too good for us or hiking up their prices to astronomical levels.🙂

I was in... Pirate... A few years back at a wedding feast, the newlyweds didn't bother with any of those chair covers—you had to pay extra for them or whatever... they didn't have fancy extra lighting either, and honestly, everything was perfect. In my opinion, you don't need to add all that extra stuff. The restaurant was beautiful, and the food was top-tier back then...

California Photo Honestly, it’s just a joke. It's stupid how you have zero clue which photographer you're actually getting, and then they just dump everything on you—kind of like what happened to my friends. Everything turns into a total disaster... that DVD was an absolute wreck. They even misspelled her name right at the start, and the audio was completely out of sync. The guy starts singing, and then the music kicks in a few seconds later... ridiculous. 😬

A month ago, I was at this party where they were playing... taxi band...They were awesome...

Back when I was looking for a photographer, I remember hearing some pretty notorious stories about California Photo being incredibly rude. To be honest, I can't recall the exact details, just that they apparently gave some young people a really hard time, though I'm not entirely sure what happened.

I hadn't heard much about Bonačić Studio lately, so I took a quick look at their work. It’s quite heavy on color manipulation—not nearly as simple or natural as some people have claimed. I suppose that's just the current trend, which is why it doesn't stand out as much, but fundamentally, it feels rather aggressive. My impression is that all the shots are either overly orange or way too washed out. The framing feels a bit unfinished, too. The whole thing comes across as somewhat amateurish...
My favorite group is Tempo Band from San Francisco; I've heard nothing but great things about them, and I was really drawn to the fact that they incorporate extra instruments! I believe they're touring other cities soon too.😉