San Diego wedding planning guidePlan Your Wedding With Advice From Local Pros.

“Choosing your flowers is such an exciting part of planning your wedding, and there are definitely a few things to keep in mind that can help to make this process easier. Start by choosing a florist who specializes in the style of flowers you envision for your wedding. If you like what you see in their portfolio and on their instagram, they'll most likely be a good fit. Also, be honest and up front about your floral budget. We can dream up dozens of ideas for your wedding, but when we know what we have to work with, we can do our best to design ideas that fit within it. We want to take your vision and bring it to life on your wedding day so that when you see your bouquet, and walk into your ceremony and reception, it's better than you ever expected.”

“Matching the centerpiece style to the venue, a big room with high ceilings needs big tall arrangements to make them pop. A smaller room with low ceilings should have something a bit more understated.”

“I think a lot of couples have this misconception about a floral budget. Yes of course you should definitely budget for your big day, but keep in mind of your needs vs. wants. With so many more outlets available to couples like Pinterest, wedding blogs, social media and such, it's hard to not to want to have it all. So when it comes to start thinking about your decor items such as flowers, it's hard for those DIY Pinterest brides that try to cut corners. This is where the long nights, stress and headaches start to begin. Trust your florist and make sure you are both on the same page to deliver a beautiful wedding. But as the saying goes, "You get what you pay for". Do you really need that 15 foot flower wall that will only be used at the ceremony? Maybe, if you can afford, but for most average weddings, I doubt it. Instead look to re-utilize other items from your reception into your ceremony and vice versa. Work with your florist to share ideas and be honest about your budget up front. That way you both can avoid these long nights and headaches. As always all that matters in the end is the beautiful moments shared in your wedding with the love of your life.”

“For brides that have their heart set on a certain type of flower in their wedding bouquet, they are often disappointed to find out a given flower is not in season and is unavailable. If you love peonies, choose a wedding date in May or June. If you want dahlias, be sure to plan a summer or early fall wedding. One of the best months for gorgeous spring flowers is March, which is often overlooked as a wedding date. Finally, be sure to factor in the cost for the florist to transport and set up your flowers, as well as return to remove them at the end of the evening. This can add 15-20% to the cost of your flowers, depending on the extent of your order. Most of all, be sure to "stop and smell the roses" on your wedding day--enjoy!”

“The number one disappointment for clients is the seasonal availability of key flowers, many clients love peonies or anemones, as examples, yet do not find out when they are in season to be able to have them in the design. Certainly we are magicians with substitutions, but if clients have their hearts set on peonies, (or any favorite bloom), knowing when they are at their best is key.”

“We think couples tend to underestimate the budget for flowers on their day. It's one of the most important aspects of design for their wedding and yet they don't realize how it greatly affects the venue's aesthetics. It isn't just about picking a couple of flowers here and there but there is labor and design planning involved to create arrangements whether it be for centerpieces, ceremony, or bouquets. With that in mind, one might think they can easily DIY the arrangements they want, just order the greens and flowers by stems and bunches, and then end up in a panic days before the wedding upon the realization that it isn't as easy as it looks. By then, it may be tricky to find a florist who can help in time for their wedding. We say, know and understand your budget and then pick a florist who you can trust to help make that budget work for you. That and book early!”

“We have walked with hundreds of couples through their wedding days, so we know with all too much clarity how fast the day goes by. One minute, you'll be buttoning your dress or slipping on your suit and before you know it you'll be air-guitaring to the DJ's last song. As photographers, we spend more time with you than anyone else on your wedding day, even your mom or your maid of honor, and we have access to the most intimate moments. And here at Clove & Kin, we view this special access as an opportunity. When events start moving too quickly for you, we know when we can step in, slow you down, and remind you to pause. We invite you to tune into your senses – into the sounds of the party, into the feeling of your fingers intertwined, or into the scent of your blooming bouquet. We call this Savoring, and it's at the heart of everything we do. It's also what creates unforgettable moments, captured beautifully on camera.”

“One word of advice is to not stress the veil on the wedding day…… Please, please, please don't miss a moment of your wedding because you are fidgeting or having your mom fidget with your veil. If it is causing an issue, take it out. No one will riot over you not wearing it all the time. But on a side note, veils are absolutely beautiful and I would 100% recommend one for your bridals/formals. Fidget away because bridals are not THE day so you are not on a time crunch.”

“My wife and I (we are a husband and wife team) believe the most important thing to do when selecting a wedding photographer is to find someone who you feel a connection with. Photographers, more so than any other vendor on your big day are interacting with you and your guests and it is so important that there is a good relationship there, and that the bride and groom feel comfortable around their photographer. At Emry Photography we truly strive to not just be your photographer but really help you throughout your day to ensure it is everything you dreamed of, and to document the story of your day so it lives on forever.”

“Choosing a photographer is very important, and can make or break your wedding. You should pick someone that is a good fit for you, this person(s) will be by your side most of the day. If you are comfortable around them, you are more likely to relax and not tense up. Also, a big thing to consider is ceremony time. Keep in mind when you are going to have the ceremony (especially outside). You want the best light for your photos, and mid-day can cast some bad shadows that are not skin friendly. If you have no choice with timing, plan on seeing each other before for first-look or after closer to sunset. Your photographer should help you from start to finish, recommending time options, and making it easier without causing any additional stress. Hire a photographer confident, and one that knows what they are doing, one that has additional back ups in case their main unit fails. These are your memories, and you are paying for them, so be sure you do your research and interview your photographers.”

“I would say to best capture your special events, being authentic in the moment is the most important part. Many brides come to me and ask me to replicate a moment they saw on Pinterest…if you focus on living and experiencing the events as they happen, naturally, during your special day, the photos will reflect your genuine feelings- and that is a beautiful thing. I absolutely LOVE weddings and what I do, I get to meet the coolest people and get to share in the most important day of their relationships. My tip would be to slow down, take your time and enjoy your day. Weddings fly by and they are over before you know it- take the time to appreciate and enjoy every part of it and I will be there to capture every special moment.”

“Wedding photos do last forever, and after the wedding evening ends, it will be the only thing left. It's really important to spend the time to find a professional that fits your needs. It's important to trust your wedding and engagement photographer. Personally, I enjoy working closely with couples to ensure I understand their vision. I try to make it an enjoyable process, having fun with the couples during the entire time. The engagement session is very important for the couple to get familiar with the photographer, and in front of the camera. See it as a good trial for the wedding. They will be able to see what are their best angles, as well as their favorite style of photograph. It's very constructive when the clients give their feedback after the engagement session. Before the wedding, I insist on meeting with the couples at the venue. For destination weddings, I suggest that the couples take me a day sooner, so we can meet at the wedding location. A long, relaxed venue scout always makes me and the clients more comfortable. It's always good to connect a few days before, and talk about last details and expectations. When the wedding day arrives, it's mandatory that the couples have fun with me. Taking those steps beforehand, ensures a very relaxed and casual interaction between me and the clients.”

“San Diego has hundreds of wedding photographers as we are sure you are just finding out. Finding the one that is the perfect fit for you can sometimes be overwhelming, but in the end, the time you spend finding that perfect fit for you is worth it. A wedding takes a lot of organizing, even the photography. Having a professional who has photographed a lot of weddings lets you relax, knowing that everything possible is being done to make your day as perfect as it can be. A wedding photographer needs to be able to anticipate moments before they happen rather than react to them too late. They need to be able to adjust schedules to get all the hopes and wishes of the bride and groom covered without forgetting anything. If photos are important to you, this is an area in your budget that you shouldn't skimp on. These photos are the first chapter in the story of your lives together, the one your grandchildren will someday be sitting on your lap looking at. It pays to invest in someone who has the experience, the equipment and the heart to deliver it all. This story is priceless.”

“For engagement photos, many couples always are concerned what to wear and what looks good in photos. I always suggest to the couples what colors and styles look good in photos, but besides that I want them to wear their favorite outfit to make them feel good about themselves because it will show in the photos. Confidence is everything! Wedding day a tip or suggestion (especially for the DIY bride) is don't sweat the small hiccups throughout the day and enjoy the day as it happens and take it all in. If they worry that something is not right or the florist is late for example then it will show in their face and then in the photos. There has been several times when a bride is stressed about something and I've taken a photo of her then I quickly crack a joke to get her to smile and take another photo and then show her both photos and tell her not to stress and let it go.”

“1. Meet your photographer in person: It's important to have a good and strong relationship with your photographer. Having that strong relationship will make you feel so much more comfortable in front of the camera. 2. Ask the right questions: Wedding photography is an investment both financially and with your trust. You want to make sure that you are hiring a true professional that is dedicated to their craft. Asking questions such as whether they have double the gear so they don't skip out on your wedding day and whether they are prompt are very important. 3. Make sure to have your engagement photos taken by a professional. 4. Have a first look: First looks are more intimate and amazing than people think. 5. Hire a wedding planner: Your life will be so much easier with a wedding planner. Whether you have an exact vision or not, a wedding planner will put it all together and make the vision come to life. 6. Love the vendors you work with: Having vendors you love working with will make your wedding day that much more special. Do your research, check reviews and make sure to meet the vendors in person before your wedding.”

“The best time for photography is close to the sunset, save some time for couple's portraits one hour before sunset. If possible plan to avoid having an outdoor ceremony in the middle of the day, the sun is too strong and will make unwanted shadows and will make you squint. Wear comfortable shoes, if you are comfortable you'll enjoy the day much more. Walk slow and look up straight when walking down the aisle. Bring a wooden hanger for your wedding dress, it's great for getting ready photos. Have the getting ready room the most organized and neat possible it makes for better photos. Be careful with tan lines a few months before the wedding, specially if you're wearing a strapless dress. Ask your guests to please not use their phones to take pictures during the ceremony (you invested in professional photography so they can enjoy the wedding and don't be intrusive). Tell all family members to stay right after the ceremony, they usually go wander and it takes time to gather them all again.”

“Planning a wedding can get pretty overwhelming very quickly! It's best to get your planning started right away. Hire the most important vendor first, the photographer and give yourself a realistic budget. Don't be in "planning mode" all the way to the wedding date. It is impossible to just "turn off". You want to enjoy the day and have your photographer capture the true essence from YOUR special day. Pinterest can be a trap that can steer a person in many different directions. It's important to stay true to yourselves, so don't go with a popular trend now that you will regret later.”

“Make sure you select a photographer that is a right fit. Your photographer will not only be with you throughout the engagement process, but also be one of the only vendors that will be with you your entire wedding day. It's important that not only are your personalities a good fit, but that you enjoy the style of the photographer and won't feel the need to ever second guess their judgment. Another useful tip about the wedding day is to make sure you have your photographer at your wedding for a majority of the day – I average about 8-10 hours of coverage per wedding, which really allows me to give my clients the best possible gallery, including photojournalism during the getting ready process, a nice amount of time for portraits, unrushed time between the first look, ceremony, & cocktail hour, and ample time to photograph wedding traditions, dancing, and night portraits during the reception. Shorter wedding coverage, such as 6 hours or less, doesn't fully allow me to get as many candids or creative portraits because the timeline is usually too crunched.”

“I think it's super important for the client to arrange an engagement session before the wedding. This helps to ease tension and add that comfort level if they're not used to being in front of a {professional} camera. Plus we start building a relationship as we'll be spending a lot of time with them the day of the wedding…and beyond!”

“I think that toward the end of the day, the lighting gets much better and your photos are going to look that much better too. 1 hour before sunset is a good time to get a lot of the portrait photos with family/bridal party and the romantic couples images.”

“After years of photographing Weddings, one of the most helpful tips I've shared is to hire a Wedding Coordinator. Not only does the coordinator alleviate stress and make the day run smoothly, but they will be able to ask or help you ask all the right questions, making your dream day be just that….a dream. Meet in person with as many vendors as you can, but mainly the Coordinator, Photographer and Videographer. As you spend most of your time with them, you'll want to make sure you're a great match! My last tip would be to choose a getting ready location such as an AirBnB, and Venue's that has been put together with photography in mind. A nice white, light, and beautifully maintained set of locations will make your images that much more beautiful! A venue with photo opportunities around every corner?! Yes, Please!”

“Take a deep breath and in the words of a popular pop star – just shake it off. Make some funny faces and silly noises to get the wiggles out and calm the nerves. Keep relaxed! Take deep breaths often and drop your shoulders to reduce the appearance of hesitation and tenseness. Staying calm will help translate to happy and model-esque photos. Look at us the way you do with your best friend and let the stress fly away.”

“We understand that planning a wedding can sometimes be stressful and overwhelming, which is why at Parq West our best catering tip is to TRUST your caterer! We are the experts, know what food works for the occasion and how to realistically bring your wedding vision to life. We recommend you pick a caterer that will work with you to customize a menu that will meet your taste, dining style and budget. Leave the meal planning and logistics to us so you can spend more time focusing on enjoying your Special Day.”

“The food is the most important part of the wedding reception because people want to taste what culinary diversity is offered. People travel from different regions to experience of course, the wedding, but to also experience the local cuisine. Taco Surf offers award winning local Mexican Cuisine.”

“From my experience, I have always covered my bases to ensure the customer is happy. My advice is to always bring enough booze (or food), set up early, and have enough staffing. Anytime I have ever ran into a situational problem, I have always had enough time and staff on hand to help fix the problem. If you stay on top of those specific things, whatever you do a service will be a smooth event and successful.”

“Hire a Professional & Licensed Bar Caterer: Be sure your beverage caterer is professional to serve alcohol. As simple as this sounds, there's a lot of risk associated for all parties involved if the caterer is not professional. At Snake Oil Cocktail Company, we work with the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control to be sure each event is permitted using our beverage catering license. We also carry a $5 million liquor liability and general liability insurance policy. Our goal is to be sure everyone is safe during your celebration! Don't be afraid to ask questions of event planners and venue managers to make sure they have secured the proper event permits. Do Your Research: Find a caterer that has a great reputation in the community. We hire staff based on personality and their ability to think on their feet. Anyone can be taught how to pour a great drink but very few can be taught how to be polite and how to play well as a team. Share Your Creativity: We want your beverage plan to be as unique as you are, so we offer the opportunity to customize everything. If you have any ideas that you'd like to share or a Pinterest board, please do! We encourage couples to share their personality through the beverage experience, so let's get creative.”

“Make sure that the food can be prepared quickly and ensure your caterer has more than enough time to set up, get ready and serve, it's OK to be ready early, but it's NOT OK to be ready late! Perhaps this is military training creeping in, but it's served us well.”