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PLANNERS
Bliss Events
Taking the stress out of long-distance planning (half of their clients are staging destination weddings), the four coordinators at Bliss Events weddings are all over the bridal boards—with good reason.
Francine Ribeau Events
Offering a nice assortment of planning packages, from full-on planning to “month-of-the-wedding” help with the details, Francine and her team pride themselves on an ultra-organized approach to planning and an ability to navigate even the most emotional wedding territory.
Yifat Oren
She’s done celeb weddings by the score (Anne Hathaway, Reese Witherspoon), but if you’ve got a deep enough wallet, L.A.-based Oren is happy to tackle civilian nuptials as well.
I Do Weddings & Events
Founder and San Diego native Melissa Barrad probably wields the most extensive emergency kit in the business—complete with veil, fans, and toys to lure flower girls down the aisle.
PHOTOGRAPHERS
True Photography
The photo crew at True has been featured in Martha Stewart Wedings, In Style, W Magazine, The Knot…and they have smart solutions for couples on a budget.
Birds of a Feather Photography
San Diego-based Jacqueline Campbell is part of the team that inhabits a large piece of the bridal blog-osphere with an approach that’s modern but ungimmicky.
Jen Wojcik Photography
Wither a fine arts approach to wedding photos and a preference for film, not digital work, Wojcik’s images have a timeless and thoughtful appeal.
FLORISTS
Sugar Rose Flowers
Sweet bud vases to dramatically asymettrical canopies to hippie-chic head wreaths, San Diego-based takes a distinctive hands-on approach.
Jennifer Cole Florals
Whether it’s your initials done in rose petals or massive floral centerpieces reminiscent of a Dutch still-life, this 20-year veteran of the bridal biz can handle it with flair.
Plenty of Petals
The organic, fresh-from-the-garden feel of florist Kasia Mikulaska extravagant creations are as at home on a Pacific beach as a mid-century mod ranch home.
BAKERS
Extraordinary Desserts
The name has it right; from the cover of Bon Appetit to The Food Network’s Best Thing I Ever Ate, Karen Krasne’s celebrated cakes are celebs of the dessert world.
Michele Coulon Dessertier
Her school days in Paris inform pastry chef Coulon’s butter-rich, organic, edible-flower enhanced creations.
Grove Pastry Shop
It’s been in business since 1947 and continues to be San Diego society’s go-to bakery—but it’s totally fun, too.
Sweet Lydia’s
Cake pops, macaroons, petit flours, and such cake flavors as citrus olive oil cake with sweetened marscapone—this CIA-trained artisanal pastry chef does it all.
BANDS
Undercover Live Entertainment
From a basic 5-piece ensemble to a 15-piece extravaganza with two dancers, four horns, and four singers, this musical powerhouse can nail your style, whether it’s Rat Pack or totally contemporary.
Blue Breeze Band
If you’re looking for soul, funk, jazz, or blues, this LA-based group is glad to travel.
Mariachi: Real de San Diego
With two Super Bowls under their belts, this mariachi band can definitely handle any size wedding.
Republic of Music
A cover band that prides itself on audience engagement, they can shift from C&W to jazz.
