Best of 2020: San Luis Obispo

Best Event Designer: Vanessa Noël Events (Lacie Hansen Photography)

Best Wedding Planner
A Lovely Creative
alovelycreative.com
This full-service planner works with a limited number of couples annually in order to put thoughtful focus on designing a luxury bespoke vision for each of its couples.
FINALISTS: Amanda Holder Events, Anna Fergus of The Cliffs Hotel and Spa, Eventful Wedding Planning

Best Florist
Flowers by Kim
flowersbykim.com
Owner Kim Lahargou turned her passion for gardening into a floral design business, which eventually became a full-service event design business, bringing cohesion to all the elements of a wedding.
FINALISTS: Noonan’s Wine Country Designs, April Flowers, Idlewild Floral

Best Florist: Flowers by Kim (Mike Larson)

Best Photographer
Ashley Ludaescher Photography
ashleyludaescher.com
This photographer captures the candid moments of romance throughout a couple’s wedding day and creates images that stand the test of time, all while developing a friendship with the couple.
FINALISTS: Amber Lynn Photography, Film Wedding Photography by Jen Rodriguez, Yvonne Goll Photography

Best Videographer
Iron & Fern
ironandfern.com
This husband-and-wife team creates authentic, romantic films that capture not only a couple’s wedding day, but their story in its entirety.
FINALISTS: Fox Jump Cinematics, Patrick Ang Photography, Steelhead Cinema

Best New Venue
La Lomita Ranch
lalomitaranch.com
Spanish charm suffuses all three outdoor venues at this ranch, which can accommodate as many as 400 people. The addition of a ballroom, opening this year, will increase that capacity.
FINALISTS: The Barrel Room at Cass Winery, Fallen Oaks Estate, The Penny

Best Outdoor Venue 
Greengate Ranch & Vineyard
greengateweddings.com
Offering a luxury-meets-rustic-retreat experience, this Edna Valley wine country ranch boasts a pole barn, a lakeside ceremony lawn and vacation homes available as accommodations or
bridal suites.
FINALISTS: Pepper Tree Ranch, Terra Mia Vineyard, The White Barn

Best Outdoor Venue: Greengate Ranch & Vineyard  (Mike Larson)

 
Best Indoor Venue
Villa Loriana
villaloriana.com
Surrounded by towering oak trees and gorgeous water features, this two-story, Italian-inspired villa offers romantic features, such as a stone turret, stucco walls and crystal chandeliers.
FINALISTS: Greengate Ranch & Vineyard (barn), Rava Wines, Santa Margarita Ranch

Best Resort
The Cliffs Hotel and Spa
cliffsresort.com
This oceanfront resort, situated on its own Pismo Beach bluff, provides beach access, a beachfront ceremony lawn and tent pavilion, and a grand ballroom, plus a range of accommodations and amenities to make planning easy.
FINALISTS: Allegretto Vineyard Resort, Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa, Vespera On Ocean, Autograph Collection

Best Catering
Flora & Fauna Fine Food
floraandfaunafinefood.com
This team of catering industry veterans provides a sophisticated menu with top-quality, fresh ingredients and stylish presentations.
FINALISTS: Field to Table Catering & Events, Trumpet Vine Catering, Chef’s Table Catering

Best Catering: Flora & Fauna Fine Food  (Mike Larson)

Best Rentals (furniture and tabletop)
allaboutevents.com 
This full-service rental shop offers everything needed for an unforgettable wedding, from curated furniture collections and décor to specialty tents and mobile bridal suites. 
FINALISTS: Avenue Twelve, Embellish Vintage Rentals, SCOUT Rental Co.
TABLETOP FINALISTS: borrowed BLU,  Bright Event Rentals, La Tavola Fine Linen

Best DJ, Lighting, Audiovisual and Production
Epic Entertainment
epicentertainmentslo.com
This team offers mobile DJ services, lighting and photo booths. It also gives couples access to an online tool to plan those essential songs and to map the wedding-day timeline for seamless musical accompaniment.
FINALISTS: Bella Vista Designs, Islay Events, Kramer Events
DJ FINALISTS: Bob Stock of Phase 1 Mobile DJ, Kramer Events, Malik Miko Weddings

Best Live Music
Dan Curcio/Moonshiner Collective
moonshinercollective.com
Singer-songwriter and musician Dan Curcio brings his talents for folksy, soulful sounds and a lifetime of performance experience to every wedding he plays for.
FINALISTS: Bear Market Riot, Lucky Devils Band

Best Invitation Designer and Calligraphy
Fête & Quill
feteandquill.com
This designer creates unique, large-scale, hand-lettered wedding signage, calligraphy, illustrations and bespoke invitations in a variety of modern printing styles.
FINALISTS: Lovelyfest Event Design and Wedding Planning, Pigment & Parchment, Rachell Rae Designs

Best Cakes and Desserts
Just Baked Cake Studio & Bakery
justbakedslo.com
Just Baked offers delicious, beautiful, classically designed cakes, along with a range of treats, including mouthwatering chocolate chip cookies and dessert bars.
FINALISTS: Autumn Cake Design, Cake Cathedral, Pardon My French Bakery

Best Dress Shop
Moondance Bridal
moondancebridal.com
Catering to free-spirited and nontraditional brides, this shop serves as the flagship store for bridal accessory brand Untamed Petals, and features bridal gown designers like Rue de Seine, Martiana Liana and Olvis.
FINALISTS: A Heart’s Desires Bridal, Hey Gorgeous Formal Wear, Something Bridal Boutique 

Best Groom’s Attire
Friar Tux
friartux.com
This suit shop offers an extensive collection of fits and colors of suits, tuxedos and accessories to rent or buy, including big and tall and even toddler sizing.
FINALISTS: A Heart’s Desires Bridal, Hey Gorgeous Formal Wear, Men’s Wearhouse

Best Hair and Makeup 
Queens Bees
thequeensbees.com
This collective of talented makeup artists focuses on excellent service and, in addition to standard hair and makeup, offers specialty services, like airbrush tanning, lash extensions and hair extensions.
FINALISTS: Tami Bernard Makeup Artist, Brit Tarr, Amanda Olson

Best Hair and Makeup: Queens Bees (Jen Huang)

Best Officiant
Rick Comstock, Avow Wedding Ceremonies and Services
avowceremony.com
Comstock helps each couple design wedding ceremonies that reflects their love, hopes and dreams.
FINALISTS: Paul Howell of Marriage with meaning, Rabbi Janice Mehring