Best of 2019: San Luis Obispo

Roll out the red carpet for this year’s stars of the wedding industry!
Written by
Lara M. Burnap and Carrie Bell

Planning a wedding has never been easier with this fabulous list of creatives that will make your dreams a reality. Find your perfect match from this guide to the top vendors from San Luis Obispo. We also have winners in San DiegoLos AngelesOrange County and Ventura/Santa Barbara, and our Editor's Picks.

OFFICIANT
Rick Comstock
avowceremony.com
Comstock assists couples in finding the right words to express their love and designing wedding ceremonies that reflect both individuals.
FINALISTS: Andy Morris Entertainment, Marriage with Meaning, Rabbi Janice Mehring

HAIR & MAKEUP
805 Makeup
805makeup.com
Lacey Maxwell has more than 10 years of hairstyling and makeup experience, a fact that is evident when you spy her bridal parties glowing with all an effortless, natural beauty.
FINALISTS: Brit Tarr, Tami Bernard Makeup Artist, The Queens Bees

WEDDING DRESS SHOP & BRIDAL ACCESSORIES
Moondance Bridal
moondancebridal.com
Moondance is the go-to place for the romantic and free-spirited bride, boasting designers such as Theia and Rue de Seine, and as the flagship store for Untamed Petals.
FINALISTS: A Heart’s Desires Bridal, Hey Gorgeous Formal Wear, Something Bridal, To Have & To Hold Bridal Salon

GROOMSWEAR
Hey Gorgeous Formal Wear
heygorgeousformalwear.com
Affordable menswear from beach-bound linen looks and pinstriped suits to three-piece tuxedos with tails.
FINALISTS: A Heart’s Desires Bridal, Men’s Wearhouse

WEDDING CAKES & DESSERTS
Just Baked Cake Studio & Bakery
justbakedslo.com
Just Baked produces award-winning chocolate chip cookies, house-made curds and custards, naked cakes and mouthwatering dessert bars that are easy to be sweet on.
FINALISTS: Cake Cathedral, Paper Cake Events


Fete & Quill, SLO Best Invitations (Jen Huang)

INVITATION DESIGNER
Fête & Quill
feteandquill.com
This talented designer creates large-scale hand-lettered wedding signs, calligraphy for almost any object (even oyster shells) and bespoke invitations with a variety of printing press styles to select from.
FINALISTS: Bourbon Blue Cards, Paper Sky

CALLIGRAPHY 
Lovelyfest Events
lovelyfestevents.com
Lovelyfest puts pen to paper to handle all your invitation, wordy decor and signage needs—often while simultaneously putting out fires as a full-service planner.
FINALISTS: Fête & Quill, Rosey Calligraphy & Design

DJ/EMCEE & LIGHTING/AUDIOVISUAL
Kramer Events
kramerevents.com
Kramer brings you a team of lighting experts that puts on a unique light show, while a skilled master of ceremonies rocks the mic and plays everyone’s favorite tunes.
DJ FINALISTS: DJ Cheetah, DJ Malik Miko Thorne, Epic Entertainment
LIGHTING FINALISTS: Bella Vista Designs, Epic EntertainmentSpark Creative Events

RECEPTION BAND
Bear Market Riot
bearmarketriot.com
“Power-folk” duo Kirk Nordby and Nick Motil bring a blend of folk and funk to get the crowd revved up.
FINALISTS: Come Alive Entertainment, Dan Curcio of Moonshiner Collective

TABLETOP 
La Tavola Fine Linen
latavolalinen.com
This linen-rental company brings its customers to the table with more than 1,000 fabrics from top-notch manufacturers from around the world. Whether you seek stripes or florals, neutrals or neons, sequins or lace, La Tavola has you—and your tables—covered.
FINALISTS: All About Events, Central Coast Tent & Party

RENTALS (Furniture and Accessories)
All About Events
allaboutevents.com
All About rents everything from farmhouse tables and specialty tents to a wine barrel collection for swanky wine-themed soirees.
FINALISTS: Avenue Twelve, Embellish Vintage Rentals, Scout Rental Co.

CATERING
Field to Table Catering & Events
fttevents.com
Chef Tracy Labastida creates fresh and seasonal menus, inspired by her feeling of having a special connection to the earth and California’s crops.
FINALISTS: Farmhouse Corner Market, Flora & Fauna Fine Food, Trumpet Vine Catering

NEW VENUE
The White Barn
ednavalleywhitebarn.com
Surrounded by the sweeping Santa Lucia hills, the eponymous 1886 outbuilding and courtyard, complete with string lights and fire pit, conjure a timeless, homespun vibe in the heart of the Edna Valley.
FINALISTS: Dancing Deer, Loriana, Rava Wines

RESORT FOR A WEDDING
The Cliffs Resort & Spa
cliffsresort.com
This resort features prime oceanfront property situated on its own bluff on famed Pismo Beach. With beach access, an oceanfront ceremony lawn and tent pavilion plus a grand ballroom, this property is ideal for couples seeking a spot between Southern and Northern California.
FINALISTS: Allegretto Vineyard Resort, Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa, Inn at the Pier


Greengate Ranch & Vineyard, SLO Best Indoor Venue (Brian Leahy)

INDOOR VENUE
Greengate Ranch & Vineyard
greengateweddings.com
Offering a retreat-like experience, this gorgeous ranch in Edna Valley wine country includes a pole barn, a lakeside ceremony lawn and vacation homes available for family accommodations or for the bridal party to dress.
FINALISTS: The Cliffs Resort & Spa, The White Barn, Tooth & Nail Winery

OUTDOOR VENUE
Pepper Tree Ranch
peppertreeslo.com
A rustic vintage barn befitting the most elegant of Central California’s couples together with guest rooms for as many as 22 make this the perfect destination for saying “I do.”
FINALIST: Greengate Ranch & Vineyard, Oyster Ridge at Ancient Peaks Winery, Spreafico Farms

VIDEOGRAPHER
Steelhead Cinema
steelheadcinema.com
“Raw” and “honest” are the words Steelhead Cinema uses to describe its work in telling wedding stories that are destined to last.
FINALISTS: Cameron Ingalls, Chromatic Collective, Patrick Ang Photography

PHOTOGRAPHER
Kelsea Holder Photography
kelseaholder.com
Holder has a fine eye for documenting dreamy engagement sessions and weddings; and her light-filled photos border on incandescence.
FINALISTS: Ashley Ludaescher Photography, Cameron Ingalls, Jen Rodriguez

Flowers by Kim, SLO Best Florist (We Heart Photography)

FLORIST
Flowers by Kim
flowersbykim.com
As an avid gardener turned florist turned event planner turned rental decor developer, this Jill of all trades brings cohesion to all the elements of a wedding.
FINALISTS: Adornments Flowers & Finery, Noonan’s Wine Country Designs, Wilder Floral Co.

WEDDING PLANNER
Vanessa Noël Events
vanessanoelevents.com
This energetic team gathers design inspiration from their clients and goes to any length to bring that vision to life, whether that’s making Home Depot runs or layering textures and color, all to create a “couple-centric” day.
FINALISTS: Amanda Holder Events, Danae Grace Events, Le Festin Events

EVENT DESIGNER
Nanci Bernard Wedding & Event Planner
nancibernard.com
With her early roots as a florist, Bernard as a keen eye for beautiful details when designing one-of-a-kind weddings.
FINALISTS: A Lovely Creative, Karson Butler Events, Lovelyfest Event Design

BEST OF THE BEST
All About Events
allaboutevents.com
This full service company boasts everything from farmhouse tables and specialty tents to a wine barrel collection.
FINALISTS: Amanda Holder Events, Greengate Ranch & VineyardKramer Events

WEDDING PRO TEAM