Newly engaged...Cali bride...share your tips/tricks/best recommendations!

[rockzilla]

So, I got engaged a couple of weeks ago (read the story here: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/rockzilla-is-engaged.79099/)

We''re trying to narrow down between Bay area and So Cal right now...our preferences/desires:

- Awesome vegetarian food (we''re both veggie)
-Beautiful location, somewhat unique, hopefully nice views (trying to stay away from the airport hilton ballroom, etc.)
-Ceremony site separate from reception (I''d like to have the ceremony in a chapel/non-denominational/open,accepting church and the reception somewhere else)
-Reception site indoors (growing up on the east coast, I learned to ALWAYS anticipate rain)
-Late afternoon ceremony, evening reception
Guest count: 100-120 (Probably 100 in Bay area, 120 in SoCal)

Please share with me your best suggestions - I know the PS folks will have some great ones

-RZ

 

[Selkie]

One chapel that I''ve always thought is a great wedding site is Wayfarers Chapel, on the Palos Verdes peninsula (near Redondo Beach):
Wayfarer''s Chapel. You could have the reception in RB at a restaurant.

Check out Chargergrrl''s wedding threads, too. Hopefully she''ll chime in, I don''t know many details other that it was at a winery in Temecula, and her pics are to die for.

 

[cellososweet]

i don't know about the ceremony, but we're renewing our vows at the Muckenthaler Mansion in Fullerton. It is a spectacular old home with indoor receptions. It's been converted into an art gallery and is spectacular. Dark hardwood floors, separate rooms for buffet, dining area, dancing area. Outdoor area for cocktails or you can do it inside. Bar area in the parlor that has mosaics. It's awesome. We're veggie too and the food was so fantastic when we went for our tasting recently!! It's really really good. If you give them your preferences, they'll come up with awesome stuff. And that comes from someone who has pretty particular tastes since I cook so much. Congrats!


p.s.- projectwedding.com my favorite resource

 

[Gypsy]

Okay so.

Here are my recommendations.

Green''s restuarant in the city is the best veggie food around. Neatfreak had her (small) wedding reception there. I''d give them a call and ask them if they cater to any locations, or if they can recommend a great veggie caterer. Then call the veggie caterer and work backward from a caterer to a venue. The venues out here can be irritatingly picky about who they allow to cater.

herecomestheguide.com
yelp.com
projectwedding.com

These are all very helpful sites. While I hate the knot, the girls on the Nor Cal local board are invaluable and have been a huge help to me.

Once you''ve picked an area for the wedding, we have ladies on here from both regions with lots of good advice on vendors etc, so you will find us as helpful, if not more helpful, than any other resource honestly.

Oh, and I highly recommend getting a wedding coordinator if you can afford it in your budget. I have a DOC that''s been helping me out for more than just day of, and violet has a coordinator that''s helped her big time. Especially with finding a private estate for her wedding location which I consider a HUGE score, personally.