DIY or reasonably priced honest vendors recommended by Rogue Bride. These are NOT PAID advertisements, but tried and true resources that I personally love.
Uniquely Yours Link List – Quirky finds that will set your Wedding apart!
Vow Muse. Need help writing your vows, or want a custom-written ceremony? These pro writers have the skills to polish your words until they reflect everything you want to tell each other.
Blackmarket Bakery, Irvine CA. Blackmarket Bakery does not do “wedding” cakes. If you want a simple, ridiculously delicious cake for about $2 per slice, get it here. No artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, or rubbery fondant. Just don’t call asking about “wedding” cakes, and don’t mention Cake Boss.
Marche Noir Wine Flour Brownies. Wine flour is made of the ground up grape skins left over from the wine making process, which lends a delicious complex flavor to pastas, breads and brownies, and all the health benefits of red wine. It’s the perfect (and cheap) wedding favor for foodies and wine-lovers. And, they ship! $17.50/6 pack, but ask about discounts for bulk-buying.
Nudo Italia’s Adopt an Olive Tree. You get a bottle of olive oil from your own adopted tree at the end of the year – great gift for newlyweds or the wedding party. $109.
Photographers Priced around $2500 or less (unless noted)
Flutterglass Photography,* San Diego CA. (Just raised her prices to $3250)
FeliciPhotography,** San Diego CA (over $2,500)
Clickery Photography, San Diego CA
Stewart Bertrand Photography, San Diego CA
Yantz Photography, Laguna Niguel
ByCherry Photography, Santa Barbara
*My wedding photographer, yay! **My engagement shoot photographer, yay!!Invitations & Save the Date Cards
Events by Elisa. She designs invitations and save-the-date cards, and can plan your wedding too. With a tagline like “Planning for real people,” you know her rates are reasonable for both.*
The Green Kangaroo. A huge selection of beautiful, custom-look, wedding invitations, Save the Date Cards, and all the other wedding paper goodies. Easy to use site that gives you the price as you make your alterations to your order. Prices starting around $2 per invite.
Elephant Poo cards and scrapbooks. Thank your guests for all the shit they gave you with, well, shit! They’re really cute. 10 cards for $30, or 1 scrapbook for $12.
VistaPrint – Design your card using PhotoShop, and upload it. Cheap and easy for those with a bit of artistic talent and techy know-how.
WeddingPaperDivas – If you don’t have artistic talent or techy know-how, buy it here.
*My invitation designer AND the designer of The Bridal Kool-Aid Cocktail Hour logo.
Florists
Check out this AWESOME DIY post from A Practical Wedding for How to Make Bouquets with Trader Joe’s Flowers before you do anything else.
The Daily Petal, by Sarinya Villanueva. My estimate for bouquet & boutonniere came to $157, and this girl is sooo talented.*
Flower Muse. An online flower retailer that emphasizes amazing customer service along with perfect blooms. And they’ve got a great selection too. A must for DIY brides, especially those who don’t live near a major flower market.
Find a friend and do it yourself. Check out the Los Angeles Flower Market on Saturdays for cheap posies and inspiration.
*My florist!
DIY DJs
AMS Entertainment in Ventura rents out the EZ-DJ system, a DIY alternative to the traditional DJ. They also have a lot of other entertainment ideas, including henna artists, caricature artists, and carnival rides, to name a few.
Jewelry
Princess Bride Diamonds, Huntington Beach CA. If you want custom high quality wedding jewelry, owner Lisa Baca is brilliant at making your vision a reality in gold (or platinum). So far she has crafted an aquamarine pendant and my engagement ring.
The Mystic Merchant, Solvang CA. For unique semi-precious stone jewelry high in symbolism and low in price, this is my favorite shop ever. Wear larimar to keep your stress levels low while you plan your wedding, citrine to bring you money, and garnet on your wedding night – rawr. Perfect accessories for new-age, hippy-dippy weddings.
Harlow, by Liz Brennan, Online or in Los Angeles. Vintage Brides must check this out – Liz travels all over Europe to the flea markets to source the Victorian, Edwardian, Gilded-Age and Golden Age bits and baubles that go into her antique jewelry line. Much of her jewelry doesn’t make it onto her website, so contact her to ask what she has right now. Every piece is one-of-a-kind. Victorian moon and star jewelry is my favorite.
Dresses
Mariposa Boutique in Anaheim. They have a huge selection of beautiful gowns, and it’s a beautiful store which makes for a fun experience. Ask for Lindsey – she is a genius, and the most helpful wedding dress consultant I have ever come across. She’s also the manager.
Wedding Planners
Carla Jacobsen, for Santa Barbara County events. She’s especially great for giving brides good ideas on how to have affordable weddings in this pricey area.
Events by Elisa, San Diego County Wedding Planner. With a day-of coordinator rate starting at $600, Elisa will keep you on track budget & time-wise on your wedding day, or help you plan the whole shindig. She is lovely, completely organized, and very down to earth.
Hair & Makeup
Celina Roell, owner of Studio C in Solvang (near Santa Barbara), is my favorite hair stylist ever. She’s hip, wicked smart, and performs magic on curly attitudinal hair. Celina also does makeup, the last time I checked. Studio C Salon, 455 Fifth St, Solvang. 805-688-9200
