Are you a Cali couple looking to plan a wedding that's not quite so cookie-cutter? Then you're going to want to get in on the Toasted Wedding Events taking place in San Fran and San Diego next week! San Francisco Event: This Sunday, January 25th, over 40 Bay Area wedding vendors will take over the Fort Mason's General's Residence to bring you the best in indie weddings. From from 12pm to 4pm, there will be complimentary cocktails courtesy of Pour Girl Bartending, an abundance of snacks to sample, and beats to get you in the wedding planning mood. Plus, if you're one of the first 75 people to arrive, you'll get your hands on a great goodie bag! So, what are you waiting for? Buy your tickets for the San Francisco event here! San Diego Event: Next Thursday, January 29th, head to the New Children's Museum in San Diego between 6pm and 9pm for an evening of offbeat inspiration from over 30 crafty SoCal vendors. There will also be some tasty treats to try and some raffles prizes to win. We'll toast (we had to) to that! Get your tickets for the San Diego event here. If you can't make it to either of these cool California events, we've still got you covered. Here are some tips on how to pull off the ULTIMATE California affair from a few of the expert vendors that will be at these expos. Photo by Amanda Watson Photography What it means to wed in Cali: California weddings are different. In California, we are by nature more laidback people, so our weddings tend to reflect that in their style. Our couples often say the most important thing is that their guests feel relaxed and able to let loose for an awesome party. Often this means foregoing tradition for tradition's sake and going with something more personal. Brides and grooms are having guests pick seats not sides, serving up buffets with everything from sushi to mac 'n cheese, and cutting donuts instead of cake! --Jillian Ziska of Coastyle Events Focus on the flowers: Start thinking of flowers you like before you choose a wedding date. That way, if there are any flowers in particular you just HAVE to include in their wedding, you can make sure they're available and in season on your wedding date. Talk to florists about any preferences BEFORE you book. It's also a good idea to use local flowers because they tend to last longer and have less of a carbon footprint. The flowers vary seasonally so it's good to find out ahead of time which ones are available locally. --Angie Johnson and Emily Petros of Bloom Babes Find a venue to match your style: California offers so many incredibly diverse backdrops for weddings. We have beaches, forests, valleys, big cities, small towns, farms, valleys, mountains, deserts...you name it! Whatever look you're going for, there is a venue for your style in California. --Jennifer Edmon of Something Blue Weddings Bring on the beachy vibe: Have your ceremony outside and possibly even the reception as well. We have beautiful weather and venues, after all! Embrace California in the food you serve by keeping it local and farm-fresh for that upscale yet casual feel. Even the alcohol can be from local breweries or wineries. If a beach theme isn't your thing you can still find amazing indoor venues overlooking or near the ocean. --Jillian Ziska of Coastyle Events Be selective with your vendors: Be choosy when you pick your vendors; meet them, talk to them, and get to know them! To guarantee you have the best experience possible, establish solid relationships with your vendors. You should have a connection; the better you get along and know each other, the more your vendors will want to give you their absolute best work. Not to mention, your wedding day will feel so much more comfortable and easy knowing you have friends running everything just they way you want it. --Jennifer Edmon of Something Blue Weddings Pick petals that fit your theme: Choosing flowers to fit the theme of your ceremony and reception is a good idea. For example, a bouquet or arrangement made of sunflowers, daisies, and wheat wouldn't really fit in a grand ballroom. Matching the location's style with the general feel of your flowers will bring out the petals' beauty and uniqueness even more. --Angie Johnson and Emily Petros of Bloom Babes Gotta have guacamole: Tacos are a staple in San Diego. And since Californian's love a healthy lifestyle, fresh food is a must at weddings here. We offer everything from vegetarian tacos to tacos dorados (FRIED tacos!), so no matter what kind of crowd you're hosting, you can't go wrong with a little Mexican. We also recommend to our couples that they serve ceviche or tableside guacamole as a refreshing and fun take on cocktail hour! --Carolina Santana of San Diego Taco Company Be inspired by the motion of the ocean: We really try to put our personal touch, style, and essence into our designs. Each bloom is carefully arranged with intention to complement the entire piece with a specific design in mind. We aim to create a unique California style since we both love spending time in the sea, whether we're surfing, body surfing or swimming. The ocean is such a big part of our lives that we want our designs to reflect its beauty. We are inspired by all things nature, and our designs tend to be more wild looking, free flowing and whimsical than traditional flower design. --Angie Johnson and Emily Petros of Bloom Babes Embrace the local culture: San Francisco is known for its art, and there is no shortage of true artistry and creativity here in the city. I am always meeting new, innovative and driven companies that offer a unique service or process. I'm never short on opportunities for new businesses to show to my clients! If you want a one-of-a-kind experience with some truly remarkable talent to create your wedding, I cannot express how memorable of an experience it can be working with California artists. --Jennifer Edmon of Something Blue Weddings Make the most of your wedding day: The day of the wedding will go by SO fast and it's so easy to get swept up in the excitement. During the reception, take a moment to stop and look around to really take everything in — not just to see all the beautiful decorations and flowers, but to realize that ALL the people you love are in the same place, at the same time, for perhaps the only time in your life. It's a powerful moment...so be present and remember the day and the meaning behind it! --Jillian Ziska of Coastyle Events Find more ways to plan the perfect California bash on Lover.ly! 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