How To Plan an Epic San Francisco Bay Area Wedding

Now that you've got the perfect ring, you want to plan an epic wedding that will reflect the magic of your love. The San Francisco Bay area is the ideal place to have this beautiful dream come true! Between the historic charm, lively neighborhoods, and breath-taking scenery, you can't go wrong choosing a venue in this area. The area has all the necessary vendors for the perfect day, including flower delivery for San Francisco. 

If the idea of planning your dream wedding is a bit daunting, this article will give you some tips to help make it easier. 

1. Set Your Budget

When planning your epic dream wedding in the San Francisco Bay area, you're looking at an average cost of about $40,000. This is for a wedding with about 120 guests, using 13 vendors. Plan out your budget before starting with any other aspect to know precisely what you can spend on the various parts of the wedding. 

2. Set Your Date

September and October are the busiest wedding months in the Bay area. There are also multiple festivals, parades, and sporting events that can be city-wide. Check potential dates for your wedding against the social calendars of the city to ensure you don't get stuck in a parade on the way to your venue on your big day. These events not only impact traffic but also hotel availability for out-of-town guests.  

Your wedding date will impact or even be affected by your marriage license. Ensure that you apply for the license in due time to have it on your wedding day. 

3. Find Your Wedding Venue

One of the perks of considering the San Francisco Bay area for your wedding is that there's something for everyone. San Francisco's got it, whether you want a modern or traditional setting, on the beach or in a barn. You can have your wedding in the Winelands, the city, or even a forest location.  

Before you do anything else, find a venue that goes with the type of wedding you have in mind. Whether it's rustic, modern, sleek, or country, San Francisco should be able to accommodate you. Ensure that it's big or small enough to cater to the number of guests you plan on inviting. Look for a venue with helpful staff that can accommodate your dream. Ask as many questions as possible, and get pricing ahead of time. Many venues will have information readily available on their websites, which you can access before viewings. 

4. Find the Best Vendors

Once you've chosen the ideal venue, you can look into the vendors you'll need. This will include a wedding planner, wedding flowers, a photographer, catering, a wedding cake, and attire for the day. You'll also need to find a stationer for invitations, and someone for hair and make-up. These aspects can make your dream come true, so don't be afraid to ask questions, negotiate and keep searching until you find the perfect vendors. 

Some venues will take care of certain aspects, such as the catering and flowers, while others will require you to book your own. Your wedding planner should have a list of reliable vendors from which you can choose, but you can also find your vendors if you choose to do so. 

5. Help Out-of-Town Guests Coordinate

Once you know where and when your nuptials will take place, you can help out-of-town guests coordinate their travel arrangements. People who have never been to San Francisco might find the area intimidating, and a little planning can make the day much less stressful for everyone. 

Help guests find which airport would be most appropriate to use. San Francisco International Airport is the main airport used in the city, but other options might be closer to your venue that can also be less busy. 

You should also give guests a list of hotels or guesthouses they can book into and a map of the area. To add some fun, you can mark things to do in the area for your guests to thoroughly enjoy the Bay area while you're off on your honeymoon.

6. Say Yes to The Perfect Dress

After getting the basics in place, you can start looking for the perfect wedding dress. With thousands of boutiques and designers in the Bay area, you won't struggle to find the dress of your dreams. Keep in mind the time of the year you're planning your nuptials, and find an appropriate dress for the weather. The Bay area enjoys mild temperatures for most of the year, but you don't want to be caught off-guard by a sudden rainstorm, which often happens in the winter months.

Final Thoughts

You've dreamed of the perfect wedding for years, and now is when you can get just that. The San Francisco Bay area promises to be gorgeous, with plenty of venues and areas for every wedding style. Once you've set your budget, you can select a date. The venue and vendors' availability will be dependent on these two aspects. Remember that San Francisco has a busy social calendar, with many events, parades, and sports taking place throughout the year. It would be best if you plan accordingly. 

Help your out-of-town guests coordinate their stay in the Bay area with names of hotels, guesthouses, local attractions, and places to eat. This will make it less stressful for everyone on your beautiful day. 

Once these nitty-gritty details are in place, you can start planning your wedding!