UNIQUE WEDDING VENDORS

We absolutely love wedding vendors! Not just because we are one, but because we see such great value in them when it comes to elevating a wedding day. Vendors are people that play a vital role on your wedding day, and they express your unique style. From catering, to photo booths, to special effects, and everything in between, your vendors are there to create an atmosphere for you and your guests to enjoy. Though we highly recommend photographers and videographers, and may be a little biased ;) … we also know we can’t do it all. We have found some really cool wedding vendors in the Bay Area that we think should be at more weddings! This blog is designed to showcase those vendors. Enjoy!

CAR RENTALS

Being driven away in a nice car after a couple’s sendoff used to be a staple on the wedding day. However, a few years ago, we saw a shift as couples began choosing either to do a staged sendoff so that they can go back to partying, or opting out of a sendoff completely. On the other hand, for those deciding to make a grand exit, many went the route of either driving themselves or having a friend drop them off at their next location. One of our favorite trends is the use of a rented classic car, giving the cool “getaway car“ vibe. Couples have used vintage cars as a prop in their engagement/couple shoots, as well as during their portraits on the wedding day.

Renting a vintage car has to be one of our top picks for props to use in a photo/video shoot, especially if that is your style. A classic car adds so much to the story being told and more offers so many dynamic photo opportunities! The classic look has become timeless and will never go out of style. There are so many different options when it comes to rentable cars, and we highly suggest taking a look at the options available to you!

MONTEREY TOURING VEHICLES

Website: https://www.montereytouringvehicles.com/services/wedding-special-event-car-rental/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/ClCJSvyPpLH/

Plant Rentals

OK, so this is pretty new to weddings from what I've seen! I love this idea, and I wish I thought of it myself! Gabriel and I love plants and had way too many in our tiny apartment when we lived in Washington! They are so beautiful for house decor, and would make such beautiful decor at any wedding venue! Gabe and I got married at the BLOC in Roseville, California. A huge selling point for us was that they had live plants as a part of the venue. We both wish we knew about plant rentals because we would have definitely rented more plants than florals. 

I love floral arrangements; don’t get me wrong, but they can get really expensive and they aren’t the most eco-friendly. Some people opt for fake florals to cut cost, but I would check out these plant rental opportunities to see if this would work well in your budget. 

Aside from budget, plants are such a unique wedding aesthetic! I think plant rentals are such a creative way to level up your ceremony, reception, or even photo booth space! They’re beautiful and a great way to take care of our planet… It’s a win-win!

THE PRESERVE PLANT

Website: https://shopthepreserve.com/pages/plant-rental

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopthepreserve/

THE PLANT LIBRARY

Website: http://www.theplantlibrary.com/

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theplantlibrary/

BALLOON DECOR

Balloon decor! Why do I not see this more! This photo alone inspires me to get married to a GABE again and use balloons as decor! Like we talked about earlier with plant rentals, balloon decor is another way to level up your space without having to spend a ton of money on florals! Balloons aren’t for everybody but I do think it’s a creative way to add some fun installations to your space that can create an ethereal, magical feel to your wedding if done, right.

We have seen balloon arches come into trend a lot more, but I love how in this photo, this creator used both florals and balloons to really add to their space. Based off of the surroundings, the space feels very historical with the surrounding stone and statues. The florals that they added made the space feel overgrown and light, while the silver balloons added a very fun and ethereal vibe.

Not saying you have to do this exact set up, but I love when I see two artists come together like florists and balloon artists to create something brand new!

BALOON BOSS

Website: https://www.balloonboss.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balloonbossbb/

MOON & BLOOM

Website: https://moonandblooms.com/?gclid=CjwKCAiAqt-dBhBcEiwATw-ggMGFOwJabA1mEco0AEtEIvUnvybaeAZHujH8MPUO3GK3OZVz0jFkqBoC4EwQAvD_BwE

THE BALLOON HOUSE:

Inquire: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdZv1E6s2JTDvTQB_a1ofuRKnwwVdoiAlEOSBD0d-Av4x_p8Q/viewform

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theballoonhouse__/

ICE CREAM CARTS & SWEETS BARS

OK this might be a little controversial, but we live in California! Especially for those really hot weddings during our heatwave summers that can start as early as spring and trickle into fall. Cooling down with an ice cream would be so fun for your guests! Gabe and I got married in June 2021, and it was HHHOOOOTTTT! We were indoors and it hit 100° that day! Needless to say, an ice cream to enjoy right after the ceremony would have been great that day!

You can go with a classic ice cream that everyone loves, Ben & Jerry’s, and they will bring everything needed to your event for catering. Or, you can go with a cute, aesthetic ice cream cart like Noble Folk (who also has several other dessert options!)

If you’re not a huge fan of ice cream, there is Milk and Waffles that has on site catering! I don’t know about you, but for me, it’s all about the experience! Vendors like this are what gets me really excited about weddings. You can really showcase your personality based on what you’re feeding your guests!

NOBLE FOLK EVENTS

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noblefolkevents/

Website: https://www.thenoblefolk.com

BEN & JERRY’S

Website: https://www.benjerry.com/berkeley/catering

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benandjerrys/

MILK AND WAFFLE

Website: https://www.milkandwaffles.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/milkandwafflessf/

ESPRESSO CARTS

OK… You would either get really excited about this or not really care! But if you love coffee, then why not have an espresso card at your wedding! From what I’ve researched, these are pretty rare to come by. Especially a really cool aesthetic coffee cart that comes with a barista. Again, we are all about the experience here at zamora creative! Take a minute to dream with me… how much fun would that be to get a fresh (hot or iced) latte on our wedding day!? Having multiple pour overs would be fine as well too but I am a latte girl, so that’s what I was looking for when I was researching espresso carts! Funny story, Gabrielle and I were on this coffee kick when we were getting married. We moved to Washington for crying out loud (there is coffee everywhere in Washington) and on the day of our wedding our friends from Washington came up to us and asked us what we wanted from starbucks. I almost cried, I wanted a coffee that bad! But imagine how much more fun it would be if everyone could have a coffee!

I also like the idea of the espresso cart because of how much smaller it is from a truck or trailer, it could be more portable on the wedding day and work with most venues and more locations. I am also aware that there are more coffee catering companies than what I have listed, but based on what I see in the bay area, I really enjoy these coffee carts, and how modern and creative they feel.

HEDGE COFFEE

Phone: 4156039818

Email: coffee@hedge.coffee

Website: https://www.hedge.coffee/catering

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hedgecoffee/

URBAN ESPRESSO

Email: http://www.urbanespresso.coffee/

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/urbanespresso/

SUBCONSCIOUS COFFEE CART

Website: https://www.subconscious.coffee/

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/subconscious.coffeecart/

CORAM DEO COFFEE ROASTERS

website : https://www.crmdeo.com/

insta : https://www.instagram.com/crm.deo/

FLORAL INSTALLATIONS

This can definitely be a hit or miss! Those who get it, get it and those that don’t, don’t. But PERSONALLY, I have a sick obsession with floral installations. For our wedding we did this overgrown garden inspired photo booth, but if we had the budget and time for it, I wanted floral installations coming from the wall and surrounding us at our sweetheart table! There is something about florals that really inspires me. It brings something new and beautiful to the atmosphere. Like I mentioned in the plant rental blog, there are other ways to bring this same feeling into your wedding day. A beautiful pairing of plant rentals and florals can bring so much life to your wedding decor.

First off, if you have the budget, I will always point you in the direction of hiring a florist! I say leave it to the professionals. BUT if you do have the time, vision, and experience working with mediums like chicken wire, floral foam, and building displays, then check out the youtube videos below to get some inspiration. I DO NOT recommend you do this yourself especially if you're wanting to use real flowers because, for them to be fresh, you would have to create this display the day before or day of your wedding and you have WAY more important things to do! I just want to make that clear.

Floral installations work for many different styles of wedding and what it brings is a soft, romantic, ethereal, and artistic element to any wedding decor.

Some of my favorite ways I've seen installations done is by hanging them from the sealing, climbing up the walls, framing the aisle way where the guests are sitting, and surrounding the couple at the altar and/or sweetheart table.

OVERALL, if you love florals like I do, then be sure to ask your florist if they have experience doing floral installation or check out these beautiful companies we've linked!

DUET.BOTANICAL

Website: https://www.duetbotanical.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duet.botanical/

And

Website: https://www.instagram.com/charlotte_and_daughters/

Instagram: http://www.charlotteanddaughters.com

SF FLORAL

Website: https://sffloral.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sf_floral/

FLOWER GIRL EM

Website: https://flowergirlem.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowergirlem/

TRAVELING FLORIST SARAH WINWARD

Website: https://sarahwinward.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_winward/

FLORANETTI

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flor.anetti/

Bells and bloom

Website: https://www.bellsandbloomsnc.com

YouTube Videos

Installations

https://youtu.be/8O-e1-Twtxc

https://youtu.be/WH_zlACYuVM

https://youtu.be/Te7DgWewAUE

https://youtu.be/03rs-yzdpHs

https://youtu.be/E74KZFq7CA4

Centerpieces

https://youtu.be/XLmkW2TCrYo

https://youtu.be/kMSzpI31jk8

https://youtu.be/POChl35xTh8

https://youtu.be/dBgcqgTsC3g

PHOTO BOOTHS

I LOVE PHOTOBOOTHS AT WEDDINGS! I think there’s so much fun! They give your guests something to do while you’re out taking pictures, and they’re just something fun to have throughout the night! Gabe and I created our own photo booth by purchasing a paper backdrop, and an assortment of floral installations. It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life, and I wouldn’t do it any differently! However, if I could also add this vintage/retro self serving photo booth, I would! First of all, who doesn’t love a physical photo! Second, there are so many different photo booths to choose from! They all have a vintage flair to them depending on what you would want at your wedding.

Personally, I am a fan of the enclosed photo booths that print the black-and-white photos because it reminds me of old love, like the cute pictures our parents took at a random photo booth one date night.

PHOTO MATICAL

Website: https://www.photomatica.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photomatica/

SPECIAL EFFECTS

All right, how creative are cold sparklers! Especially living in California! I so badly wanted a sparkler exit when we got married, but wasn’t allowed to because it was the fire hazard... boo! But, if only I knew about cold sparklers! I am trying to put you guys on! First of all, they are epic, and you don’t have to worry about your hair catching on fire! Second, they make for amazing photos and videos. Cold sparklers could be used during an entrance, a first dance, the pouring of a champagne tower, or even your sendoff! I think special effects are a great way to add to any moment in your wedding!

Imagine this with me for a second… It’s your first dance, you have low lying fog surrounding your feet, and then, out of nowhere, the cold sparklers start once the chorus hits! Bam… Extra! haha! Love it or hate it I think it is so creative!

Cold sparklers take the win for me!

DELUX EVENTS.CO (COLD SPARKLERS)

Website: https://dluxeventsco.com/services/special-effects/

BRILLIANT EVENT LIGHTING (PRODUCTION AND LIGHTS)

Website: https://www.brillianteventlighting.com/lighting-services

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brillianteventlighting/

Email: BayArea@BrilliantEventLighting.com

Phone: (415) 340-2988

SUSHI BARS

This is for my sushi lovers out there! Of course, I know everyone is not a fan of sushi, but how cool would it be to have a sushi chef at your wedding making fresh hand rolls for your guests! If this is your thing, and it has a special place in your heart, then why not! The first time I saw this was at a wedding I shot in 2022. Something that made it extra fun and unique was that the couple created and named each hand role that they served! They had the groom's choice, the bride's choice, a “lovers role”, and so much more!

I’ve also seen couples do this with drinks at an open bar. Personalizing your catering is such a fun way to show your personality to all your guests and make your day unique to you!

M’s sushi (sushi bar)

Website: https://sushiprivatecater.com/?utm_source=theknot.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=theknot

Website: https://sushiprivatecater.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sushiprivatecatering/

Email: info.sf@sushiprivatecater.com

Phone: 415.80.51810

Michi (sushi bar)

Website: http://michilife.com/weddings/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michi_life/

PIZZA TRUCKS

This is for my pizza, lovers! For the longest, very luxurious meals were usually what you would see at a wedding. It is a large gathering where a lot of people are dressed up and expecting a nice meal. However, more recently, we are seeing couples opt out of a regular American cuisine, buffet style, catering, or even paying by the plates. More couples now are going with other options, like catering in and out, tacos, and I’ve even seen couples hire multiple food trucks, so that their guests can choose what they would like to eat. I love this idea because of how creative it is. Do I personally love a good steak and mashed potatoes? Yes! However, the most important part of the reception meal is the people that are eating together, and sharing whatever is your favorite food with those you love is such a fun way to celebrate a new marriage.

What I love about this vendor is that it’s a pizza truck with a pizza oven connected to it! You can customize your pizza and have it cooked on demand! I am going to need MOD pizza to step up their game, because this is such a creative idea! First of all, the pizza truck is so cute! Secondly… This is when I would tell you that the food is so good, but I haven’t tried it yet! I have to make a trip out to Berkeley to try their pizza, because it looks so good! I will keep you all posted on my personal experience.

Their pizza truck is currently under construction according to their website. I will keep you posted on any new updates.

Lucia's Neapolitan Pizza Truck

Phone: 510-225-9467

Address: 2016 Shattuck Avenue

Berkeley, CA 94704

Email: info@luciasberkeley.com

Website: https://www.luciasberkeley.com/gallery

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/luciasberkeley/

BATTING CAGES

OK… This may feel a little off compared to the other vendors that I have on this list, but hear me out. Entertainment is such a fun part of shopping for vendors, but I do not see many weddings prioritizing it. Personally, I didn’t prioritize entertainment. I had a photo booth, Dj and they got to watch Gabe and I get married. To me, I felt that I was more than enough entertainment. BUT there is so much more out there! From dancers to comedians all the way to this fun vendor that I have here.

Of course, not everybody’s going to enjoy the batting cages. Some people don’t even like baseball, but for those that are fans and enjoy it, or are even marrying someone who played baseball like I did, this would be such a fun surprise for your guests, and even for your spouse to see on your wedding day! Personally… aesthetically… I would prefer it to be all white or all black, or at least have the option. But overall, it would be a fun and unique vendor to have on your wedding day.

Batter’s Box Mobile

Website: https://battersboxmobile.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/battersboxmobile/

LIVE WEDDING PAINTERS

Now, this is a really cool way to capture your day… With today’s high end photo and video equipment, getting your portrait painted is not a typical thing people do anymore. Though a painter can’t capture every moment of your day, they can capture a special moment for you to have before leaving your wedding venue. I admire these artists and how they can create such a beautiful image in such a short amount of time. That is such a unique skill! Painting in general is a beautiful and time consuming fine art, and on top of that, these artists are nonstop painting, LIVE! Most of the time they are visible for your guests to watch, and they do it all so beautifully!

I guess this in itself could be considered entertainment, art, and a gift to your spouse!

Kvt- Kim-Vi Tran

Website: https://www.kvtfineart.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kvtfineart/