Last month I had the opportunity to attend one of San Francisco’s popular wedding fairs, the Modern Luxury Weddings Faire, at the Ritz Carlton in downtown.
It is always exciting to go to a wedding fair at one of the fancy hotels because you get an inside look at all the ballrooms, service, and food. You also get some of the finest vendors attending and have an opportunity to speak with them.
Whether you plan to buy one of their services or are just browsing around, go with happy feet, a couple friends (not a possy of people) and have a question list. This way, you can get an idea of whom you connect with and which companies maybe of interest to hire.
One of the best parts of the RC wedding fair was the cake companies. And my goodness, there were so many amazing cake companies! Plenty of photos and details later below. There were also some fabulous vendors from wine country, like Napa, Sonoma, and Carmel. Imagine getting married at one of these gorgeous venues?
And so many other wonderful folks! The only downside to the whole event was the event company itself, Modern Luxury Weddings. They seemed unprepared. There was no brochure with the list of vendors, if there was, it was certainly not easily available. There were major problems with the food too which I will go into details later.
I have divided up the rest of the article into different categories of the companies who were attending. There were most certainly companies I missed, which I didn’t mean to intentionally, but rather did not get around to meeting them.
Cakes & Desserts
Oh yes, the most favorite part of any wedding fair! Desserts!!! And who can say no?
First up, Crokantie. They make wedding dessert tables. And these dessert tables are stunning. The macaron tower, the cake pops, country jam cookies, what is not to love?!
Next, we have Sweet Lauren Cakes, who makes stunning cake pops. Oh, and the centerpiece is traditional apple pie pops! They were flakey, cinnamony and yummy. Keep an eye out for pie pops to be a 2014 trend.
And these adorable white cake pops with gold glitter swirls. Perfect for an Indian wedding, right?
Now are the cakes! Shannie’s cake are delightful. Owner Shannie works a lot with soft, chic colors, which will have you swooning in love. This heart cake with gold decor, is delicate and elegant. For something more fun, go for a watercolor mixed cake. Trend alert for watercolor look in 2014.
When you go to the photo gallery, you can see the cupcakes with gold detailed flowers.
Last, in the cake category is Cake Couture. A new company on the wedding cake circuit, Christie looks like she was born to be a cake artist. Based in Davis, California, she works with brides all over the Bay Area.
I will just let you oogle at this ombre black white cake with a red peony and gemstone buttons. Ummm, WOW.
You can see her other cakes in the photo gallery.
Venues
This year, the wineries and spa resorts made their place at the fair. And when you think of a three day Indian wedding affair, nothing is more relaxing and blissful than being out in the countryside filled with rolling hills.
Silverado Resort
In the heart of Napa wine country, Silverado Resort has hosted several Indian weddings and knows how to throw a party!
Carmel Valley Ranch
If want to be in the heart of romantic wilderness of California, then Carmel Valley Ranch is the place to be. They can fit a large South Asian wedding party, up to 650 people!
For information and touring, contact Rachel at www.carmelvalleyranch.com
The Meritage Resort & Spa
Ahhhh, yes spa, spa, spa, please. Really, need I say more? Okay, I will. How about seating for 500 people, a full resort, spa, and hotel, AND these rolling hills.
Photo by Adeline and Grace Photography
For more information, contact Tiana or Ashley at http://themeritageresort.com/
Other Noteworthy Vendors
BevMo Weddings – if you need alcoholic drinks or non-alcoholic beverages, BevMo has it all.
This fabulous decoration company (which I am sorry to say I didn’t get details – so email me if this is you!), made a radiant orchid centerpiece. With purple being the color of the year, it’s no surprise that this centerpiece is both trendy and exotic.
For Indian food catering, you have to try out New Delhi restaurant in San Francisco, CA. Owner Ranjan has been catering weddings for over twenty years and is a veteran expert.
Last, when it comes to financial compatibility, you’re probably thinking what the heck. But, divorce happens because of love or money. Trilogyfs offers this nifty quiz that you and the fiance can take. You’ll have to go into one of their offices for the result.
Overall Rating:
Vendors – 4.5 Stars
I was really impressed with the quality of vendors at the show. Even though I was not a bride, I was able to speak to several representatives and have quick, yet detailed, conversations with them about their services. (I did not want to a have long conversation with them as it would take away their time from speaking to brides.) And they were all super friendly, which obviously they should be, but was great to see.
There were definitely companies that may not be in everyone’s budget, but I found that the cake/dessert companies had options in all price ranges. And if dessert will be an important part of the wedding, which hey, what Indian wedding skimps on the mithai, then being able to compare several companies under one roof will allow you to find the winning choice for you.
Modern Luxury Weddings Show – 2 Stars
For a wedding show being held at a five star luxury hotel, you expect a certain level of service and competency. This was not it.
There was no food on the showroom after just one hour. No champagne served. At the entrance of the hotel in the foyer, there were no signs, so one was forced to waddle around until they found the elevators, and thankfully a Ritz Carlton staff member. No information sheet about the show’s vendors was handed out. No water.
And I just cannot stressed how unnerving it was to read this on their website:
“White gloved waiters await your arrival with your complimentary champagne, sample decadent tastings from the world renown chefs at the Ritz-Carlton, featuring a variety of delicacies perfect for your upcoming celebration.”
Yet, never saw any of the food. Those waiters were walking around with empty platters and would not even take my empty cake cups. Where were the decadent tastings? I have no clue. I had to go to the BevMo Weddings stand to get a bottle of water.
I arrived an hour after the event opened, so if there were food and champagne, it was either hiding on the floor with the fashion show (which I didn’t get to view), or was poorly executed. The only food I had were cakes, pies, treats, and cucumber wraps from a catering vendor (which ran out by 1PM).
If you want to attend this show, which is at a pricy $25, bring a granola bar and a bottled water with you.
But in all, meet the fabulous vendors and have a great time with you ladies!
