Celebrate your wedding day with an emphasis on individual styles and intimate settings.
Celebrating love is always in vogue, but have you wondered how to make your Big Day a piece of cake? Emphasizing taste over tradition and making a case for intimate weddings are just the beginning when it comes to tips and tricks shared by local vendors that will make your special day unforgettable.
Planning Makes Perfect
When it comes to planning a wedding, the best move couples can make is to secure the expertise of a seasoned wedding planner. Dominic Martin, co-owner of Martin Gunderson Events, believes that a skilled wedding planner can transform a couple’s vision into a day that feels both intimate and personalized at every turn.
“From the very beginning, we work closely with the couple to understand their priorities, vision, and desired ambience,” Martin says. “This allows us to curate an experience that authentically reflects their unique love story and personal style.”
Rather than simply coordinating vendors, wedding planners’ true value lies in their ability to orchestrate a seamless and meaningful celebration.
“Weddings have strict timelines to adhere to, but with proper planning and execution, the couple can truly stay present and immerse themselves in the moment,” Martin explains.
He fondly recalls, “I’ve had the privilege of planning many intimate weddings, and those are often the most magical. With a thoughtful guest list and carefully curated details, couples can savor every moment with their loved ones, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime.”
Iris Stille, business manager of Reno’s River School Farm, emphasizes the importance of having a dedicated individual in charge on your Big Day. You have more important duties on your wedding day than focusing on flower arrivals and cocktail hour deadlines! A wedding planner or personal planner ensures that brides and grooms can fully experience the celebration without fretting over details.
“Hiring a wedding planner means you can breathe easy,” Stille notes. “Having someone manage the schedule for the day and guide guests through activities means you can focus on your loved ones.”
Additionally, a wedding planner can help keep your wedding within your budget. His or her experience with local vendors and accommodations can make your money go even further.
Variety of Venues
Debating between an intimate natural venue and the close accommodations of the city? Consider a family-owned restaurant or venue such as Calafuria, which offers a charming setting that exudes romance and elegance. The picturesque house and grounds are nestled in Midtown Reno, meaning your wedding party can relax among green grass and lush trees close to hotels and the airport. Italian-style Calafuria also offers an indoor-outdoor stereo system and lighting.
“We specialize in boutique weddings for up to 45 people,” says chef/owner Tim Magee. “Calafuria is a unique little jewel in Midtown surrounded by patios, grass, and gardens. There is also a beautiful cottage in the backyard that has been converted into a cocktail lounge on the ground floor and a bridal suite upstairs. All of this gives the bride and groom individual private space before and after the ceremony.”
Carson Valley is a blissful union of Mother Nature and human nature — a setting where the scenery is rivaled only by the generosity and warmth of the people as excited about your wedding as you are.
“There’s something majestic about Carson Valley wedding venues, from rustic barns on beautiful ranch grounds to historic buildings that lend an air of romance, timelessness, and mystery — not to mention upscale locations such as golf resorts, richly preserved churches, and landmark buildings,” says Keith Lewis, executive director of Carson Valley Visitors Authority. “There are also more contemporary hotels and intimate inns. And without having to go far for an incredible backdrop of the Sierra Nevada range, wherever you choose to say your vows will leave you breathless.”
The existing partnership between all the local vendors in the area ensures that everyone shares the same vision with their offerings at each beautiful location.
The Corner Barn in Graeagle, Calif., offers a picturesque backdrop for couples seeking a wedding celebration as extraordinary as their love story. Antoinette Quesenberry, venue and event coordinator for The Corner Barn, has seen conventional wedding norms fall by the wayside, with couples looking to infuse their special day with creativity and personal flair.
“I love it when the wedding atmosphere shows off the couple’s personalities, interests, and hobbies,” Quesenberry says. “It gives a real sense of who they are, both individually and together. It’s totally fine to skip the wedding traditions that just don’t suit you. You don’t have to have a garter or toss a bouquet. Pick and choose what you like and throw the rest out. Come up with new traditions that are memorable and fun.”
Couples are encouraged to think outside the box and introduce elements that speak to their exceptional journey together. One unforgettable example from a past wedding season involved a couple who brought their VW collection to the venue, accompanied by several of their guests.
“It was a real showstopper,” Quesenberry remembers.
Quesenberry also suggests, “When creating your wedding day timeline, start with what time you’d like to serve dinner and work backward. This will give you a better sense of when your ceremony should start. Also, more than 45 minutes for a cocktail/appetizer time is a mistake — guests get a bit antsy, and the bubbly can start to take effect.”
With a little planning and imagination, you can create a wedding that perfectly encapsulates your life and love in the Reno-Tahoe area.
Breathtaking Bouquets
With their intricate knowledge of botanical trends and artistry in design, floral artisans can create unforgettable statements that elevate any celebration.
Andy Fiannaca, owner of Sparks Florist and Reno Wholesale Flowers, has noticed a growing interest in sustainable and local options incorporated into familiar floral favorites.
“This year, we’ve seen a strong preference for poppies, peonies, cosmos, butterfly ranunculuses, dahlias, and anemones among our wedding clients,” Fiannaca says. “We also are noticing the sustainable incorporation of dried flowers and grasses into wedding arrangements. Additionally, we’re seeing a new trend where customers are more interested in sourcing locally grown flowers and unique seasonal blooms to create a personalized wedding experience.”
The right floral statements can create an unforgettable atmosphere, and Sparks Florist offers everything from bouquets and boutonnieres to centerpieces and even arch pieces. For a full-service wedding, reaching out to a florist at least three months in advance is suggested; however, a few days’ notice should be sufficient for smaller ceremony pieces such as bouquets and boutonnieres.
“We offer comprehensive wedding services beyond just floral arrangements,” Fiannaca says. “These include day-of setup to ensure everything is perfectly placed, detailed consultations to tailor designs to your vision, and rental options for vases and other decorative elements. Additionally, we provide DIY classes and workshops for those who want to add a personal touch to their wedding décor.”
Beyond the blooms themselves, the professional florists at Reno Wholesale Flowers provide a personalized experience for clients — especially those who want to purchase specialty flowers in bulk, which should be ordered at least three weeks in advance to ensure availability of stock.
“Besides supplying high-quality flowers at Reno Wholesale Flowers, we offer a range of additional services,” Fiannaca says. “This includes floral-design consultations to help plan arrangements, bulk-ordering options for larger events, and expert advice on flower care and handling. You can also rent our design space and cooler storage free of charge. If you need assistance, you can request delivery or hire one of our expert wedding designers to help assemble your floral arrangements. Our goal is to provide a seamless experience from selection to setup for our wedding clients.”
Seal It with Sweets
As summer approaches, Batch Cupcakery in Reno is buzzing with the most popular trends of the season, which include minimalistic and eco-friendly options.
Owner Anne Archer notes, “Simplicity enhances beauty. Less is more this season with vibrant hues of nature gaining in popularity. We can create cupcakes inspired by vibrant wildflowers like purple lupines or fiery Indian paintbrushes, or we can imitate cool earth tones of green desert sage and blue Tahoe waters.”
Simplicity also includes skipping preservatives and opting for more wholesome options. Natural desserts from Batch Cupcakery can tickle your taste buds with natural ingredients infused with organic oils.
“Batch bakes organically and with natural, organic flavors, oils, and ingredients,” Archer says.
In addition to choosing natural dessert products, consider complementing your sustainable foods with other natural materials. From biodegradable confetti to compostable tableware, there are ways to prioritize eco-conscious choices that reduce your environmental footprint.
Who says wedding cakes have to be traditional? With delectable bundt cakes, weddings can become a celebration of individuality and joy. Owner Shele Silveira, owner of Nothing Bundt Cakes in Reno, says couples should choose cakes that make them happy instead of what tradition suggests.
“It’s special when people choose to have a cake they love, even though it might be completely nontraditional. Everyone should make their wedding day their own. It’s fun when people use bundtinis — one of our teeny bundt cakes, like a cupcake,” Silveira says. “It’s very easy to eat, and you don’t need to have a fork and a plate, which is convenient. You can also put bundt cakes as centerpieces for tables and dress them up with succulents and flowers.”
In the end, a wedding cake that makes the couple happy is more special than a standard wedding cake any day.
Silveria emphasizes that, at the end of the day, “Just do what you want and what you love.”
In fact, many couples are ditching traditional weekend weddings and instead opting for off-peak days and seasons to tie the knot. Kris Daters, owner of Mix Bakeshop in Reno, points out that not only does a nontraditional wedding date allow for greater flexibility in day-of offerings, but it also provides a break in pricing across the board. Venues, deejays, photographers, florists, and bakers often have more affordable and/or available packages during weekdays or shoulder seasons.
“I met with somebody just last week, and they’re not only doing an off-day but off-season to get a price break,” Daters says. “I still think people are looking for the biggest value for their money in selecting non-peak days.”
Once you do secure a date for your wedding, Daters suggests working with a bakery that offers affordable options delivered right to your venue.
“I would focus on finding someone who can do delivery for you or even set up for you,” Daters suggests. “Couples should find a bakery that can take on some of the responsibilities so the wedding couple can enjoy their day and not get caught up in all the day-of details. We offer delivery and setup depending on the venue and product, especially throughout the summer. We can also help you figure out what to provide; for example, if you have an outdoor wedding in August, cupcakes don’t do well in 100-degree temperatures in the elements.”
For an alternative that suits everyone’s sweet tooth, Daters says, “We are still seeing that people like dessert bars in place of traditional wedding cakes, and Mix offers a variety of products. With our team being able to provide cupcakes, pies, and cookies, it gives flexibility in what we can offer.”
With a mission to create unique experiences packed with an authentic wow factor, Melissa Iturriaga, chef/co-owner of Dolce Caffé in Reno says, “For dessert tables, we offer a variety of Italian desserts like cannoli, mini tarts, small tarts, cookies, slices of cake, panna cotta, and mascarpone tarts.”
When it comes to customizing flavors, Melissa says, “We would love to meet in person and talk details because that’s the most important part of what we offer. We want to connect with the couple and see what exactly they’re looking for.”
Dolce Caffé invites couples to explore their culinary desires and create dessert tables that reflect their love story in every mouthwatering detail. Melissa, along with co-owners (and parents) Claudio and Giuseppa, ensures that every bite is a tribute to love, family, and tradition.
Create Sparkling Memories
A wedding ring is a symbol of lifelong commitment, and it is important to make sure it’s handled with care.
“I try to remind clients that they have a wedding party working for them — the couple should only show up, get married, drink, and go to bed,” says Britten Wolf, owner of BVW Jewelers in Reno. “Make sure you designate minions to come by and grab your rings, which we polish and then wrap up.”
BVW offers an outstanding service through which wedding rings are polished, cleaned, and even rhodium-plated, improving both the ring’s luster and strength, free of charge. This ensures each ring sparkles with brilliance when captured in photographs. To make sure the luster lasts, though, Wolf says to consider not using lotions once your ring is on your finger.
“When hands are in lotions and moisturizers, it does cloud up the stone,” Wolf warns, “so when the time comes to take photographs, the stones look dull and don’t pop.”
Elevated Comfort with Executive Restrooms
When it comes to outdoor weddings, comfort is key, and Quick Space ensures that every guest feels pampered with its executive restroom units. Complete with climate control, flushable toilets, and customizable music, these luxurious amenities redefine the outdoor wedding experience and create a welcoming environment.
Especially if you have attendees of an older age, keeping them cool and comfortable ensures that your guests can easily enjoy the whole day.
Andrew Ardans, communication and engagement specialist at Quick Space, says, “On hot days, the last thing you want is for your guests to be uncomfortable. Our executive restrooms are a key element to a wedding. It’s especially comforting for your guests. When they’re outdoors and go into the exec restrooms, it’s a game changer. It’s a kind of comfort that you’d find in an indoor building.”
If your wedding falls in a cooler season, Quick Space offers deluxe bathrooms that, on top of warm running water, include fireplaces below the sinks, with customizable colors.
The Unsung Heroes of Transportation
Whether it’s transportation to a stunning venue, coordination of a wedding party from one location to another, or picture-perfect farewells as a couple drives away at the end of the night, securing the right transportation services in advance will fuel a party’s success.
“Call a minimum of six months in advance to ensure your type of vehicle is available,” says Danell Wilson-Perlman, owner of Reno Tahoe Transportation. “However, we can still pull clients out of last-minute emergencies if another vendor cancels their service, or the wedding couple overlooks transportation. We make magic happen during those times; we never want anyone to be stranded on the biggest day of their lives.”
Mini-buses are a great option for shuttling an entire wedding party with ease. Buses can transport up to 36 passengers between lodging, venues, and photography locations, and each bus is stocked with complimentary water bottles and Champagne for the bride and groom. Bonus: Mini-buses also are a great option for bachelor and bachelorette parties!
When it comes to navigating venues on the big day with ease, Wilson-Perlman says, “Our area is filled with off-the-beaten-path, stunning wedding locations. Our chauffeurs are experienced in transporting clients to and from these locations, which are tricky to navigate. Cell service can be an issue in these areas; therefore, we send our chauffeurs with two-way radios to these locations to ensure communication is evident during these important moves.”
No matter where and how you choose to celebrate love at your wedding, know that you can find a little extra TLC from experienced and eager local business owners and vendors.
RESOURCES
Batch Cupcakery Batchcupcakery.com
BVW Jewelers Bvwjewelers.com
Calafuria Calafuriareno.com
Carson Valley Visitors Authority: Visitcarsonvalley.org
Dolce Caffé Dolcecaffereno.com
Martin Gunderson Events Martingunderson.com
Mix Bakeshop Mixreno.com
Nothing Bundt Cakes Nothingbundtcakes.com
Quick Space Quickspacenevada.com
River School Farm Riverschoolfarm.org
Reno Tahoe Transportation Renotahoelimo.com
Reno Wholesale Flowers Renowholesaleflowers.com
Sparks Florist Sparksflorist.com
The Corner Barn Graeaglebarn.com
