Ericka was absolutely phenomenal. I came across her business through Yelp and sent her a message…read more She responded immediately and we scheduled an appointment. I needed a slip added to my dress as well as alterations to the length of my dress. Ericka matched the perfect color of slip. She was able to have the dress completed within 2 weeks after meeting her. Incredible! She is extremely talented. I loved how my dress turned out. I had zero complaints on the day of the event.. the slip didn't rise. I definitely plan on seeing Ericka for all future alterations and projects.

Ericka was incredibly friendly and helpful. I was late to get my bridesmaid dress fitted for my…read morecousins wedding. Ericka got me on her schedule and helped shorten and alter the v neck of the dress. It was extremely low cut and she worked her magic and made the neckline stunning. My cousin was thrilled and loved the way it came out as well. Thank you again Ericka! Will definitely call you for any future event attire needs.

My experience with Holly Merritt was terrible - her communication was terrible, she was rude, her…read morepricing was unclear and constantly shifting, and her work was of poor quality. She permanently and irreparably damaged my wedding gown when she cut the skirt bye eye, without measuring, resulting in it being uneven and too short on one side. Do not bring your wedding dress here - she charged me more than my original estimate without ever communicating that an adjustment was needed, for a dress that was nowhere near complete. She will give you an estimate for the services, then actually charge you hourly, including her full rate for her numerous "fittings". To date I have never received an itemized invoice, despite asking multiple times. Who knows what surprise bill I would have received if all requested services had been completed... I really wanted to support local small business and gave her numerous chances to make things right, to no avail.

Holly Merritt is one of a kind. Not only is she an incredible seamstress/alterations person, she's…read morealso a clothing designer! I mention that because she took two dresses--which I needed to wear to my son's wedding, which I am officiating--and completely transformed them. I'm really short, and she raised up the waistbands to hit my natural waist, which made both dresses look so much more flattering! Because the wedding will be outside in the summer in Santa Rosa (about 5 pm), I am not sure what the weather will be like. So I bought a dress and a suit. The dress had long sleeves and I was worried it would be too hot. Holly suggested making them bell sleeves, which was a great idea (I was asking for short sleeves, but her idea preserved the look of the dress, while making it cooler). When I went to pick it up, she had not just sewed the sleeves straight across, she added a lettuce edge to it! She also scalloped the bottom hem. Incredible. She turned my dress for the rehearsal dinner into another dress entirely. Not only did she raise up the waist, but she also turned it into a v-neck with a more open back. This made it look SO much better on me. Also, raising the waist made it look much more flattering, because there's a bunch of tulle and it's super puffy. With the empire waist, it no longer looked frumpy or emphasized my wider bits. She also added this gorgeous lace beaded trim--to the waistband, the hem, and to the sleeves. She took a "just ok" dress and made it fabulous! Lastly, Holly shortened the sleeves of a suede jacket. That might sound trivial, but NO ONE who I asked previously could do it. Now I'm happy to wear it. So those are the "mechanical" parts of the transaction. But there was so much more. Going to Holly's studio was like going to an artist's studio. Yes, it was kind of cluttered. But it's the kind of cluttered where everywhere you look is some piece of art or beautiful thing to look at. I could have stayed in there for hours. Just the coolest little space. Lastly, Holly herself is amazing. Because I brought her so much stuff to alter, we spoke a lot and I got to know her a bit. Not only is she an incredible designer, but she's also fascinating. We talked for so long every time I went that I felt guilty for missing work! But I also didn't care, because I was so entranced by the conversation. Every time I went to Holly's studio, I saw new and amazing wedding dresses. I watched her transform ancient wedding dresses into new, modern creations that preserved the look and feel of the originals. Her talent is remarkable. All of this is to say--please ignore the ridiculous 1-star reviews. There will always be haters in this world. But Holly epitomizes Santa Cruz--one of a kind, artistic, organic...I adore her. I hope we will stay friends because she's the kind of person I want to know...completely unique and a class act. Thank you, Holly. I am someone who is very self-conscious about wearing "fancy clothes." And these were important outfits. For the very first time in my life, I'm going to attend an event where I KNOW I look good because my dresses were made just for me. You won't find anyone like her. I guarantee it. Huge kudos. XO

A special shoutout to Mr. Lopez and [ Lopez Photography & Bridal ]!…read more If you're looking for someone who doesn't just take pictures but captures genuine emotions, unforgettable moments, and lasting memories, look no further than Mr. Lopez. His passion, creativity, and attention to detail are reflected in every photo he creates. Whether it's a family session, portraits, special events, or milestone celebrations, Mr. Lopez has an incredible gift for making every moment feel timeless. His professionalism, artistic vision, and dedication to his clients truly set him apart. Thank you, Mr. Lopez, for sharing your amazing talent and for giving people memories they'll cherish forever. Wishing you continued success as your business grows, you deserve every opportunity that comes your way! If you haven't had the chance to work with [ Lopez Photography & Bridal ], you're missing out on an amazing experience. Highly recommended! Nancy y familia

Found this place after an extended time of frustration trying to get some pictures for my Chinese…read moreVisa application as many places do not handle anything but US Passport photos. Mr. Lopez was very helpful, kind and courteous and paid close attn. to the requirements for the photos, even took pictures with my glasses on and off and then suggested another take as I had smiled too much. Oh those crazy Chinese can't wait to meet them if their regulations are any indication of how fun they are going to be. Ahem -Back to the photos for a little more cost I received the perfect picture and it was clear, and no glare on my glasses unlike an earlier attempt at a cheaper place... ok CVS, my advice don't go there. Got my photos processed quickly and raced off to the P.O. to send them off just in time Thanks Mr. Lopez for your professionalism and courtesy I will certainly be back if I need another set for any other trips. This Missionary is one happy customer Oh I forgot no smiling for the camera...this time

We still can't get over how perfect our 7/3 reception went. Thanks to the team, it was truly the…read morebest night of our lives, and our hard-to-impress guests were also wowed by everything. From planning to execution, we appreciate how smooth everything was from beginning to end. The food, from cocktail hour to the dinner buffet, was delicious and we received so many compliments about it all night when we talked to each table. The service all around was amazing and our guests loved how friendly all staff were. Sales staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. We were appreciative of how responsive and flexible they were. Day-of coordinators were ELITE in executing our vision day-of and putting everything together so beautifully. Their coordination helped us relax and enjoy our day knowing that we had a strong team helping us out behind the scenes. We will forever be grateful for the experience we had at Carmel Fields!

Attended a wedding at this venue and enjoyed every moment of it. From the outside to the main…read morelobby, it was all gorgeous. However, the standout moment came after the wedding ended. We planned to head back to our hotel around 10pm, only to discover a flat tire on our car. We attempted to change it, but the hills/slope of the area made it difficult to keep the car lifted. Staff member Ash (and 2 other gentlemen, not sure if they worked there) literally saved the day. Ash helped us out by providing her jack and assisted with removal of the flat tire with the spare. She then ensured the wheel was safe to drive and informed us of both the nearest gas station for air and mechanic for a repair. I can't thank her enough for turning a terrible moment to an amazing memory.

Anita was absolutely incredible to work with as my wedding planner. She consistently went above and…read morebeyond to help bring my vision to life, and my wedding truly wouldn't have run as smoothly without her. Throughout the entire process, she gave me so much peace of mind--she was reliable, extremely detailed, and always prepared. Her thoroughness with even the smallest details saved me so much money, which was especially important since I was planning a destination wedding from Florida to Big Sur. She stayed super organized, always made herself available for calls, and eased any worries I had along the way. On the wedding day, the presentation of the tables, linens & flowers were exactly what I envisioned. My jaw literally dropped seeing how beautifully everything came together. I've heard horror stories from other brides about planners who were unresponsive or added stress to the process, but I never experienced that with Anita. I trusted her completely, and you truly cannot go wrong by hiring her. Anita kept all my vendors organized, took the lead on everything, and made sure I could fully relax and enjoy my big day. She even found thoughtful ways to save on costs, like sourcing local fresh picked mint & for our bar service and recommending trusted partners. I highly, highly recommend Anita. You will not be disappointed--she is exceptional.

A STARR Events is excellent. I had the chance to work with Anita last year at a wedding in…read moreMonterey, which I photographed. She had great communication leading up to the wedding day, and I felt like the wedding day went by smoothly. Anita is very professional, friendly and approachable. Hope to work with you again in the future!

Carole came highly recommended for wedding dress alterations. I decided to go with her, as she has…read morea reputation for being the best..and she did not disappoint. She did an EXCELLENT job, in a very short amount of time. Not only is she incredibly talented, she is wonderful to work with! I enjoyed the experience and I LOVE my dress! The high quality work and attention to detail is truly remarkable. During our initial phone call, she took the time to answer all of my questions and didn't rush me. She didn't pressure me to go with her, made me feel comfortable and said she would be able to fit me in just in time for my wedding. My first fitting was such a positive experience! She is incredibly bright and insanely talented. She is friendly and personable. When I went to the second fitting to pick up my dress, I was truly stunned. I have never used the word "snatched" before, but she made me look "snatched". I never wanted to take my gown off. She transformed it into a work of art. My mom needed help when steaming my dress on the day of my wedding, and I didn't know what to do. I gave her my phone and had her call Carole. Carole was so kind and helpful and went above and beyond. I am so grateful for Carole! TLDR: Carole is absolutely AMAZING and will make you look and feel BEAUTIFUL on your wedding day. You will not be disappointed

Carole did an amazing job at putting a lot of love and care into fitting my mother's dress to my…read morewedding day. She worked with my budget and listened to what I wanted and made something I didn't even know what was possible happen. Her studio is very clean and gorgeous. She guided me on how to travel to Mexico with my dress and gave me the confidence to do so. I am so over the moon that I was able to wear my mom's dress for my mom and the rest of my family in Mexico. My mother could not be in the states for my civil ceremony, but with her dress she was as close to my heart as possible. Thank you again Carole.

Patty and Carol are the real deal. - If you are debating on getting a wedding planner then you most…read morelikely need one. I am so grateful that Patty was recommended to me, I have no idea what I would have done without her. If you have no experience planning a wedding, then Patty is a great option. She will go above and beyond. She helped me with EVERYTHING. We had so many phone calls about planning, venders, timelines, you name it. We got married at the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa, Patty got our marriage insurance (didn't know that was a thing) and every detail was done to my exact wishes; our rooms, a get-ready room, timeline. She helped me find and book my venders; makeup, hair, live music. She knew about the area restrictions and completely managed all my venders. She made the best timelines I have ever seen in my life, had everything to a tee with wiggle room in case things did not go according to plan (which they rarely do). She even helped my officiant (who was our best friend) with his ceremony timeline and speech. Patty took care of everything, even when I had vender drama, she took care of it without me having to deal with it at all. And she even ran to our room when our ring bearer forget our rings! Day of, Patty has her assistant Carol which is more than a bonus. Both Patty and Carol are adored by me and my family. Truly were like my own family, even helped me put my shoes on. There are no perfect words to describe how truly grateful I am for having them at my wedding. Best decision I have ever made. 10/10 would hire them again.

I have been photographing weddings in the Bay Area (and beyond) for 30 years and have the…read moreopportunity to work with some wonderful people in industry. Patty has always impressed! Weddings are an expression of the love and personality of the B&G. Patty works with couples to create events that are uniquely their own. Strategizing, organizing, and working on every last detail. Then she connects her clients with the perfect vendors to make sure their vision comes true. When it counts most (wedding day) with her charming personality yet decisive personality, she executes weddings that flow with grace. As a photographer I have follow up conversations with the B&G after their wedding. The always give Patty the highest praise. Patty makes it happen! Todd Rafalovich