Jessica Lasky Catering

Bi-Rite is actually a neighborhood market—it's best known for hyper-local fruits and vegetables and a seriously good deli. Their catering business is capable of everything from a few pre-made meals to a full course dinner, and we love their big platters, which are perfect (and perfectly easy) for corporate events. Their famous ice cream, made in their in-house creamery, makes picking the dessert option a no-brainer.

Before adding a bricks-and-mortar location last year, the guys at Del Popolo were slinging pies out of their now-famous mobile pizzeria. Why famous? Other than the killer Neapolitan-style pizzas, which range from classic Margherita to a honey-spiked potato pie, it’s the ingenious use of a converted shipping container fastened onto a Freightliner truck in place of a standard food truck that got people talking. And lucky for us all, even with the free-standing restaurant (they tacked on some antipasti dishes and a pretty badass wine list to the restaurant menu), they’re still serving pies on the go all over the city out of the mobile pizzeria that started it all.

Humphry Slocombe vs. Bi-Rite Creamery is an ongoing debate between locals. Jake Godby and Sean Vahey—the two dudes behind team Humphry—pride themselves on the time and effort they put into concocting flavors, which run the gamut from Elvis (the fat years) to potato chip to salt & pepper. They’re also bringing back the ice cream cake in a big way.

For a less typical catered meal in the Bay Area, we recommend Rintaro, which serves excellent Japanese-style food at private parties. They also have a restaurant in the Mission, which is worth checking out, too.

While they call themselves a catering company—and their food is fantastic—McCalls is really a full-service event group. With wedding planning and floral design departments in-house, they bring a lot of resources to the table (pun fully intended) and are a great option if you're looking for a single point of contact.

Paula LeDuc is sort of a San Francisco institution. She's been catering in the city for years, and is credited with introducing the concept of farm-to-table to the industry. Her exquisitely designed meals are best suited for sit-down events; for a black-tie wedding, there's really no one better.

Taste has been serving San Francisco for more than 30 years, and in those three decades, they've established excellent relationships with local farmers–you’ll know exactly where your tomatoes, beef, and even your coffee comes from. Considering Northern California's year-round bounty, you'll be getting farm-fresh food regardless of season. They also offer full-scale event planning.

Cotogna and its more formal sister restaurant, Quince, are beloved San Francisco staples, so it's no surprise that their catering business is booming. Tusk Events (named for Lindsay and Michael Tusk, the husband-wife pair who run both places) can handle events of any size, offering casual Italian family-style fare from Cotogna, more formal options from Quince, or anything in between. Also good to remember: Cotogna's big tables can easily be reserved for large parties–a nice option if you're looking to host a fairly large gathering with minimal effort.

All party planners know that professional photographs will probably never have the social media power of the ones your guests take themselves. Awesome Booth takes care of the camera as well as the props, the prints (they wirelessly share them with your guests), and the backdrops.

It’s awfully rare to find a wedding photographer that shoots in film these days, and that’s exactly what makes Brumley & Wells so unique and different. Obviously, film can be digitized after the event, but the quality of the photo album alone (especially for artists or designers) more than justifies skipping the digital camera. They’re based in San Francisco, but love to travel for destination events.

The first thing you’ll notice about Caroline Frost is that she’s supremely organized: She comes to every event armed with a thorough timeline and a neat list of every shot she needs to get before the day is over. That attention to detail means that she can easily fade into the background on the actual day, never interrupting the special moments around the ceremony or during the reception for photos. Caroline is also famously great at organizing wedding albums—rather than disappearing moments after the event, she’ll walk you through the entire process.

Dylan's sensibility skews more fine art than over-the-top wedding, as his style is casual and unobtrusive, capturing candid moments from unusual angles, like the first look from behind a paned window. If you’re planning on getting married in an outdoor venue with a view (whether it be mountains, beach, forest, or plains), he’s an obvious pick.

Magbooth is kind of like the people's photo booth: Take your pick of prop and custom logos and never worry about going over some preset picture limit. The best part, though, is that ever rental includes an attendant, which significantly minimizes mid-party technical difficulties.

Paige Winn kind of kills it when it comes to the full wedding photography experience. She captures all of the special moments and her portraits never feel staged—plus, she's really easy to be around.

Ryan is a photographer with a talent for capturing the connection between a couple. Unsurprisingly, he does great engagement portraits, too.

Helmed by Jesse Kivel and Michael David (of Kisses and Classixx fame, respectively), this creative collective is lightyears away from cheesy wedding DJs. Simply put, these guys have stellar taste in music. For example: A mix can run the gamut from Missy Elliott to The Supremes to Iggy Pop, with some under-the-radar stuff thrown in for good measure. We're told their vinyl collection is second to none.

David Kimm is an electric violinist at heart, but he also has exceptional DJ skills, so if you're looking for a traditional DJ but with a little edge, he's your guy. He also knows his way around sound equipment, meaning he can hook up your speakers without subjecting your guests to screeching microphones.

It's thanks to Élan Artists that we were lucky enough to have the accordion-wielding Carte Blanche Band perform at our Net-a-Porter dinner. Their roster of entertainers is as deep as it is broad, with acts that run the gamut from cabaret-style burlesque dancers to string quartets to a Jersey Boys tribute band.

Magik Magik fancy themselves a "made-to-order" orchestra. They started out as a service for bands, composers, and other creatives who needed scalable string music for different projects, before bringing it to the public. You can hire their musicians and scale them to the size of your event, whether you’re looking for a full 80-piece ensemble or just a single, talented violinist.

This supremely talented jazz band includes drums, trumpet, stand-up base, piano, and of course, a sultry singer. Even though they definitely have a signature style, they can adapt their set to your taste.

When an event calls for a string quartet, these women get the job done. They all play in major orchestras and their song list is exhaustive: they can even do pop.

Torryne Choate is a truly talented designer. While she can take on any floral challenge you throw her way, she's especially skilled at handling those way-harder-than-they-look homogenous sculptural arrangements—not to mention crafting flower crowns that put your Pinterest to shame. For our San Francisco pop-up shop, we asked her to put together arrangements to complement the architectural space; needless to say, she didn't disappoint.

The folks at Bloomers are fantastic at incorporating unusual flowers into arrangements. If you're hoping for African violets or parrot tulips and unsure how to style them, this is the shop to call.

When Christina Stembel was doing event planning for Stanford University, she was surprised to find that the majority of flowers used Stateside were imported. In 2010, she launched Farmgirl Flowers out of her living room with the commitment that she would only sell U.S.-grown flowers. Today, the company caters weddings, private and corporate events, and even hand-delivers by bike and car across the Bay Area, and via overnight shipping around the country. Farmgirl typically offers one daily arrangement (e.g., orchids, snap dragons, anemone, eucalyptus, even kale) wrapped in burlap, and in three different sizes, from "fun size" to "big love."

Founded by Paris-born Lana Elie, FLOOM is an online floral delivery service. It is incredibly streamlined. The site is easy to navigate and the arrangements come looking exactly how you order them. The team works with local floral designers in San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles to make sure everything is fresh and delivered intact.

For high-end, fancy flowers in San Francisco, call Claire Marie. The design studio is a family-owned business that’s been in town for almost thirty years now, handling everything from upscale weddings to formal dinners. Perfect for traditional bouquets and fragrant, elegant centerpieces that take center stage without being overpowering.

Floral designer Max Gill does the opposite of keeping it simple. Instead, the designer embraces the complexity of wild plants by adapting them to interior environments. Gill favors foraged blooms, along with rare botanicals from local Berkeley growers. These are no ordinary arrangements, and Gill’s unique eye lends an earthy seasonality to every space he and his team touch. Next time you pass through Chez Panisse or Zuni Café and find yourself wanting to scoop up the floral arrangements and take them home, ask after the designer—it’s probably Gill.

There are few rooms more soothing than one packed with plants. Abundant greenery is the niftiest tactic to summon nature, induce calm, or warm up a scant tablescape or too-roomy room. But buying enough plants to echo the garden of Eden is costly, never mind the time involved in finding the perfect royal fern or tallest fiddle-leaf fig. Then we discovered the Plant Library. With both an East (NYC) and West (SF) Coast presence, this smart start-up has been a godsend—and best of all, it’s sustainable. The process couldn’t be more straightforward: Pick a bevy of plants or tabletop arrangements—thriving potted cacti, evergreens, or desert greens—to pack a space as big or small as your needs demand. The Plant Library will deliver them for your event, and when you’re done, these short-term party guests are collected and rented again.

In the past few years, Waterlily Pond has organized several ambitious floral installations that are actually public artworks (including commissions for the de Young Museum). When it comes to their commercial business, they deliver excellent sculptural arrangements and structures—call them for attention-grabbing centerpieces, well-crafted chuppahs, and pretty much anything you might want suspended from the ceiling.

Although her corporate events are really beautifully executed (no surprise, with clients like Salesforce, Airbnb, and Pier 24), Alison is best known for her gorgeous weddings in Northern California (and really, all over the world). She's expert at creating an experience that feels uniquely personal and not recycled.

When you need to call in the big guns, you call Ken. The guy behind Sean Parker’s over-the-top Big Sur wedding also does interior design (he's put together some of San Francisco's most beautiful restaurants, and his Pottery Barn collaboration just launched), but he's best known for his events. Lavish, creative, and undeniably fun, he sort of has a Midas touch for unforgettable parties.

Laurie’s been in the business since 1994, and while she’s handled everything from dressed-up barbecues to intimate dinners, weddings have always been (and continue to be) her bread and butter. If you’re doing a destination wedding—even if it's just in Napa—book her for weekend and destination planning, which takes the pressure off your guests to entertain themselves by providing activities throughout their stay. In addition to being organized, thoughtful, and easy to work with, she’s got relationships with all of the best vendors in SF.

Floral design is in Natalie Bowen's genes (her mother was a florist, and her grandmother ran the flower shop at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco back in the 1940s). Her own style has a great sense of balance—the arrangements are lush without ever seeming over-the-top. And while flowers are her specialty, she also offers full-scale event design, from lighting to signage to linen and furniture rentals.

Robert Fountain definitely has a flair for the dramatic, in the best possible way. Call him when an event requires something extra special, whether it be ambitious projected lighting, a lavish Indian tent, live performers, sky-high centerpieces, or, in at least one case, a live elephant.

Stanlee Gatti is a fixture of the San Francisco event scene—his all-star client list includes Elton John and George Lucas, and he even planned the wedding for San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. Stanlee works best at large scale—some of our favorite moments include pantone chairs at an SFMoMA gala and towering pillars of calla lilies at a SAG Awards gala.

We have often found that the realities of hosting an outdoor sleepover have a way of stalling plans. Camp’d Out is a full-service luxury tent company that accommodates off-the-grid locations with ease. Pick a patch of desert or an unoccupied hillside (with permission, of course) and this female-founded company will handle the rest. Tents are spacious and decked out with comfortable blow-up mattresses, organic sheets, rugs underfoot, and handy storm lamps. Camp’d Out will also tailor the campsite to your event with heaters, a camp butler to help with the drinks, a fire pit to ward off the chill (and toast a few s’mores), and an outdoor lounge area to maximize the under-the-stars experience. Go big and book Moonrise Standard to cook a feast. You won’t regret it.

Elan's cadre of beach-wood benches, rattan chairs, and rustic tables is best suited for outdoor events—they've been curated to blend into natural surroundings rather than overpower them.

Shelter Co.'s business concept is completely unique: They've built an entire event-planning company around a gorgeous collection of luxury tents that they put to use in a variety of ways. You can rent just one for a small backyard party, or you can ask them to build out luxury accommodations in the wilderness. For those really remote events, they can also bring in catering, lighting, and general design.

The name kind of says it all: These guys are all about straightforward chairs, tables, and linens, all of which they can provide in large quantities. They're also really reliable and well-priced, meaning you won't get your bill only to realize you spent half your budget on napkins.

Zephyr likes to think of its tented canopies as sails—billowing, crisp, and made to last. This is appropriate given the tent type: The “Sperry” was initially crafted by New England sailmaker Steve Sperry. These canopies are as beautiful inside as they are outside, with many of the panels hand-sewn and the support poles carved out of wood. Most importantly, the entire structure is waterproof. Tents come in a variety of sizes to cater to events of all sizes, and the crew is top-notch. Conveniently, Zephyr also provides beautiful furniture, much of it made from reclaimed wood, hardwood flooring, and incredible lighting (we love the paper lanterns strung from the tent roof, which is as beautiful as it sounds).

Janis' Instagram feed is an excellent place to get a feel for her classic calligraphy and illustration style. You'll find perfectly arranged inspirational quotes, carefully lettered envelopes from her current projects, and a few of her quirky and whimsical illustrations.

Wedding invites are Julie Song's bread and butter, but her illustrations, calligraphy, and branding are all excellent, too. She's also really popular, so get in touch with plenty of lead-time. (Julie is responsible for the gorgeous watercolor menus at our goop x Net-a-Porter dinner.)

The folks behind Yonder are really graphic designers for your entire event, not just paper goods. Involve them in the early planning stages, and they'll keep everything consistent from the invitations to the place cards. Their unique offerings—some of the beautiful scene—can range from engraved wood place cards to custom seals.

Vermont native Emily Thompson earned an MFA in sculpture from UCLA, a fact that’s evident in all of her floral centerpieces—yes, she uses flowers (which tend to be as wild and fecund as possible), but she builds them into boutiques that look like they might have sprung from a Renaissance painting. There are brambles, and sticks, and over-ripe pieces of fruit, all done up to pretty stunning effect.

L'Olivier Floral Atelier consistently produces some of the most remarkable floral arrangements in New York: You can find Olivier Giugni's work in monumental arrangements in hotels and restaurants all over the city, but you can also have smaller arrangements tailored to your home. He's a great resource if you’re planning a wedding or a party.

For events that require not only meticulous attention to detail when it comes to the décor and organization, but also pitch-perfect food, Mary Giuliani and her team are the go-to. Everything from flowers to mixology to décor (and more) comes as a part of her service. She intertwines the latest in the food and entertaining worlds, exemplified in her recent collaboration with Chef Mario Batali. If you’re looking to bring the flavors of your favorite Batali restaurant to your next party, Mario by Mary catering offers seasonally inspired Italian menus that will surely create a memorable culinary experience. For a quick taste of the collaboration, check out Mario by Mary's new Italian fast casual concept at The Pennsy.

Legendary florist Katsuya Nishimori first made a name for himself as the chief floral designer at the floral shop inside the Japanese department store Takashimaya. When Takashimaya shuttered in 2010, Nishimori and his team opened up their own place in Flatiron. They're known for daring, architectural arrangements with a distinctly Japanese aesthetic. Most of the flowers come from their organic farm in upstate New York, about eighty miles north of the city.

Operated by husband-and-husband team Michael and Darroch, Putnam & Putnam's gorgeous, otherworldy arrangements grace the tabletops of some of the city's most exquisite events and weddings. (The amazing team supplied the incredible florals for GP's wedding.) They also deliver smaller-scale arrangements and host classes and workshops. Most recently, the duo opened its first retail location in Moxy Chelsea, where they turned the hotel's entrway into a verdant, lush, botanical reprieve from the city.

Cloud Catering's Michelin-trained chefs spend the same amount of time and effort on presentation—the dishes seriously look like edible works of art—as they do on crafting insanely delicious recipes, which is precisely why we love them (and had them do the food for both our Diane von Furstenberg collaboration dinner and our Net-a-Porter celebration).

Denise Fasanello is a fine artist by trade, so it makes sense that her arrangements have a museum-worthy quality. She's particularly skilled in trimming arrangements with wildflowers and rustic elements, which creates a texture and volume that's as unexpected as it is beautiful.

Why we love Robert's floral services: You tell him what kind of flowers you like, and what your color scheme is; he comes along and personally makes beautiful flower arrangements in your space.

Fleurs NYC supplied the incredible hydrangea centerpieces for our Net-a-Porter garden party. Their aesthetic is clean and approachable, so nothing feels overdone.

This is fancy, white-glove catering at its best. Sonnier & Castle is famous for hiring experienced chefs from the finest NYC restaurants, which in turn translates to sophisticated finger foods, plated dinners, and buffets. What's great is that they can take care of all the details—waiter uniforms and wine pairings included.

Ramblin' Dan (aka Dan Griffith) and sometimes his wife Julie Dicterow are hands down our number one pick when it comes to kid's party entertainment. Their focus is on getting little ones to express themselves through music, so naturally, audience participation is a big part of the experience.

While her portfolio is dedicated predominantly to weddings, Jennifer Sosa's detail-centric style would lend itself nicely to any special occasion. She's also a born-and-bred New Yorker, so her knowledge of the city comes in handy when it comes to location-scouting.

Jason Murakawa is the guy you contact if you want your tables set with Havilland porcelain, antique sterling silver flatware, and circa 1860 crystal goblets. Small Masterpiece can also provide table settings for your party in New York City. Photo credit: Styled by Bellafare, shot by Heather Waraksa.

Corrin Arasa's collection of vintage couches, chairs, rugs, and tables is so vast that it lives in a 5,000-square-foot warehouse in Brooklyn (open to visitors by appointment only). And it's not all large-scale furniture either—take a peek at the miles-long roster of smaller rentable props like lamps, baskets, floor pillows, and surfboards.

With and adorable shop and more than a decade's worth of experience crafting extraordinary, seasonal bouquets, Denise Porcaro kind of spearheaded the boutique floral movement in NYC. She's also responsible for the recent resurgence of flower crowns, which make for sweet bridal shower and birthday party additions.

Though Mr. Boddigton's one-of-a-kind creations are the stuff of legend, they've put custom services on hold for a while. Luckily, the collection of pre-designed invitations, place cards, thank you notes, and more is plenty to tide you over.

Hannah Thomson isn't so much an event photographer as a portrait master. Her expertise is really in capturing people—candid, posed, and everything in between.

The reason why Charlotte Neuville is dubbed the Fashion Chef is because she spent close to three decades in the biz (she was pretty high up at Gap Inc.) before leaving it all behind to bake couture cakes full-time. But it seems the industry refuses to let her go; she's been asked to design cakes for everyone from Alber Elbaz to Barneys.

Run by art director and designer Lisa Hedge, Venamour's dreamy wedding stationery suites are broken down into three floral-themed collections: botanical, wildflower, and viridian. Each one is even more beautiful than the last.

You've probably seen People's Pops all over the city (they regularly set up shop at the High Line and Brooklyn Flea), and if you haven't tried their real-fruit pops or shave ice, you really should. For special events, they do custom flavors and fancy champagne-popsicle cocktails.

Stefanie Cove is the mastermind behind some of the most memorable goop events (our dinner with Net-a-Porter and last year’s celebration with Diane von Furstenberg), not to mention a goop staffer's wedding. As the owner and creative director of NYC/LA-based Stefanie Cove and Company, she really is the very best planner around, with a deep rolodex of amazing vendors.

Mimi Brown's background is in fashion (she had a stint at Zac Posen before transitioning back to her floral business), and it shows. Her bouquets are discerningly elegant—never over-designed or fussy, kind of like you did the floral arrangements yourself...but better.

These guys specialize in the kind of techy stuff (lighting and audio visual design) that would make the average person's head spin. Coincidentally, it's the behind-the-scenes stuff that has the power to make or break a special event, and they nail it every time.

Sure you can have a fantastic gathering without the services of Jacqueline Suskin and her old-timey typewriter, but why would you want to? She can set up her Poem Store virtually anywhere and will tap out beautiful, one-of-a-kind poems for guests right on the spot.

Magbooth is kind of like the people's photo booth: Take your pick of prop and custom logos and never worry about going over some preset picture limit. The best part, though, is that ever rental includes an attendant, which significantly minimizes mid-party technical difficulties.

Eric Buterbaugh arranges the most beautiful bouquets from quality flowers that last. He's a pleasure to work with, and has long been one of our go-to florists in Los Angeles.

With a long list of corporate and private clients, Mindy Weiss and her team take care of absolutely every detail. What sets Mindy Weiss apart is her great eye for fun and unusual decorations that manage to always fit the theme just right in a contemporary way. Weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, luncheons, and corporate parties are all part of her trick bag.

Known for modern and beautiful letterpress stationery, Sugar Paper also does great holiday cards, wedding invitations, and monogramming. The tiny shop (in the Brentwood Country Mart) also offers cards and paper goods from Rifle Paper Co., Kate Spade, and more—and they can wrap any gift (just bring a box) while you wander the mart.

From everyday flowers and plants to bouquets for weddings and other special occasions, The Empty Vase has been reliably churning out stunning bouquets of exceptional quality for years. It's worth a walk into the store, but they do also deliver.

Jonathan Wright offers beautiful 19th century-esque engraved style stationery and custom letterpress for those who value the power of a written note. They're great with everything from a basic thank you card to ornate wedding invitations.

There are many reasons why we love Annie Campbell, not the least of which is her understanding that good passed apps have to be bite-sized. Her food is consistently delicious and presented in a reliably creative, beautiful way—so pretty, in fact, you don't need much else in the way of decorations.

For kiddie birthdays, Venice Beach-based Fire and Creme’s party boxes are nothing short of life changing. Choose from tableware, decoration, and goodie bag boxes (or just pick up all three and save yourself a headache), all of which fit a certain theme—Cowboy Wanted, Gone Surfing, and Party Like a Gypsy are standouts. For extra brownie points with the littles, check out the dress-up section.

Since 1998, Michele Gan has been catering for crowds of up to 1,000—all with organic, locally sourced food. They offer a host of other services like service staffing, floral arrangements, and other design and décor arrangements for events, though catering is their primary art.

Bloom & Plume arrangements are pretty much unlike anything else out there: Maurice Harris has a telltale flair for the artistic, which results in bouquets and centerpieces that are more botanical sculpture than traditional arrangement. (Take a peek at his Instagram feed to see what we mean—he also did the flowers for our first Cookbook Club.)

Max Wanger is well known for his soft, minimalist style (best showcased by his instantly recognizable overhead shots), a sensibility shared by all the creatives who work for his booming business. All the photographers under his umbrella share a beautiful, editorialized aesthetic, so it really doesn’t matter if you can't book Max himself.

Bonnie Tsang is one of the most sought-after event photographers in town, thanks to an excellent reputation for honing in on the most joyous, memorable moments and capturing them in a way that's natural and stylized all at the same time.

Lara Porzak is a real-deal fine art photographer who just happens to pick up a limited amount of events per year, just for the fun of it–though tons of big names have hired her to do snap their weddings. She shoots real film—almost unheard of these days—and develops her predominantly black-and-white prints by hand.

With her little cart in tow, Cloe Lane spins fresh cotton candy you can enjoy in peace knowing only organic cane sugar, plant-based colors, and all-natural flavors were used. Speaking of flavors: horchata, chai tea, and salted caramel are just a few of the standouts.

Stefanie Cove is the mastermind behind some of the most memorable goop events (our dinner with Net-a-Porter and last year’s celebration with Diane von Furstenberg), not to mention a goop staffer's wedding. As the owner and creative director of NYC/LA-based Stefanie Cove and Company, she really is the very best planner around, with a deep rolodex of amazing vendors.

Sure you can have a fantastic gathering without the services of Jacqueline Suskin and her old-timey typewriter, but why would you want to? She can set up her Poem Store virtually anywhere and will tap out beautiful, one-of-a-kind poems for guests right on the spot.

What's special about Gypset is that most design elements (their outdoor structures and lighting compositions are mind-blowing) are produced in-house, so you're pretty much guaranteed a 100% unique experience. Their sweet spot is elaborate large-scale events.

When you think chocolate-dipped bananas, you probably think kids. But consider this: Hannah's bananas, which she serves out of a tricked-out vintage trailer or a cute push-cart, are gourmet—dipped and sprinkled with customizable toppings on the spot for each guest. That's something everyone can get behind.

The team at Whoa Nelly (the two co-founders/chefs cut their teeth at AOC before striking out on their own) believes that what makes an event menu special–whether it's buffet-style, small bites, or family style–are the ingredients. Here, produce is sourced exclusively from local farmers and proteins are all sustainable, all the time.

When it comes to non-cake celebratory desserts, donuts have long since eclipsed the cupcake. As evidenced by an ever-present line, the ones at California Donuts are some of fluffiest and freshest in town. The shop is open 24/7, but you have to call ahead to order their signature donut letters.

No matter the size of the gathering, Hungry Bear masters really delicious food in perfectly timed courses. Best of all, there's nothing unpredictable or overly fussy about the menu options, so guests aren't left deciphering what's on their plates.

Formerly known as Jamaica Cakes, this unassuming little bakery on Pico cranks out some of the most jaw-droppingly elaborate, Food Network-worthy cakes we've ever seen. While not quite as festive as the multi-tiered creations, the cookies, pies, and cupcakes are just as delicious.

This all-female Mariachi band is the real deal, and they've got two Grammys and legions of fans to prove it. Book well in advance.

This is a real-deal jazz band who can get people on the dance floor and then keep them there. Two of the founding members are the guys behind Dart DJ, so expect to hear some pop mashups with the classic stuff—like takes on Neil Young, Daft Punk, and David Bowie.

While bluegrass is their claim to fame, this trio's repertoire is pretty far-reaching. They'll perform in any number of styles—from jazz to classical to country—to suit any occasion.

Brothers Daniel and David Landau have a sweet, folksy sound (their instruments of choice are cello, guitar, and voice) that brings an intimate ambiance to picnics, birthday parties, weddings, and any other occasion. They’re known for their coffeehouse-style covers of everything from 80s classics to rock, pop, and jazz standards. They also expand to a trio or quartet as needed.

Equal parts floral boutique and adorable gift shop, Twig & Twine is best enjoyed in person rather than over the phone. Owner Heather Williams' calling card is incorporating unexpected elements into her arrangements, be they succulents or rare, alien-looking blooms.

Downtown's wholesale flower market (it takes up close to two city blocks) is a DIY goldmine. Yes, there are fresh flowers and succulents—both locally and globally grown—as far as the eye can see. But you can also come here to snag supplies like vases, gardening tools, and ribbon for a song. Pros get first dibs daily; the general public can pay a $2 admission fee during the week and $1 on weekends.

Tiny Pine Press isn't actually all that tiny: They've been in the business of classic, handmade letterpress goods for over a decade. While it's often our go-to for custom menus, invites, and place cards, their repertoire also includes calling cards, personalized stationery, and branding materials.

Kimm Birkicht is a beloved LA-based floral designer with deep industry roots, which translates to an innate understanding that every arrangement—whether it's for a wedding, family gathering, or work event—needs to speak to the client's individual aesthetic.

Magbooth is kind of like the people's photo booth: Take your pick of props and custom logos, and never worry about going over some preset picture limit. The best part: every rental comes with an attendant, which significantly minimizes mid-party technical difficulties.

When generic folding tables and chairs simply won't do, Jeni Maus's impressive archive of everything from distressed-wood seating, to tufted couches, to vintage trunks is clutch. Each piece is hand-sourced by Maus herself and can be rented à la carte or as a pre-styled vignette—rugs, pillows, vases, and all.

Casa de Perrin is the brainchild of Josh and Diana Perrin, who've lovingly compiled a miles-long catalog of pretty exceptional vintage china, cutlery, and glassware. Their table settings are unabashedly romantic, though there are plenty of more subdued options thrown in for casual celebrations.

The Atlanta outpost of Jackson Durham was so popular that founders Heath Alan Ray and Charles Vance decided to spread the wealth to Dallas and enlisted Todd Events alum Sara Fay Egan to run the show. While they’re a full-fledged event planning company with insane vendor connections (both domestically and abroad), designing lush floral concepts is their sweet spot.

The focus at Kerri Ellis Davis and Margretta Hill Wikert's Highland Park Village shop is custom monograms, which they can apply to all the obvious stuff (invitations, linens, coasters) as well as the not-so-obvious (leather coolers, dining chairs).

As if we needed any more proof that legendary party planner Todd Fiscus can do no wrong, his beloved Highland Park flower shop just moved to a bigger, better space. This means more room (two beautiful floors-worth) for candles, vases, cut blooms, an orchid bar, and a small but beautiful outdoor garden.

Three Branches is operated by two sisters, so it's safe to say floral design is literally in their blood. There's purity to their bouquets and centerpieces as they often stick to monochromatic palettes and no more than a few types of blooms per arrangement.

Grange Hall's unusual arrangements definitely feel like they're in a class of their own. Keeping in theme with the otherworldly nature of their shop (one of Dallas's best), their floral arrangements look like they could be found in a cabinet of curiosities. They're excellent at incorporating unusual props like feathers, ribbons, and oddly-shaped vases.

Much like its restaurant, Mi Cocina catering specializes in traditional, elevated, incredibly tasty Tex Mex food. Thankfully, whether you go for passed appetizers or a complete sit-down dinner, it can (and should) be accompanied by the killer margaritas.

Bubbly, hilarious, and well-versed in the music that gets people out of their chairs and onto the dance floor, Lucy Wrubel is a bona fide Dallas celebrity. She spins at all manner of events, from big fashion parties (she killed it at the goop shop opening party) to private events and even offers "musical wallpaper" services for restaurants and shops.

This is the kind of old-school, full-service catering business that puts the same amount of effort into a basic breakfast buffet as they do an all-out holiday dinner. But Alberto Lombardi and his wife Vivian don't just stop at food: Their staff will gladly set up, serve, and then clean up any event, big or small.

Unlike many other stationers, Jill Efrussy Sour doesn't make her clients choose from pre-designed templates. Instead, she starts them off with a detailed questionnaire to help figure out a 100% custom motif to best suits their sensibility.

While his business runs the gamut from backyard BBQs to formal dinners, Chef Chris Patrick really excels at in-home catering for clients hosting formal events. Patrick's menus are incredibly creative (don't skip dessert).

We've sung the Joule's praises for its nice rooms and fantastic restaurants, so it's really no surprise their catering department (they'll tweak the existing CBD Provisions menu to your liking or simply start from scratch) and event spaces are great as well. Oh, and they cater off-site parties, too.

Steve Wrubel—husband to DJ extraordinaire Lucy Wrubel—is by no means a minimalist. No matter the subject matter (though big celebrations are his forte) the resulting photos are sure to be full of life and color.

While you can order Fluff Pop ahead of time, the best way to incorporate the made-for-grown-ups cotton candy into an event is to have it spun for your guests on-site. People go crazy for the flavors (guava, lychee, cotton candy).

Everything is bigger in Texas, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Dallas' foremost event planner wholeheartedly subscribes to that philosophy. Todd's events are lavish and glamorous in the best way, and there's no challenge he won't take on. Looking for a water feature with live performers? On it. 400 square foot ómbre flower wall? Consider it done. They recently joined forces with Suite 206 Luxury Event Rentals, too, who has one of the most comprehensive rental libraries we've ever seen.

Nicole is a great classic calligrapher. You can select from a number of different styles, and while she's based in Dallas, she takes orders from across the country. And yes, she really is left-handed.

These guys definitely rule when it comes to super-fancy, high-end catering (not everyone in town has served meals to both Presidents Obama and Bush). But it's about more than the food for Cassandra—clients rave about the impeccable service and reliability.

Jordan Kahn Music Company is like a traditional wedding band on steroids. All five members have years of experience, so their renditions of all the party staples (Boogie Shoes, Shout, Rebel Yell) sound just as good as the real thing.

With three locations and a newly minted event space—boasting two levels of exposed brick and a courtyard—A New Leaf is a pretty sizable operation with a boutique-y, refreshingly approachable sensibility, which is good since special occasion and wedding florals are their jam. In fact, we asked them to beautify a number of Chicago goop pop-related events. And while they happily take phone orders, we suggest stopping by the Old Town flagship in person to DIY a bouquet from a garden’s worth of cut flowers and color-coordinated ribbon wall. There are also two outposts in Old Town.

With four full-time planners on staff, LK offers some serious resources to put behind large-scale events like galas and corporate shindigs. They’ve been working in Chicago for ages, meaning that you can reap the benefits of their long-term relationships with all of the best vendors in town.

The founder of Brix Catering was a sommelier before he broke off to start his own catering business, which means the bar and the wine pairings here can always hold their own against the well-crafted menus. Scale wise, they'll do everything from a few charcuterie plates to a multi-course, formal dining experience. If your event doesn't call for staffed catering, you can pick up one of their "Brix boxes" a day in advance and throw everything in the oven before your guests arrive (we’ve heard that their Thanksgiving boxes can rival even the best home-made spreads).

Becky Hill is really good at taking photos of camera-shy people. If you’re the kind of person who might cock your head in the most unflattering direction right when the shutter starts, she’ll kindly and gently steer you in the right direction.

Brett and Kiri are an adorable married couple with a great eye, and they can do pretty much anything; a quick review of their weddings shows urban shots for an art-obsessed couple and black-and-white portraits for an elegant city wedding. We should also note that these two are especially talented at photographing pets.

It's no surprise that we're excited about DJ Megan Taylor, who's quickly making a name for herself as one of Chicago's best DJ's in what has traditionally been a very male-dominated space. Ask for her Backstreet Boys and N’SYNC remixes (seriously, trust us on this one).

With a large team of talented photographers in their quiver, Gerber + Scarpelli are seasoned pros. Their photographers all have a lot of experience, which means they know how to capture an event without getting in the way—you'll also be grateful for the reliably fast turnaround times.

DJ Jem is extremely sought-after on the Chicago nightclub circuit (this is the guy that opened for Calvin Harris when he was in Chicago), but despite all of his success, you can trust him to adapt his set to your event.

For the kind of event where your guests leave with hoarse voices from belting it out all night, bring in the Gold Coast All Stars. An insanely energetic 12-piece band that covers all of the classics, they are the ultimate big party band. Expect their singers to be down on the floor dancing with the crowd.

With a signature preppy style, the team at Nico and Lala does more than design invitations—they'll create an entire brand around an event. Our favorite is a construction-themed kids party (tagline: can you dig it?).

In addition to invitations, Magnificent Milestones produces great event accessories like matchbooks, napkins, custom stamps, and toothpick flags, helpful if you're trying to stick to a consistent theme. Unrelated but good to know: They make beautiful custom holiday cards.

Housed in an adorable stationery boutique, the team at Elizabeth Grace will handle the entire invitation process for you, from design, to calligraphy, to actually popping everything in the mail.

Family owned and run by a mother-son duo, this place has been around forever with a reputation that speaks for itself. Repeat clients love that there's no need for detailed direction: Let them do their thing and you won't be disappointed.

The bouquets at Fleur are consistently elegant and original without ever feeling over the top. Their environmental creations are particularly outstanding, like the verdant floral chandelier they created to hang above the tables at weddings.

You might know Jayson Home for the gorgeous store (great furniture and other home goods), but their floral department is one of Chicago's best-kept secrets. The proof is in the pudding: See the elegant white-and-green bouquets they arranged for the Chicago #gooppop dinner. So simple, and so good.

If you tend to get wires crossed and dates confused (or if you're just busy), Katie Jackson-Meara is probably your dream event planner. Veteran clients gush that her detailed itineraries plan everything out to the minute. She's also a stylist, which is clutch for brides who need a neutral opinion on dresses, hair, and makeup leading up to the big day.

With a client list that includes Chanel, Prada, and Louis Vuitton, you can be sure that Truffleberry Market (now merged with Paramount Cantering) has been properly vetted. Their events are known for adventurous menus and presentation, with dishes like mini lobster corn dogs, cucumber sandwiches wrapped in a delicate bow, and goat cheese cones. The team here is always up for a challenge, making them a great option if you have an ambitious theme.

This is an invaluable, freakishly user-friendly food truck tracking and booking tool that services the bulk of major U.S. cities. If you're in SoCal, consider Dogtown Dogs, Kogi Truck, and Urban Oven—we've had great experiences with all three. (More food truck inspo, here)

Anne Robin has been doing calligraphy for most of her life, and it shows. She'll gladly churn out traditional scripts, be it for invitations, place cards, or monograms, but her true talent lies in designing unique, modern styles you won't find anywhere else.

Minted came up with a fool-proof system for making sure clients get exactly what they want—and it all starts with a rich assortment of save-the-dates, menu cards, invites and so much more, all pre-designed by an artist. (They also do fully custom stationery and invites.) Once you've picked something you like, you can tweak it to perfection. And don't skip over the Art Marketplace, it's hands down one of the best places online for affordable art.

This online service essentially functions as a virtual party planner (or a search engine for handymen, tutors, accountants, etc.). You submit a request for say, a Washington-based magician, and wait for available pros to respond with quotes and details. Once you're ready to pull the trigger, you can book directly through the site or app.

Whether it’s a wedding, luncheon, anniversary, or kid’s birthday, this is a truly priceless resource if you’re looking to host somewhere other than at home.

For kiddie birthdays, Venice Beach-based Fire and Creme’s party boxes are nothing short of life changing. Choose from tableware, decoration, and goodie bag boxes (or just pick up all three and save yourself a headache), all of which fit a certain theme—Cowboy Wanted, Gone Surfing, and Party Like a Gypsy are standouts. For extra brownie points with the littles, check out the dress-up section.

These are not your average party-store fare. Geronimo mastermind Jihan Zencirli’s creations come in a rainbow of balloon-and-frill combos and are so massive they require as much helium as 30 standard balloons. She'll gladly accommodate special requests if you don't see what you want in her online shop.

Disposable party supplies are meant to make life easier, but more often than not, finding ones that aren't hideous is hard. Elliewood's themed Party Packs (which can accommodate up to 40 guests) and Parties-in-a-Box aren't just beautiful, they're practical, too: every element from cups, to plates, to decorative accessories is accounted for. For procrastinators, there’s a two-day shipping option.

Pictures don’t really do Scott's marquees justice: Most are made from up-cycled materials and can be shipped everywhere. Not only does he have pre-made and rentable options, he’ll custom build logos, lettering, signage, and more.

Sure, photo booths have become regular party staples, but these guys figured out a way to elevate the experience by way of bigger, glossier formats, GIF-making capabilities, blacklight booths, and custom backgrounds and props. Headquarters are in NYC but they can easily accommodate more far-flung locations.

This is a one stop shop for browsing and booking all sorts of live entertainers—from musicians to DJs to toastmasters. What's more, they provide client reviews and sample contracts to simply the process.

With warehouses all over the country, Classic is a no-frills—but consistently reliable—rental resource that specializes in the basics: tables, chairs, tents, lighting, and linens. They've been at it for 30 years, so their customer-service game is on point.

We love Paperless Post. So much so, that we collaborated on a bunch of limited edition cards a few years back. Since then, they've teamed up with the likes of Oscar de la Renta, Kelly Wearstler, and goop pal, Derek Blasberg on tons of digital and physical invitations (many free options, too!). They also do brisk business with birthday cards and personal stationery.

Founded by a bridal magazine editor who brought a big fat Rolodex, The Bridal Bar is like a virtual concierge for wedding planning specializing in the Los Angeles and San Diego Areas. They vet vendors in every category, going way beyond photographers and wedding planners—you can come to them for bachelorette party suggestions, honeymoon ideas, and cinematographers. The best part? It's completely free. Photo credit: Docuvitae