Bay Area Wedding Planner – Brannan Events & Design

 

Bay Area wedding planner Elise Brannan creates stunning weddings and events.  She offers a variety of services including coordination, design, and planning.  Her specialty is thoughtful design with artisan details.  The weddings she designs are at the same time artistic and elegant, timeless yet modern, and always full of emotion.  

She infuses a love of travel and different aesthetics seamlessly into her creations.  Elise’s work is a direct reflection of her clients’ own personality and style.  It’s something I value so much with any service based artist.  My own work is rooted in this philosophy and it’s why I admire Elise’s approach so much.  I asked Elise to talk about her incredible weddings and the place the calls home.

Bay Area wedding planner, Elise Brannan 

Hi! I’m Elise Brannan, the owner and lead designer for Brannan Events & Design. I live in the Bay Area with my husband, Michael, and our two fur babies, Daisy and Carli. We’re vegan, yogi’s that love travel and nature!

We work with our clients to create their dream wedding or event! We offer planning, design and coordination for clients. Of that my favorite part is the design process. My goal is to infuse my clients personality, personal life, and interests in their event design. I’m also passionate about the environment and I like to help my clients be sustainable, any way they can.

Brannan Events and Design’s ideal clients

My ideal clients are fun loving, adventurous couples. They love intentional design and have a passion for nature and our environment. They also trust the process and aren’t stressing by feeling behind/overwhelmed.

Brannan Event’s wedding style

I love outdoor, destination weddings. I prefer intimate guest counts so you can focus on those small details! In California, we’re lucky to have many “destination” locations, right in our backyard. Any chance to travel- I’m in! I’d describe my style as bohemian, whimsical, romantic and fresh :-). 

Elise’s approach to working with couples

I want my clients to have the best planning experience possible! Since I’m boutique, I only take on about 10-15 events a year. That gives me the opportunity to spend a lot of 1-on-1 time with clients. I want them to feel like they have a professional and a friend guiding them through the wedding process.

Bringing a couple’s personality and style into their wedding?

This is something that’s hugely important to me! At our first meeting we discuss not only design preferences, but we talk about their style. Things like home interior tastes, and even the favorite parts of their home. I also ask about the couple’s favorite joint activities. Shows they binge and people that are most important to them. Thru these questions, I’m able to pick out things that will transition into their wedding!

Favorite and least favorite wedding trends

I love first looks and personal vows. At a first look, the bride and groom meet privately before the ceremony. It’s such a special time for the couple to love, support, and help ground each other before they officially say “I do”!  Not too many dislikes, although I’m never a fan of a cheesy MC.

What’s special about Bay Area weddings

There are so many things! The food options are phenomenal and you can find a caterer for anything! As I said before, you have access to so many unique destinations close by. Places like like San Francisco, Woodside, Napa/Sonoma, Santa Cruz, and even Sacramento!

Making out of town guests feel welcome 

A sweet welcome bag at their hotel room and a welcome dinner is always a great way to greet out of town guests. It helps make them feel right at home!

Favorite venues in the Area?

The Pearl in San Francisco is great. Calistoga Ranch in Napa. Filoli Gardens in Woodside and The Barn at Green Valley in Fairfield too!

Best season for a wedding in the San Francisco area

I love spring flowers and everything is blooming here April-August. Fall is ultra romantic too! If I had to pick, I’d say late spring/early summer!

Working with the wedding photographer

I usually review the important design details with them ahead of time. As a result, they know what are priorities to capture. I also LOVE flat-lay styling. I prep that or collaborate with the photographer for those detail shots!

Favorite Bay Area wedding vendors to work with

Bridal Salons: Kinsely James Couture Bridal , Jin Wang Bridal , Lovely Bride SF 

Caterers: Taste Catering, Paula Le Duc, Culinary Eye Catering, Souley Vegan

Florists: Tumbleweed Floral Truck , Amanda Vidmar , Enchantment Floral , Bewilder Floral

Bands: Cosmo Alley Cats , The 415’s, Ivy Hill Entertainment

MUAs: Status Salon, Bridal MUAH, Marisa Parel

DJs: Heart of Gold DJs, Nor Cal Pro Sound , Ivy Hill Entertainment