Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting yet stressful journeys couples embark upon. With so many decisions to make— from the theme and venue to food and décor— it's easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why finding the right venue and event planner is key to transforming your wedding day vision into a beautiful reality. Recently, we had the pleasure of speaking with Maya from Our Place Event Space and Kitchen in Old Sacramento, where she shared invaluable insights into her approach to weddings and what’s trending this year.
From Passion to Profession
Maya has been in the business for 17 years, starting with small events for friends before realizing she could turn her passion into a full-fledged career. Her journey has been all about growth—learning to charge what she’s worth, perfecting her craft, and eventually teaming up with a business partner who handles the catering side of the operation.
Together, they’ve built a venue that’s more than just a beautiful space—it’s a place where couples’ dreams come to life. Located in the heart of Old Sacramento, Our Place offers the charming ambiance of historic architecture, backed by expert planning and customized catering.
Current Wedding Trends: Personalized and Budget-Friendly
Maya is at the forefront of wedding trends, and she loves working with couples who have a vision—no matter their budget. This year, pastel colors and Bridgerton-inspired styles are all the rage, with wildflowers and heart-shaped cakes taking center stage. Gone are the towering, multi-tiered cakes; instead, couples are opting for personalized cakes for photo ops and serving dessert bars or sheet cakes for guests.
Another unique trend? Permanent wedding favors like flash tattoos! Maya shared how one couple chose this bold idea, allowing guests to leave the wedding with a permanent memento. According to Maya, it’s ideas like these that make modern weddings memorable and truly unique.
Food and Catering Trends: Grazing Tables and Late-Night Snacks
When it comes to food, Maya is noticing a shift away from heavy entrees to lighter, more casual options like grazing tables filled with hummus, spinach dip, cheeses, and fruits. These allow guests to snack throughout the evening, saving room (and budget) for more creative offerings later in the night, like taco bars, churros, and even miniature pancakes.
Late-night snacks are here to stay, giving guests a second wind after dancing the night away. Brick-oven pizzas, nachos, and other delicious comfort foods are popular options that make the night fun and satisfying.
The Importance of Personalization
Whether a couple comes in with a perfectly curated Pinterest board or just a few ideas, Maya’s goal is to help them create a wedding day that’s truly their own. She stresses the importance of focusing on what the couple wants—not what their family or Instagram says they should want.
Maya’s calm demeanor and background as a high school counselor enable her to bring a sense of peace to what can otherwise be a stressful day. She advocates for staying focused on the end goal: celebrating love. “It’s not about the wedding,” she says. “It’s about the marriage.”
A Planner vs. Day-Of Coordinator
Maya also broke down the difference between a full planner and a day-of coordinator. A full planner helps couples from day one, assisting with everything from negotiating vendors to designing the perfect tablescape. A day-of coordinator, on the other hand, steps in about four to six weeks before the wedding to ensure everything runs smoothly on the big day.
Having at least a day-of coordinator can be a game-changer, allowing couples to relax and enjoy their day without worrying about the logistics. Maya emphasizes that it’s worth the investment for peace of mind—letting you and your family focus on celebrating rather than stressing.
Making Your Budget Work for You
Budgeting is a huge part of wedding planning, and Maya is dedicated to helping couples have the day of their dreams without breaking the bank. Her advice? Make a list of “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves,” and prioritize what’s most important. Consider buying gently-used décor from other brides on Facebook Marketplace or getting creative with DIY projects to keep costs down.
When it comes to catering, she advises working backwards from your total food budget and choosing a menu that fits within it. And while filet mignon may not be an option for every guest, couples can often compromise by offering a mix of high-end and more budget-friendly choices.
Final Thoughts: Stay True to Yourselves
Above all, Maya encourages couples to make their wedding day about them—no one else. It’s easy to get caught up in the opinions of family and friends or the pressure to recreate a lavish Pinterest wedding, but at the end of the day, the most important thing is celebrating your love in a way that feels authentic to you.
Whether you’re planning a luxurious event or an intimate gathering, Maya and her team at Our Place Event Space and Kitchen are ready to bring your vision to life. So, make their place yours—and get ready to enjoy the calm in the storm that Maya and her team bring to every celebration.