Dawn Deardorf, Aurora Catering | Creative Partner Spotlight

March 26, 2025

Creative Partners

Fantasy Sound Event Services is back with another Creative Partner Spotlight! This month, the light is shining on one of the best in the catering business, Dawn Deardorf of Aurora Catering! With years of experience in the wedding industry and a deep passion for cooking and hospitality, Dawn and her husband, Marty, have built a team that brings creativity, warmth, and care to every event. Keep reading to learn more about Dawn’s journey, her favorite wedding moments, and her best advice for engaged couples!

Aurora Catering, Bay Area Wedding Caterer

Tell us a bit about your professional background. What brought you to the event industry?

I used to be a wedding photographer for 20 years. I saw the industry change from film to digital, and that was a great time to explore something new. With my past experience with weddings and my creativity, catering felt like a very good fit.  My husband is passionate about cooking and sharing his love for food with others. He’s the chef, and I handle the business side—it’s a perfect setup for us!

What do you love most about your job at Aurora Catering?

I really love meeting all the different people we work with. Running our own business also gives us a lot of freedom, which is great. But what really gets me is creating those special moments for our clients. You know, Maya Angelou said it best: “People will forget what you did and forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” That really resonates with me.

What’s the most memorable reaction you’ve experienced from a couple on their wedding day?

We were catering up at the Log Cabin in the Presidio in San Francisco. When the couple arrived at the reception the bride came over, gave me a big hug, and said now that she saw me, she could finally relax and enjoy her day. It was such a wonderful feeling!

 If you could share one wedding planning tip with an engaged couple, what would you tell them?

I think planning a wedding is a great way to start building your partnership. If you can make it through the planning process (and travel well together lol), you’re off to a great start! It’s all about teamwork and communication, and if you can nail that, you’ll likely have a happy marriage. Plus, it’s so wonderful to create these special memories together.

If you’re looking for a skilled, caring, and delicious caterer for your wedding, look no further than Dawn & Marty with Aurora Catering! From her beginnings as a wedding photographer to now sharing her creativity through crafting outstanding meals, Dawn has truly done it all. It’s her dedication that makes Aurora Catering stand out on its own. To learn more about Dawn and the team, be sure to visit their website and follow them on Instagram at @auroracaters.

Thank you, Dawn!