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Everything you need for a California wedding

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Participants AElizabeth Kimbrisktinker15Sam Kim12Nicholas Gonzalez28Michael Ramos10Harold Ortiz61Jessica Wood5Alexander Ruiz2Thomas Sanchez532Sean Long4northernpilot72Raymond Brooks7mistylynx13rapidmason10Aaron Garcia80Taylor Walker17silvernomad21Linda Jones11Raymond Foster69Arthur RamosAlex Carter3Adam Walker19David King72 …
Rebecca Vaughn7 Rebecca Vaughn7 Active Member
85 messages
joined Dec 2010
#3081 ·
gentlepilot9 said:Hey everyone, I’m starting to map out a wedding for this coming summer with a guest list of somewhere around 80 to 90 people. We were originally looking at booking Amigos, but it turns out they don't actually handle weddings during July or August, which is a bit of a bummer.
We’ve been checking out George’s restaurant over in Philadelphia lately, and I was just wondering if anyone here has ever worked with them or maybe attended an event there? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how the food is! Thanks so much, cheers!

I’d suggest Diocletian. It’s right near George's, just across the street heading toward San Francisco—you can't miss it, right by that little intersection with the convenience store, the playground, and the gravel parking lot.

We bailed on George's the second we saw the owner. Zero professionalism, zero courtesy. To make matters worse, they started making a fuss about putting flowers on the tables... acting like it was impossible, or implying we'd have to pay extra for it. Wtf.
gentlepilot9 gentlepilot9 Member
26 messages
joined Jun 2011
#3082 ·
I think we’re actually leaning towards picking Friends after all, so we'll probably just push the wedding back about six months. We already know a few couples who held their big day there, which makes it feel much more solid,
plus there’s honestly plenty of room for around 90 guests. Hey, didn't you host a wedding over at Diocletian once, Rebecca Vaughn7? I was wondering what the pricing looked like there.
Rebecca Vaughn7 Rebecca Vaughn7 Active Member
85 messages
joined Dec 2010
#3083 ·
gentlepilot9 said:I think we’re actually leaning towards picking Friends after all, so we'll probably just push the wedding back about six months. We already know a few couples who held their big day there, which makes it feel much more solid,
plus there’s honestly plenty of room for around 90 guests. Hey, didn't you host a wedding over at Diocletian once, Rebecca Vaughn7? I was wondering what the pricing looked like there.

I actually went with Friends 😍 but Diocletian was our runner-up. The space is gorgeous, and a close friend of mine got married there, so I know the service is top-tier. We basically flipped a coin between the two and ended up choosing Friends... mostly because the young owner, Joseph, is incredibly affordable and patient. He’ll go out of his way to accommodate just about anything you need.👍👍👍

As for the capacity at Friends... it can handle 100 people if you opt for long rectangular tables instead of rounds. If you insist on round tables, make sure you don't exceed 90 guests, otherwise you simply won't be able to fit enough tables in the room. And for heaven's sake, remember to account for the band, the videographer, and the photographer. We thought we’d cap it at 90 too, but we ended up with 105 and it was total chaos trying to figure out the seating. In the end, we put all the relatives at round tables and sat all our friends at one long rectangular table—it worked out perfectly.

One more tip: if you don't want people constantly walking past your head while you're at the head table, don't put it right next to those central glass doors. Put it in the far left wing of the hall. That’s what we did, and it was brilliant. You aren't staring down a hallway of foot traffic, yet you can still see everything; you feel centered without feeling like you're on display in a storefront window. 👍

Oh, and as far as I recall, the pricing at Friends and Diocletian is identical.
gentlepilot9 gentlepilot9 Member
26 messages
joined Jun 2011
#3084 ·
If we’re counting the photographer and the band toward that 90-person total, I was thinking maybe round tables would be better, mostly because they just look so much more elegant to me—plus, they’re way more practical since you don't have five people having to shift seats every time one person decides to get up from the table. We'll see how it plays out, though, because it always seems like at the very last second someone either drops out or, heaven forbid, you realize you completely forgot to send someone an invite! 😢

I just took a quick peek at the numbers since my boss is tied up with the group project right now, but I’m planning to sit down next week and really dive into all the details. Do you have any pointers on what I should be looking out for while I'm planning this?
Regarding the cost, I’m actually feeling pretty good about it because everything is bundled together—drinks, all the decor, everything except for the floral arrangements for the head table—and if we decide to go beyond just appetizers and want some stronger spirits, we can just bring our own. Did you recently host a party over at Friends? And where did you order those desserts from? How many should I grab, and how far in advance should I get them ordered? Thanks so much for the help, because I've only just started this whole process and I'm already starting to panic that I won't find a photographer or a band in time... ugh, at least the guest list is sorted for now! 🙂
Rebecca Vaughn7 Rebecca Vaughn7 Active Member
85 messages
joined Dec 2010
#3085 ·
gentlepilot9 said:If we’re counting the photographer and the band toward that 90-person total, I was thinking maybe round tables would be better, mostly because they just look so much more elegant to me—plus, they’re way more practical since you don't have five people having to shift seats every time one person decides to get up from the table. We'll see how it plays out, though, because it always seems like at the very last second someone either drops out or, heaven forbid, you realize you completely forgot to send someone an invite! 😢

I just took a quick peek at the numbers since my boss is tied up with the group project right now, but I’m planning to sit down next week and really dive into all the details. Do you have any pointers on what I should be looking out for while I'm planning this?
Regarding the cost, I’m actually feeling pretty good about it because everything is bundled together—drinks, all the decor, everything except for the floral arrangements for the head table—and if we decide to go beyond just appetizers and want some stronger spirits, we can just bring our own. Did you recently host a party over at Friends? And where did you order those desserts from? How many should I grab, and how far in advance should I get them ordered? Thanks so much for the help, because I've only just started this whole process and I'm already starting to panic that I won't find a photographer or a band in time... ugh, at least the guest list is sorted for now! 🙂

I was there during my 10th month. 😬

We ordered the cakes from Viacom... for homemade stuff, definitely ask the owner if you're allowed to bring them 😉 because by law, everyone needs a certificate. Otherwise, I highly recommend dry cookies for summer events, regardless of who makes them, just so things don't get... well, you know.
I don't think I missed anything regarding the layout... oh, right. If your head table isn't placed by those glass doors, the band can be set up in front of the small doors instead. In that case, they close off, leaving way more room for dancing. The main doors are those glass ones that open toward the beach; I strongly suggest that setup. You can ask Joseph about the floor plan from the party on October 23, 2010. He can show you how it looked—I'm not certain, but I think it was his first time organizing a space like that, and he seemed genuinely surprised by how functional it was, if he wasn't just being polite (and he doesn't look like the type to fake it). 👍
The food is great, the servers are polite... a solid 5/5. 😉

Good luck!!!!!!!😍

Edit: I just remembered... we also had two orders of their seafood pastries for the appetizer, and they were phenomenal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They were ready in no time!div>
David King72 David King72 Regular
299 messages
joined Apr 2008
#3086 ·
gentlepilot9 said:Hey everyone, I’m starting to map out a wedding for this coming summer with a guest list of somewhere around 80 to 90 people. We were originally looking at booking Amigos, but it turns out they don't actually handle weddings during July or August, which is a bit of a bummer.
We’ve been checking out George’s restaurant over in Philadelphia lately, and I was just wondering if anyone here has ever worked with them or maybe attended an event there? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how the food is! Thanks so much, cheers!

I actually attended a party at Diocletian once, and if I recall correctly, I wrote a post about that venue somewhere else on this forum.
Honestly, kudos to 👍👍👍👍, their service was great when I was there; we had a group of nearly 100 people and they really held their own.
David King72 David King72 Regular
299 messages
joined Apr 2008
#3087 ·
Rebecca Vaughn7 so, how much did you guys end up paying over at Friends
gentlepilot9 gentlepilot9 Member
26 messages
joined Jun 2011
#3088 ·
So, I was just scrolling through the forums for a little while and ended up stumbling upon Rebecca Vaughn7's wedding reviews. By any chance, do you have a link to your band, 021? I'd love to give them a listen! I've actually jotted down a few different bands already so I can start making some calls.
Regarding the vibe of the music, I’m definitely not looking for anything involving country or folk music—not my style at all. Instead, I'm leaning towards pop, rock, or maybe some classic West Coast vibes... does anyone have any other recommendations for a DJ or band that fits that mood?
My biggest worry is just making sure the atmosphere stays classy; I really want to avoid a situation where guests start jumping onto the stage to grab drinks or heckling the musicians while they're mid-song... 😕
Rebecca Vaughn7 Rebecca Vaughn7 Active Member
85 messages
joined Dec 2010
#3089 ·
David King72 said:Rebecca Vaughn7 so, how much did you guys end up paying over at Friends

It was $42 per person. We added an octopus salad appetizer ($2) to our order, plus there was a $2 charge for chair covers. If you skip those extras, you can get by for about $38.
Rebecca Vaughn7 Rebecca Vaughn7 Active Member
85 messages
joined Dec 2010
#3090 ·
gentlepilot9 said:So, I was just scrolling through the forums for a little while and ended up stumbling upon Rebecca Vaughn7's wedding reviews. By any chance, do you have a link to your band, 021? I'd love to give them a listen! I've actually jotted down a few different bands already so I can start making some calls.
Regarding the vibe of the music, I’m definitely not looking for anything involving country or folk music—not my style at all. Instead, I'm leaning towards pop, rock, or maybe some classic West Coast vibes... does anyone have any other recommendations for a DJ or band that fits that mood?
My biggest worry is just making sure the atmosphere stays classy; I really want to avoid a situation where guests start jumping onto the stage to grab drinks or heckling the musicians while they're mid-song... 😕

They don't have a link, but I can PM you their number.🙂

As for rock, the Pink Panther is hands down the best, no contest.
gentlepilot9 gentlepilot9 Member
26 messages
joined Jun 2011
#3091 ·
I was just sitting here wondering if anyone might have some insight into what the deal is with photo zumba and papaya? I'm trying to get a sense of how they operate and, more importantly, what kind of price range we're looking at for those...
Raymond Brooks7 Raymond Brooks7 Active Member
246 messages
joined Apr 2008
#3092 ·
Rebecca Vaughn7 said:They don't have a link, but I can PM you their number.🙂

As for rock, the Pink Panther is hands down the best, no contest.

I'll throw in Bad Boys too...
gentlepilot9 said:I was just sitting here wondering if anyone might have some insight into what the deal is with photo zumba and papaya? I'm trying to get a sense of how they operate and, more importantly, what kind of price range we're looking at for those...

Papaya is top-tier. Nicholas used to work with Matthews and the shots are stellar. As for current pricing? Hard to say. It all hinges on which package you pick. Just call them and ask.

By the way, my vote goes to Friends. I've been there for a few weddings and everything was flawless. Plus, they're right by the beach.👍
Richard Peterson3 Richard Peterson3 Newcomer
4 messages
joined Sep 2010
#3093 ·
gentlepilot9 said:I was just sitting here wondering if anyone might have some insight into what the deal is with photo zumba and papaya? I'm trying to get a sense of how they operate and, more importantly, what kind of price range we're looking at for those...

Papaja is my go-to 🙂 and they charge something like $1,200 for a basic package—you get an album with 200 photos, 7 short clips plus one long video on a DVD, another 700 digital shots, and 100 thank-you cards—but I have zero clue about Zumba.
gentlepilot9 gentlepilot9 Member
26 messages
joined Jun 2011
#3094 ·
Richard Peterson3;30993131 said:Papaya is my 🙂 and their basic package—which includes an album with 200 photos, 7 short clips, one long video on a DVD, plus another 700 photos and 100 thank-you cards—runs about $1,200, though I’m not sure about the Zumba stuff.[/Q

Honestly, that price seems pretty fair considering everything you listed there... I was wondering, though, do they give those extra 700 photos to you on a CD as unedited files?? Personally, I feel like my entire wedding video probably lasts maybe 45 minutes tops, because I really don't have much patience for those super long DVDs. And honestly, you can never have too many pictures! 🤣

Thanks, Raymond Brooks7! I've been following this group for quite a while now, and I've noticed that the Friends always seem to have a mountain of glowing recommendations without any complaints at all... so, it looks like the Friends is the winner then! 🙂🙂🙂🙂
Nicholas Hernandez7 Nicholas Hernandez7 Member
11 messages
joined Jan 2011
#3095 ·
Could someone please DM me the number for the Bad Boys? Thanks so much! 🙂
Nicholas Hernandez7 Nicholas Hernandez7 Member
11 messages
joined Jan 2011
#3096 ·
I hope I’m not breaking any rules by cross-posting my message from the alternative location thread... Anyway,

For our alternative location, I was thinking we could look for a club, a lounge, or perhaps a villa/restaurant setup somewhere in the San Francisco area...
The main requirements are that it needs to be spacious and airy, with enough potential that we can really make it shine with just a few decorations. It would be absolutely perfect if there were a pool on-site, though obviously, that isn't a dealbreaker. We're expecting about 100 guests.

So, naturally, I am going to need your help!

Please chime in with whatever comes to mind, provided it fits the criteria mentioned above...
Thanks so much!!!
fadedpuma21 fadedpuma21 Newcomer
8 messages
joined Aug 2010
#3097 ·
gentlepilot9 said:I think we’re actually leaning towards picking Friends after all, so we'll probably just push the wedding back about six months. We already know a few couples who held their big day there, which makes it feel much more solid,
plus there’s honestly plenty of room for around 90 guests. Hey, didn't you host a wedding over at Diocletian once, Rebecca Vaughn7? I was wondering what the pricing looked like there.

I’m currently five months into planning at Friends; I'm looking at roughly 120 guests, so round tables are definitely off the table for us. Every bit of feedback I've heard about Friends has been positive, so I'm crossing my fingers that everything turns out great! I'll reach out with a full report once the reception is over. :-)
How many people actually attended your friends' reception? And was there enough floor space for dancing?
fadedpuma21 fadedpuma21 Newcomer
8 messages
joined Aug 2010
#3098 ·
Nicholas Hernandez7 said:I hope I’m not breaking any rules by cross-posting my message from the alternative location thread... Anyway,

For our alternative location, I was thinking we could look for a club, a lounge, or perhaps a villa/restaurant setup somewhere in the San Francisco area...
The main requirements are that it needs to be spacious and airy, with enough potential that we can really make it shine with just a few decorations. It would be absolutely perfect if there were a pool on-site, though obviously, that isn't a dealbreaker. We're expecting about 100 guests.

So, naturally, I am going to need your help!

Please chime in with whatever comes to mind, provided it fits the criteria mentioned above...
Thanks so much!!!

For a group that size, I know of Diocletian and Friends in Malibu (around $40 per person, all-inclusive), and everything I’ve heard about both places has been glowing. I leaned toward Friends because it’s right on the beach. You also have George in Malibu, but I’m not sure how many people can actually fit there. Then there’s San Antonio—I don't recall the exact price, but I know it's pricier than Diocletian or Friends, and drinks aren't included in the package—and Arcade (though I've never actually been there, so I can't give you a real opinion).
Nicholas Hernandez7 Nicholas Hernandez7 Member
11 messages
joined Jan 2011
#3099 ·
fadedpuma21 said:For a group that size, I know of Diocletian and Friends in Malibu (around $40 per person, all-inclusive), and everything I’ve heard about both places has been glowing. I leaned toward Friends because it’s right on the beach. You also have George in Malibu, but I’m not sure how many people can actually fit there. Then there’s San Antonio—I don't recall the exact price, but I know it's pricier than Diocletian or Friends, and drinks aren't included in the package—and Arcade (though I've never actually been there, so I can't give you a real opinion).

I wasn't actually thinking of standard restaurants, mainly because we are hiring a catering service, so all we really need is space.

Thanks so much regardless; I truly appreciate any suggestions! 👍
David King72 David King72 Regular
299 messages
joined Apr 2008
#3100 ·
Nicholas Hernandez7 said:I wasn't actually thinking of standard restaurants, mainly because we are hiring a catering service, so all we really need is space.

Thanks so much regardless; I truly appreciate any suggestions! 👍

Maybe look into the Hilton, or there's that other hotel right next to it that actually has a pool, and you're right by the ocean

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