Everything you need for a California wedding

hey, anyone heading to that bridal boutique in downtown Chicago? anything actually worth looking at there?

Hey guys, can someone shoot me a DM if you've ever had a wedding at Friends or attended one there? I have a few specific questions about the details and don't want to clog up the public thread. Thanks! 🙂

So, it's me again, checking in nearly four months after the big party 😛 We’re still stuck waiting on those damn photos and videos... the photographer keeps dragging his feet. Do you guys think they should drop the price if they're two months late on delivery??? 😠

So, do you actually have any penalties baked into your contracts?

Maria Bailey4 said:hey, anyone heading to that bridal boutique in downtown Chicago? anything actually worth looking at there?

I wouldn't recommend it... The owner basically keeps all the gowns in one tiny little room in her house, maybe ten square feet, right next to a pretty unpleasant bathroom. Most of what they have are just basic crinolines, and even the ones that aren't, they're mostly just plain satin...

feralsurfer3 said:So, it's me again, checking in nearly four months after the big party 😛 We’re still stuck waiting on those damn photos and videos... the photographer keeps dragging his feet. Do you guys think they should drop the price if they're two months late on delivery??? 😠

If your contract actually specifies a deadline for when the photos and video need to be handed over, then yeah, you definitely have some leverage to hold back a portion of the payment. If it helps at all, my wedding was back on August 31st, and we haven't seen a single thing yet... honestly, I don't see them being ready for at least another two weeks, maybe longer... but the catch is, we didn't sign a formal contract, let alone one that laid out a specific timeline for the final products.

gentlewolf69 said:If your contract actually specifies a deadline for when the photos and video need to be handed over, then yeah, you definitely have some leverage to hold back a portion of the payment. If it helps at all, my wedding was back on August 31st, and we haven't seen a single thing yet... honestly, I don't see them being ready for at least another two weeks, maybe longer... but the catch is, we didn't sign a formal contract, let alone one that laid out a specific timeline for the final products.

It’s the exact same situation for us. He kept the "contract"—which was basically just a sheet of paper where he jotted down our info—so we're stuck too. But August 31st really was a long time ago. We went with a cheaper option, but I can already tell I'm going to regret trying to save a buck. The photo invitations were stunning, truly mind-blowing, and the thank-you cards? God help us. My groom ended up looking like some weird hybrid of a zombie and a vampire because they went way too heavy on the Photoshop. Who knows what the actual photos will look like... if they aren't terrible, I won't even bother with 🤷

And who was behind the lens for you? You can always just shoot me a DM if you'd rather not say it here in public...

gentlewolf69 said:And who was behind the lens for you? You can always just shoot me a DM if you'd rather not say it here in public...

I’m curious about that too... though I'm inclined to agree—they definitely earned their share of public scrutiny.

photo Mladen 🤷

Hey ladies, for everyone who hit up the expo—does anyone have a list of the prize winners anywhere? 😁

feralsurfer3 said:photo Mladen 🤷

Man, I remember back in the day when this guy first showed up on the forum just to plug himself while tearing everyone else down... they ended up banning him pretty quickly after that. That’s really the only impression he left on me.
Anyway, I hope you get those photos back soon and that they turn out looking just as sharp as the ones on the invitation...

I gotta give a shoutout to Megagraf Studio in San Francisco. We had a contract that promised everything would be ready in 45 days, but they actually missed that deadline by a bit. They gave us one DVD first to check out and see if we wanted any tweaks... we did have some changes, but they handled them without any drama. Then all 10 DVDs arrived about 15 days after that.
We’re super happy with how the photos and the DVDs turned out. The album looks amazing 😍

Paul King5 said:I gotta give a shoutout to Megagraf Studio in San Francisco. We had a contract that promised everything would be ready in 45 days, but they actually missed that deadline by a bit. They gave us one DVD first to check out and see if we wanted any tweaks... we did have some changes, but they handled them without any drama. Then all 10 DVDs arrived about 15 days after that.
We’re super happy with how the photos and the DVDs turned out. The album looks amazing 😍

I'm glad everything went smoothly. We'll just have to see how this next one turns out... hopefully it's actually worth the wait... 😛

Hey ladies... it’s been exactly a month since we tied the knot... we’re expecting the photos any day now... but this four-month wait? Ugh, it’s brutal. I honestly don't know how I'd handle being left hanging like this for so long. As soon as our shots actually arrive, I’ll let you all know... but from the little sneak peeks I’ve managed to catch so far, I have to say, everything looks absolutely perfect. 🙂))

So, I finally had my very first wedding dress fitting today 🙂
I hit up La Perla and Lipoto.
At La Perla, I spent the first 20 minutes just flipping through catalogs—once I realized I only had about 40 minutes left for the actual fitting, I rushed straight into the dressing room.
I ended up trying on about 8 or 9 dresses.
The selection is honestly amazing, though the prices... well, they're a bit much. The ones I actually liked were going for $5,000, $6,000, or even $2333 just to rent.
I’ve definitely decided on ivory; it just looks so much better with my skin tone. The consultant helping me was absolutely wonderful—really top-tier service, no complaints there.
She actually went ahead and pulled three specific dresses for me once she caught onto my style, which was such a relief because she wasn't one of those people who overdoes the compliments on every single gown.
Up until now, I thought I was totally against princess cuts (I still am 😁—that's just not my vibe), and mermaid styles too... but surprisingly, the mermaid cut was my favorite. It looks great on me, especially if it's without a corset but with sleeves, since my upper body is pretty slender.

Over at Lipoto, almost everything is ivory and the prices are way more reasonable, plus the staff was lovely. I think I actually found "the one" there... though I'm still planning to check out a few more places (maybe Sposa or Ivo Brnaz). The dress I fell for is $3,500 if I book it right now, otherwise, it's $3,900. And since they have an identical new one arriving in April, this one—which has only been worn once, by the way—will be $1000.

Once I figure out how to upload photos, I might post a 😍

Hey ladies, what’s the verdict on Viadelov cookies? Is the price-to-quality ratio actually worth it, or am I just paying for fancy packaging?
Also—random question—does anyone know of a nonprofit or a special needs association that makes custom wedding thank-you notes? I’ve been thinking it would be pretty cool to support a good cause while getting something unique and meaningful for my guests... you know, something that isn't just some mass-produced card from a big box store.
Thanks in advance!

P.S. See you all at Lion next weekend!!! 😍

cosmicsurfer17 said:Hey ladies, what’s the verdict on Viadelov cookies? Is the price-to-quality ratio actually worth it, or am I just paying for fancy packaging?
Also—random question—does anyone know of a nonprofit or a special needs association that makes custom wedding thank-you notes? I’ve been thinking it would be pretty cool to support a good cause while getting something unique and meaningful for my guests... you know, something that isn't just some mass-produced card from a big box store.
Thanks in advance!

P.S. See you all at Lion next weekend!!! 😍

Viadelov cookies—price $12/lb. Honestly, their Russian tea cakes are easily the best I've ever had, and while the rest of their selection might be just okay for the price, you certainly won't feel embarrassed serving them. 😁
Just go grab some and see for yourself; they're perfectly fine in my book.

cosmicsurfer17 said:Hey ladies, what’s the verdict on Viadelov cookies? Is the price-to-quality ratio actually worth it, or am I just paying for fancy packaging?
Also—random question—does anyone know of a nonprofit or a special needs association that makes custom wedding thank-you notes? I’ve been thinking it would be pretty cool to support a good cause while getting something unique and meaningful for my guests... you know, something that isn't just some mass-produced card from a big box store.
Thanks in advance!

P.S. See you all at Lion next weekend!!! 😍

I know the folks over at Downovac do classic invitations and thank-you cards. Not sure if they do custom little gifts or figurines, but you should definitely reach out and ask.
The Swallow Association usually does whatever you request based on what you agree on.
Not sure about others, maybe check with a local nonprofit for the deaf...

Thanks... 😍