Everything you need for a California wedding

Hey everyone! I'm getting married this November and have a few things I need to figure out:

1. How early should I actually start hunting for a wedding dress? Should I be heading into fittings right now? I know rental prices in San Francisco are going to be higher than somewhere like Sinai, but since David's Bridal carries Pronovias dresses in San Francisco, I'm weighing my options. What has your experience been like with the whole fitting process? Also, does it make sense to opt for a second rental just to save some cash, or is that a waste? And would it be worth driving over to Canada to look?

2. Any shoe recommendations? I'm looking beyond just Ledenko.

3. Cakes and desserts—I'd love your input on quality and pricing. It doesn't have to be limited to San Francisco; I'm interested in anything within the surrounding county.

Thanks! ☕

gentlewolf70 said:Hey everyone! I'm getting married this November and have a few things I need to figure out:

1. How early should I actually start hunting for a wedding dress? Should I be heading into fittings right now? I know rental prices in San Francisco are going to be higher than somewhere like Sinai, but since David's Bridal carries Pronovias dresses in San Francisco, I'm weighing my options. What has your experience been like with the whole fitting process? Also, does it make sense to opt for a second rental just to save some cash, or is that a waste? And would it be worth driving over to Canada to look?

2. Any shoe recommendations? I'm looking beyond just Ledenko.

3. Cakes and desserts—I'd love your input on quality and pricing. It doesn't have to be limited to San Francisco; I'm interested in anything within the surrounding county.

Thanks! ☕

1. Not too early, just go. A friend of mine started looking in Jan/Feb for a November wedding and it was the smartest move. There's so much stress with everything else, so you might as well use your energy while you're still fresh to find the big thing. 🙂

You've got La Perla and Vesna Sposa. It's definitely worth heading to La Perla in Mostar—way more selection and better prices. Vesna Sposa is okay, but watch out because most of those designer dresses are fakes and the prices are insane. If you see a big name, just be sure it's actually legit...

2. I'm not an expert on shoes. Personally, I think Ledenko is a bit overpriced, but if they can make exactly what you want, go for it. Zara often has nice classic pumps for about $133, so that's a solid deal...

3. For cakes, I'd recommend Zenith. They work for me; their cakes are phenomenal and the prices are good.

John Jones12 said:Hi everyone,

Does anyone have suggestions on where to look for bridal jewelry in San Francisco (think necklaces, earrings, or hair accessories)? Thanks in advance.

Zales is the move. Great selection, they're always running sales, and you can find pretty much anything. Especially the one Downtown 😉

Henry Hill26 said:

I was just weighing my options between eating at Grašo or hitting up the Radisson rooftop terrace by the pool.

We actually hosted a party at the Radisson back in October, and honestly? We were blown away. Their whole vibe, the professionalism, the way they handle things... everything was spot on. They checked off every single one of my random requests without breaking a sweat. It was absolute perfection. Highly, highly recommend!

The Radisson was booked up for both our dates, so we ended up going with Grašo instead. It was the only opening they had left.

neonfox32 said:1. Not too early, just go. A friend of mine started looking in Jan/Feb for a November wedding and it was the smartest move. There's so much stress with everything else, so you might as well use your energy while you're still fresh to find the big thing. 🙂

You've got La Perla and Vesna Sposa. It's definitely worth heading to La Perla in Mostar—way more selection and better prices. Vesna Sposa is okay, but watch out because most of those designer dresses are fakes and the prices are insane. If you see a big name, just be sure it's actually legit...

2. I'm not an expert on shoes. Personally, I think Ledenko is a bit overpriced, but if they can make exactly what you want, go for it. Zara often has nice classic pumps for about $133, so that's a solid deal...

3. For cakes, I'd recommend Zenith. They work for me; their cakes are phenomenal and the prices are good.

Thanks 🙂 I guess I'll start my search right after the convention in San Francisco on February 14th.

Does anyone have any intel on that new Lily salon in Trilj? I've heard a massive range of conflicting opinions regarding Mili and Brnaza. Is it even worth making the trip out there?

gentlewolf70 said:Thanks 🙂 I guess I'll start my search right after the convention in San Francisco on February 14th.

Does anyone have any intel on that new Lily salon in Trilj? I've heard a massive range of conflicting opinions regarding Mili and Brnaza. Is it even worth making the trip out there?

Honestly, no clue. I'm living abroad so I'll just buy mine here, but my friends were obsessing over them, so I helped pick out a few pieces.
Like I said, you're better off going to Mostar 🙂

gentlewolf70 said:Thanks 🙂 I guess I'll start my search right after the convention in San Francisco on February 14th.

Does anyone have any intel on that new Lily salon in Trilj? I've heard a massive range of conflicting opinions regarding Mili and Brnaza. Is it even worth making the trip out there?

Hi Coalition, to be honest, I’ve been left feeling quite uncomfortable by the policies over at the Mili salon. I actually visited them early last year with my maid of honor while she was shopping for a wedding in mid-September, and I truly loved the experience—especially their extensive selection of MS dresses, which are exactly what I’ve been dreaming of for my own big day. Personally, I found the atmosphere lovely and the service to be top-notch. My wedding is scheduled for early September, so I reached out to several different boutiques today to schedule fittings. Out of all nine shops I contacted, Mili is the only one that actually turned me away simply because they aren't accepting fittings for September weddings right now. I can certainly respect the logic if they want to ensure every bride gets the exact dress she fell in love with—I see online how often they custom order pieces, and they really are stunning—but when I look at the flexibility offered by other boutiques, I just don't understand why they wouldn't let me come in for a viewing. I had heard some negative feedback from certain girls previously, but since my first visit was so pleasant and our communication over Facebook has always been so cordial, I chose to ignore those comments. Unfortunately, this recent interaction was quite disappointing, and I think I'm going to move on from them.

As for that new shop in Trilj, they were actually at the expo held at the Radisson, and they seemed incredibly welcoming, so I've already gone ahead and booked an appointment. 😉

Larry Smith3 said:Hi Coalition, to be honest, I’ve been left feeling quite uncomfortable by the policies over at the Mili salon. I actually visited them early last year with my maid of honor while she was shopping for a wedding in mid-September, and I truly loved the experience—especially their extensive selection of MS dresses, which are exactly what I’ve been dreaming of for my own big day. Personally, I found the atmosphere lovely and the service to be top-notch. My wedding is scheduled for early September, so I reached out to several different boutiques today to schedule fittings. Out of all nine shops I contacted, Mili is the only one that actually turned me away simply because they aren't accepting fittings for September weddings right now. I can certainly respect the logic if they want to ensure every bride gets the exact dress she fell in love with—I see online how often they custom order pieces, and they really are stunning—but when I look at the flexibility offered by other boutiques, I just don't understand why they wouldn't let me come in for a viewing. I had heard some negative feedback from certain girls previously, but since my first visit was so pleasant and our communication over Facebook has always been so cordial, I chose to ignore those comments. Unfortunately, this recent interaction was quite disappointing, and I think I'm going to move on from them.

As for that new shop in Trilj, they were actually at the expo held at the Radisson, and they seemed incredibly welcoming, so I've already gone ahead and booked an appointment. 😉

That is exactly what happened to me. I contacted Milan Terza and was told I couldn't even come in until late March. I think I'll spend next month scouting other options, and if I don't find "the one" by then, I'll circle back to her at the end of March.

I was also at the Radisson and fell in love with a gown from the Lilly boutique; I haven't booked my slot yet, but I definitely plan to go.

Please, do keep us posted on how it goes. 🙂

gentlewolf70 said:That is exactly what happened to me. I contacted Milan Terza and was told I couldn't even come in until late March. I think I'll spend next month scouting other options, and if I don't find "the one" by then, I'll circle back to her at the end of March.

I was also at the Radisson and fell in love with a gown from the Lilly boutique; I haven't booked my slot yet, but I definitely plan to go.

Please, do keep us posted on how it goes. 🙂

I will 😉

Hey everyone, we're still on the hunt for a wedding photographer since we haven't booked anyone yet. I'd love to hear your recommendations for both photo and video—specifically if you could share some price points. Also, what’s the consensus on Smile Studios? Is their pricing actually worth it? thanks!

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=24ph...8#.Microsoft

Is this some kind of joke? Does anyone actually get what's going on here?

copperowl13 said:http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=24ph...8#.Microsoft

Is this some kind of joke? Does anyone actually get what's going on here?

To looks like the John Doe wedding hall out in Boise to me. But don't quote me on that—I've only ever seen the photos online.

They have a page on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/salonbagusic/timeline

copperowl13 said:http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=24ph...8#.Microsoft

Is this some kind of joke? Does anyone actually get what's going on here?

Exactly. Looks just like John Doe's banquet hall out in Boise—perfect spot for those massive wedding receptions.

"Natural light. As in, Every. Available. Light." By D.H.

Thanks, everyone... this is actually pretty great.

Does anyone know any flower shops in San Francisco or the surrounding area that won't break the bank? What kind of prices should I realistically expect?
How far in advance do I need to order the pastries? 😵😵

Donna Bennett2 said:Does anyone know any flower shops in San Francisco or the surrounding area that won't break the bank? What kind of prices should I realistically expect?
How far in advance do I need to order the pastries? 😵😵

Depends on how many tables you’ve got set up and all that.
I'm gonna grab Anna's flower shop. I'll probably get my ass kicked. $200 My bouquet with the ribbons for my godparents. $100 The table setup I’m dreaming of. Just need a slightly bigger table for the kids.

Hey everyone 🙂
I’m officially on the hunt for a band in the San Francisco/Savannah area, so I was wondering if anyone currently working in the industry could give me a heads-up on some recent ballpark prices. I really don't want to get ripped off or overpay for something mediocre. Any advice or leads would be a huge help. 😁

Nathan Moore94 said:Hey everyone, we're still on the hunt for a wedding photographer since we haven't booked anyone yet. I'd love to hear your recommendations for both photo and video—specifically if you could share some price points. Also, what’s the consensus on Smile Studios? Is their pricing actually worth it? thanks!

If I may be so bold as to offer a personal recommendation, I would point you toward Pixar; they handled my sister's wedding, and honestly, we couldn't have been more thrilled with the results—they were incredibly professional and such a pleasure to work with.

copperhound84 said:Hey everyone 🙂
I’m officially on the hunt for a band in the San Francisco/Savannah area, so I was wondering if anyone currently working in the industry could give me a heads-up on some recent ballpark prices. I really don't want to get ripped off or overpay for something mediocre. Any advice or leads would be a huge help. 😁

If you want a great vibe, I’d highly recommend a group like 7-Eleven; they are fantastic at reading the room and really tailor their set to what the couple actually wants. Now, if you happen to have a bit more wiggle room in your budget, then you absolutely have to look into Milan Terze—honestly, you can't go wrong there, he's easily my number one pick.
From a wedding I recently worked:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c43fz5_uGc

Donna Bennett2 said:Does anyone know any flower shops in San Francisco or the surrounding area that won't break the bank? What kind of prices should I realistically expect?
How far in advance do I need to order the pastries? 😵😵

I’d definitely suggest checking out Kira in Sacramento. They really go the extra mile to make sure you get exactly what you want, and honestly, they have the best rates in the region. For my wedding, I used them for my bouquet, the boutonnieres for the groom and groomsmen, and all the decor for the car and the venue $833. I ended up DIY-ing the boutonnieres for the rest of the guests, and the local parish volunteers handled the church decorations.