Everything you need for a California wedding

Joining the conversation here 😁
I’ve been reading through everything from the start—there is a massive amount of info here—so while I work my way through the archives, I’ll just lay out what we're looking for. If anyone can help, thanks in advance 😛
We’re based in Los Angeles, and the wedding needs to happen within the next 10 months 😉
We both love the outdoors—we have roots in rural areas—and we want a venue near a river that can host up to 200 people (we're finalizing the guest list this weekend)
The main issue: guests are coming from all over the country, so it would be great to get lodging sorted immediately for those traveling from far away
Our wishlist: plenty of food—more than enough—that stays replenished; waiters who are smiling, quick, unobtrusive, yet helpful; a band that covers everything from classic rock to mainstream hits and actually knows how to keep the energy up (I have zero patience for bad performances); and a photographer who can deliver unique shots with the thank-you photos ready by midnight at the latest
Current short list: a local steakhouse in Riverside, a bistro in Riverside, or maybe Castle Slanica at the Radmanov mills...
Viva is already booked, and they were our top pick
Regarding photographers, does Fox seem like the best bet?
And we need to pull all of this together in about 4 months tops...
Thanks to everyone helping me out

Jesse Kern9 said:Joining the conversation here 😁
I’ve been reading through everything from the start—there is a massive amount of info here—so while I work my way through the archives, I’ll just lay out what we're looking for. If anyone can help, thanks in advance 😛
We’re based in Los Angeles, and the wedding needs to happen within the next 10 months 😉
We both love the outdoors—we have roots in rural areas—and we want a venue near a river that can host up to 200 people (we're finalizing the guest list this weekend)
The main issue: guests are coming from all over the country, so it would be great to get lodging sorted immediately for those traveling from far away
Our wishlist: plenty of food—more than enough—that stays replenished; waiters who are smiling, quick, unobtrusive, yet helpful; a band that covers everything from classic rock to mainstream hits and actually knows how to keep the energy up (I have zero patience for bad performances); and a photographer who can deliver unique shots with the thank-you photos ready by midnight at the latest
Current short list: a local steakhouse in Riverside, a bistro in Riverside, or maybe Castle Slanica at the Radmanov mills...
Viva is already booked, and they were our top pick
Regarding photographers, does Fox seem like the best bet?
And we need to pull all of this together in about 4 months tops...
Thanks to everyone helping me out

It will be difficult to pull everything together according to your specific wishes in just 4 months. Try heading over to the private chat; maybe some of the other women there can give you a hand. (Personally, I have Viva and Fox booked for October, and I didn't make the reservation until September last year.) 😉

Jesse Kern9 said:Joining the conversation here 😁
I’ve been reading through everything from the start—there is a massive amount of info here—so while I work my way through the archives, I’ll just lay out what we're looking for. If anyone can help, thanks in advance 😛
We’re based in Los Angeles, and the wedding needs to happen within the next 10 months 😉
We both love the outdoors—we have roots in rural areas—and we want a venue near a river that can host up to 200 people (we're finalizing the guest list this weekend)
The main issue: guests are coming from all over the country, so it would be great to get lodging sorted immediately for those traveling from far away
Our wishlist: plenty of food—more than enough—that stays replenished; waiters who are smiling, quick, unobtrusive, yet helpful; a band that covers everything from classic rock to mainstream hits and actually knows how to keep the energy up (I have zero patience for bad performances); and a photographer who can deliver unique shots with the thank-you photos ready by midnight at the latest
Current short list: a local steakhouse in Riverside, a bistro in Riverside, or maybe Castle Slanica at the Radmanov mills...
Viva is already booked, and they were our top pick
Regarding photographers, does Fox seem like the best bet?
And we need to pull all of this together in about 4 months tops...
Thanks to everyone helping me out

Just a heads up regarding that restaurant near LA—I've never been there myself, but I've heard from a few people that it isn't all that great...
But as for Castle Slanica? I definitely vouch for them! 👍

I hosted my wedding at Castle Slanica... and honestly, everything went exactly according to plan. I’d recommend them in a heartbeat...

As for photographers—if you're looking for someone on the level of Fox or Matthews... my guess is they've been booked solid for ages. Better check their availability early just in case...

The music situation? That's a whole different headache. It looks like you might have to be a bit flexible with your expectations or try to play Tetris with those big names' schedules to make something work...

Anyway, good luck!

Hey, I’ve got a bit of a situation. I have a wedding coming up next Saturday, and I really want to test out a hairstyle at her reception before my own big day. Does anyone have a solid recommendation for a hair stylist? I’m honestly drawing a blank here...

hollowpilot58 said:True. They could have world-class vocals, but if they can't build an atmosphere and push the energy when it counts, what's the point?
Then again, if the crowd at the party is just dead weight—sitting around and refusing to dance—you can't blame the music. You blame the guests.

Take this for example: there was this band, let's call them The Killers, absolute pros, guaranteed to bring the vibe. But I went to one of their shows where people just sat there, the AC was broken, and it was a sweltering summer night. Everyone was hovering by the exits to escape the heat while the band kept pushing through. It wasn't the band's fault—everyone knows they're incredible—it was the crowd.

I had a similar experience during a summer wedding where it was insanely hot, but the guests were practically waiting on the dance floor for the next set, and as soon as the first beat dropped, the floor would fill up instantly. Not to mention, some guests from the reception in the room next to ours 😁

There's a lot of different factors, but the most important thing is having good people around you. Honestly, I'm happy for people getting married, and the fun won't be lacking. I've listened to absolutely terrible bands at weddings before, yet the dance floor was rarely empty. 😉

Jesse Kern9 said:Joining the conversation here 😁
I’ve been reading through everything from the start—there is a massive amount of info here—so while I work my way through the archives, I’ll just lay out what we're looking for. If anyone can help, thanks in advance 😛
We’re based in Los Angeles, and the wedding needs to happen within the next 10 months 😉
We both love the outdoors—we have roots in rural areas—and we want a venue near a river that can host up to 200 people (we're finalizing the guest list this weekend)
The main issue: guests are coming from all over the country, so it would be great to get lodging sorted immediately for those traveling from far away
Our wishlist: plenty of food—more than enough—that stays replenished; waiters who are smiling, quick, unobtrusive, yet helpful; a band that covers everything from classic rock to mainstream hits and actually knows how to keep the energy up (I have zero patience for bad performances); and a photographer who can deliver unique shots with the thank-you photos ready by midnight at the latest
Current short list: a local steakhouse in Riverside, a bistro in Riverside, or maybe Castle Slanica at the Radmanov mills...
Viva is already booked, and they were our top pick
Regarding photographers, does Fox seem like the best bet?
And we need to pull all of this together in about 4 months tops...
Thanks to everyone helping me out

If that river setting is important to you, you DEFINITELY need to go check out Castle Slanica. I think they could probably handle the lodging for you too. 😉
Besides Viva, I know Bravo Band is great, and as for the photographer, I'm rooting for Fox—he did a wedding for a friend recently and the photos were absolutely stunning. 😍

Alexander Ruiz2 said:If that river setting is important to you, you DEFINITELY need to go check out Castle Slanica. I think they could probably handle the lodging for you too. 😉
Besides Viva, I know Bravo Band is great, and as for the photographer, I'm rooting for Fox—he did a wedding for a friend recently and the photos were absolutely stunning. 😍

Exactly... you basically just copied my entire list... Castle Slanica... Bravo Band... Fox... and yeah, I stand by those recommendations. Plus, if you need a place to stay in Slanica, they can sort you out at the Radmanov mills... that's where we stayed. God, breakfast there was pure bliss. The river was rushing nearby... just perfect.😍

Due to some health issues hitting close to home, 😢 we’re going to have to cancel our September celebration.

Venue: Hilton - $41 per person
Music: Amor Band
Photographer: California Photo
Church: at Sustipan

If anyone wants to take over this date, hit us up at brightmarlin25@email.com

Thanks

Hey, I really need some help here... looking for an amazing caterer ASAP. I tried calling a local favorite, but they're already booked out a year in advance!

What's the deal?

Andrew Wilson9 said:Hey, I really need some help here... looking for an amazing caterer ASAP. I tried calling a local favorite, but they're already booked out a year in advance!

I'll shoot you a DM with the contact info for some folks I know—Dragun. They did an incredible job for a girl who used to post under the handle "future bride," and honestly, I can't say enough good things about them.👍>

rapidmason10 said:I'll shoot you a DM with the contact info for some folks I know—Dragun. They did an incredible job for a girl who used to post under the handle "future bride," and honestly, I can't say enough good things about them.👍>

I have to jump in and second that—Dragun is absolutely fantastic! 👍

I guess I was wondering if any of you ladies planning a wedding out in California might happen to have some local folk musicians or a band available for the reception?

Thomas Jones12 said:I guess I was wondering if any of you ladies planning a wedding out in California might happen to have some local folk musicians or a band available for the reception?

I’ll pass. Not my cup of tea.😉

Emily Sanders3 said:Thanks so much! 👍
They shot my high school graduation, and then they did my brother's wedding—which was basically the "low-budget" version of our family celebrations—so we figured we might as well keep the tradition going. 😍

I used California Photo, shots aren't ready yet but the crew is absolute fire...🙏🙏👍😍, they shot my cousin too and his pics are killer...

Thomas Jones12 said:I guess I was wondering if any of you ladies planning a wedding out in California might happen to have some local folk musicians or a band available for the reception?

Ugh, I had a live band for my house party and even during the reception—they played during the breaks and everyone absolutely loved it. It was just an accordion, mandolin, upright bass, and guitar...👍

Homework assignment... leave some thoughts on The Glass Lady. Also, does anyone happen to know what the price tag is?
Since my only source of info is the web... everything I've seen so far looks pretty good to me...
My only gripe is the singer's voice—I managed to catch a snippet of her 🤔

👋

Megan Reyes73 said:Ugh, I had a live band for my house party and even during the reception—they played during the breaks and everyone absolutely loved it. It was just an accordion, mandolin, upright bass, and guitar...👍

Can you please DM me their number and let me know what you paid them? Thanks!

Raymond Brooks7 said:Exactly... you basically just copied my entire list... Castle Slanica... Bravo Band... Fox... and yeah, I stand by those recommendations. Plus, if you need a place to stay in Slanica, they can sort you out at the Radmanov mills... that's where we stayed. God, breakfast there was pure bliss. The river was rushing nearby... just perfect.😍

So there 😁 Basically means you had a very lovely wedding 😉