Everything you need for a Midwest wedding

I think I saw that there's gonna be a wedding expo happening over in Columbus sometime late January or maybe February!

I’m reaching out from Washington, D.C., asking about wedding options in Columbus. My maid of honor lives there and she’s way too busy to handle the planning herself, so I’m doing the legwork...
Does anyone have a solid recommendation for a photographer? I’d really appreciate it.🙂

Regarding dresses, if you're in the D.C. area, I’d suggest checking out Black at MoMA (they actually sew for Miss Universe).
If you're looking for something more understated, this is the spot.
I paid $1500 for my dress, and I own it outright. Some salons just lease them to you, which isn't my style.

ruggedbear42, I already sent you the info for the photo and video crew. Just hit the link in the quote below
I actually think their shots are incredible.

Nathan Cox25 said:Jelena and Maja

I'm lost here

The per-person rate for a 250-350 guest count is 160, but if it's under 250, it jumps to 170.

Actually, the Zamp fee is a flat rate—anywhere from 700 to $333 depending on the setlist, not the headcount
Did you actually run those numbers right? If there are 250 people, then Zamp comes out to 40$0.00
Am I totally misreading this?

If you're getting something custom made at a Black boutique, tell them the wedding is a month earlier than planned—otherwise, getting the dress the day before just adds unnecessary stress. The dresses are nice, sure, but there are plenty of cheaper classic bridal options out there if you know where to look. I ended up paying half of what you mentioned for mine. It really just comes down to your personal taste. Personally, I'm not a fan of renting—it’s better to just buy one at a decent price.

Nathan Cox25 said:There’s already been enough talk about Zampa—there’s an entire thread dedicated to that mess. But I’m just reposting this one specific comment from a girl I saw earlier—quoting her again here.

zamp Just my personal take—nothing more.It’s 160 if you’re looking at 250 to 350—otherwise, if it's under 250, it’s 170. Simple enough.

I don't think Zamp bills by the individual—not that I know how you managed to get such a low rate, Maya, but usually it's around... $333.
The shade from the hall covers us—but honestly, if it were... $57 Personally, if you’re sitting at fewer than 250 people—it's just a bit too much for me. 😲

It's true that you pay based on the headcount, but not exactly $57 per room 😲
. Like I said before, there's some sort of set pricing table they follow, and if I'm not mistaken, it also depends on the county—you know, the specific city or municipality you're in.

I’d definitely suggest looking into Maya or Helen—their work is just stunning!
Maya actually photographed a close friend of hers, and honestly, I didn't even hesitate to give her a call right away. 😍
Now, if you’re willing to shell out a bit more cash (meaning, if you're ready to splurge...), here are my top picks:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Leon-p...a/291016240973
and maybe even:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/INFINI...81008?v=photos
Beyond those, I wouldn't really dare make a recommendation...

I’ve been told the trade shows will be pretty much the same as this year. I'm still a bit unsure about the hotel situation—it should be booked for January—but since the expo at the Steakhouse always happens right around Valentine's Day, I assume it'll follow that same schedule again.

David Ramos25, I feel the exact same way about the dress... I haven't done a deep dive yet, just a quick glance here and there online, but nothing has really jumped out at me. Maybe it’s just me—I feel like I know exactly what I want, but it feels like everything out there is just slightly "off"... finding that perfect one is going to be such a challenge.

I have a quick question regarding the invitations: how far in advance should we actually order them? We’re planning to start handing them out around April, so I'm wondering what the lead time looks like... also, does anyone know where to find really nice ones? We were thinking about checking with FedEx in Des Moines, but I’d love to see if there are any local printers in Columbus who specialize in custom invites. I took a look at Vigor, but honestly, nothing they had really caught my eye.
I also heard you can find them at bridal boutiques, and I happened to spot some at Nicholas the other day... I was wondering if anyone here has used them? Specifically, can you buy them there without getting your dress from the same shop, and does anyone have an idea of the price range?

Just like the girls mentioned earlier... Maya and Helen 👍

Ladies, thanks so much for the recommendations 👍

Hi there! Where's the best place to get invitations and thank-you notes? So far, we've only checked out FedEx in Des Moines.

I’m looking for some insight regarding Derek's place in Tennessee !!!
We’ve heard a bit of everything lately—some folks say the food was mediocre or the portions were lacking... while others seem absolutely thrilled with it...
The pricing seems reasonable enough to me, and the owner comes across as quite lovely... but my main concern is simple: I don't want my guests heading home hungry, nor do I want to walk away with empty pockets... We are really aiming for that perfect balance where we get high quality without breaking the bank 🙂
If anyone has visited recently, please reach out and let me know your thoughts 🙂

Thanks !!!!

Look, I was a bridesmaid at that wedding over in Chicago, and honestly, everything was spot on.
They’ve got plenty of different menus to pick from. Just grab whichever one works for you.
I doubt anyone’s leaving hungry. We definitely ate our fill and had a blast. 👍

Aurora, I'm loving your work... my family's wedding is coming up soon, so I'm hoping we can make something happen. I'm a huge fan. 😁

Hey ladies, I was wondering if anyone here might have some experience with the greenery salad over in rural Nebraska??

So, we finally locked in our date at the church... oh my gosh, I am so excited! 😁
We’re all set to go on June 11th at 5 PM 🤣

Yay 🙂

We're heading to see the priest this Friday...

Anyone from the Indianapolis area seen Jane's bridal shop in the suburbs? Does she have a good selection, and what’s the typical rental price range? If anyone has any insight, I’d really appreciate it!

Robin Chase7 said:Hey ladies, I was wondering if anyone here might have some experience with the greenery salad over in rural Nebraska??

I mean, seriously, has nobody ever actually been to that venue before???😕

Listen, I need some real intel from you all... Has anyone here actually hosted a wedding at the St. Louis Marriott, or maybe even just attended a reception there? I'm trying to get the lowdown on the food quality and whether the service is actually professional or just a total disaster...

Hey everyone, just wanted to show off a little bit—here’s a look at our restaurant 😍 though we’re planning on doing round tables, which will end up taking up about half the floor space.

finally! you actually have something to brag about here 🎉
it looks great. honestly, I don't think you could find this kind of potential in a place like Asheville—the vibe, the scenery, 100 rooms available... and the price isn't bad either.