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Everything you need for a Midwest wedding

Started by Brian Reed74 · · 👁 385 views · 6K replies

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Participants Brian Reed74Nancy Ward37Brandon White4Michael Jones23nimblepilot9Samuel Taylor6vividwolf80northernhawk87placidjackal14neontrucker17Scott Smith68Brandon Johnson17Arthur Ramirez4Charles Roberts41Zachary Gray35Jeffrey Longneongardener6Jacob Young3Brian Gray7Ronald Hill3Kenneth Vaughn10placidcanyon44northernrider14copperraven39 …
Olivia Thompson7 Olivia Thompson7 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Feb 2012
#4261 ·
Quote:>
TaylorSwift says:
Morning, ladies,
I'm new here, so I was hoping you could give me some advice. We’re planning a wedding for next year, and honestly, we’re feeling pretty lost—we don't even know where to start. Just throwing ideas out there. I need recommendations for a decent restaurant or a banquet hall in the Des Moines/Cleveland area that can accommodate about 400-450 guests. Ideally, we'd prefer something on the TaylorSwift side of things. We’ve heard about the Sarah venue and the Smith catering service, but I haven't actually visited either. Also looking for a good band with a solid repertoire, a florist... stuff like that.
Thanks in advance!🙂
Regarding the Cleveland area—the Smith and Crystal venues are plenty large enough for a crowd that size. They both have their own websites where you can check out the layouts, addresses, contact info, and everything else you'll need.
Kimberly Alvarez8 Kimberly Alvarez8 Member
24 messages
joined Mar 2012
#4262 ·
mellowridge66 said:So, I know this girl Jane, and honestly? She’s absolutely killing it. She’s from somewhere out in the Midwest—just a total gem. About two years ago, she did my makeup for the first time, and ever since then, she’s been my absolute go-to. I actually tried out two other stylists after that, but let's be real, they just didn't compare. She’s hands down the best! If anyone is looking for her number, just hit me up!

Does this Ivanna have a Facebook page or somewhere else we can check out her work?? Just want to see her actual makeup skills before committing.🙂
mellowridge66 mellowridge66 Member
24 messages
joined Jul 2012
#4263 ·
Kimberly Alvarez8 said:Does this Ivanna have a Facebook page or somewhere else we can check out her work?? Just want to see her actual makeup skills before committing.🙂

Ugh, honestly, I have no clue. I don't even know her last name. Personally, I’ve been super happy with her work, so all I can really show you are some shots of me and my coworker. Plus, where are you even located? You mentioned having wedding guests coming, and I've still got about five months to go before mine...
I'll ask her if she has a Facebook page and let you know.
mellowridge66 mellowridge66 Member
24 messages
joined Jul 2012
#4264 ·
ruggedsailor said:Kimberly Alvarez8, I'm also five months along. 😍

Ladies, who did you guys end up booking for photography and the band?


We went with a new band and Zoom Photography from Des Moines. What about you?
Which venue are you using?
ruggedsailor ruggedsailor Member
19 messages
joined Jun 2012
#4265 ·
mellowridge66 said:We went with a new band and Zoom Photography from Des Moines. What about you?
Which venue are you using?

still hunting for a band, honestly have no clue who to hire and half these people don't even have numbers listed online🤷..and for photos - studio-light (Mark)

Would love some contact info if anyone has it (DM me)
Ethan Wilson94 Ethan Wilson94 Member
37 messages
joined Aug 2011
#4266 ·
ruggedsailor said:Everyone keeps raving about Studio Chic (pretty sure that’s the name). I’m just starting my search, so I don't have a clue about pricing or anything yet—just out here gathering intel and reading reviews...

Also, does anyone have any thoughts on the Glass salon? Couldn't find anything about them on the previous pages.

I saw some work from that girl over at Chic Studio on Facebook, and honestly? It’s killer. Her makeup looks incredible in her photos, too.

I've heard Glasser is top-tier when it comes to service and food, but honestly? They’re probably not your go-to if you aren't hosting a massive wedding.

Olivia Thompson7 said:Quote:>
TaylorSwift says:
Morning, ladies,
I'm new here, so I was hoping you could give me some advice. We’re planning a wedding for next year, and honestly, we’re feeling pretty lost—we don't even know where to start. Just throwing ideas out there. I need recommendations for a decent restaurant or a banquet hall in the Des Moines/Cleveland area that can accommodate about 400-450 guests. Ideally, we'd prefer something on the TaylorSwift side of things. We’ve heard about the Sarah venue and the Smith catering service, but I haven't actually visited either. Also looking for a good band with a solid repertoire, a florist... stuff like that.
Thanks in advance!🙂
Regarding the Cleveland area—the Smith and Crystal venues are plenty large enough for a crowd that size. They both have their own websites where you can check out the layouts, addresses, contact info, and everything else you'll need.

My cousin went to Smith's for her event and she was totally unimpressed. Apparently, the food portions were tiny, even though they charged extra for dessert—and she said those desserts were garbage. Just pure sugar and margarine. The hall itself is nice, but that's about it. On the other hand, Crystal—at least the one in Indianapolis—is a fantastic venue. I've heard nothing but good things, and it's pretty popular. Plus, the young director there is actually reasonable to work with.
mellowridge66 mellowridge66 Member
24 messages
joined Jul 2012
#4267 ·
Ethan Wilson94 said:I saw some work from that girl over at Chic Studio on Facebook, and honestly? It’s killer. Her makeup looks incredible in her photos, too.

I've heard Glasser is top-tier when it comes to service and food, but honestly? They’re probably not your go-to if you aren't hosting a massive wedding.

My cousin went to Smith's for her event and she was totally unimpressed. Apparently, the food portions were tiny, even though they charged extra for dessert—and she said those desserts were garbage. Just pure sugar and margarine. The hall itself is nice, but that's about it. On the other hand, Crystal—at least the one in Indianapolis—is a fantastic venue. I've heard nothing but good things, and it's pretty popular. Plus, the young director there is actually reasonable to work with.

Personally, I think Crystal is gorgeous—I've actually been there—but I've heard plenty of people grumbling that as soon as the guest list gets too big, they start skimping on the food. Like they're trying to save a buck or something!
I don't know much about Glasser.
Frank Palmer82 Frank Palmer82 Newcomer
1 message
joined Jul 2012
#4268 ·
Alright ladies, figured I’d jump in here too 🙂 Our wedding is officially in the books and honestly, we have so many takeaways—mostly good ones—so I wanted to share since it might help some of you make your choices.

-The Quattro band from Indianapolis: These guys are absolute gems. They played at my sister's wedding three years ago and I told her then that I definitely wanted them for ours. Even though it was "only" 180 people (by Midwest standards), they kept the energy through the roof. Everyone loved them.

-Frezija Florist in Columbus: Everything turned out exactly how I pictured it. I went with a pink, white, and green theme using roses, gerberas, and green daisies (I can post photos if you want!). We used those tall martini glasses... they aren't cheap, but totally worth it.

-Chic Studio from Indianapolis: They couldn't make it to my house, and even though I was worried about the drive, it wasn't a hassle at all. They did my hair and makeup in ten minutes flat and I looked incredible. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
-Krizmanić Photo Studio from Columbus: Major props to them. They really went above and beyond. They shot my sister's wedding and several cousins' weddings too, so I knew they’d deliver, and they didn't break the bank.

-And finally, the V&S Hall in Detroit: The food was amazing, nothing was missing. The venue itself is gorgeous and they had round tables, which was a huge must for me. The owner was super nice and easy to work with during planning. The servers were fine—some said they were great, a few people had minor gripes, but it was all pretty standard.

But okay, here comes the big complaint regarding the floor manager. He seemed totally fine when we were planning, but once the guests left and we sat down with the band to settle up, this guy was just sitting nearby glaring at us like, "Are you guys ever gonna finish?" Then he walks over and, without even asking if we enjoyed everything or anything, rudely demands we pay him right then and there. 😕 I told him don't worry, we'll pay, because the owner and I specifically agreed we'd handle it after we got some rest (we stayed in a room at the venue). But he just stays rude and insists that wasn't the deal and we have to pay immediately. 🙂 So, my husband and I, totally exhausted and drained, started counting out the cash envelope by envelope. If we'd known it would be this much of a headache, we would've done it earlier. Once we finished, he counts the money and claims we're short $50. Well, duh, we were exhausted and counting in the dark... I mean, come on. When we handed him the cash, I asked to recount, and he actually had the nerve to say, "What, you don't trust me?" 🙂 Like, why would we? But I didn't say anything, and obviously, it turned out to be $333 more than enough. 😠 After that, he acted perfectly sweet to us, but that doesn't fly with me, so I didn't even bother saying goodbye when we left...

Anyway, hope this helps someone out. One little tip for future brides: stay calm and relaxed as much as possible. I was way too stressed, and looking back, it wasn't worth getting worked up over every little thing! In the end, though, it really was like a fairytale.😍
Nicole Hill35 Nicole Hill35 Member
30 messages
joined Apr 2012
#4269 ·
Ethan Wilson94 said:I saw some work from that girl over at Chic Studio on Facebook, and honestly? It’s killer. Her makeup looks incredible in her photos, too.

I've heard Glasser is top-tier when it comes to service and food, but honestly? They’re probably not your go-to if you aren't hosting a massive wedding.

My cousin went to Smith's for her event and she was totally unimpressed. Apparently, the food portions were tiny, even though they charged extra for dessert—and she said those desserts were garbage. Just pure sugar and margarine. The hall itself is nice, but that's about it. On the other hand, Crystal—at least the one in Indianapolis—is a fantastic venue. I've heard nothing but good things, and it's pretty popular. Plus, the young director there is actually reasonable to work with.

I had my event at Smith recently, and I couldn't be happier. There was way too much food—maybe it was the menu, but we ended up with a mountain of leftovers the next day. Almost everyone complained they couldn't try everything because there was just so much. They kept refilling everything constantly. I didn't eat many sweets, just a couple of kinds, but they tasted homemade. Their desserts are made by Sweetie from Ruscic, and in my opinion, they're worth every penny.
For me, Smith isn't just about a pretty venue; everything else was solid. The servers were lightning-fast and helpful, and things like different types of pizza were already included in the price. Food, desserts... it's all covered.

If I ever get married again 🤣, I'd definitely have the reception 🙂 there.
coastalranger10 coastalranger10 Newcomer
7 messages
joined May 2012
#4270 ·
I’m actually getting married at Smith, so I have to admit, I’ve been feeling a little anxious lately... I’ve attended a few weddings there before, and they certainly didn't skimp on the catering. Nicole Hill35, if you don't mind me asking, what did you end up going with, and do you remember when the venue deposit was due?
Jack Lee5 Jack Lee5 Active Member
52 messages
joined Jun 2011
#4271 ·
We held our wedding at Crystal, and honestly, I can’t say enough good things—the food was spot on, the service was seamless, and the whole experience exceeded our expectations... we were all incredibly happy
As for hair and makeup, we went to Chic Studio, and those girls are absolute pros 😁
Nicole Hill35 Nicole Hill35 Member
30 messages
joined Apr 2012
#4272 ·
coastalranger10 said:I’m actually getting married at Smith, so I have to admit, I’ve been feeling a little anxious lately... I’ve attended a few weddings there before, and they certainly didn't skimp on the catering. Nicole Hill35, if you don't mind me asking, what did you end up going with, and do you remember when the venue deposit was due?

We went with four courses, but we cut the appetizer and asked them to swap the roast for some BBQ meat instead. My wedding was on June 23rd, right after a holiday, so they told us we could handle any banking or exchange stuff on Tuesday if needed, but we just settled everything on Monday.
Don't sweat it too much. If you have questions, just ask. 😉
coastalranger10 coastalranger10 Newcomer
7 messages
joined May 2012
#4273 ·
I’m going to go with the same, though I think I'll skip the appetizer. To be honest, I had no idea grilled meat could actually be this good—it was quite lovely. My only real gripe with them is that they charge extra for chair covers, which is just a bit much, so I’ve decided to pass on them...
Nicole Hill35 Nicole Hill35 Member
30 messages
joined Apr 2012
#4274 ·
coastalranger10 said:I’m going to go with the same, though I think I'll skip the appetizer. To be honest, I had no idea grilled meat could actually be this good—it was quite lovely. My only real gripe with them is that they charge extra for chair covers, which is just a bit much, so I’ve decided to pass on them...

It wasn't their usual routine, but my husband is set on that tradition, so we looked for it. They mentioned they'll be offering it more often now, like those chicken patties for the main course.
We cut the appetizer because I was hosting a party at my place, and we already had plenty of finger foods ready for anyone who wanted them.
As for the covers, they're $3.25. They originally quoted us $15, which gave me pause. But then again, most places charge for that stuff; I think in Bukovlje, it's usually just baked into the venue price.
coastalranger10 coastalranger10 Newcomer
7 messages
joined May 2012
#4275 ·
Even over at Crystal, they’ve started offering slipcovers for those larger wedding receptions. Still, if you ask me, Matičević remains the gold standard when it comes to elegance...
Jack Lee5 Jack Lee5 Active Member
52 messages
joined Jun 2011
#4276 ·
coastalranger10 said:Even over at Crystal, they’ve started offering slipcovers for those larger wedding receptions. Still, if you ask me, Matičević remains the gold standard when it comes to elegance...

They weren't even charging for the garment covers at Crystal...
velvetscout432 velvetscout432 Newcomer
4 messages
joined May 2012
#4277 ·
Nicole Hill35 Can anyone give me some recommendations for makeup, nails, or hair in NYC? 😉
coastalranger10 coastalranger10 Newcomer
7 messages
joined May 2012
#4278 ·
Jack Lee5 said:They weren't even charging for the garment covers at Crystal...

Actually, they do. They’re still charging them to this day—I’m talking about the Crystal location over in Indianapolis...
Nicole Hill35 Nicole Hill35 Member
30 messages
joined Apr 2012
#4279 ·
velvetscout432 said:Nicole Hill35 Can anyone give me some recommendations for makeup, nails, or hair in NYC? 😉

Maya did my makeup; you can find her on Facebook under makeup art by Maya. I did my own nails, but if you want my advice, 🙂 stay away from Valentin Style. I don't know anyone who actually had a good experience there. To be honest, when I went a few years back, I couldn't believe the prices they were charging for what they did.

For my hair, I went to Kosa on Osjecka, and I was beyond happy. Everything stayed perfectly in place even after a full night's sleep, and it didn't break the bank. She really went the extra mile because I told her about this one time I got my hair done in NYC and it started falling apart an hour later. It actually turned out better than the photo I brought in :-D I was aiming for something like this http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mQayZG59AG...25281%2529.jpg

P.S. When people mention Crystal, they should probably include the city. Every town in America has a venue called Crystal. 😉
velvetscout432 velvetscout432 Newcomer
4 messages
joined May 2012
#4280 ·
Honestly, that style is a total game changer..
I’ve seen Maya’s work on Facebook and I’m obsessed; expect her schedule to get pretty hectic soon.
This hairstyle looks incredible on me, even if I’m not quite ready to tackle my mane just yet 🤷
thanks for the tips

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