I have a bit of a dilemma. I heard they aren't really into playing folk music. It’s not that I’m asking them to perform four sets of that style, but I would love to have at least some of it included. If you know whether they play variety hits, I might reach out to them. Then again, since I managed to snag a date in August, maybe there won't be much luck finding bands or photographers. It seems like wedding season peaks in the summer rather than the winter, so availability is tough.
As for the wedding dress, I was a bridesmaid for a Glamorous Bride recently, and honestly, I have no comments. My friend sent over photos of what she wanted to see and try on ahead of time so they could have everything ready for her appointment. You wouldn't believe it, but none of the sizes fit her. Two dresses were beautiful, just not the ones she actually wanted. So, we kept looking. "Can she try this one?" "Unfortunately, no, it's too small." It was exhausting; you'd think I was the one having the fitting. In any case, I'll probably skip them next time. Personally, I'd prefer to have something custom-made, but I don't have a clue about the costs. When you look at renting, it's maybe around $4$1667 max. If anyone has some insight, that would be great. 😁
I was at a Glamorous Bride wedding recently serving as a bridesmaid, and let me tell you, the service was absolutely abysmal. It was easily the most disrespectful treatment I’ve experienced compared to any other venue. Honestly, they aren't even worth a single cent.
When it comes to custom sewing, I opted for something a bit more understated—a wedding dress that hit just below the knee—and the total cost ended up being... $800 So, even if you decide to go for one of those more extravagant options, I suspect you still won't end up blowing the budget on the rental, right?
I suppose I should probably chime in with a quick report on how things went, just in case anyone actually finds this useful—we decided to split our little celebration into two distinct acts. We kept the afternoon low-key with a family lunch, then transitioned into a proper party with friends once evening rolled around. 😁
Lučica Restaurant (family lunch): The food was actually quite good and the portions were more than enough, so I have no complaints there, but even though our group ended up being six people smaller than we originally planned, we still struggled to find a place to sit among the tables they had set out. They crammed us in so tight that we were practically sitting on top of one another—though, to be fair, we had to stay indoors because of the weather, and we knew that from the jump since they assured us there would be plenty of room. The service was fine, I suppose, but we found ourselves having to flag someone down constantly just to get the basics brought to the table. It seems like a recurring issue with them; the staff is perfectly friendly, but they definitely could use at least two more people on the floor to keep things moving.
We hosted an evening celebration at Hotel Chicago over on Duilov, and honestly, we couldn't be more thrilled with how everything turned out. The building itself is exactly what you’d expect, but the hall has been completely renovated. If there aren't too many people around—like us—you could probably rearrange the space to fit your needs better. If you don't mind that retro vibe they have going on in the lobby and entrance, it's definitely worth considering. I used to head there all the time with my family when I was a kid, so honestly, that nostalgic atmosphere actually works quite well for me. The food was honestly top-tier, and since we opted for the buffet style, the service was handled by a waitstaff that managed to be practically invisible while remaining perfectly attentive. They stayed just out of sight, yet somehow always seemed to be right there whenever someone needed a refill or a fresh drink, ensuring we never had to lift a finger. You didn't even have to go through the hassle of calling them over; they just seemed to intuitively notice the second something ran low and had it replenished immediately. Seriously, you have to hand it to them—it was seamless. We ended up bringing our own sound system because we had been playing everything through a laptop, but it turns out they actually provided their own hotel audio setup that was more than sufficient, so we ultimately managed to cut down on our expenses. Some of the wedding guests stayed at the hotel, and honestly, they gave us a fantastic rate for them. They were all tucked away in these renovated rooms that turned out to be quite impressive. As for us, being the newlyweds, we had our own private apartment—it was clean, tidy, and exactly what we needed. If I’m being completely honest, the bathrooms could definitely use a modern facelift, but at the end of the day, cleanliness is what actually matters to me. Can I really complain about tiles that look like they haven't been updated since 1983 if everything else is spotless? Not really. 😁 What I appreciated most was that they maintained a strictly professional relationship with us right from the jump—from that very first inquiry call through all the planning stages until the actual celebration. I honestly can't say the same for the other vendors we dealt with; while some were perfectly fine, there was a significant number of them that made you feel awkward just for asking a question, or worse, started lecturing you the moment you suggested something slightly different, like requesting a buffet instead of a plated meal. So, in short: the food, the venue, the service, and the pricing were all top-tier. Personally, I didn't mind the retro vibe and the somewhat unpolished aesthetic, but it’s certainly something to keep in mind since everyone's taste is different.
Dolcemania really deserves a round of applause. After a total disaster of a previous plan fell through due to circumstances beyond my control, I ended up rushing an order to them just four days out. Despite their schedule being absolutely slammed, they somehow managed to squeeze us in, and then went the extra mile by delivering the cake directly to us so we didn't have to waste any time picking it up. Honestly, how do they stay so organized?
The folks over at TNT Flower Shop put together an absolutely stunning bouquet for me, along with all the boutonnières and extra floral details we needed. They even threw in a few extra blooms for decorating the cake at no additional charge—all delivered exactly when promised and at a perfectly reasonable price. Isn't it nice when things actually go according to plan?
Is it just me, or is the current selection of wedding dresses in most boutiques getting a little ridiculous? I’ve been browsing lately, and honestly, I’m finding it hard to get excited about what's actually on the racks. It feels like everything is becoming an exercise in excess—just endless layers upon layers of tulle and fabric piled on top of each other until you can barely move. Does anyone else feel like we've lost the plot with all this volume? I can't help but wonder if there was a time when elegance didn't require several pounds of extra material just to make a statement. 😁 I had my wedding dress custom-made at Karin Design, and honestly, the experience was seamless. The designer is incredible—truly creative, possesses a great eye for detail, and actually takes the time to listen to exactly what you want (and more importantly, what you don't). She’s incredibly flexible with her schedule and adapts to whatever you need. I walked away beyond satisfied, not just with how perfect the dress turned out—it didn't require a single frantic adjustment—but with the entire process itself. The pricing is also very reasonable, so if you're looking for quality without breaking the bank, I can't recommend them enough.
Sanja Krstulović is an incredible makeup artist—she really knows how to work her magic. Honestly, the look was stunning, perfectly balanced without being over the top, and more importantly, it actually held up until the end of the night without any issues. But, as I mentioned earlier, she does have a bit of a tendency to sing her own praises. She was also quite slow with the application, despite my repeated warnings that we had to be finished by a specific time. She kept insisting everything would be fine, but predictably, the best man and I ended up running nearly an hour behind schedule, which meant we barely managed to squeeze everything else in. If you decide to book her, you’d be wise to tell her you need to be done at least an hour before you actually need to leave.
Hair - Ivan's Salon in the suburbs - they actually went out of their way to open up early just so I could make my other appointments, which was such a relief. I didn't exactly walk in with a specific vision of what I wanted, but the stylist somehow managed to nail exactly what I was looking for on the first try—can you believe that? The owner and the rest of the staff were incredibly kind, the hairstyle held up perfectly all day, and they even included the trial run in the price. Honestly, the results were just fantastic.
Carl Wilson19 said:Hey ladies, I could really use some advice... I’ve never actually hired a professional makeup artist before, so I’m having a bit of a hard time figuring out how to tell high-quality work from the rest... Does anyone have any personal experiences or recommendations for someone who can do a look that will actually last through an entire night? Ideally, I'm looking for someone around the California area... I would be so incredibly grateful for any help you can give, because honestly, I'm starting to go a little crazy thinking about this!
I’ve been scrolling through the recommendations on various forums, and it seems like everyone is raving about those specific artists out in the Los Angeles area. I took a look at their Instagram profiles, but if I’m being honest, they all look a bit too much to me; every single one looks like they’re wearing three pounds of product. I suppose it might be fine for Sequoia if she’s filming a music video, but for anything else, it feels more like a mask than actual makeup. Then again, I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and what matters is getting exactly what you're looking for
Personally, I can vouch for Sanja Krstulović—she did my friend, her mom, and her sisters a few years back, and she did an incredible job with all of them. Her mother actually looked ten years younger, and the whole look held up perfectly until the very end of the party. Sure, the woman is a total diva and constantly insists she’s the absolute best in the business, but you really can't argue with her talent... so, if you have the patience for her personality, 😁
goldenmarlin11 said:So, I’ve actually been there twice since the renovation. The ballroom itself and everything inside it is totally fresh. They also updated some of the rooms and the kitchen, but pretty much everything else stays the same. That said, the lobby still has that tacky "golden" retro vibe from the early eighties. Some people might hate it, but if you don't mind, you should definitely consider this spot because it's way better than what else you get for the same price.
Compared to my first visit, the last time I was there, they had split the ballroom into two sections using a partition, so you can have smaller groups without a huge crowd. The food? Honestly, better than your average hotel or restaurant fare. Like, the gnocchi were handmade and seriously delicious. Plus, the parking is a massive win—I think it fits like 200 or 300 cars easy.
Thanks... honestly, even that "golden" retro vibe is fine by me because I used to go there all the time with my family growing up, so it just brings back good memories. Still, I suppose I should keep other factors in mind.🙂
Quick question for the group—has anyone been over at the Hotel Chicago in Duilov lately? I'm wondering if they just gave the ballroom a facelift, or if they actually went through with renovations in other parts of the hotel as well?
I was wondering if anyone might have some insight regarding custom dressmaking in San Diego. I’m looking for a solid recommendation for a talented seamstress, though I’m not actually planning on sewing a traditional wedding gown. Instead, I want to create something more of a formal evening gown that can serve that purpose. I don't have any particularly extravagant requirements—I'm certainly not asking for five hundred layers of tulle or anything equally ridiculous—but I do need someone who is truly skilled and reliable. Is there anything worse than being promised one silhouette only to end up with something completely different? I realize San Diego isn't exactly a massive metropolis, but perhaps someone here knows a professional worth mentioning?
Since I'm moving down to San Diego, I’m on the hunt for a decent general practitioner and a dentist 😬 (ideally someone covered by Medicare), so if anyone has any solid recommendations—or better yet, a list of people I should definitely steer clear of 🙂—I would truly appreciate it..
Well, looks like I’ll be hunting down a referral for a dermatologist... It’s not like I’ve dealt with a skin fungal infection before—I've had a yeast infection, sure, but those feminine wipes handled that just fine—so I’m honestly a bit lost on what to expect here. Should things be getting worse, or is this supposed to be settling down by now? Any insight would be appreciated, thanks for all the help!
So, she’s basically arguing that everything was fine while I was actually using them, but the second I took a break, the whole thing just flared right back up..
On a different note, I’ve actually overhauled my entire diet over the last ten days—eating way more fruits and veggies, taking echinacea, and hopefully some probiotics too, assuming they can actually do something for my immune system..
Thanks for the link, though according to this, my rash would fall under the category of tinea corporis. The description matches mine perfectly, and while Ketoconazole is supposed to be the go-to treatment for it, I’m definitely not seeing any improvement... It looks like I might have to push back a little bit with my doctor next time.
As for the corticosteroids, I'm really not sure. She prescribed a combination of those two creams, and the lady at the CVS pharmacy even told me it was a solid pairing... 🤷
melloworca6 said:Did you actually get a swab or just scrape the area? You need to know exactly what you're dealing with and what it's sensitive to; otherwise, you're basically just treating it blindly. If the creams aren't doing the trick, you can always go the oral route with antifungals—something like Diflucan.
No, they didn't; I just received the typical, run-of-the-mill diagnosis from our doctors claiming it’s some fungal infection triggered by antibiotics and that I just need to be patient because these things don't clear up overnight...
It’s honestly driving me crazy how much worse this is getting; I took a little break from using hydrocortisone for a few days and everything flared right back up, which makes sense given that you aren't supposed to rely on those indefinitely... so now I'm stuck in this loop of indecision. Should I just bite the bullet and pay out of pocket to see a private dermatologist, or is it worth the headache of fighting with the local clinic?
melloworca6 said:If it spreads all over, I’ll just move this thread over to the Health section. How are you even sure it’s a fungus? Did you actually get a skin scraping or a swab done? Seen a dermatologist yet? To me, this is starting to look more like an allergy. 🤷
Unfortunately, it really is fungal, not an allergy... they look pretty nasty, what people call ringworm. It all started cropping up after I caught two different bugs in a single month and ended up finishing a course of Amoxicillin.
melloworca6 said:Where did you break out? I need to know so I can move this post to its own separate thread. 😁
Ugh. It’s everywhere... my back, stomach, chest, legs... and now summer is right around the corner, which means all those seasonal clothes are coming out. 🙂
From what I can gather, most people here are dealing with vaginal infections, but my situation is a whole different beast; I’ve managed to pick up some fungal skin infections that are an absolute nightmare, leaving me covered in a rash that makes me look like an extra from a medieval epic, you know, those scenes where they show off all the plague-ridden peasants...
Anyway, I’ve been slathering myself in Ketoconazole and hydrocortisone for three weeks now, but things are actually getting worse; aside from a few spots that cleared up, everything else is just expanding or spawning entirely new patches... does anyone have any similar experiences? And please, don't get mad at me if this has already been discussed extensively—I honestly haven't had the chance to scroll through all 250 pages of this thread...
For the last ten days or so, I've cut out sugar, pastries, and junk, trying to pivot toward a healthier diet, yet this condition of mine just keeps spiraling... 😢
wanderingridge said:Well, that’s a fair question... honestly, I’ve been scratching my head over the same thing more times than I care to admit. It probably just comes down to those high-end, top-of-the-line cameras being used....
True, the equipment is so prohibitively expensive that manufacturers often prefer renting them out for productions rather than actually selling them—you can see those massive gear lists tucked away at the end of the credits, in that technical section everyone skips over😁. But is an American film really different just because there's more money involved? Not necessarily. It feels more like a difference in philosophy, where the style leans heavily into polished presentation and aesthetic flair, whereas a European film might prioritize substance over style, if you'll allow me such a broad generalization🙂
The movie is basically just about farmers... a total disaster. I wasn't exactly expecting it to dive deep into existentialism, but even for this genre, I have certain baseline standards that this third installment fails to meet miserably. I mean, if that doctor character—who is also infected—claims the virus can't be destroyed, how on earth does he manage to fix everything so ridiculously simple at the end? Is it supposed to be as logical as when Schwarzenegger blows up Satan with holy water in Doomsday?😂 😂 It’s such a waste of Milla; she looks incredible in it.. 👎 👎 👎
Look, can we please stop speculating about whether Americans are going to produce some watered-down version of a great British series like Blackadder unless there’s actual confirmation?😁 I nearly had a heart attack😲 ...I honestly don't understand how anyone could think it's a good idea to remake a film where Peter Sellers held the lead role (I mean, Martin is fine, but really... what was he thinking?) ...Rush is a genius, truly; at certain points, you weren't even sure if it was him or if Sellers had simply risen from the grave, though I suppose that shouldn't be surprising given his previous work... but for me, his absolute best is definitely Dr. Strangelove, which is almost Kubrickian in its brilliance—truly one of a kind. The only tragic thing is how relevant the plot remains today, given all the mindless back-and-forth between the US and Iran.
And yeah, now they're remaking 12 Angry Men, though God knows who they'll actually cast for the ensemble... P. Diddy, Justin Timberlake, Freddie Prinze Jr.?😉
Firefighters, though mostly those older clips—you know, the ones where someone falls behind the bar after getting absolutely hammered, then there’s Cougars (not just the construction stuff, but all the random bits, like Dejo when he’s actually in a good mood), Rambo Amadeus (because honestly, everything he does is just pure comedy), the Python crowd (stuff like Decomposing Composers, Finland, Every Sperm is Sacred, etc.), that one South Park bit, I think it was called Uncle Fuckfucker, with that farting gag—it was absolute genius 😂
and then there's the incomparable David Hasselhoff with that "I've been looking for freedom since i left my hometown..." line... seriously, you'll die laughing, and the music video? It's basically an antidepressant in video form.