Dear future brides, my husband and I managed to attend about six weddings last year, so perhaps we can offer a little bit of guidance. Or maybe a little bit of relief 😛.
Regarding venues, we visited the upstairs hall at Castle Rock in the San Francisco Bay Area, a venue in a Small town in the Midwest, if I recall correctly, Say yes in San Diego, and Pirate in Miami.
When it comes to the space itself, I think Castle Rock appeals to me most because of its look and layout; there’s plenty of room for tables and enough floor space for 150 guests without any issues, though I suppose it is probably due for a complete renovation and a fresh coat of paint. The service is very well-organized and the servers are quick—there’s never a shortage of food, though nothing was particularly exceptional. It’s your standard wedding fare, so we had average prosciutto, mediocre French cheese, okay risotto, barely any meat, and the black risotto was so dark it was almost charcoal—you couldn't even see the cuttlefish. Meat quality really depends on the season, honestly, and the traditional beef stew was just terrible and tough (I truly despise that style of wedding stew from the bottom of my heart). All in all, it’s just your typical wedding standard. It was somewhat similar in that small Midwest town regarding the food, but we were at a small reception in a massive hall; the service there was incredibly slow and poor, and since they had a thin, squeaky accordion player performing between the bands, the musicians actually had to coordinate with each other. The breaks were enormous... overall, it was quite bad.. Say yes is a story in itself. The venue isn't bad, but the service is abysmal. Abysmal. And I mean that as a compliment. The breaks were huge, and the music went on way too long (they had two bands, and I nearly had a nervous breakdown because each one played for an hour straight). If you were sitting at the tables when they started serving the first group, by the time they reached us, it would take (without exaggeration) about half an hour!! Some of the appetizers were freezing cold (read: frozen), the prosciutto was inedible, the truffle pasta was practically swimming in cream, and to top it all off, the newlyweds completely flipped the menu on its head. They served soup, then the roast, then the pasta, then cake and desserts, then brought out the prosciutto, cheese, and appetizers again, then the stew, or something like that—honestly, it was a very, very bad idea. As for Pirate... well, when it comes to food, there is simply no competition for Pirate. None. The food is fantastic and the service is excellent, but the restaurant is just too small. We’ve been to a few weddings there, and realistically, that room is meant for maybe 80 people, yet everyone stubbornly tries to squeeze 140–150 people in, so nobody has any room to dance. I wouldn't even highlight the food as a separate thing because everything is just so good. It’s great restaurant-quality food, rather than that classic heavy wedding catering, honestly.
Regarding the bands, I can't help much there... the only ones I actually enjoy seeing at a wedding are Uber. Those guys are excellent, whereas with others, I just feel a sense of dread because I immediately know what's coming (hint: I don't like wedding pop, nor those local folk songs or any of that stuff that 99% of rural American weddings feature). Most people love that kind of music, and that's perfectly fine; it's a matter of personal taste.
And even though I'm not a fan of the typical wedding music, I absolutely love flowers. However, I've noticed that a lot of brides don't like them or consider them an unnecessary expense, so instead of centerpieces, they put a vase with three stones or a tiny little jelly jar with three blossoms on the table. I mean, that's super cute for a coffee table at home, but on a dining table for 12 people surrounded by all those bottles and glasses!? Not so much..
Photographers? That's where I felt the most skeptical, and there were certainly the fewest photos to my liking. There are far too many subpar studios in Miami, and even the ones that used to be great have gone downhill lately. A studio called Papaya used to be much better.. personally, I love the Beep crew, mostly because they worked our wedding as part of the Photo America group.
For background music, I could mention the Trogir Singers and the Krakun ensemble; at every wedding they attended, they did their job flawlessly.
Also, I am so happy to see that lanterns are slowly becoming a trend here. They were used at two weddings we attended this year. Four years ago when we got married, nobody had even heard of them, but they look phenomenal and are five times more interesting than fireworks..
So, that's it.. I hope I've been at least a little helpful and haven't caused too much confusion 🙂
Sky lanterns aren't actually classified as pyrotechnics, so you shouldn't need any special permits for them. We used to release them right outside our venue, though since our hall was pretty close to the airport, we always made sure to wait until the last plane had cleared out before sending them up. Generally speaking, you aren't supposed to release them 3.1 miles near an airport or in high winds (otherwise they won't catch enough lift, or the wind might blow them straight into a tree, which is a recipe for disaster). It might be a good idea to give the local fire department a heads-up regarding the location and timing if you're doing this during the peak summer season, just to be safe... although, I don't think I've ever heard of a lantern causing an actual fire. People have released them in places like Zadar, Washington, D.C., Krk, Pag, Šibenik, and Split without any issues at all, even in the middle of summer... and then there's Poland, where they launch 30,000 of them all at once 😉
It’s been almost two years since I got married, but honestly, it feels like it happened just yesterday. There was so much stress and nerves involved in trying to make everything absolutely perfect, yet somehow, you still find yourself enjoying every second of it. Everything turned out so beautifully that I actually toyed with the idea of doing this professionally, though I suspect there might not be enough demand for wedding planning here in California... I guess I'm just not sure.
I haven't stopped by here in quite a while, and when I finally did, I was greeted by a mountain of messages! So, I figured I should probably circle back and share some details:
1. We used a photographer based in California, and we were absolutely thrilled with the results. Just a heads-up, though—we waited four months for the photos and even longer for the album, but keep in mind the photo session itself lasted about seven hours. If you're chasing perfection, I suppose you have to invest the time. One part of the crew that handled our prints is now working independently under the name Beep pictures; you can find them on Facebook. Those guys are fantastic, and the fact that it's incredibly hard to book a slot with them says it all.
2. Our band (a trio consisting of two guys and a female vocalist) was incredible. They were total pros, and the dance floor was packed until 4:00 AM. People just didn't want to leave! Our reception had more of a rock vibe, so instead of the usual traditional wedding hits, we leaned into a more classic rock style.
3. The venue was the upper level at Castell, and it was simply top-notch. The food was wonderful according to everyone, and nothing was missing. The desserts and cakes were homemade; specifically, the cake was a croquant from the Mediterranean bakery over in the Marina (I think I ate two slices of cheesecake the entire night, it was delicious, and a piece of that croquant the next day was just perfect). The wine was locally sourced, so we managed to get a great deal on it. As for the kids, we paid full price for their seats, though there were only two children at the wedding because my husband's first family is from Switzerland (we asked the other guests not to bring kids along—there will be plenty of chances for birthday parties later!). We kept the reception at a medium size—about 140 people including the photographer and band—as we wanted an elegant affair rather than a huge backyard bash.
4. The flowers were done by Pero from the "Potočnica" florist in San Francisco... they were flawless, really, what more can I say? We had orchids, peonies, lisianthus, ranunculus, and freesias in the bouquet, plus two small arrangements and one massive floral centerpiece on our table, accompanied by candles. For the guest tables, there were various floral spheres in matching colors (white, pink, green, and yellow; our theme was springtime, as the wedding was on May 19th).
5. During the church ceremony, they played Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters" on electric guitar, so I really can't say much more about the choirs or soloists beyond that!
6. I sourced all the boutonnieres and extra decorations through eBay and at the IRE in Dugopolj. Our invitations were printed by Mađor in San Francisco, and our thank-you gifts were bottles of rosé (my dad makes world-class wine, you know) featuring our own caricatures.
7. Finding those lanterns was a real struggle at the time, but nowadays you can easily find them through the Lanterna Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/lanternalights). We had 80 white ones and four red hearts (for us, the godparents, and the parents). People were absolutely delighted because they had never seen anything like it before.
To any brides-to-be out there: I wish you endless patience and good spirits; you're going to need it. On the big day, just have a little something strong to drink, take a deep breath, and ENJOY yourselves.😍
Daniel Smith8 said:I attended a wedding where an Uber band played. They covered everything under the sun. Great atmosphere. Total chaos in the best way.
Well, I don't think an Uber band plays just anything... They mostly stick to rock and pop, and they definitely don't touch country or that kind of stuff... 😉 If someone were looking for that specific type of music, I suppose I’d suggest they look for a group like The Barbers, or maybe something similar if they want that general party atmosphere... ☕
Anthony Chase25 said:That guy over at the Marina is a total LEGEND! We ordered a cake from him once. He's a wizard—he makes every dollar count! 😍
One more thing, how much did you guys end up paying per person for the reception? Like, is it roughly $30-$35 plus extra for all those fancy extras? Trying to nail down our wedding budget right now, so I'd love to know what to expect. Thx 🙂
Our total ended up being about $80 per person, including all the extra costs (for 140 guests). Of course, you could definitely spend more or less depending on your vision. For us, that amount felt just right to ensure everything stayed high-end; we spent quite a bit on certain things and a little less on others, but it definitely felt sophisticated and far from your typical backyard BBQ vibe 😉. As for the planning side of things, we booked the venue, photographer, and band about 10 months out, and then handled the rest of the details just a few months before the big day. It was pretty chill, really... 😉
I wanted to put together a little summary of my wedding from ten days ago, just in case anyone finds it helpful for their own planning!
Invitations I believe you might be referring to Penguin Random House over in Philadelphia. $2.00 It’s a bit like being covered in a blanket... I mean, our invitation was actually that one from Angelus, specifically the "Love is in the Air" version—you know, the one designed to look like a flight itinerary, just slightly modified. 😁
I’ve been thinking quite a bit about the perfect suit lately. It seems like such a fundamental part of a man's wardrobe, yet finding that one piece that truly hits the mark can feel like an endless pursuit. I guess there is just something about the way a well-tailored suit changes your entire demeanor, don't you think? It provides a sense of structure and confidence that's hard to replicate with anything else. Maybe it's the fabric, or maybe it's just the silhouette, but I find myself constantly weighing different options—from classic navy wools to perhaps something a bit more contemporary. I suppose it really comes down to finding that delicate balance between timeless elegance and modern comfort. (+ tie, shirt, belt, pocket square, cufflinks) — M. Arbanas $1533It was worth every single penny. Honestly, my husband looked just like the man on the book cover! The saleswoman working the afternoon shift was incredibly capable and helpful—really pleasant to deal with and clearly knows her stuff. She didn't try to push her own opinions on me, which was such a relief. It’s a world apart from what you experience at Mister Motati, where both the departments and the staff can be an absolute disaster.
Wedding. So, I finally had my first experience wearing La Perla, and I have to say, it was quite the moment. It’s one of those things you think about trying for a while, and when it actually happens, you wonder if it lives up to the hype. I guess it really does. There's just something about the way everything fits and feels that makes the whole experience feel a bit more special. It was definitely a lovely little milestone for me! $1833It feels like a dream... 😍 I came home after what felt like a pretty messy day, but the folks at the dry cleaners assured me that they wouldn't have any trouble getting everything looking spotless again.
Makeup. I have to say, Lucija Spajić didn't just do my makeup—she absolutely nailed it. It was beyond perfect. We went through a whole process together: first a trial run, then the full wedding day look (which included my mom and my maid of honor), and finally a session the next day for our photo shoot. She is such a wonderful person to work with. I found her incredibly sweet and easygoing, which was exactly what I needed because she completely relaxed me. She has such steady hands, too; honestly, she managed to calm my nerves right before the big celebration started. As for the makeup itself? It was flawless. It stayed perfectly in place from about 1:00 in the afternoon all the way until 7:00 the next morning without shifting even a little bit. I can’t recommend her enough!$33 Just testing things out here. $67 When it comes to achieving that truly "proper" makeup look, I feel like there’s such a fine line between looking polished and looking like you're wearing a mask. Personally, I think it all starts with the preparation, though maybe that's just my way of overthinking things! To me, "real" makeup isn't about covering up every single imperfection—it's more about enhancing what's already there. I guess if you go too heavy on the foundation, you lose that natural glow that makes skin look healthy. I've found that using a really lightweight tint or even just a good concealer in specific spots works much better for a daytime look. I suppose everyone has their own definition of perfection, but I always lean toward something that looks effortless. It’s almost an art form, isn't it? Finding that balance where you look put-together without feeling like you've spent an hour in front of the mirror. Maybe it's worth experimenting with different textures to see what feels most comfortable for your skin type! $17 I was thinking about eyelashes recently—you know, that whole topic of lash care and aesthetics. It’s funny how such a small detail can really change how you feel about your entire look. I guess there isn't a single perfect way to go about it, since everyone's preferences seem to vary so much, but I've been curious about what works best for maintaining them. Maybe it's just me, but I feel like it's one of those little beauty rituals that can actually boost your mood if you find the right routine.
Flowers I have to say, I was absolutely blown away by everything from the florist in San Francisco. Honestly, everything about it was just perfect. For my bouquet, I went with a mix of white, yellow, green, and pink orchids, paired with some white lisianthus, light pink peonies, and these incredibly vibrant hot pink ranunculus. The whole arrangement felt so soft and airy—it had this lush, romantic, almost overflowing look that was exactly what I wanted. Even the boutonnières for the groom and the best man were made from orchids, and the maid of honor wore a beautiful bracelet featuring orchids and lisianthus. The head table looked stunning; there was one massive floral sphere featuring a colorful blend of white, yellow, pink, and green blooms, including orchids, daisies, green buds, violets, and carnations. We also had two smaller versions of those spheres, and we placed six large candles around them—three on each side between the large and small spheres. On the guest tables, we had lovely vase arrangements that featured a "frosted" effect at the base, using the same color palette as the bouquet and the main table to keep everything cohesive. I’m actually quite sad that I don't have photos ready yet, but I’ll be sure to post them once I receive them! As for the ceremony in the church, we had three grand arrangements decorating the altars, along with organza bows draped over every other pew that flowed all the way to the floor. Tucked inside each bow was a delicate little arrangement of dried flowers in whites, yellows, pinks, and greens. Finally, for the car, we had an organza ribbon stretched across the hood topped with a petite floral piece made of orchids, lisianthus, and peonies. It truly was a dream. Everything was absolutely wonderful... It turned out to be such a great experience for all of us. $1000It really paid off!
I suppose I should start by saying that I don't always have all the answers, but I’ve been thinking quite a bit about Reveri lately. It seems like such an interesting subject to dive into, though I realize my perspective might be a little narrow. Maybe there's more to it than meets the eye, but from where I'm sitting, it feels like something worth pondering more deeply. I guess we could look at it from a few different angles, if we really wanted to be thorough. I ended up picking up some ready-made pieces for the men in Indianapolis, though I’ve been thinking that maybe I should add a little something extra—perhaps just attach those small decorative pins to turn them into custom brooches, if you know what I mean. As for the ladies, I decided to handcraft some bracelets instead; I actually ordered all the necessary supplies for that project through eBay. I don't have any photos of the finished products yet, unfortunately. 🙂 Don't forget to take photos next time—I have a feeling those photographers might have been too busy chasing after Tin! Anyway, regarding the bracelets, they were made of green organza with a butterfly centered right in the middle, flanked by little flowers on either side. They had these lovely yellow butterflies paired with green floral accents, and then green butterflies accented with white blossoms. Each one was about two inches across, featuring tiny delicate flowers; honestly, the whole effect was quite striking. It’s such a shame I didn't manage to snap a picture. I don't recall the exact price point, but if I remember correctly, the total for both the men's and women's sets came out to about... $133 It looks like we’re sitting right on the edge of our targets—we have about 72 men's pieces, which is just barely enough, but we actually have a bit of a surplus with around 100 women's pieces.
I suppose I should probably touch upon the topic of automobiles for a moment. It’s such a vast subject, isn't it? I feel like there is always something new to discuss when it comes to the industry here in the States. Whether we are looking at the latest shifts in tech or just the way our daily commutes are changing, there seems to be plenty to ponder. I guess it really depends on what one is interested in, but I find the whole evolution of the car to be quite fascinating, if I do say so myself! We ended up renting this vintage red-and-white Mercedes from a local guy—it was about $300. It’s such a classic, total retro vibe! 😍
I suppose I should probably mention my thoughts on traditional vocal groups, though I know everyone has their own preferences when it comes to music. There is just something about that specific style of multi-part harmony that feels so incredibly timeless, don't you think? It’s quite a unique way of storytelling through song, where the blend of voices becomes almost like a single instrument. I guess you could say it has a certain soulfulness that is hard to replicate with modern production. Maybe it's just me, but I find those rich, layered melodies to be quite soothing after a long day. The boys from the band played at my husband's place first, then came over to mine before we all headed out together to the church. Honestly, they were absolutely phenomenal—they completely crushed it. They brought such an authentic West Coast vibe to everything; we mostly stuck to traditional folk songs at my house, and everyone was having the absolute best time. We actually have this little inside joke between us: whenever they play "Wake Me Up in the Morning," it’s our secret signal for the next song. My husband was being quite stubborn about which track to pick next, though. He wouldn't even say the name of the song he had in mind... but then he chose "Now That You've Arrived," and man, the crowd just went wild! It was a total knockout. Huge thanks to the crew! That combination of mandolin, guitar, and upright bass is just a perfect 10/10. The price was $733, and honestly, I think they could have charged way more! 😉
Regarding the catering — I actually decided to go with an outside caterer for our reception. The gentleman's name was Zdravko, though I seem to have forgotten the exact name of his company, hahaha. Anyway, they were absolutely wonderful; there were four of them in total. They brought everything we needed, including two large buffet tables for food and drinks, a few high-top cocktail tables, and a full set of service items like linens, glassware, napkins, silverware, plates, etc. They even handled all the table settings for us. We purchased the supplies, and they did all the heavy lifting and presentation. They really knocked it out of the park—the fruit arrangements were just stunning. Everything looked so elegant that even I noticed the difference the moment I stepped out of the house, hahaha. The catering ended up costing us $667 plus the food and beverages we bought ourselves (the drinks alone were about $500, and since people were bringing their own spirits to the hall and drinking quite a bit, I can't say exactly how much the food cost, but it was definitely around $2,000-$833). All calculations were based on a guest list of 160 people.
As for the photographer — we used Photo California, and they were such a fantastic crew. Truly lovely, professional people. We won't see the photos and videos for a month or two, but considering we had a photo session running from 2:30 PM until 9:30 PM, I imagine they will be spectacular... Or, to put it in their terms: the shots are going to be absolute perfection, my friends, just pure perfection! How much? Less than what you'd pay a top-tier professional. As for anything else, please don't ask me. ☕ (We paid the deposit back in June of last year)
The Band — Bravo Band was simply incredible. We actually helped curate the repertoire ourselves. The first two sets were a bit more commercial—lots of Dance, classic hits, and some fun throwback tracks—while the remaining sets leaned into rock, Studio 54 vibes, and one set featured modern urban artists like Adele. We made sure to avoid all that local cheesy stuff. They played really high-quality music, and people were dancing non-stop; even at 4:00 AM, the dance floor was still packed. That’s my takeaway: for a wedding, you really have to play a little bit of everything. We made our grand entrance to "Born to Be Wild," and our first dance was to "Nothing Else Matters" (just as a side note—when I walked into the church, an electric guitarist was playing "Nothing Else Matters" on a classical guitar; it was about $50, and I’d highly recommend it if anyone needs that kind of touch), and we kept that energy going. The atmosphere was electric! Even the bikers were dancing to "Sve bi seke ljubile mornare" during the first set! It was total madness! They cost $1,200, consisting of two men and one woman (and by the way, the female vocalist has such a unique, amazing voice!). (Deposit paid in June of last year)
The Cake — It was from Mediterranean Sweets, run by Marina. It was this beautiful round cake with four or five tiers, topped with a motorcycle. It was absolutely wild! We practically demolished the poor thing. It cost $547, but I don't regret a single cent; it was phenomenal and truly delicious, in case you were wondering!
The Venue — It was the Castello in San Francisco, right off the main highway, in the upper hall. People kept telling me the food was excellent; everyone specifically raved about the French cuisine, the black risotto, and the roast (which is funny, because people usually don't praise those specific dishes much!). They said everything else was great too. No one complained about anything; the servers were sprinting all night, the tables stayed well-stocked, and the staff was incredibly helpful and polite—everyone had nothing but good things to say. One big plus for the venue from my side: I’d also highly recommend it (even though, personally, I didn't eat much besides two pieces of cheese 😁). The owner is a lovely, kind woman who is very easy to coordinate with. The price was $35 per person. (Deposit paid in June of last year)
I think that covers everything, though I can't be entirely certain—I might have missed something small. If you have any questions, feel free to ask! Wishing everyone the best of luck! 😍
It looks like both of those caterers are out of luck—one is already booked up on my date, and the other is asking for $1167 just to travel out to Castel. I actually stumbled upon an option here in St that works perfectly with what I had in mind: I provide the food myself, and they handle all the setup and provide their own dishes. I just need to double-check the pricing, and then I think I can finally take this whole headache off my plate.
I honestly thought they might pass on coming all the way out to Castel since they're based over in Metković. Oh well, thanks for the tip! I guess I'll just reach out to them via Facebook. 😉
I was wondering if someone might be able to help me out—I feel like I’m just going in circles here! How many cookies should I plan on per guest? I need to make sure I account for the cookies already set out on the dessert table, plus the extra treats people usually bring from home, and then figure out how much cake I'll need for a group of 160 people. Thanks so much for any advice you can share! 😉
I’m currently looking into catering options for a group of 100 guests, though I expect the headcount to climb to about 160 once the groom's side arrives at my place. Right now, I’ve only looked at a quote from Baletni, $2167, which doesn't even include drinks or dessert. Honestly, that feels like way too much for what I actually want. I think I just need some nice cheeses, prosciutto, a variety of canapés, and maybe some finger foods... plus the usual desserts and drinks, of course. Does anyone happen to know a caterer who could come to my house to set everything up and bring their own supplies? I'd really prefer someone who provides their own tableware—plates and glasses for 160 people—since it doesn't make much sense for me to go out and buy 100 extra glasses right now, only to be left with a mountain of them later.
Hey everyone, I was wondering if you all tend to order catering for home events, or if you prefer to whip up the food yourselves? If you do decide to go the DIY route, what are you thinking of making? I’m currently sitting here crunching the numbers and doing some math. It looks like Baletni would charge $20 per person, while Gusar is around 85-$40 per person, and I still need to check in with Pimpinelon... honestly, it’s quite a significant amount of money, which feels a bit steep if you ask me. But then again, if I were to handle everything myself, I wouldn't really know what to offer besides maybe some cheese, charcuterie, and desserts... if I tried to make fancy canapés, I’d just end up dealing with the headache of slicing bread and handling all the decorations... 🤷
Regarding photographers—I've actually made my decision and gone with California Photography because their work is significantly better than Mark Photography. In my opinion, Mark Photography is a total disaster; the only photographer who truly does a fantastic job is Boris. Zvoniti isn't bad, but they aren't anything special either. California Photography has a large team, and of course, not everyone there is performing at a top-tier level, but I specifically requested either Miro or Matthew, as they produce absolutely stunning shots, and I managed to secure one of them. I'm not particularly worried about the videography side of things, so we just opted for their most budget-friendly video package, paired with the second most expensive photo package plus a large album. All in all, it's going to cost us about $2,000. California Photography is definitely one of the pricier studios in ST, but when it comes to photography, I didn't want to make any compromises, so I chose them.
Raymond Brooks7 said:Check out the shops over in the quiet part of town... there are some on Velebit Street, I can't remember the exact number... right near Michael Jordan. 🙂
Does anyone happen to know where I might be able to buy or perhaps rent a fog machine and a bubble machine in the San Francisco area? I'd really appreciate any leads you might have. Thanks! 😁
irontrucker13 said:I feel so bad about the Price of Papaya, but I actually heard about Volar from a friend who went to a gala a few weeks ago. She absolutely loved them and booked them on the spot! Honestly, I'm just thrilled they're available on one of my dates when I have the hall free in July. 🙂
Have you heard anything about the photography for California? I was looking at the shots from those two galas Matthew took for them, and they look incredible. Plus, he’s the only one available on that specific date!
How much is the Price of Papaya going to be for you?
I ended up booking National Geographic, and that was strictly because of Matthew—I really fell in love with his portfolio, so I reserved him specifically. If I hadn't been able to secure Matthew, I probably would have gone with Sinisa with... Matthews was a bit too expensive for my budget, and Papaya's style just doesn't quite suit my vision. The combo of video, photography, and a large album is going to run me about $2,200, since I opted for the basic video package ($600) and put most of the budget toward the photos, which are far more important to me than the video... I have to admit, even so, this feels like a significant amount of money to spend on a single photographer, but I suppose if we want high-quality shots that we won't regret, it's worth it. If the photos aren't great, then they've really missed the mark.😁
Everything about this whole process sounds absolutely wonderful, but I have to admit, I’m still completely in the dark about who is going to handle my makeup. With my big day coming up in less than five months, I’m starting to feel the pressure! So, I am reaching out for some serious HELP! I am on the hunt for a makeup artist—and please, I don't just mean someone good, I mean someone truly exceptional. Ideally, I’d love to find someone based in the San Francisco-Oakland area, and while it would be perfect if they offered mobile services to come to me, I suppose I can be flexible on that part.
To all the ladies here who have already tied the knot, I was wondering if you might be able to share some advice regarding makeup artists? I’d love to know who you think is truly the best, who did your wedding day look, and whether you were genuinely happy with the results... It would be absolutely wonderful if you could send me their contact information via private message. Thank you so much!
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Now, to address the post above mine—when my fiancé and I were considering a smaller wedding, we actually looked into something similar, though we were thinking about renting a tent and hiring outside catering. In the end, we found that it turned out to be quite a bit more expensive per person than just booking a traditional banquet hall. My take is that if you're already booking a venue, there's really no need to bring in separate catering; it's probably easier to just go with their food. Personally, I find the restaurant option much more charming, and that’s definitely what I would choose if I were opting for a smaller celebration again. I hope this helps you out just a little bit.
As for the guitarist, I’m not entirely sure yet... we are actually thinking about bringing in a vocal group instead Kraken—they have four members playing mandolins and guitars. They are really talented musicians, and I honestly believe they’ll provide some fantastic harmonies. One of their members actually hangs out here on the forum, chunky, so maybe you could reach out to him if you want to get more specifics. I hope that helps a little bit...
p.s. And just a heads-up, you should probably be ready for the fact that having a view of the ocean will almost always command a higher price than your standard real estate deal out in Tulsa or San Diego. 😉
The Marriott really does have a gorgeous view of the ocean... 😛 I don't usually make such huge decisions on my own, so I can't say for sure, but if you look at places like The Plaza, Holy Cross, Honey, or even Atlantic... maybe just give them a call and ask? That's how I used to handle things myself...