I don't really have any specific photographer recommendations yet—I've actually been searching for them myself. I think I might end up going with One Day Studio.
Regarding makeup, Helen doesn't post photos of her clients on social media, so I have no idea how she does everyone else's look. As for herself, I feel like she overdoes her own makeup.
I mean, it's obvious she knows her techniques and all that, but it just isn't my style. Amadea isn't really my vibe either, though I have heard people rave about her work.
To be completely honest, I have no clue how a bride should actually be made up. I haven't even looked into what kind of makeup I might want yet, truthfully.
Also, most of the makeup artists who post their work online seem to go way too heavy for my taste. It often looks exaggerated and not particularly pretty.
Then again, some of them do an amazing job when you actually go to see them in person. It’s such a contradiction, haha!
So, it's entirely possible that other girls are looking for that same kind of strange (to put it mildly, haha) makeup style... and I'm not just talking about weddings, but in general.🙂
I'm not sure about Amadea's rates, but people have mentioned Helen's. Though, apparently, she charges $80/$30 just for contouring. I can't believe it! :/
I assume most of them are charging around $200-$117.
(Those would be standard makeup prices, so I imagine bridal services cost about the same.)
Things are definitely picking up speed. Most of the big-name American favorites are already fully booked for my month, for instance. But since nine months out is peak wedding season, maybe that’s where the bottleneck is?
I’ve heard some great things about Amadeus, but I’m still totally in the dark regarding Helen.
Oh man, I was actually really liking them (based on what I've been seeing on Facebook), so it's probably for the best that I didn't pull the trigger! 😳
Studio Vale is hands down the worst studio I have ever had the misfortune of seeing work from (even just looking at their finished photos and videos), especially considering they’ve handled wedding shoots before. :/
I can't speak for any of the other studios out there, so I'll leave them out of this...
I honestly think the answer to everything just comes down to one thing: how much are you willing to spend? 🙂 Studio Smile is actually quite good, but personally, I just couldn't click with Ranko (the tall, dark-haired guy). He's incredibly pushy. Now, some people might love that energy or find him charming, but that was just my impression after attending a few weddings they handled.
As for Viva, I actually attended a wedding they did very recently. The vibe was fantastic! They are truly great, and let me tell you, the celebration went on for a loooooong time...
For example, the singer from the band Best was absolutely incredible—he really knows how to keep the party going!
It feels like it’s just the two of us chatting here! haha🙂
I stayed at the Marriott recently and everything was absolutely fantastic—truly top-tier quality. The banquet was huge, so the ballroom was completely packed, which created such a great vibe. I know those dividers can look a bit awkward when the crowd is smaller, but I haven't seen how they handle it...
My high school prom was held there a while back, too, so I can vouch for them—they really are the best. Honestly, the food at the gala was way better than the menu our class picked out ourselves. -.-
I'll check them out 🙂 I'm definitely still open to suggestions! I started taking on clients a bit later than planned, so my schedule is actually pretty packed right now 😢
By the way, what’s a standard rate for a photographer? How much do you charge, Michael? I wouldn't go for video—just photos for me...
I'm asking because I initially reached out to those big-name pros here in the States, so I have no idea what the going rate is for everyone else who isn't quite as famous...
Who should I hire as my wedding photographer? I’m really not looking for those cookie-cutter shots; I want something unique and truly special..🙂
By "standard," I mean those cliché poses where I'm staring at the bouquet, he's staring at the bouquet, and we're both just admiring the flowers together. 😂
The local studio I liked is already booked for my date.
I think Ranko Pupic is talented, but his vibe just doesn't quite mesh with mine, so I'd rather skip him if I can.. 🙂
Thanks! I don't really need the exact date; I just wanted a rough idea of whether we're looking at five months or nine.. 🙂
I’ll try having one more chat with my partner so I can be a bit more prepared..
By the way, I'm starting to get a little worried that I might actually need a wedding planner too. What has your experience been like with them? Any recommendations for the San Francisco area?
How do people usually handle things like this; an outdoor wedding ceremony. Who brings the chairs, and who handles the setup?
Not me, honestly I have no clue what the prices look like lately :/ I’m buried in obligations too, and since the groom isn't from San Francisco, everything falls on my shoulders by default. Plus, his job keeps him out of the States for 40 weeks a year, so it only makes sense that I take charge 🙂 The only catch is that I don't live in San Francisco anymore either, which makes the logistics a total nightmare. But hey, we'll see 🙂
If I recall correctly, legal regulations usually prevent them from doing it abroad; typically, you have to have an official registrar present to make it legal
I'm telling you, I'm counting on finding someone a little more "flexible" who might bend the rules, but... well, those rules have really tightened up over the last few years
APPARENTLY, you can't just have a priest marry you in a literal meadow under any circumstances. However, if the priest can tie the ceremony to a location that has some sort of semi-altar or similar setup, then it becomes doable
Michael Mendoza14 said:My fiancé actually checked in with the Picasso Gallery regarding the Castlegate, and he spent an hour just $667. We’d probably only do the actual ceremony there; bring a priest out to the grounds, maybe some cocktails and appetizers. What are you actually afraid of? In San Francisco, it's pretty much always mild; even around God's birthday, it was like 60 degrees. 😁 The only thing tripping me up is trying to figure out the timing. The sun sets as early as 4 PM around then, so maybe we do an evening ceremony with torches and some dim lighting instead.
Aha! I thought you were joking, which is why I was so surprised for a second. 🙂
I had no idea you could rent it by the hour... that is actually a brilliant idea. 🙂 I was thinking about doing my photos there, but I didn't realize (well, I hadn't even considered) that there would be a fee for that too. 🙂
Honestly, I'm just nervous because we are nine months out. You never know how things will change over time. I know it's beautiful, though. Even today, we finally had our first rain after six months of nothing! Hahaha. But once you start planning everything and hoping for perfect outdoor weather, the anxiety starts to set in.
I'm not sure how much you know, but for the last two or three years, they've basically "forbidden" priests from performing ceremonies outdoors.
Since I was planning on getting married at Sustipan, I'm really hoping there's a priest willing to make an exception. But even if he won't come outside, we can just have it in the chapel and call it a day. 🙂
Hi there! 🙂 I’m actually feeling the exact same way about all of this... 🙂 I really think they’ll be willing to work with you regarding the food situation. Honestly, if you're upfront about your requirements, it shouldn't be much of an issue at all (provided that's what you want to do)... I heard through the grapevine that a chair rental there goes for about $110, so it might be worth checking in to confirm.
As for the Kastelet venue, from what I understand, the base rental fee for the space alone is $10. That doesn't include any extras—just the floor space itself.
If you're planning on running things at the Kastelet, aren't you worried about trying to get everything organized by October or November? I ask because that thought honestly scares me! It really should be wrapped up by late September, right? Haha, I could definitely use some encouragement here!
Sean Wells said:And what about Tina Kalinic? I wonder if she actually holds her own better than Ana Grgic...
I have nothing but praise for Tina. She is such a professional. I'm not entirely sure when she officially started her career, but I know she already has dates booked out nine months in advance. (I'll know for sure this September!) Plus, I've had wonderful experiences working with Snoop Dogg.
coastalharbor6 said:The Forest was my first thought too, but I heard from a friend who tried reaching out to them this summer (for a date nine months away) that they can't guarantee bookings that far in advance. Since they restarted operations a few years ago, they've opened and closed a few times and changed owners, so they aren't exactly the most reliable choice.
I've actually reached out to them myself several times, and honestly? It's been three weeks and I'm still waiting for a response...
In theory, I absolutely agree. Now, if only that worked in practice! Haha, just kidding—but you are totally right. 🙂
Are you serious? I’ll head down there for a drink later and just ask them directly. If it isn't a secret, when is the wedding actually happening? I really need to know which month they've picked. I'm trying to get a sense of how far in advance they book everything. Honestly, this whole situation feels incredibly unprofessional. 😢
I’ve heard nothing but great things about him... plus, I've actually known him since I was a little kid, so it’s pretty obvious I should probably hire him! hahaha
The only thing I'm wondering is—I've never actually been to one of his parties before. Does he interact with the guests, or does he just stick to the mic and share small anecdotes?🙂
Also, regarding outdoor weddings—is that actually an option? Can a priest perform the ceremony outside?
I've read that some of the rules have changed recently, so I'm feeling a bit uncertain... plus, I can't get a hold of a priest right now. (Since I don't live in St., I figured I'd ask around here before I start locking everything in)🙂
That’s exactly what I have in mind. There are way too many of us for the indoor space (and even for outside), and since it’s planned for September, we should definitely be able to enjoy the weather outdoors... though, you can never really count on the weather 🙂
If you don't mind me asking, how many people were there?
Also, is there any chance we could coordinate with them to bring our own drinks (or at least some alcohol)?
That is such a fantastic idea! It’s spot on... Though, I think I’ve already narrowed my choices down to either Grasso or Kadena. My absolute favorite—and the one that actually fits my budget—would be Sumica, but let's be real, that probably isn't happening. So, I'm sticking with this plan 🙂 Anyway, thanks so much for suggesting this. Maybe someone else can make it work; it truly is a brilliant concept 🙂