Posts by Olivia Adams71

Gregory Campbell56 said:Hey girls, is anyone else planning on getting married in San Diego this year or next??? I'm dying to know which photographer or photo studio you guys went with! 😕
Also, what kind of budget are we looking at? I know it’s super hard to compare since everyone has different packages, but maybe let me know roughly how much you're planning to drop? ☕
And is there anyone else out there who isn't doing a full video crew and just wants a photographer instead? 😁

We’ve actually covered a ton of this right here... ☕ go back and scroll through...

Gregory Campbell56 said:Thought I’d jump into this thread too. There’s so much good stuff here, even for the San Diego area—I definitely need to read through everything when I get a chance ☕
My wedding is happening next spring in San Diego, so I’m currently on the hunt for a photographer. Does anyone have recommendations? I’d really love to see an actual wedding album from someone they’ve worked with. As for Susie, she’s my 🙏, but she's already booked for our date, so that's a no-go.
I’m really looking for someone who’s at least somewhat creative 😉
What about photo Nadio, has anyone used them?
I’ve noticed that almost none of the photo studios in SD even have a website to show off their work 🤷
Go San Diegans, help me out!!! 😕

First off, congrats! 😍
You hit the nail on the head; hardly anyone in San Diego keeps a proper website, so you're basically flying blind and relying entirely on word-of-mouth.
Personally, Nadio Photography didn't really do it for me—just my impression after scrolling through their pages.
I can recommend my go-to studio, Photo G; the shots are in the link so take a look—we were pretty happy with them. 😍
There's also Click and Atlantic, but as for all those other guys, I haven't seen their actual work in ages, so I can't say much (Lawrence and the crew).

Olivia Hill9 said:A part of the Calypso band actually plays at the Forum too... given their track record, I doubt they'd be anything less than great... I was just wondering what they're like for weddings since I haven't caught them live yet...

Thanks for the heads-up on Rockatansky; sounds like Big Fun is a solid choice too... do you happen to know what their rates look like?

As for the light show, it feels like a lot to me too... but I'll give it some more thought. I need to see where I can trim the budget just to see if I can squeeze this in... maybe. Yeah, I know the Trophy crew had their own lighting setup... but they're booked up... which I guess explains why their prices are so high...

Big Fun quoted us around $1,300, if I remember right.
IMO, lighting is just throwing money down the drain. When you look at the venue for what it actually is—which venue are we talking about? 🤔—you might be better off spending a few bucks on floating candles and some centerpiece bowls for the tables (if that's the vibe), then just asking them to dim the lights during the dance set. Boom, instant atmosphere for peanuts.😉

Olivia Hill9 said:Hey ladies...

I’ve pretty much picked out everything...
I have to give a huge shoutout to Susan—she is seriously amazing...🙏

The only thing left is the music. I'm still deciding, so I wanted to see what you all think about Calypso and Rockatansky?
Also, any thoughts on Big Fun?

Thanks, everyone!

🙂

Never heard of Calypso, and Rockatansky? They're way overhyped. From what I've gathered, they're pretty full of themselves—they just play whatever they feel like instead of sticking to the plan you actually agreed on.
I've checked out Big Fun, though, and they're solid. 👍 We were looking at them and Amadeus—honestly, I don't think we would've regretted picking either one. 😉

Olivia Hill9 said:Yeah, true... and before I forget—even though I really need to watch my budget here—what’s the consensus on light shows? Specifically, what kind of pricing should I expect around the San Francisco area?

I’ve only ever looked at one quote, so I’m trying to figure out if I’m looking at the high end, the low end, or somewhere right in the middle🤷...as far as costs go...and what have your experiences been like?
Personally, I think they make a huge difference for the vibe...it changes how the whole venue looks, and honestly, people tend to🙂 relax more on the dance floor when they aren't staring under those harsh, bright house lights...

What do you guys think?

Some bands come with their own setup, but if you want to add an extra light show, expect to shell out an extra $1,000. I don't have a specific contact, but honestly, that feels like overkill to me.
Just take a look at the venue's built-in lighting and see how they handle it during the dance sets. At our place, they kept all the lights on the whole time; nobody seemed to mind too much. I mean, a few people mentioned it was a bit bright, but they still danced.

mellowfalcon said:Quick—what are the top three bands in Zadar? 😁

The "official" list? Zadarexpress, Kanela, MyWay, and some other group I can't be bothered to remember.
My personal top three: Amadeus, Big Fun, and Tempo.

Olivia Hill9 said:Then she's definitely the one from Aurora...
I've personally seen young women get done up so heavily that they would've been ten times better off without any makeup at all. To be fair, I didn't see that happening at the NYC parties... but still... I'm just asking. I want to pick something that actually suits me, which is why I'm here in the first place.😉

thanks for everything...

We were on the same page. 😉
Look, it’s pretty obvious—you talk to any makeup artist and you’ll quickly get a feel for how they actually operate. Just listen to their vibe and use that to set your own expectations. 😉

Olivia Hill9 said:So, what you're saying is they're great because they don't just cake you in layers of makeup that make you look ten years older? They go for a more natural look that still holds up all night?

Sorry if I'm being a bit blunt, but I really wouldn't want to get my makeup done only to come home and have to wash it all off myself...😲

Also, how much does it cost to get professionally done?

I heard about this stylist who used to work at Glamour in NYC, but she's been based in New York City for a few years now. Her salon is somewhere downtown, but I can't remember the name. Could that be the place?

p.s. thanks for the info.

I think the one from Aurora used to live in NYC, but I'm not positive.

Look, I don't know where you saw those "cemented" faces, but from what I've seen, these girls look amazing and their makeup stays put all night long: Blackie, Ancika, and a few others who aren't even on this forum.
Anyway, at the end of the day, you're the one calling the shots on your own style.☕
As for prices, I'd guess around $67, but Blackie and Ancika probably know better—you should just shoot them a DM.😉

Olivia Hill9 said:Joanna, thank you. You've been such a huge help.
I'm heading to New York City this weekend, so I'll check out the Suzy Price you mentioned for the basic package. It doesn't look bad at all compared to what things cost in NYC. One thing though—Suzy doesn't provide the camera herself, right? So, I'd have to factor in the extra cost for a camera, but the real issue is where to find one that isn't tied to the photo package.🤷🤔

We'll get to hear Tempo at a party we're attending soon, but it might be too late by then—they might already be booked for our date. We'll try to see them perform this weekend instead.

Since you've been so helpful in guiding me—do you happen to know anyone in NYC who does great makeup? Nothing heavy like stage makeup, just something natural that lasts all night? And also, someone who does amazing hair?

Thank you, thank you 🙂

You've got Aurora in town, and Simpa over at the Walmart on the Boulevard—actually, just around there, in the same building as Hypo Bank, there's another hair and beauty salon.😉

hollowsailor5 said:We’re looking at about 300 guests, so we have a limited number of venues in the San Diego area to choose from...
What does the venue actually look like? What kind of tables are they using (round or rectangular)? How's the service?
What do you mean by "too dark"?
Do you happen to know the price per chair?
Thanks!

The tables are rectangular, and the section where we were sitting was pretty much pitch black.🤷
I don't know the exact price, but I'd bet my life it's higher than it was three years ago.
If I remember right, that hall in San Francisco holds about 300 people, plus there are a few other spots around St. Philip and Jacob.😛

Olivia Hill9 said:Hey there!👍
So, we used Amadeus—we'll give them a call and see when they're available to play.
We're planning on listening to Tempo at the party in December, but since they usually fill our usual slots, we should probably go hear them live before then too.
Our main issue is that we work in New York City, while my partner is originally from San Diego. I spend my entire summer down south, but we just don't know much about these specific local details. It seems like nobody promotes themselves online lately; honestly, it feels like nobody even has their own website anymore.

So, did you use Studio G?
And how much did it run you??

A lot of them have clips posted on YouTube or MySpace, so if you reach out, just ask them to shoot over the links.😉
The studio is going to hit us for about $1,100. We haven't pulled the trigger on the payment yet, so I’m sending you their flyer for this year via DM. Since we locked them in last year, we actually managed to snag a better deal back then. 🙂

mellowfalcon said:I’m guessing all the top-tier bands will be booked up every single Saturday 🙂 we were eyeing September 10th, but hey, I guess I'll scrape something together—it's basically a double payday for them anyway, two gigs packed into one week 🙂

Most of those bands are used to playing dive bars every Friday night, so they don't mind pulling a Friday gig at a festival either. It's just part of the grind for them. 😉

Olivia Hill9 said:Hey everyone!
I'm having a hard time tracking down bands and photographers (the two biggest pieces of the puzzle) in the San Diego area.🙄

I see everyone pointing me toward Studio G, but since I can't find their website,🤷 I haven't been able to check out their portfolio. (I don't live in New York City, just visit occasionally😉).
If anyone could send a few of their photos to my inbox, I’d really appreciate it—just so I can get a feel for their style.

Also, Suzy seems decent, but I read somewhere that she's pretty pricey. If anyone knows what a basic package costs, please shoot me a PM.
At this rate, it feels like I might have to fly in a photographer from New York City along with our guests. 😁
And even there, the few we liked are already booked up.

Second thing—the bands. We were hoping to book Trofej-zauzeti for our date.🙄
We need someone who actually knows how to work a crowd.🙂🙂I know the vibe depends a lot on the guests, but we want a group that will get people dancing (we have a lot of young people attending).
Please, I need recommendations ASAP.
Even though our wedding isn't until September 2010, it feels like all the good ones are already taken.😢
Any info helps—who's great and who should be avoided.🙂

Sorry for the long post.

Thanks!👋

mellowfalcon said:We're stuck in the exact same loop again. 🙂 If you happen to snag any photos, just pass them my way.
So, what's the deal with that band Trophy? And more importantly—what's the damage if someone actually wants to book them?

Here's the local scoop from the San Diego connection😂
Bands:
We used Amadeus, and they were solid.👍
I'd recommend Tempo or Big Fun. Zadarexpress is okay, but you basically have to give them a detailed blueprint before the party starts to make sure they nail it.🙄
Don't know much about the others, but I'll be catching Trofej at a party on January 9th.😉
Photographers: Unfortunately, they don't have a site. Your best bet is probably calling them and asking them to email some samples.🤷
Mine aren't ready yet😢 but I promise to share the album as soon as they land.😁

Angela Martin10 said:I want to extend my sincere thanks to Olivia Adams71 for the incredibly prompt assistance. I was actually grabbing coffee with an acquaintance this morning, and she was venting about her recent experience with Studio G. She hired them about two months ago, and now she’s telling me that the final results are nowhere near the quality they initially promised during their consultation. It's honestly quite disappointing when things don't live up to the pitch.
Everyone kept telling her she should make sure the photo actually featured Ivica working on the project, yet somehow, some other guy ends up in the shot instead. It’s absolutely ridiculous.
She told me straight up that the photos lack inspiration—they just don't have that "something" special, you know? She said she’s perfectly content just having an album to look back on when she's older so she can see how young and beautiful she once was. That’s really it. Honestly, her point was that any friend with a slightly better camera could have snapped those same shots.

Can someone tell me what the actual cost of these thank-you plaques is? And I’m also wondering about the setup—does the text come printed directly on the acrylic, or is that part handled separately?
How much is that photo CD going for?

She actually mentioned Suzy too, but since both of them were completely swamped with work over at the office, she just brushed it off—claiming she’ll never even miss it.
I can’t quite recall the exact price point, but apparently, it isn't breaking the bank. Still, I have this nagging feeling that we should be aiming for something truly top-tier. I refuse to settle for mediocrity! Someone, please, lend me your wisdom—help me out here!

Regarding the photographer, we also went looking for specific people to handle our photos and video. But honestly, I won't know if they actually met our expectations until I finally get the album in my hands. From what I've seen so far—our thank-you card, the enlarged photo they gave us as a gift that night, and those two accordion-style prints for the wedding party—everything looks great.😍
I'll send over the prices in a bit; I just realized I have their flyer tucked away in my bag.😁
There isn't a set price for the thank-you cards.🤷
It seems like they are $2.75 per unit if you use their specific design, but if you bring your own cards, a photo for the thank-you note is $1.75 per unit.
The one from $2.75 is just a basic card, and you work out the internal text directly with them.
They offer other types of thank-you cards too, but those are more expensive...
The photo CD is free.
edit: I scanned the flyer 😬 hope this is allowed here 🤷
Angela Martin10, I'm sending you the studio flyer via PM.😉

Angela Martin10 said:Good evening, everyone.
My wedding is set for May in Zadar.
From what I can see, photographers in Zadar don't really have much of an online presence, except for SuzyNewLife and Nadio.
I could really use some help choosing because I am dead set on having a beautiful album.
I noticed Studio G was recommended, so I'm curious why that is, what their pricing looks like, and what their process is.
I haven't started interviewing photographers yet, but I'm hoping to have everything sorted by the New Year.
I saw someone mention that Suzy offers certain packages, so if anyone knows the details, please fill me in.
I took a look at her website and it seems decent enough.
Right now, my focus is strictly on photography; the music is hopefully handled and the venue is booked, so I'm tackling the photo situation next.
Please help!

Well, look who's calling for backup.😉
I’d personally vouch for Studio G, but let me wait a few days so I can post some actual photos for you to look at.😉
Studio G offers both photography and video. I'm not 100% certain on the exact pricing, but everything together usually runs about $1,100: that includes the shoot, the video, 3 DVD copies, a massive album with nearly 200 shots (depending on the package), thank-you cards (which they charge extra for this year), plus a CD with all the digital photos...
We went with them because we saw footage and photos from a wedding they did three years ago and loved the style. We also stopped by their studio to flip through one of their physical albums before making the call.
The biggest reason I recommend them, though, is how they treat the couple. They are incredibly easygoing and, for the most part, they stay so low-key you barely notice them, even though they're always there when needed.👍

mellowfalcon said:thanks a ton 🙂
but honestly, what’s the average price for a restaurant booth in San Diego? I have zero clue what to expect...
also, thanks for the heads-up on the bus lines!!
any idea how much Amadeus runs?

The average is about $35-$45 per person, and we paid $1,300 for Amadeus back in the day—no idea if those prices are still holding up today...

mellowfalcon said:Ugh, thanks a million... I'm looking at about 200 people, so I need a venue in that ballpark. I saw that one thread where everyone was roasting almost every single hall—that was actually super helpful... I just don't know which places can actually handle 200 guests without feeling like I'm hosting an event in a massive empty stadium. Finding that "Goldilocks" zone isn't easy. My biggest headache is that I can't be driving back and forth to San Diego every single weekend to scout locations, so I can't visit everything myself. It would be a lifesaver if the venue was near a Hilton or some decent apartments, since most of my guests will probably need a place to crash. As long as it’s relatively close to San Diego—maybe as far out as a suburb like Dollis or even a little past that, but nothing crazy 🙂
Also, if anyone knows a reliable shuttle or bus company for rent, that would be huge.
As for the band, I need something that doesn't lean too hard into that cheesy country/folk vibe, but also isn't stuck in that aggressive rock era either. Something more urban/indie, but you know, not like they'd turn their noses up at some classic old-school hits.
Does anyone know a photo studio in San Diego that does both photography and videography? I stumbled upon Suzy's page and she seems legit... any idea what the price range looks like there?
Okay, I think that covers it for now 🙂 Hope I didn't overwhelm you with all this 🙂

Alright, let me jump in and help out my fellow San Diegans 😉
Here’s what worked for me, which might help you out:
Festival Restaurant—it holds up to 220 people, and most of their setups fall right in that sweet spot. For those of you who can't visit every venue, just call them and ask for capacity upfront; it'll save you a ton of wasted trips.
Transportation: We used a local service from San Diego (the provider is Chudina, number is in the directory), and we also used Michael's bus service from Sedona—the price was around $1000 for the Sedona to San Diego route, but keep in mind longer distances cost way more...
Photo: Studio G—I won't recommend them because we haven't actually gotten our photos yet 😬 we should have them by the end of next week, then I'll post an album so you guys can see.
Band: Amadeus—they were great, really flexible, didn't act like divas, and we were super happy with them.
Allo Bakery—the lady there worked absolute magic, so a huge thank you again to her. 😍 I highly recommend the cake without walnuts; that sponge was incredible.
Music accompaniment: I'll send the number via PM, they were awesome—accordion and guitar, they really put on a show.
Other stuff: Oh yeah, the wedding dress is from Nicholas—shoutout to the lovely ladies working there. 👋
Suit was from Martin Arbanas
Jewelry from Rubin Hall Decor
Decor: Liatris Florist—you can find them online.
Bouquet and boutonnieres: Liatris Florist—Zack is a total wizard. 😍

One more thing I have to mention:
Before you even start hunting for vendors, get crystal clear on exactly what you want and how you want it. That way, you can immediately weed out certain
service providers, and it'll be much easier to defend your choices against all the "well-meaning" unsolicited advice later on.

Also, make sure you MANDATORY sign contracts with everyone, with clearly defined prices included. Everything is getting more expensive next year, so protect yourselves.
And honestly, just make sure you ask exactly what’s covered in the price—like, does the photo studio package actually include things like the chair rental or other extras? What we managed to snag for free in our package is apparently being charged as an add-on this year. For instance, by just signing our contract with the photographer early under the old rates, we saved about $1000 👍
.

Olivia Hill9 said:Hi everyone!🙂I’m new here. I’ve spent most of my time just lurking and reading through different threads, but I’m feeling a little lost and could really use some help.
Does anyone know if the Trophy band (based out of the San Diego area) is still active? Also, do they still have the same lineup they had a few years back?🤷They were absolutely incredible 🙂when we hired them for a wedding, and we’re seriously considering booking them for our own big day.
Thanks in advance for any info you can share!😍

Never heard of those guys, but here's their contact info

mellowfalcon said:Hey everyone.. 🙂
After scrolling through basically every single page of every thread here ( 🙂 ), I figured I’d just throw my hat in the ring.. I'm planning a wedding in San Diego for next year, but there's a bit of a catch—we don't actually live there. So, I could really use some solid suggestions or leads if you guys have them. It feels like there aren't many local women on this thread, so there isn't much info about getting married in San Diego specifically—which is why any help would be huge.. bands, restaurants, photographers... I've been hunting online and it seems like almost none of the photo studios in San Diego even have their own websites. Help a girl out 🙂 thanks so much, everyone!

Well, people in San Diego don't really lean into online advertising much either, but here's what I've got for you

Regarding photographers, I'd suggest Studio G—they do great work—or maybe Click, and Suzi—she actually has an online gallery.
Just drop a note letting us know your guest count and what kind of vibe you're going for; a few pages back, some of us already posted recommendations for restaurants 😉
If you don't want to sit around waiting until Monday for a reply, just fire off your questions now 😉

hollowsailor5 said:Does anyone happen to have a photo from a wedding at the Hilton, or maybe a shot of the ballroom itself? Also, if anyone’s actually attended a reception there, I'd love to hear your honest take on the place...

I went to a wedding there about two or three years back, and honestly, it didn't exactly blow me away. 🤷
The food was decent enough and the room itself is fine, but everything really depends on how they set up the seating. For my taste, though, the lighting was way too dim—plus, it felt super weird having some guy come out of the kitchen after every single course just to count the guests. 😲

restlessdrifter15 said:
😉

Man, I’d honestly vote for them all over again 😍😍😍

restlessdrifter15, thanks again 😘

What's the shelf life on these treats? My husband is low-key worried they're gonna attract an army of ants 😬

Jack Miller4 said:Does anyone happen to have recommendations for a makeup artist and a hairstylist in San Diego? Ideally, I’d love to find someone who works out of the same salon to keep things simple.
Best regards!

Check out the salon run by Martha over at the Walmart on Boulevard 😉
plus there's a spot in the building right behind that Walmart—I think it's General Electric
Life Alert over on Aurora
Aurora on the Peninsula