Posts by Olivia Adams71

Olivia Reyes6 said:Thanks so much, I really appreciate the kindness! 🙂
Now I'm going to comb through this a bit to see what combinations might work.

Here's the link with all the rest of the details 😉

Olivia Reyes6 said:Look, I’m still in the very early stages of planning—basically just scouting locations and seeing what’s even possible—so I haven't actually picked a venue yet. My choice is going to depend entirely on whether I can actually fit everyone in one place... And obviously, budget is a massive factor here, especially since the economy is such a mess right now 😢

Honestly, the pricing is pretty much identical across most venues; your real headache is going to be the headcount and finding a spot that doesn't feel like a sardine can. There was an old thread floating around about venues in San Diego, so let me dig that up for you. 😉
EDIT:
Found it. I actually helped put some of that together back in the day with a little help from the regulars. 😍

Olivia Reyes6 said:Hey, can anyone give me some advice on where I could reasonably host about 50 guests near San Diego? Ideally, I'd love to find somewhere close to a decent wedding venue...

Anna’s place over in Bokanjc has apartments, and the Porto Hotel is right by the Margarita venue. You've also got the Aurora hall, plus there are plenty of other options in the St. Peter area and along the coast nearby...

just tell me which venue you're eyeing and we'll figure something out. 😉

Jack Miller4 said:I just want to make sure everything looks absolutely perfect for the party 🙂

Does anyone happen to know where I might be able to rent some chair covers here in San Diego, and does anyone have an idea of what the typical rental costs look like?

From what I recall, Pearl does rentals, but I can't remember the rates, sorry...

honestly, what are you even thinking—most banquet halls offer them anyway 🤷

Drew Turner72 said:Olivia Adams71, yeah, something like that... maybe just make that bottom one a little bigger, if that's even possible? But honestly, that's pretty much it. Thanks a million, seriously.. 😍

No worries at all 😉

There are a few other cakes in that link if you want to take a look. Feel free to grab whatever 😍

Drew Turner72 said:I was actually thinking about doing a four-tier cake, you know? But I have this vision where the second and third tiers would be tilted or set at an angle compared to the base... if that even makes sense 😕 . Does anyone happen to have any photos of something like that? I stumbled upon a picture online the other day that I absolutely loved, but I totally forgot to save it and now it’s just vanished into the void of the internet...

Something like this?😉

Aaron Bennett71 said:Hey ladies, has anyone here actually dealt with a square wedding cake before? I’ve been picturing this two-tier square design in my head, but now my aunts—who think they’re total experts on desserts—are breathing down my neck telling me it’s a bad move and that I should just stick to a classic round cake. They won't even give me a real reason why. Honestly, what do you guys think? Is a square cake actually a bad call?

Or maybe your aunts just happen to own a round pan? 🤷

When we went to ask, nobody even brought up the shape; they just said they could whip up whatever you want, and looking at their portfolio, they probably can. If I’m reading you right, you're over in Quincy, right? Who told you all that anyway?

Taylor Kelly3 said:After reading through all your posts, I figured I’d jump in, share some of my own experiences, and toss a few tips your way!
So, look—I play in a band, and after playing a ton of weddings and various gigs, I can give you the real scoop. I’ll mostly stick to the music side of things, though, since—well, I’m not a videographer!
Before you go running off looking for help or advice, you’ve gotta realize that everyone is different. Seriously, people don't think alike! One person might love a certain venue, while someone else totally hates it—everyone’s got their own vibe! For example, back in my hometown, there’s this one hall (and it’s not just one, by the way) that most people can't stand, but someone walks in and goes, “That’s the spot!” Some folks don't care about decor at all and will leave a place looking totally bare as long as the party is killer. There aren't any hard rules here, and the absolute worst thing you can do is try to "copy" a wedding you attended where you had a blast. If you try that, it’ll probably blow up in your face! You can have the perfect venue, the perfect band, the right decor, the best photographer, caterers, and parking, but if you don't hire the right *people*, the whole thing won't be unforgettable. You have to remember that when an older lady hears some heavy hitters, she’s gonna say “Goodness gracious, this crowd has gone totally crazy! Jim, let’s get moving!” Meanwhile, the younger crowd might just fall asleep during the slower stuff. Every guest matters!
I’ve been to plenty of "great" and "terrible" weddings. As a musician, I look at it this way: did we actually entertain the GUESTS? Did everything run smoothly? Was the banter tasteful? (Quote: "Hey, Best Man, spin us around a little more"... Good grief... you can take the country out of the rural South, but you can't take the South out of the country!). Most importantly, did everyone working the event respect each other just for YOUR sake? (And hey, if someone thinks it’s fine for a band to play for two hours, take a 15-minute break, then play another two hours, well, they should decide if they want a wedding or a rave!). At the end of the day, steak is best when it's hot, and we all know how bad cold risotto can be!
For some people, the band's sound is everything... (Don't just listen to DVDs—I know, others have mentioned this, but people film with all kinds of cheap cameras. Talk to the band and ask to hear them live). For others, it’s the song selection, the atmosphere (and we all know what happens when you've had a few drinks), or maybe it's the food—steak, risotto, or just a massive spread. Basically, you need to respect all of it!
I know a huge amount of venues, capacities, photographers, videographers (I've seen their work), agencies, bands, and so on in my area, but since I can't exactly plug myself, I'll stay anonymous!
I get asked for recommendations for photos, video, venues... all the time. But I won't give them! How am I supposed to know if our tastes even align?
If the pay is right, I’d even fly to Switzerland to play a wedding, but obviously, the price would go up to cover costs. Just a heads up, though: don't expect a band from California to throw the exact same kind of party as a band from Georgia, and vice versa! ...Maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but that's basically how it works!
Ask whatever you want. Negotiate with the people you hire, but always keep in mind that they are there for one night specifically for YOU. You're paying them, so they "have" to listen to you—otherwise... why would you even hire them in the first place???????
But seriously, feel free to ask us for advice too, because we can really help you out! We're happy to help however we can!!!

Alright, I'll go first. Since you're offering to give advice, how about 😉

The thing is, everything in your post is just really broad, high-level stuff. What those of us here—specifically me—actually want to know is: what are the specific things we can or should negotiate with a band when making a deal, and which questions are just a total waste of breath? 🤷

Basically, how far in advance do we finalize the setlist?
And which questions are considered useless or redundant from your perspective? 🙄 because they either make no sense or aren't even necessary.

And so on...
I'll try to think of more 😉

Anyway, I have a ton of respect for anyone from any professional background who takes the time to chime in like this, so cheers to you 👍