Posts by Nicole Hill35

nimbleviper15 said:@dustypanther12: thanks for sharing your experience and the advice. Looking at their videos, they seem like a pretty laid-back, wild, slightly eccentric band, which is exactly the vibe we’re hunting for ;-) I'll probably reach out to them by the end of the week, just to get some info 😉

@Nicole Hill35: thanks for the tip regarding Oliver and the photographer tours. I think I'll follow that lead; it's probably better to handle everything face-to-face to get the full picture. I can gauge how interested people actually are just from their presentation ;-)

As for the venue, my partner and I settled on that immediately. We both want an outdoor wedding. My uncle is a priest, so there aren't any issues there, which made things easy. We're going with Zdjelarevic 🙂
I've already been checking around and comparing prices. For a group of about 100-110 people, renting a traditional hall just doesn't make sense for us—the cost-to-value ratio is off
My boyfriend isn't a fan of those massive banquet halls 😁 he feels like those spaces lack atmosphere and soul, and honestly, I have to agree. An outdoor setup feels much more professional and offers better value for the money. In our area, you pay a lot for very little, though maybe that'll change eventually as new trends and people come in. I suppose Richmond has seen some progress over the last decade compared to ten years ago 🙂

Zdjelarevic includes the wedding reception in the price; the restaurant rental is free. They do a welcome for the couple and the wedding party in the winery cellar with some Zdjelarevic sparkling wine and a toast from the hosts. There's also a suite for the newlyweds with breakfast, plus discounts on rooms for guests if anyone needs them (which I assume some will), also including breakfast. They offer a few different menus that can be adjusted, and they serve their own wine
I'm hoping the total comes out cheaper than what my brother and sister paid at Crystal or Matičević, where they were charged $28 or $30 per person, not even counting the extra $1,000 hall rental fee. I'll run the final numbers once everything is set and post back here for anyone else struggling with the small vs. large wedding dilemma 😉

In my opinion, there's no comparison between an intimate wedding with just close family and friends at Zdjelarevic versus a medium-to-large event at Crystal (which I think has the best service and halls), Matičević, and so on. But ultimately, it all comes down to personal taste. That specific atmosphere of the restaurant, the winery, the hotel, and the vineyard just floored me. I knew instantly it was what I wanted. Plus, since I can have the outdoor wedding I've always wanted, it'll be worth it just to spend a weekend out in nature there

Best,

Zdjelarevic 😍 sounds great!
But just so you know, you aren't paying a separate hall fee here; you're just paying me. With Matičević, you're hit with extra charges for chair covers and round tables, and even at the new place, you don't really need them because the chairs are already white. Crystal charges for covers too.
The actual hall rental happens over in Bukovlje, and that's closer to $10,000. The food might be slightly cheaper there, but when all is said and done, you end up in the same spot.

nimbleviper15 said:I suppose I have until maybe spring to scout out the venue, then I'll start looking at bookings. The wedding is set for August 2014, and I'm honestly just worried about how fast the time will slip away. 😉

I've been looking at all three of them online, and now I'm also considering Photo Top as a backup if these guys are booked up, though they don't look quite as impressive. I want to see more of their work and how they present themselves. Price will probably be the deciding factor, I guess, but for me, the individual experience and working relationship with the photographer matters more.
As I ask around, everyone seems to be talking up Tony, but his style feels a bit too much like a standard studio shoot—very classic, but lacking that artistic "touch" that makes photos really stand out. Then again, I don't want everything over-retouched either.
I feel a bit silly asking around like this instead of just requesting quotes from everyone or visiting the sites myself, which would be the logical thing to do. I feel this weird sense of obligation to all of them, even though I’ll likely only accept one offer. My boyfriend is making things complicated; I need to organize everything and research what we both want, but since he's currently out of the country and we aren't sure when he'll be back, it would be smarter to settle most of the searching by spring. That way, once he's home, we can just visit locations and finalize things. That's my biggest stress right now—trying to decide what to do and how to clearly explain exactly what I want to each photographer. If only these were my only worries in life, right?

Could you tell me a bit about how Oliver works? Does he shoot solo that day or does he have an assistant? What's his vibe like? I haven't actually met him yet, though looking at his profile, it seems we run in similar circles. How's the atmosphere he creates? Sorry to bother you with all these questions. 🙂

Regarding Mirror, I noticed those same details you mentioned. It does seem like they were a bit more engaged in their older work, but maybe that's just down to the specific agreement they had. I don't know.

I suspect the band will end up being a much larger investment and a far bigger headache to sort out. 😉

I was eyeing Photo Top too; based on their portfolio, they seemed like the best option, but they were significantly pricier than Oliver. I don't remember the exact amount, but it was well over $3333 for a 13-hour shoot. They might have bumped up their rates in the last year.
When Oliver showed up, he had a very young girl with him. The two of them shot until 8 PM—until the first dance. She helps him with lighting and stuff, but she shoots as she goes, too. Another guy joins them in the hall, and Oliver actually stepped away for a bit to grab some thank-you gifts (we had agreed on that beforehand; I heard this guy shoots for National Geographic). Everything was moving along fine, then Oliver came back after a while, and it was just that guy left for about two hours. He asked if we wanted him to stay longer to get more shots, saying he could, but if we wanted him to head out, he would. The shoot around the house and in town—that posing part—was great for me, even though I’m not exactly a fan of being in front of a camera. Both Oliver and the videographer were solid. The whole thing felt relaxed; there wasn't any bossing us around or staged nonsense. They were always present in the room, and it felt like we’d known them for years. Those two hours flew by. Later, in the yard and the hall, I didn't even notice the photographers; they were just drifting around, catching those perfect moments. From what I gathered, the best way to handle someone like him is to just stay out of his way. Don't tell him "do this" or "do that." He knows his craft, and he’s done a thousand weddings—he's got way more experience than the rest of us.

Honestly, Tony, you should probably just scout out some local photographers around town—guys like Breza and his crowd. They might have updated their kits and lowered their rates. For everyone else, just shoot them an email. Tell them exactly what you need: wedding photo and video coverage for a specific number of hours, plus thank-you clips. It helps to find a style you like on YouTube and send them a link so they know the vibe, the gear, and the editing style you're after. Once you compare prices and narrow it down to a shortlist, show those options to your guy. Then, just meet up with them to finalize everything. That’s how I handled it; I don't live in Richmond, and my husband isn't even from that area anyway.

Have you even thought about the venue yet?

nimbleviper15 said:Regarding Daniel, you're right. That's why I didn't consider him. His photos all look the same, and I didn't really vibe with him when we met.

So, 400 photos sounds like a large package. I assume you had a big wedding; we’re planning for maybe 110 guests max. 😉
I assume Meyers also has a few collaborators for filming?😕

I suppose I'll need to think it over. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to send an inquiry to all three of them with our specific needs, just to see how the pricing compares. Most likely, whoever is available will win out. I want portraits of me and my fiancé, shots with all the guests, and something casual at home—plus some coverage of the reception. Same goes for the video.
The issue is that my boyfriend is in Germany, so I need to ask everything ASAP so that once he returns next year, we can take things easy while touring venues, booking the photographer, and the band. I haven't even started looking for a band yet. Who did you guys hire?

Oliver and I didn't really talk about specific packages, but yeah, our guest list was double what you're planning. Our album has everything you're looking for 😉, though it doesn't have a photo with every single guest. Even if 400 sounds like a lot, you tend to flip through them pretty fast.🙂
Your best bet is to meet with everyone, talk shop, and see who you vibe with. You can also check Facebook; everyone posts their wedding photos there, so you can see whose style actually appeals to you. For instance, I'm not a fan of Mirror's recent trend where they'll pair a black-and-white shot with a bright red bouquet and things like that. That might work for some, but it's not my thing. I'm not saying they're bad, just that I don't care for it. Tony had a similar style a few years ago, and looking at Mirror's old vs. new work, it feels like the quality has actually dipped lately.

We had The Musicians play. We had a bit of a "challenge" because we had guests coming from all over the US and even Russia, covering all ages. They knew how to play a few songs for everyone, including Russian tracks! Honestly, they were the only ones we could actually coordinate with, so we stopped looking immediately. They played acoustic sets until midnight, then switched to guitars and keyboards after that. It was a bit hit-or-miss, but we weren't being picky.
And honestly, if you already have a date, start touring venues now. Everyone books up fast, and Saturdays in the popular months are usually gone nearly two years in advance.

I think there are about 400 photos in the album, but you get both the raw and edited shots on the DVD.
When we sat down with Oliver, he walked us through everything—what kind of footage we wanted, camera specs, editing styles, the whole bit. He showed us portfolios from his cinematographers, and we just picked the style that clicked with us. He’s based in New York City and does a lot of music videos. We paid him $3,000, but honestly, it was worth every penny. The video turned out flawless. We got a short highlight clip, a 4.5-minute "best moments" reel, and about two hours of edited footage, plus we could grab all the raw footage from the entire day. In the end, the photo and video guys teamed up, but for me, it was worth
Mijic takes great photos, and Kreso does solid work too, but you need to book them immediately if you want one of them. It’s the same deal with Oliver. He manages a few different crews, so he coordinates who goes where.
I believe Mirror has been in the game a long time and used to have a stellar reputation. I was torn between him and Oliver, but Mirror couldn't find the time to meet up, so he suggested handling everything over email. It took him two weeks just to reply to an email. 🙄
I haven't heard that Daniel is the most expensive, though I didn't dig too deep into his pricing. I saw some of his work, and frankly, it felt over-processed—some of the photos were so heavily edited they didn't even look like us.

I used Oliver back in the fall, so feel free to pick my brain about anything. 😉
From what I've heard, Mijic charges a bit more than Oliver, but it really just comes down to what you're looking for—whether you want a second shoot date or a specific photographer's style and so on.
As for the idea that Ogi, Tony, or tref are viable alternatives to Oliver and Mijic? Not even close, especially tref 🤣. And honestly, Mirror's photo quality has been slipping lately.

For me, the photography, editing, and the big album set ended up being $5,600, plus whatever extra you pay for the specific photographer you choose—that’s how it worked for me. I got the photos back in about two weeks, and the album itself is actually solid.
And I don't see why people can't talk prices here; I've seen plenty of other threads where people discuss costs.

velvetscout432 said:Nicole Hill35 Can anyone give me some recommendations for makeup, nails, or hair in NYC? 😉

Maya did my makeup; you can find her on Facebook under makeup art by Maya. I did my own nails, but if you want my advice, 🙂 stay away from Valentin Style. I don't know anyone who actually had a good experience there. To be honest, when I went a few years back, I couldn't believe the prices they were charging for what they did.

For my hair, I went to Kosa on Osjecka, and I was beyond happy. Everything stayed perfectly in place even after a full night's sleep, and it didn't break the bank. She really went the extra mile because I told her about this one time I got my hair done in NYC and it started falling apart an hour later. It actually turned out better than the photo I brought in :-D I was aiming for something like this http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mQayZG59AG...25281%2529.jpg

P.S. When people mention Crystal, they should probably include the city. Every town in America has a venue called Crystal. 😉

coastalranger10 said:I’m going to go with the same, though I think I'll skip the appetizer. To be honest, I had no idea grilled meat could actually be this good—it was quite lovely. My only real gripe with them is that they charge extra for chair covers, which is just a bit much, so I’ve decided to pass on them...

It wasn't their usual routine, but my husband is set on that tradition, so we looked for it. They mentioned they'll be offering it more often now, like those chicken patties for the main course.
We cut the appetizer because I was hosting a party at my place, and we already had plenty of finger foods ready for anyone who wanted them.
As for the covers, they're $3.25. They originally quoted us $15, which gave me pause. But then again, most places charge for that stuff; I think in Bukovlje, it's usually just baked into the venue price.

coastalranger10 said:I’m actually getting married at Smith, so I have to admit, I’ve been feeling a little anxious lately... I’ve attended a few weddings there before, and they certainly didn't skimp on the catering. Nicole Hill35, if you don't mind me asking, what did you end up going with, and do you remember when the venue deposit was due?

We went with four courses, but we cut the appetizer and asked them to swap the roast for some BBQ meat instead. My wedding was on June 23rd, right after a holiday, so they told us we could handle any banking or exchange stuff on Tuesday if needed, but we just settled everything on Monday.
Don't sweat it too much. If you have questions, just ask. 😉

Ethan Wilson94 said:I saw some work from that girl over at Chic Studio on Facebook, and honestly? It’s killer. Her makeup looks incredible in her photos, too.

I've heard Glasser is top-tier when it comes to service and food, but honestly? They’re probably not your go-to if you aren't hosting a massive wedding.

My cousin went to Smith's for her event and she was totally unimpressed. Apparently, the food portions were tiny, even though they charged extra for dessert—and she said those desserts were garbage. Just pure sugar and margarine. The hall itself is nice, but that's about it. On the other hand, Crystal—at least the one in Indianapolis—is a fantastic venue. I've heard nothing but good things, and it's pretty popular. Plus, the young director there is actually reasonable to work with.

I had my event at Smith recently, and I couldn't be happier. There was way too much food—maybe it was the menu, but we ended up with a mountain of leftovers the next day. Almost everyone complained they couldn't try everything because there was just so much. They kept refilling everything constantly. I didn't eat many sweets, just a couple of kinds, but they tasted homemade. Their desserts are made by Sweetie from Ruscic, and in my opinion, they're worth every penny.
For me, Smith isn't just about a pretty venue; everything else was solid. The servers were lightning-fast and helpful, and things like different types of pizza were already included in the price. Food, desserts... it's all covered.

If I ever get married again 🤣, I'd definitely have the reception 🙂 there.

Keith Brooks93 said:Hey there! I was wondering if anyone could point me toward some great catering options—ideally something that won't break the bank—around the Slough County area? Specifically looking for recommendations in Gary, Indiana. I’d really appreciate any leads you guys might have!
P.S. Also, I’m totally new to this forum, so hello everyone! Big news on my end—I’m getting married on August 18th of this year! 😍

I found a guy who handles everything—setup, serving, all of it. All I need is him at my place for a few hours in the yard before the ceremony. He does pastries, crackers, desserts, and sets up platters with cheese, fruit, veggies, and deli meats. It sounds like he can even source everything himself.
He doesn't fly solo, obviously 🙂; he brings his own servers. He just suggests a headcount based on how many guests are coming
The price is solid, and I've heard nothing but good things about him. Everything is negotiable, and he seems like a straight shooter. Since he's working my event in a month, I won't know for sure until then 😁
If that kind of setup works for you, I can pass along his number so you can reach out 😉

Angela Walker79 said:Does anyone know of a decent venue in St. Louis that can accommodate maybe 100 people tops? It’s honestly driving me crazy that around here, you either have massive banquet halls meant for 300+ guests or tiny little eateries—basically just pizza joints—that barely seat 30. So, does anyone have a recommendation for a nice space, a cool pub, a restaurant, or a hall that fits an ideal group of 80 to 100? Please? I am getting a bit desperate here 🙂

local restaurant 🤷 I think it's way smaller than those big banquet halls, but I can't be certain

Walter Martinez2 said:What kind of harm is done if I bring homemade cookies without a label, where I personally act as James that they can sue—instead of some small business—if someone gets sick, when in reality the lawsuit would be against me anyway rather than the restaurant?
I don't think this should be an issue. If I have my own wine and can bake my own treats, and I'm willing to take responsibility for it, why won't they work with me? Especially nowadays, I don't want to waste money on overpriced catering when I can make it myself for half the price. It's common knowledge that anything labeled "for a wedding" ends up costing twice as much.☕

You aren't going to bake those for half the price; maybe you'll get them for 🙂a third of the cost
.

crimsonwalker13 said:Does anyone happen to know where I can book a wedding light show in a place like Indianapolis? I’m looking for something pretty low-key—just some basic color washes for the ballroom and maybe some bubble machines. Nothing fancy like smoke effects or having names projected onto the walls and stuff.
Maybe someone could give me an idea of what the pricing looks like for something like that?

I’m using Lightshow for my wedding. You can find them on Facebook under that name, or just check out their website.http://www.lightshow-vjencanja.com/
You can reach out to them directly.

The guy's name is Igor, and he's easy enough to deal with. Price varies depending on the venue. I’m not sure if he’ll give you a discount since you want less stuff, but when I asked if things like smoke or bubbles cost extra, he said no—everything he has is included in whatever price we settle on. Hard to say if that helps you, but for a huge hall like the one Maticevic owns, it’s going to run me about $3,000. Or maybe $3,500, I can't remember exactly.

Russia is just some small town outside of Richmond. There's this local bakery there called Sweetie.

Does anyone know if I can rent an old-timer somewhere in St. Louis or the surrounding area?

jadeskipper85 said:Does anyone else still need some wedding fair discounts for
? Quatro Band is offering 20% off
. Atelier St. Jackson has 30% off their new collection
. The Kas folk ensemble is doing a deal: free music for the afternoon portion before the ceremony, 50% off bachelor parties, 50% off bachelorette parties, and 5% off the standard wedding rate
. Photo Joe $167
. Isabelle Salon $167 (their location is in Indianapolis)
. Claire’s Bridal Salon is 10% off
.

Does the Isabelle discount only work in Indianapolis? Is that actually stated? If I could use it in Slough or Jackson too, I’d 😍

Carl Clark said:Taylor Kelly2, when I was scrubbing out those old baby bottles we gathered up ages ago 😉, I just couldn't get that sticky residue off under the label. I was practically clawing at them with my fingernails 🙂 🙂 until my sister told me she read somewhere that using a steel wool pad is actually the way to go...
I haven't tried it yet though, so I'm waiting to see how it works for you 😁

Once it dries, just "erase" the glue and paper bits with a standard pencil eraser 😉

Where did you pick up those containers from Target? I might need some too 🙂 I don't need a ton 🙂

I'm trailing slightly behind you, June 23rd. Just enough time for you to process everything. 🙂
Which hall are you in?
And welcome aboard. 😉

velvetgardener3 said:By the way, have you checked out Sali Patricija near the entrance to Slobodnica or the hall in Bukovlje? They aren't bad at all; they look really nice. You can find them on Facebook.

I’ve been to Bukovlje. It’s a lovely spot, but some things just didn't sit right with me. We only toured Bukovlje, Crystal, and Maticevica, so we made our choice pretty quickly and didn't bother looking at anything else.