Studio 69 performs beautifully, though they are quite expensive (exceeding $2,500), and I am uncertain if they are still booking weddings. I haven't reached out personally due to the cost, but I heard rumors they might be shifting their focus exclusively to commercial shoots... Regarding Krizmanić, I certainly don't wish to be the last person on Earth to say this, but that is simply my opinion, and everyone is entitled to their own choice. To provide a bit more context—they employ several different teams, and the quality isn't consistent across the board. In my view, the photos are somewhat ordinary; what people call "something special" is actually just heavy Photoshop. They lack original concepts, and more often than not, the couples arrive with their own ideas already set. Furthermore, there have been many complaints regarding the video work, ranging from poor filming techniques to subpar editing. In the most recent case I am aware of, the couple didn't receive anything until six months after the wedding. Even after returning them twice for corrections, the results were still unsatisfactory two months later. One specific issue was the lack of variety in the footage; some segments were repeated twice. This wasn't necessarily a technical error, but it felt very poorly executed—the video would show photos of them posing in nature, followed immediately by footage of them actually posing in nature. :/
What exactly does the boss provide for the lounge? I heard he only offers seating by the chair 🤷 but we didn't even bother calling out of principle since they listed a toll-free number 🙄
northernseal15, did you guys manage to secure everything? Did you get all the standard supplies, or was it just food? Would you mind posting them somewhere, or could you just send them to me via DM? I'm mostly interested in the drinks and snacks, since I've already got some food sorted out...
stormybear37 said:Hold on a second $100 cake?????? Are they really that expensive for weddings too? We actually went with Sweet Fairy Tale and their cakes were only about $40 (based on what we tried), and they taste just like homemade goodness... this sounds way, way too expensive to me!!!!
I am not entirely certain about the exact pricing for all their cakes—I was just inquiring about the cost (that was what I paid for a decorated gift cake elsewhere, not from them)—but they are definitely more expensive than other options
In my opinion, standard cake prices should range from $23 (like a cheesecake) up to about 150 (for one with plenty of walnuts)
The Midwest menu there runs about $60 It covers their entire menu—well, except for the appetizers (like prosciutto, cheese, ham, etc.). Plus, your lunch the next day is included in the price... You get cakes, pastries, even the wedding cake up to a certain amount, plus the hall decorations (they'll give you a budget for the table settings and your head table). They also include beer, wine, bitters, soda, and I think some kind of brandy or similar local spirits (it's not like they serve Jägermeister, if you know what I mean)
I was actually there about two weeks ago, and they’ve enclosed that little covered "patio" area near the entrance with glass... and it looked like they were just installing lighting, because I'm pretty sure it wasn't there a few weeks back. They put those "orb" lights under that long glass wall... they were casting a green glow, though I assume the colors change...
northerngardener29 said:Dear brides-to-be, I wonder if anyone here might have some firsthand experience regarding the cakes and pastries from Vigus?
I personally find their signature Vigus cake (if that is indeed the name) to be delicious. It is quite popular, and I find myself eating it frequently at various celebrations like birthdays, baptisms, or even promotions. 🤣 The base consists of walnuts soaked in orange juice, layered with light white and yellow creams. The wedding cakes shown in their photos are truly lovely. 😍 I believe you will be satisfied with the quality. However, in my opinion, they are rather expensive, especially when you need to order a large quantity. While I don't mind paying $100 for a single cake, if I need fifteen, I certainly start to consider the budget more carefully. ☕ In fact, everything they offer—from decorations and balloons to chargers and invitations—is priced higher than at other places. 🤷
Of course, you really ought to vet everything thoroughly first. I suggest bringing a notebook along to jot down your questions and record various price points—specifically noting the costs for different options, such as whether the cake or certain vegetable sides are included, so that you have a clear way to compare everything later. Regarding the deposits, you are essentially just securing the date. You can still change your mind about things like seating arrangements or what exactly is included in the menu right up until nearly the moment the guests arrive.
It is possible that the chairs are included for free. Since we are handling all our own arrangements, I wasn't particularly focused on the fine print; I was simply asking about the pricing for informational purposes. We also calculated that there would be significant savings. Even though we will be purchasing most items ourselves, including the meat, the total difference in the final tally is substantial. Regarding baked goods, that is simply how mass production works, and I don't believe it is worth stressing over. In large-scale restaurant and bakery operations, people just eat pita bread with meat; in almost every brewery, workers are surrounded by pools of beer. I know a woman who worked in tea production who said she would never touch tea from a filter bag, just as a woman who worked in sunflower seed processing said she wouldn't put them in her mouth... even the women who sew for Gap say they wouldn't pay more than $3.25 for a shirt like that. I am not trying to defend Bosun, but just because we aren't aware of the processes doesn't mean things are better elsewhere. Who are you planning to use for the desserts? Catherine? You make a good point; Laura looks much better now that they have styled her. Additionally, compared to the banquet halls in our area within that price range, this is actually one of the most affordable options; a difference of $1.50 per chair really adds up. The other venue was considered because it felt a bit too large for us. We are expecting 250 to 300 guests, which feels small for that entire hall, yet I worry that if we partition off a section, it might become too crowded.
Gratuity isn't included, though typically you're just paying for the servers; the food, drinks, and desserts are usually leftovers from the dinner service. I believe it's roughly $5.00 per person, and it's actually more cost-effective if you order by the seat—which is how most wedding guests are handled. As far as the desserts go, I'm not particularly concerned about them, likely because I am not much of a 😉 enthusiast. I know the reputation regarding worker treatment at Bosin isn't exactly stellar, but their pastries are considered a staple. They are most popular for weddings, and I haven't heard any complaints. Their pricing is reasonable, and because they have such large-scale production capabilities, you can easily place an order a week in advance. I would personally lean toward Grandma's Bakery, as their offerings look quite lovely 🙂 (though I can't recall if I've actually tasted them), especially the cakes. However, everything comes down to the price point; if they end up being significantly more expensive than Bosin, then so be it...
northernseal15 said:What’s the price look like, what exactly is included, and is there any room to negotiate? For instance, could we take them up on the drinks, meat, and small stuff like spices, while we handle the veggies, pasta, and cakes ourselves? Also, are chair covers included in that quote? What about lighting? I’ll probably give him a call in the next few days and then head over this weekend to chat in person, but I just wanted a rough idea beforehand. 🙂
Laura was our second choice; it turns out we didn't end up visiting her venue, but I have a general idea. If you are asking about the chair price, it depends on the guest count, but it is usually around $50 per person. It is also possible they might offer a lower rate since the date isn't particularly popular. You cannot leave the cakes out of the calculation; I am not sure if it even makes sense to source those separately. I asked Renica where they source their ingredients, and she mentioned either Boso or Babina Greda (presumably based on the couple's preference), though I recall someone mentioning a vendor out of Ivankovo as well. I also seem to remember that at Laura's, cousins were offering free chair covers; otherwise, they cost about 5-$$3.25 depending on the number of guests, just so you know how to negotiate. You can certainly try to negotiate bringing in your own supplies, but based on my calculations, it isn't really worth it. Take liquor, for example: they deduct the amount actually consumed, not the total amount they would have purchased if I hadn't brought my own, and they calculate that by the $10 liter. If someone is planning to make homemade pasta, feel free to bring it, but it won't significantly reduce the overall bill. The standard for 350 people is about 6 kilos of pasta, and they likely charge a few dollars per kilo.🙂
I haven't booked Laura yet, but I have some basic information on hand... Feel free to ask whatever you need to know, and I will let you know if I have the answer That said, you should definitely give the manager a call. He is incredibly polite and is happy to show you the venue whenever it fits your schedule.
I agree, everyone has their own personal taste preferences. I actually spent quite a bit of time searching Google myself because I saw that fly in the cake. I am not suggesting it couldn't happen to anyone else, but still...
Rebecca James3 said:So, I’m currently scouting out wedding cake toppers—you know, those little plastic bride and groom figurines—and honestly, it blows my mind how much they charge for cheap plastic. Like, $150-$167?! Give me a break. That whole look is getting pretty stale anyway, and it's way too pricey for what it is. So, I decided to just grab some decorative doves from a craft store for maybe $40 total. Then I'll stick two cute little picks in there with some nice paper that says "Happily Ever After". What kind of decor did you guys end up going with?
I was thinking about ordering something like this: https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...27497370_n.jpg I am not entirely sure about the price, though I assume it should be reasonable. Another option would be to have the bakery design something custom, but it seems like they charge quite a premium for that service. Plus, I prefer having a keepsake like this sign to hold onto later.
Thomas Scott5 said:Can someone actually explain what this cookie certificate is all about? Like, what does it look like, what’s on it, and who even issues it? I'm assuming it isn't just some scrap of paper the bakery prints out and signs themselves.
I am not entirely certain what a "certificate" looks like in this context. My understanding is that there must be a receipt provided. Ultimately, the entity that issues the receipt holds legal liability for the product sold—ensuring safety, for instance—and fulfills their tax obligations accordingly.
Jason Miller4 said:I have a quick question—and please, tell me if I’m just overthinking this one, because I’d rather be certain than accidentally cause a scene. Is there some sort of unwritten rule where the younger crowd is expected to circulate through the reception, moving from table to table to personally greet the wedding party? I’ve noticed it happening more than once. It feels as though some guests might actually take offense if you don't make that formal effort to acknowledge them directly. I really wouldn't want anyone feeling slighted just because I wasn't aware of the etiquette.
It isn't a strict rule, and I haven't heard of anyone being offended by that one way or another. In our experience, guests—specifically those who arrive just in time for dinner—usually greet the couple upon entering to offer their congratulations. If people are already out on the dance floor, they typically wait until everyone is seated before doing so. 🤷 I attended a wedding once where the couple did exactly that, walking from table to table to take photos with every guest, but it ended up taking quite a large chunk of time. My plan was simply to briefly visit the guests who aren't dancing much, such as grandparents or older relatives.
About two years ago, I inquired about pricing in a major metropolitan area, and the rates were nearly identical to what we see here locally—and I am referring to standard independent jewelers, not high-end luxury boutiques like Tiffany & Co. That being said, since that was in a downtown shopping district, it might be more affordable if you look in smaller neighborhoods or side streets.
First of all, everything depends on local traditions. In America, it is customary to share sweets and treats with close family after the wedding. If I recall correctly, a good rule of thumb is to prepare at least one pound per six guests, plus additional cakes. Secondly, it really comes down to your guest list, though that is often hard to predict. For instance, my cousin opted for about 25% more cake than what was recommended, and nearly everything was eaten.