Can you guys suggest some cool spots for a photo shoot in San Francisco and the surrounding areas? We're looking for something besides Marjan or the Mestrovic Gallery—we're already planning on those since we're getting married at the Castlet
Hey, can anyone help me out? Where in San Francisco can I actually find invitations that don't look like they crawled straight out of a 1990s basement? :-D I am absolutely obsessed with those laser-cut lace designs, but man, they are pricey—easily over $6.00... We stopped by Tim at the joker shop to take a look, and honestly, about 90% of what they had was just hideous and outdated. Or am I better off just ordering something online from a site like Angelus art or one of those big wedding specialty sites?
Brandon Watson5 said:Hey, does anyone have any good dessert shop recommendations? Also, has anyone actually tried those treats from Castel Bakery?
I ended up booking through Cake Split. The owner is super sweet and friendly, and her work looks incredible. Fingers crossed the taste lives up to the look!😉
Andrew Murphy5 said:That’s not exactly pocket change for 15 (+1 dessert table) arrangements—though I guess it depends on what kind of flowers we're talking about. There's a massive gap between 5000 and $2333, and honestly, $167 I get why things might fluctuate if you didn't nail down every single detail, but $667 those kinds of price swings feel like they're just making up rules as they go. 😁 Usually, you'd see a vase charge around 20-$10, but that should really just be baked into the total price for one arrangement anyway.
We haven't even decided on the flower types for the bouquets and stuff yet. Since we're looking at larger vases, we'll probably need beefier bouquets so they don't look lost in there. We still have plenty of details to hammer out. I’ve got tons of time to think since the wedding isn't until November, so we'll see. How do prices usually look in San Francisco?
These are the kinds of vases I'm thinking of (on the left) https://scontent-vie1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...25&oe=5794E716
Hey ladies, you all went a little quiet on me! How are the wedding plans coming along? Just wanted to stir things up a bit and get this thread moving again :-) So, I finally made it over to Miss Ivana's shop. She "hosted" the three of us for at least an hour—we were just sitting there chatting about flowers and decor while she cycled through endless photos on her tablet. Honestly, her work is stunning. There were these massive vases, like, four feet tall, that were just incredibly glamorous and elegant. Anyway, I’m trying to get a feel for what everyone else is paying for full floral packages. For us, we're looking at the whole spread: church decor (altar arrangements, baby's breath on the pews with bows), car decor, boutonnieres for the groom and groomsmen, the bouquet, centerpieces for maybe 15 guest tables, the sweetheart table setup, plus some extra bits for the dessert station. She mentioned a total package price would be somewhere around $5,000-$2333; apparently, it all depends on how beefy those guest table arrangements are. Since I’m eyeing those huge vases, we'd probably go with larger, rounder arrangements—so, bigger bouquets mean a higher price tag, obviously. I’m wondering if that sounds like a realistic price for everything, especially since the setup service is included in that estimate :-) For the bouquets themselves, I am absolutely obsessed with the combo of hydrangeas, roses, and a mix of smaller filler flowers.
So, Mrs. Mom from The Flower Shop just called me out of the blue—literally a month after the trade show. She said I could swing by sometime during the third month to check out their work and everything. If we actually settle on something, they want a deposit upfront before we even dive into the heavy details. (Does anyone have any clue what a typical deposit looks like these days?) I’ve been scrolling through Ivan's work on Facebook, and honestly, he’s talented. Some of the details feel a little... tacky, if I'm being blunt, but hey, that's the bride's call, right? I'm not the one paying. Also, does everyone just use those standard, tall, skinny glass vases, or is there anyone doing something different? Like, maybe a medium-sized cube or something? Personally, I think a big centerpiece in the middle would look killer paired with a few smaller, sparkly accents underneath.
Gary Rivera2 said:And I'm doing this in May.🙂 Well, during that first meeting, he really seemed great—reasonable, not making things unnecessarily complicated. He told us to check back in after Easter to finalize everything, saying we shouldn't worry about a thing. The main thing was making sure we didn't forget the pre-cana course, which we actually finished back in February. I'm looking forward to it; he seems like an excellent choice.🙂
Awesome, just let us know how it goes once it's done! We want to hear all about the ceremony 😁
Has any girl actually tied the knot with John Doe? Looking for some real-world experiences here. We picked him because we heard nothing but glowing reviews :-) We already had our initial meeting, and honestly, the guy seems super chill and totally down-to-earth. My main question is, do you guys usually have a rehearsal with the priest before the actual wedding day? I’m just trying to figure out if we'll know exactly how the ceremony flows—like what to say, where to stand, all that jazz... haha... even though he did mention it would be a quick 30 minutes max.
Sophia Morris3 said:In San Francisco, specifically in this neck of the woods, there is a little pastry shop that hasn't been around for very long, yet anyone who tastes their cakes or tortes is absolutely floored. They don't deal in mass-produced junk or those tired, standard creams you see everywhere; instead, they rely on what you just described—rich dark chocolate, genuine oranges, or actual strawberries. I was told $6.75 a single slice without any unnecessary garnishes that would bloat the price up to $30, but frankly, I have no interest in fondant. 🙂
They always hike up the prices just because of the decorations. Honestly, those naked cakes might actually be a decent deal sometimes.
Look, you don't need to come at me. I'm just telling you what the prices are like in Chicago. I was at a wedding expo over at Madison Square Garden recently and did some actual digging. For instance, this high-end boutique bakery there is charging $1500 for an average cake meant to feed 110 people, which works out to $13 a piece. Meanwhile, at my local neighborhood bakery, nothing costs more than $6.75 per slice. These "cake boutiques" in Chicago aren't even real bakeries—they’re basically just social media influencers with ovens. They blow up on Facebook, and before I could even mention wanting a vegan option, the lady told me decorations alone can push the price anywhere from $25 to $40... I didn't make that up. And when I asked if making it eggless with plant-based milk would change anything, she straight up said no, the price stays the same. So, it's pretty stupid to assume I'm being spoiled or acting entitled. I'm literally just reporting the prices I heard firsthand in Chicago...
So, I was chatting with the lady over at Bakery Delight during the expo, and honestly, she’s such a sweetheart. Really knows her stuff, too. She told us she can whip up a vegan cake without breaking a sweat, and apparently, if we're hosting around 120 people, a cake sized for about 80 should do the trick. Plus, we get a sweet 15% discount if we book her! :-)
With cake prices, you’re basically looking at it per slice, though obviously, the more fancy the decorations, the more you pay. For example, looking at what they're doing down in Miami, prices range from $8.25 a slice all the way up to 40. My gut feeling? A solid 3 or 4-tier cake with some decent, non-over-the-top decor will probably run me about $10 per slice.
Hannah Murphy11 said:I completely agree. A friend of mine used her for her wedding, and while I know she didn't pay a premium, her bouquet was honestly the most underwhelming arrangement I have ever seen in my entire life. On top of that, the floral decor scattered throughout the venue was absolute garbage. But the absolute worst part? My friend mentioned afterward that the florist went rogue and did something entirely different from what they had actually agreed upon. To me, that is the ultimate red flag—when someone you are paying simply ignores the contract. Mind you, that was back in 2013, so obviously, things could have changed significantly since then.
For my own wedding, I hired a local florist called TNT (located right below the Belvedere building). They handled my bouquet, the car decor, and the main head table, all for less than $1000, and I was beyond thrilled. I spent the entire evening telling everyone how perfect the head table looked. Not long after me, another friend got married and used them as well, and she was just as happy. The woman is professional, polite, unassuming, and truly knows her craft. She respects your vision and sticks to the agreement; she can replicate exactly what you show her in photos, and she offers great advice if you're feeling indecisive (which was me, since I only knew 😁)... I recommend her from the bottom of my heart. 👍
Edit: Oh, I almost forgot—every single florist I’ve spoken with includes vases, candle holders, and similar items in their pricing. I’m not sure if that is the industry standard or if I just happened to find the good ones
Man, now I'm confused. I actually came to this forum specifically looking for recommendations for Mis Florals, and now I don't know what to think 🤔🤦 It seems like everyone either loves her or hates her, haha. Her Facebook photos look great, but at the end of the day, it matters to me that everything turns out exactly how I envisioned it, stays true to the agreement, and that the lady is kind and easy to work with.
Joseph Taylor7 I can't even begin to process this. Honestly, I’m just sitting here staring at my screen, trying to make sense of what was actually said. It’s ridiculous. Truly. I feel like I need a drink just thinking about it. Where does it end? Does anyone actually think this makes sense? I doubt it. Probably not. Anyway, here goes nothing... I was the one who booked her... Honestly, my best advice? Go straight to John (don't bother talking to his mom) and lay it all out on the table. Tell him exactly what you want, from start to finish. Once he knows the full scope, he’ll ask what kind of budget you're working with—basically, figure out what you're actually willing to drop on a gym membership first—and then he'll tell you if that's doable or if you're dreaming. She didn't give me a breakdown of individual prices or anything like that; I just listed everything I wanted, gave her a total number I was comfortable paying, and she agreed. Done. We'll just have to wait and see how it actually plays out.🎉
I honestly have no clue what a decent price range looks like for a table setup. I’m thinking something like one big, gorgeous bouquet on a tall stand that kind of drapes over the edge, paired with maybe two or three little vases at the base with a single flower or a candle each. Since I don't have a ballpark figure, I have no idea what budget to even bring up with her. Her mom actually mentioned last week that she’d give me a call about some sort of special promotion, but I haven't heard anything yet. Can you tell me exactly which flowers you picked out and roughly what you paid per table?
coastalharbor6 said:Unless you've actually reached out to Marinkovic and he confirmed he's available, he could be booked up for the next year or more. If that's the case, maybe you can just "drop" him right now?
I haven't called him yet because I need to see the damage first. If he's charging like $2,000, I'm out. 😁 I mean, I'm pretty sure he's booked solid, but I was just wondering if anyone here actually knows what his rates look like.
I’ve been asking around about photographers quite a bit lately, but honestly, this is one of those big wedding dealbreakers for me. I’m looking for actual artistry here—professional, high-end shots, not just someone clicking a shutter. I did check in with Vidak, but then my fiancé managed to snag a better deal with Marin Photography; the problem is, his style just doesn't click with me. Has anyone here actually worked with them? Also, if you have any intel on Marinkovic, Peter Jurica, or the Papaja studio—specifically regarding their prices or what clients say—let me know. Thanks!
Kenneth Martinez11 said:Help me out here, I need some advice... 1. Where can I find a good garter online or in a shop? 2. I’ve decided to DIY my own wedding invitations. Does anyone have tips on where to pick up decent paper (maybe somewhere in the San Francisco area) without getting totally ripped off? Also, any leads on a reliable place to get the text printed?
I think I actually saw some garter belts over at Intimissimi, maybe Yamamay has them too. As for the paper and all that craft stuff, check out Walmart in Downtown.
So, I just swung by the Miss flower stand at this wedding expo, and I’m pretty sure "Mrs. Mom" was the one running the show. She was actually super sweet—took down my info and told me there was no way she could go over all the specifics right now with this crowd and all the noise. She said she'd give me a call on my cell later this week to work out some kind of "special deal" so we can finally hash out the actual details, like the flower types, pricing, and all that jazz. Apparently, they usually charge $167 for things like vase rentals and candle holders, but since I met them through the expo, they’ll throw those in for free. Does anyone have a ballpark idea of what their table centerpieces run? Or maybe something smaller, like a tiny vase with a single bloom and a candle at the end of the table? I definitely want roses mixed in with something else
Has anyone here actually worked with photographer Marina before? We just got a quote from her with a massive discount, so I'm curious. Are you guys planning on hitting up the bridal expo? Also, what’s the word on those cakes from San Francisco and Miss Flower Girl? The San Francisco crew was the first ones to tell us straight up they could do a vegan cake without any issues—and for the same price, too. Their online portfolio looks killer, and prices start at $8.25 per person depending on how much decor you want. They even suggested that if we have, say, 120 guests, we should probably just grab a cake meant for 80 :-) I jotted everything down, including the 15% discount she offered us.
David King72 said:Vedran does phenomenal work and his shots are stunning, but honestly, he stays booked solid, so if you’re thinking about him, you really need to move fast because he's in high demand—we actually tried calling him a year in advance and he was already taken, so we ended up hiring Ante Gašpar instead and we haven't regretted it for a second since he absolutely blew us away (though, of course, Vedran was the one who recommended him).
Anyone know what Jasper's pricing looks like for a package?