Posts by Nicholas Ortiz8
15 posts shown.
rustyorca122 said:Hey everyone!
I’m new to this group, but I’ve been lurking for a while now because I am honestly losing my mind trying to organize a wedding.
I’m not originally from California, but I really have my heart set on having a wedding out there for about 70-80 people.
My partner is a foreigner and we actually live abroad, which makes planning from afar such a massive headache. I actually traveled through a bunch of parts in the northern US recently and was just so bummed out by how neglected everything looked, so I decided I definitely want to hold the big day out West.
San Antonio has really caught my eye. The photos they have online look incredible, but I’ve been burned before where the internet makes a place look amazing and then you show up and it's a total letdown... so I’m wondering how legit their presentation actually is. Has anyone here actually had a wedding there? I’d love to hear the real scoop—how was the service, the food, the sound system, the DJ setup?
Also, if anyone has suggestions for other spots that have gorgeous outdoor spaces—ideally near the coast, but even inland is fine if there are rules against loud music outside.
As far as the music goes, we’re bringing our own DJ from back home, so we’d just need to rent the sound equipment.
Everything else is basically a giant question mark right now, so seriously, any advice helps.
Especially anything regarding San Antonio! :-))
Thanks in advance!🙏
I actually had my wedding at San Antonio, so feel free to ask me anything. I was in a similar boat as you, hosting around 100 guests—that was last year, I think. It looks like they might have even upgraded the outdoor terrace since then. I was really happy with how everything turned out... shoot me a DM if you have any specific questions.🙂
Larry Ross43 said:I was wondering if anyone knows if you can actually host a wine tasting over at Villa California? Does anyone happen to have any info on that?
Larry Ross43, I honestly don't know if anyone has gotten back to you yet, but a few years back we were asking around about V. California and they told us the venue rental alone was going to run us around 2,500 bucks. We heard The Arcade was doing some catering for parties over there, but then once we finally tracked down enough people from The Ville, we were told they aren't even doing weddings anymore... Who knows if things have changed since then? Your best bet is probably to check with The Arcade, because if you look at their website, they still have some photos from when they catered events at that location.
I’m currently living over in Germany, so trying to pull off a wedding way out in California is proving to be a bit of a logistical headache, but I’m giving it my best shot since I’ve got a massive chunk of family coming in.
I’m looking at hosting about 135 people somewhere between Sedona and San Francisco.
THANKS!!!
Girl, I am so excited for you! I actually held my own thing near San Antonio in Malibu—check out the photos at this link. I had about 100 guests there, and honestly, you could probably squeeze even more in if you needed to.
You should also look into the Meridian Lion; they’re definitely on the pricier side because it’s a 5-star setup, but since you were already checking out Grace, you might find that the Leo vibe really appeals to you too.
I actually had the same thought about the pool area..👍 A, and those sale photos you posted are absolutely killer!! But wait, I don't see a floor split anywhere in the shots. Is there even enough room to dance?
The whole ground floor is basically split into two sections—you’ve got the lower half with all the dining tables, and then this massive upper level. Take another look at my photos in my signature; I think it shows pretty clearly. Honestly, I actually liked that it was divided up because the older folks who aren't into dancing could still keep an eye on everything happening. Oh, and one more thing I totally forgot to mention—there’s a pool on the 4th floor that looks incredible. It has this terrace with a killer view, and if you can sneak away for a few minutes, you could get some legendary shots up there. Even dog had her little welcome party there since there's a bar right upstairs too. 🙂
Jacob Harris88 said:I actually booked my entire month-long trip before the Pirate arrived🙂
The summer months are absolutely packed, but since we went during the second month, they actually had some availability left😍
It was $50 per person, though there is definitely room for negotiation (we didn't want the standard meal option, and since we handled the deposit at the very last minute, we ended up paying just $40 per person)😍
The servers were wonderful, and the food—especially the lamb, which caught me completely by surprise—was simply outstanding🙏
We even received a complimentary one-night stay in an apartment (though we eventually decided to extend it to two nights)😍
Honestly, you can work out just about any detail with Mateo, whether it's the decor, the menu, or the drinks...
He even let us host a welcome party by the pool, which was a massive hit with everyone👍
If there is anything else you need to know, please don't hesitate to ask😍
Jacob Harris88, didn't you have those issues with the band? How did everything end up turning out in the end?
rapidhawk26 said:Hey everyone, does anyone happen to have a ballpark idea of what it costs to rent a motorcoach—something that fits about 40 to 50 people—for a trip from San Francisco over to Manhattan? Also, if you could point me toward a reliable rental company or someone worth contacting, I’d truly appreciate it. Thanks for any insight you can share.
We checked on Atlas for a bus with a driver, and honestly, it didn't look all that expensive, though we ended up just grabbing a mini-bus from someone else since our group was smaller than expected. But seriously, check Atlas, the prices were actually pretty decent
Rebecca Nelson59 said:I know we’ve already gone down the rabbit hole regarding deli meats—enough said there—but I’m asking for some help navigating a dilemma—or let’s call it what it really is, a trilemma. I’m torn between choosing Pirate, San Antonio, or Bolero. The catch? I’m only catering for about 90 people, maybe even fewer, which means I have an equal number of pros and cons for every single option. I’d love to get your take on this because, frankly, more heads are better than one!
And hey, I actually hosted my thing at San Antonio back in September. I had about 96 people including the band, and man, it was great. I set up three long tables right along the beach and then put the main table perpendicular at the top—if you check out their website, one of the venue photos is actually from my party, showing the setup with the screen at the head. Everyone seemed genuinely happy with both the food and the service; it feels like they really push themselves to stay professional. My guests kept mentioning how killer the beachfront location was, perfect for photos, and being able to just wander outside was a huge hit. Some people even went for a late-night swim right after the dinner, basically an early morning dip 🙂
Jacob Harris88 said:Help, help, help—I am genuinely on the verge of a complete breakdown!
Today, with exactly sixteen days left until my wedding, the band informs me that they might not even play, or if they do decide to show up, they won't arrive before 11:00 PM!!!
Should I just offer them more money right now to ensure they don't screw me over... or should I just send them packing? I honestly have no idea how anyone is supposed to find a replacement band that's actually available on Valentine's Day with only two weeks to go...
Jacob Harris88, what absolute idiots!! I sent you a DM with the number of the band that played my gig—you never know with these people... honestly, don't give them another cent. Either make them play the entire night or tell them to get lost. Suggesting they wouldn't roll up until after 11 PM is just insane.
William Grant3 said:Thank you so much!!! I’m currently following along via my phone—which is a bit of a struggle—so I’ll check back in once I’m at my computer... this is already helping immensely... Do all the local spots have websites where I can look at photos?
Bob Corli, look, I'm currently out and about too, so I've got plenty of experience with long-distance planning. Honestly, I don't think it's as common here to host receptions away from the main hotel or restaurant, even though that's a totally standard move abroad—like in England or over in the States. Le Méridien is such a gorgeous spot near the water that I'd suggest it in a heartbeat, but if you're dead set on a tent or something similar, your best bet is hitting up some agencies. But let me tell you, even those agencies might not hit the level of quality you're looking for; based on my own experience, I know two of them in San Francisco just aren't up to par, and while I can't speak for The Pearl, they seem to have decent reviews on the forums, so maybe give them a shot—here's the site: . Still, if you have any chance at all to visit before you pull the trigger and see everything in person, you really should, unless you have someone you trust implicitly to do it for you. I was somewhere in that boat myself, visiting a place for three days about six months out, checking everything over and booking, then heading back just a week before the big day. Also, I'm pretty sure that if you want a religious ceremony in the US, it has to happen inside a church; anything else is just going to be a civil ceremony through the courthouse.
Megan Miller3 said:e to je bila i moja reakcija regarding Sky, you know...
I kept picturing the wedding party trekking through the mall, and then once we finally make it up to the restaurant, having all those people sipping coffee in the cafe right across from us staring at us like we’re aliens...
But!
I actually had a chat with Priya, who organizes weddings, and she did a little rehearsal there about four months ago. Everything went smoothly; they have a really gorgeous setup for ceremonies. You don't enter the hall through the main mall area; instead, you use a different entrance and walk across the terrace—it's by the pool, which is part of that new area where they had the ice rink or whatever last year. You can have the welcome drinks out on the terrace before heading into the restaurant. Plus, the cafe on that floor closes during the wedding, so I think it works out fine 🤷
I don't know... it seems alright to me...
And the President in San Diego has the same owner as the one in St. Louis. I've heard they can be a bit difficult to deal with, but if you stay "firm," everything should turn out okay... honestly, I'm not entirely sure myself... 😢
Megan Miller3, what you're saying about Sky actually sounds awesome to me, especially since they have plenty of parking and it's close to everything. As for the President, I wouldn't recommend it based on my own experience—the headaches they cause just aren't worth the stress. Besides, San Jose is a nightmare when it comes to traffic, and with the services at their local church, the surrounding streets always end up completely jammed up.
You’re totally spot on about the vibe—there isn't a single place that tops Graso when it comes to the atmosphere. My only real hang-up is how they’d even pull off the music setup or where they’d find a decent dance floor, you know? Plus, I’m pretty sure they use those square tables instead of round ones, which changes the whole flow. Honestly though, the staff there seemed super professional; they gave us a really clear breakdown of the capacity for both the indoor and outdoor areas, so if they’re telling you it fits, I’d probably take their word for it. If I were you, I’d just ask when their next private party is scheduled and go scope it out in person to see how it actually plays out. That’s the only way to be sure.
nimblewolf22;17228694 said:Honestly, Graso is easily in my top three right now. I just haven't sat down to crunch the numbers yet, and if the price tag is too high, I might have to rethink things... I mean, $40 per person plus $7 for a drink plus $3333, just for the terrace? That’s getting pretty pricey for a party...
So, when exactly is this party happening? We actually looked into Graso at first, but the indoor space is tiny—like, seriously cramped. And you can never really predict the weather, you know? I was there for dinner once back in July when the wind was absolutely howling; sitting outside was out of the question, so rain isn't even your only problem. You could look into Summer since they have a terrace, but I heard some whispers about the food being subpar, and when we asked about frappes, they were ridiculously expensive and a bit of a trek, so it really depends on where your guests are coming from.
Maybe check out the Astoria Hotel in Savannah? I'm not 100% sure if they host parties, but their restaurant and terrace are killer.
http://www.apartmani-astoria.com/foto_hr.html
I decided to migrate over from another forum because my posts were getting completely buried in a sea of endless threads
, so I'm dropping my experiences here instead—hopefully this helps someone out somewhere
My reception was an absolute blast, so here’s the lowdown on how everything went
* San Antonio venue—it’s basically perfect if you’re looking at a guest list of around 100 to 120 people. It sits right on the beach and has floor-to-ceiling windows with a killer ocean view. One thing I loved was that guests could actually step outside during the night to catch up with relatives they hadn't seen in ages, which kept the whole vibe really relaxed. The food was solid and the service was good too; they were a little disorganized at the start, but they really stepped up their game by the end and made sure everyone was having a great time. We even had our first dance while guests watched us from the hotel terrace, all with the sunset glowing in the background
* For flowers, I went with Kata's Flower Shop for the boutonnieres, and honestly, I’m speechless. I only saw her a couple of times before the big day, and even though I just handed her a few random pictures for inspiration, she nailed it 100%. She made exactly what I envisioned, even if I wasn't the best at explaining it! My bouquet was absolutely stunning, and the boutonnieres and centerpieces were just as gorgeous. Everything held up perfectly despite the heat, too. I’d recommend this shop to anyone; there are plenty of fancy, overpriced florists in town, but this lady is just a down-to-earth person who does incredibly professional work. Seriously, props to her. She even managed to source some kale out of season for me and didn't charge a single extra cent beyond what we agreed on
* California Photo—I know they've been mentioned on here before, but I have nothing but praise for them. The guys were total pros, even though my wedding was a bit outside the norm since the groom and half our guests were international, so they had to handle a lot of things in English. They were so attentive to the details and were constantly running around making sure they caught every moment. This is actually the second time a family member has used them for a wedding, and I can tell you, their crews are always fantastic
* The dress: I went with Maggie Sottero from Lisa's boutique in Fresno—it was a bit of a drive, but totally worth it. I did a little bit of my own tailoring a few months before the wedding, and they shipped the rest to me. The shop is run by a young married couple who are extremely professional. Everything arrived perfectly, including the decorated baskets. I even emailed them a photo of the boutonnieres I wanted, and they recreated them flawlessly. Best of all, they were so flexible with my situation since I live out of state; I could ship the dress back and forth via mail without any drama. I’d definitely recommend them because they have an incredible selection, and finding Maggie Sottero in America isn't exactly easy
* The band: Adtriatik. I haven't seen much about them on the forums, but I would absolutely recommend them. These guys are phenomenal. They played for my sister two years ago, and now they played for me. It wasn't easy for them both times given that half our guests were foreigners, but they created such an amazing atmosphere and everyone had a blast. They even let our relatives jump up and sing with them! They played a mix of American and international hits so that every single guest was on the dance floor. Then, toward the end, they let us plug in our iPod for an hour so the younger crowd could play their own stuff, which kept everyone happy. There aren't many bands in this city, and I'm sure a lot of them aren't nearly as flexible as these guys. You can tell they truly love what they do and just want to set the mood—all the guests said the same thing. We got so close to them that they felt like part of the family. If anyone wants the specifics, hit me up via PM
* As for the church, St. Mary's in San Antonio, I have nothing but kind words for Father Don. He’s a wonderful man who stepped in at the last minute due to some other circumstances. The ceremony was perfectly paced and the sermon was beautiful. It’s a relatively newer church, but it’s beautifully designed, spacious, and gets tons of light inside
* A girl from this forum, Jelena, sang during the service, and everyone was saying how breathtaking it was. I didn't get a chance to thank her properly in all the wedding chaos—so thank you here, and major props to you
I have a million more details, but I've already written way too much. If anything else comes to mind, I'll post it later
So, about San Antonio... the beach there is absolutely gorgeous, and they’ve got this little little nook right out front that would be perfect for an aperitif hour—it would look so classy, honestly. Everything is laid out beautifully, but man, the space is just way too tight. I actually happened to swing by today right when they were setting up for a wedding with 106 guests, just so I could see how the floor plan actually looked with all those tables... and let me tell you, it looked insanely cramped. I mean, how are people even supposed to shuffle between the tables without bumping into someone? The patio area is decent enough, but they seriously overstuffed the room with too many tables.
Look, I hosted a wedding in San Antonio myself with 95 guests, and we did it by putting the head table at the top of the hall with three long rows running down the middle, and we still had plenty of breathing room. Plus, they have those windows that open right up to the beach, so guests can step outside to grab some air and break up the monotony of sitting inside. If I were giving advice, I’d definitely say it’s a great spot if you're looking at a guest list of 90 to 95 people max.
What’s the deal with Dalmacia Photography? I haven't reached out to them yet, but I'm planning to tomorrow.
Honestly, this photographer situation is giving me literal nightmares. I want high-quality shots, but I just can't seem to get on the same page as my guy. I’m itching to get someone booked ASAP before the calendar fills up, but he acts like we have all the time in the world.
Anyway, now that I've vented a little, maybe I can actually get some sleep. Another workday starts tomorrow, after all.
Look, Dalmacia is awesome. Both my sister and I used them—we had two different crews, but every single guy was great. They were super flexible, full of creative ideas, and I’d recommend them to anyone. Plus, they have a few different packages that fit right within that budget you're looking at. They have a website you can check out if you want, but honestly, you really can't go wrong if you hire them.