Posts by Karen Cruz2

Anonymous said:Is it always possible to schedule private sessions with a priest? Or is there a catch? I was thinking maybe we could aim for August when things slow down, or perhaps during the last month before Easter?
When does the calendar for next year typically get released?

In San Diego, the rates went into effect last night.

He’s trying to base the calculation on the rates from the priest over in a small town outside of Phoenix—mostly because he knows him personally and hopes they can work something out regarding the dates—but I'm not entirely sure if that's actually allowed! 😕

Just remember, most priests take their vacations in July and August, so I wouldn't count on much then...

Raymond Brooks7 said:Sorry, I just caught that... Honestly, waiting until February is a bit of a gamble. They haven't even released next year's schedule yet.

Come on, give us a hint...

I couldn't agree more...
Tell him it’s either that or the whole thing is going to be a total mess.😛

Raymond Brooks7 said:It’s just not happening... honestly, these local pastors don't have a clue how the system actually works...
Look, you can skip it if you have to. It's better if you show up for all three days, sure, but it's not the end of the world if you can't make it...

Then he can just head over there in August when the classes aren't running... or tell him his other option is to go to some priest who will just bully him through it... or he won't be able to get married in the Church because he won't have the certificate...

And I wouldn't risk her going alone... or with someone else... maybe they would've gotten away with it yesterday, but today there won't be nearly as many people looking to cut corners after missing that first day.

When I went, there were a few people in the same boat and it wasn't an issue... but honestly, he should decide for himself..
Will you still be around here in May?

Anonymous said:But honestly, I don't think it's worth it. Someone told us this morning that the schedule has already shifted, and now we're supposed to check in at the local community center to see when the next one is? Like, what, do we really have to go back again... 🙄

I’m starting to feel like even this attempt at picking a date is going to fall through. 🤣

Just go by yourself... it's not like anyone is going to ask where he is. When I went, there were plenty of people in the same boat—they only showed up on the very last day.
If you're lucky, maybe he'll actually show up tomorrow to grab the paperwork with you.😉

Raymond Brooks7 said:Last year was $33... and they'll take you in without a second thought. Just show up and put in those two days...

👍
btw it’s always $33, all of it

Anonymous said:I need some urgent info if anyone knows...
Does anyone know of a marriage prep course starting today that lasts three days? 🤣

We finally made it to the parish office this morning, but apparently the course started last night 🙄
And since we won't be back home until August, does that mean there aren't any courses available anywhere else??? 😕

I think you could probably head over tonight and try to sign up. It shouldn't be much of an issue... I know Megan Reyes73 organizes one every month, so there's always something coming up later on, but who knows.
Just go ahead and try your luck tonight... and bring the cash to pay upfront just in case.👍

wiredbison98 said:So, what kind of price did you settle on?
How many photographers and cameras are you planning to have on site?
I'm asking because I'm still completely undecided on who to hire.

They quoted us $1,000. That covers everything—tips, an album with about 300 photos (including 15-20 larger ones and one 30x40 print), all the digital files on a DVD, plus five DVDs for the video footage. Honestly, the best part for me was getting all the raw footage from the videographer.
We went with one videographer and one female photographer.
We actually skipped the extra albums for our parents. We figured we'd rather just pick our favorite shots later and buy custom albums ourselves, especially since those things run about $50 each.
Hope that helps!

silentpuma28 said:I have to admit, I hadn't heard of her before—but this is great! You just gave so many women a huge heads-up 👍

She just started doing this professionally. She used to just do it for fun with her crew, but once the outside orders started rolling in, she decided it was time to scale up the business.

silentpuma28 said:I actually picked up all my flowers from that little shop near Whole Foods...
for the bouquet—$117
plus about 65 table arrangements--$23piece by piece
the bridal table—$167
and then two bouquets for the family back home$100

I didn't really decorate the church myself since I got lucky—there was another bride getting married the exact same day who had already gone all out decorating the pews and our chairs... so, as my own contribution, I just rented some covers for the church seating and gave a little donation toward the altar decor...

Since we ended up walking instead of using a wedding car, I didn't even bother ordering an arrangement for the vehicle... anyway, hope this helps!😉

👍🙏
I'm having this one person do my boutonnieres. She does amazing work and her prices are actually reasonable.
www.obrtnici.info/web/nina

David King72 said:I haven't actually bought any myself,
I've just been using my old ones from when I used to visit florists.

Fair enough, but where on earth did they get theirs!?🤷

Hey silentpuma28 and David King72, what were you guys using?
I'd appreciate any advice you can give. 🙂

Michael Davis21 said:Does anyone have any other recommendations besides those places I mentioned... since I'm actually heading out today to hunt for a new flower pot somewhere😁
Basically, I need options covering the whole San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose area

Check out Iris (near Unknown), the skater (over on Unknown street), or Strelitzia (by that Unknown fast food joint)... I also heard the selection is decent at Walmart and Kroger.

Michael Davis21 said:That's honestly what I'm banking on... especially since we still have to track down a venue...🤣
I'm actually gonna swing by her place today, so I'll hit you guys up once I know more.

👍

mistyraven272 said:It still feels sketchy to me 😕...I'm still bracing myself for it to cost at least $1000 or even more...but man, I really hope I get a pleasant surprise instead😁

well, if you have money left over, feel free to chip in on my renovations too...
I actually told her I'd give her $4,000 if she does a great job.

Anonymous said:I actually asked about this a few days ago, but nobody seemed to take me seriously🤷

So, about that boat—what was it doing there before...? What was the deal with that? Any chance you could track down a photo?
We decided to go with a classic Campanella-style cake, but I’d still love to have some kind of nautical theme or a little boat somewhere in the room.🤣

No way... I wanted someone to make one just like that too, but I don't have a picture.
😢 I saw it in person that day, so I know exactly what I mean.
I'm hoping for some crunchy praline on a sailboat.
🙂

silentpuma28 said:hey girl...next time you decide to tie the knot, just make sure this lady from the local bridal boutique does the whole thing for free 😉

😂 You've got a point.

Raymond Brooks7 said:I'll shoot you a DM with the password to my photo album so you can take a look... though I usually just post them in the relevant threads.

I'll send you a PM too...

I didn't sign up that long ago, maybe a few months back... we just crossed paths and it was easy enough.

My deadline is October 17th, so I’d probably look at signing up around September 1st. Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly... if not, I'll pull some strings since I have connections from last time.👍

Raymond Brooks7 said:She handled the repairs for me too...

So, how much did you end up paying in total, if you don't mind me asking?
And when did you first sign up with her?

Michael Davis21 said:Is that the John Doe florist? The pricing looks totally fine to me👍

I definitely need help with... home decor (for both my place and his), the venue, the car, some reveres, and a bouquet....

Yeah... I'll get everything from her except the boutonnieres. I was actually thinking about just making those myself... seems like a waste of money to pay someone else for them.☕

Michael Davis21 said:Just the bouquet and decorating the house and the hall $500—honestly, that doesn't sound like much at all😕

Home, car, and my studio... I told the church I wasn't interested. They don't let anyone else touch the decor except themselves.
The price seems pretty fair to me... but those bouquets? Absolutely stunning. Especially after Priya showed me that boat she built for her cousin—you know, the one that’s actually famous.
I don't even know what your paychecks look like... if I could, maybe I'd ask her what she's actually doing for me.