velvetwalker742 said:Anthony Hall83, look, they told us it’s $12/person, but there was this little caveat: don't actually book for the total headcount we expect. They suggested planning for only about 50-60% of our guest list because their portions are incredibly generous and include so much more than just the basics. So, following that logic, they advised me that for our group of 110, I should probably just order for 60—and they even gave me their word that we'd definitely have plenty left over. Honestly, though, I’m a bit of a nervous wreck about this because their food is absolutely divine, and I can't bear the thought of running short. I think I'll play it safe and book for 70 just to be certain; I'd much rather deal with an abundance of leftovers than a hungry crowd. Besides, we’ll be supplementing the spread with some local favorites from my neck of the woods anyway, like some high-end artisanal cheese and homemade sausages. Anyway, I hope that clears things up! 😉
Can anyone give me a ballpark idea of what catering prices are looking like these days? It seems like my best bet for hosting guests at the house since I could probably bundle in some tent rentals from them too—but honestly, I have absolutely no clue what kind of damage I should expect to take... 🤷
Ethan Wilson94 said:Not really that much. Did you forget to include the car decorations, or is that not part of the deal?
I totally blanked on the fact that we need to decorate the car too... 🤣 I didn't even ask her about it yet, but honestly, I don't think it'll cost an arm and a leg!
Regarding the floral arrangements, I actually swung by the flower market in Indianapolis recently, and one of the vendors there mentioned that they all run their own independent businesses and handle wedding contracts as well. For twenty-five tall daisy vases, a bridal table setup, the bouquet, boutonnieres, and two church arrangements, we're looking at roughly $833. Honestly, I think that’s quite a steal!
I was actually thinking about booking an appointment with Victoria, too—but honestly, once you hear the stories about her running an hour late or just straight-up ghosting people, I’m out. There is absolutely no way I'm spending my big day getting stressed out just because my makeup artist can't manage a schedule...
I’m looking for a solid photographer recommendation out in the Oakland area. I’m actually based in NYC, but I'm going to have a Midwest-style wedding, so I honestly have no clue who to call... 🤷
My best friends all used Zoom and they were all thrilled with the results—and while I personally think Click looks decent, I don't actually know anyone who has hired them. One of the top-tier photographers in the Oakland area is Andrew Carter; he used to work with Zoom back in the day, but now he's gone independent. You should probably take a look at their portfolios on Facebook 🙂
Ethan Wilson94 said:Anyone know what the pricing looks like at the Exclusive flower shop over in El Paso? Everything in these photos looks incredible, but I have a feeling it might break the bank. Ljubičica from Indianapolis is in the same boat—no clue what their rates are like.
Those two shops definitely caught my eye too 🙂 Based on what the girls on the forums are saying about their experiences with Exclusiv, it seems like they might be getting a little too big for their boots... 🤣 So, I think I’ll check in with ljubičica first. I saw their arrangements in person at a wedding recently and they were gorgeous—plus, I haven't heard any horror stories about them yet. I don't know about the prices just yet, but I'll find out soon enough and let you all know... 😉
Thanks for the help 😍 Leon Productions is just way out of my budget, and honestly, Click seems like a pretty solid deal given what they charge... I think I'll hold off until the January trade show before I make my final call 🙂
urbanpanther18 said:Hit the trade show today and honestly? It’s a total bust... I don't get why they even bother setting this stuff up if nobody shows up to exhibit.😢
I have to say, I am just as disappointed with the expo as everyone else—I honestly expected so much more from the whole experience! We were really hoping to scout out a photographer while walking the aisles, but looking at the lineup they had there, not a single one caught my eye... nothing even remotely interesting. What do you all think—will it be too late if we wait until January to start our search? Our wedding isn't until September, so I'm wondering if we still have plenty of runway left...
I’ve still got about ten months left until the wedding, but I honestly want to start scouting options right now—mostly because my usual hairstylist is... well, let's just say she isn't exactly the expert when it comes to formal updos. As for the makeup, I tried going to a professional beauty salon once, but after I got home and took everything off, I realized I could probably just do a much better job of doing it myself 🤣
Does anyone happen to know where I can rent a white event tent for hosting guests at my place—looking at something for roughly 80 people? Also, does anyone have a ballpark idea of what the rental prices actually look like these days?
Ethan Wilson94, regarding those florists over near Columbus—I’ve actually been quite impressed by the work from the Exclusive shop out in El Paso... they have a Facebook profile under Wedding Decoration (Wedding Decoration Vu) where you can browse their portfolio. I haven't had the chance to see their setups in person or get a handle on their pricing yet, but I have seen several posts on the forums suggesting people are pretty happy with them 🙂
With certain venues, you’re basically looking at two different routes. One option is to go all-in with them—they handle everything from the catering to the bar service, which is bundled right into the hall rental, and then you just pay a per-head fee. The other route is to rent the space separately and bring in your own crew—hiring your own chefs and servers while sourcing your own food and drinks... some people swear by this because, honestly, it can end up being way more budget-friendly if you play your cards right. As for linens, it’s a bit of a toss-up depending on where you book; some places include them in the base price, while others will tack on an extra charge if you need $2.25 or more...
Ethan Wilson94 said:I'm looking for some halls near Indianapolis—specifically in those smaller towns that aren't too far from the city. I tried searching online, but everything just points back to Indy or some suburban town, and if you look toward the Finger Lakes, there are barely three options to choose from.
Oh, and I need space for about 180 people. If anyone knows any spots, throw some prices and honest reviews my way. Thanks 🙂
You might want to check out a hall in a Small town nearby—it's not a long drive from the city at all... some of our friends were incredibly happy with that venue, so it's definitely high on our list of preferences. P.S. They actually have a profile on Facebook, so you can head over there to browse through some photos.