What’s the deal with Photo California lately? They don't have any recent shots posted on Facebook or their own site... and honestly, nobody even brings them up on the forums anymore. :-D Are they even still in business?
Does anyone have any actual intel on Sala? Please say yes... I’m seeing a total vacuum of feedback here, which is a bit unsettling. I would truly appreciate some insight—how is the food? How was the service? Any grievances or things I should watch out for?
Noah Wright4 said:It’s Viv, hands down. If you want people to walk away with their ears ringing and a three-foot radius of empty space around them, then go with Boss. 🙂
Could I get some advice regarding a joint reception? Should the newlyweds arrive together, or does the groom typically make his entrance first followed by the bride later? I’ve never actually attended a joint gathering like this before, so I’m curious about how it usually plays out...
Carl Collins5 said:My boyfriend and I actually went by the Radisson recently to check out their wedding venue options, but the manager told us she’d reach out once they have all the formal quotes finalized. It sounds like they're juggling a few different packages right now, and obviously, the price fluctuates quite a bit depending on what's included in the deal. You basically get to choose between having the reception in an indoor ballroom, the restaurant, or out on the terrace overlooking the beach—though that terrace is already looking pretty much fully booked for next summer, and naturally, that's the most expensive option since you'd also have to handle all the lighting arrangements yourself. Personally, we fell in love with the restaurant setting; two of the walls are entirely glass, which is gorgeous, and you can even step out toward the pool area where they can set up tables for an appetizer bar. Oh, one thing to keep in mind—if you decide on the restaurant, they won't be able to host the celebration there until after October at the earliest, just because of their existing guest schedule. As for the cost... she mentioned they haven't nailed down the exact numbers yet, but it definitely won't be dipping below $44 per person.
Could someone please send me a quote for the Radisson Blu—either via DM or right here—and let me know what your actual impressions are? What’s the consensus? Plizzzzzz :-)
What can you even say about those poor waiters? They were spread incredibly thin... and then, to make matters worse, everyone at the table wanted something different. For instance, our table was stuck with just wine, while the folks next to us had red... one table had Cola, and the others had Fanta :-D Wouldn't it have been nice if we could have at least shared a Coke and maybe some thick sauce on the table? Just the basics... and honestly, the pastry was served cold. I actually had pretty high expectations for the food at Bolero—don't get me wrong, it wasn't inedible—but there’s just a lack of variety in what's being served. The prosciutto had a rubbery texture, though the medallions were actually quite good. They really need to work on the pastry situation... and for heaven's sake, make sure the food is actually hot when it arrives.
Andrew Wood2 said:Bobis, Delta, Hrstic, House of Cakes, Star Brand, Babic, Zenith... which bakery did you end up choosing, and what’s the damage when it comes to wedding cake and dessert pricing?
Personally, I’ve found Mississippi Delta and Hrstić to be pretty solid options... Star Brand is absolutely top-tier, though—just prepare to empty your wallet. They were charging something like 130-$50 per pound, I think... definitely feels like overkill..... Viadel is a decent choice too... their pastries are basically dirt cheap at $12 per pound :-)... and they actually taste good. I was just at a party where they served homemade treats... honestly, if you aren't careful, you'll be spitting them out halfway through—haha! So, it’s probably safer to just order professionally if you don't have a master baker on hand :-) People seem to rave about Zenith specifically for their croquant....
Here are my thoughts on the various venues I’ve visited lately.. 1) Phoenix - the service was solid, and the floor manager was incredibly approachable—really went out of his way. However, I wasn't a fan of the interior decor, and the food was just... fine. Nothing to write home about. 2) Macy's - lovely atmosphere inside; honestly, better than Phoenix. The prosciutto and cheese were excellent, the food surpassed what they serve at Phoenix, and the servers were working non-stop. 3) Ino Kastela - meh... I didn't particularly care for the interior design... the food was okay... nothing special, but not terrible either. 5) Bene - the ambiance is great; it's an ideal spot for small weddings of maybe 80 to 100 people... though the food portions are lacking. The seafood risotto was literally just rice, bay leaves, and some uncleaned scraps... actually quite disappointing considering the price point. Plus, you have to pray for good weather if you decide to host anything outdoors. 6) Bolero - you practically have to hunt down the servers to get anything brought to the table... for example, if you order pizza, they might only bring out a Coke, and then if you want actual sides, you have to beg them to bring them over. The prosciutto was subpar, and the pâté? Good grief. The risottos were good, but the beef stew arrived at the table cold. The interior space is decent enough; the ceilings are low, but it's not a dealbreaker. For me, the service felt sluggish—like they were severely understaffed for the crowd size. 7) Castello - this place feels worlds away from Miami... to use the restroom, you actually have to leave the hall. The manager wouldn't even let the newlyweds break glasses or cut their cake at their own table... as for the food, I can't even remember it! :-D 8) Sky - people scattered all over the terrace, making it nearly impossible to gather everyone on the dance floor... the risottos were excellent, but the beef stew was a letdown... it tasted like meat in a random gravy. It wasn't acidic, nor was it baked properly. The lamb was alright. Portions were small. There were about 200 people there, so it got pretty crowded around the tables. 9) Duilio's - the food was fantastic... the beef stew was top-tier... but those wooden ceilings are hideous. If they could just renovate that, it would be perfect. 10) Amigos... if I were hosting a party for 100 people, I’d go there in a heartbeat... the food is superb, right by the ocean... everything was a ten out of ten. That's my take, anyway... obviously, everyone has their own opinion, and a lot of it depends on the specific crowd you're with... regardless of where you end up. ;-)
Everyone seems to be raving about Vagus because of their prices and how much variety they carry. Personally, I’ve always been a fan of Zales! Up until now, I’ve just been picking up my gold pieces from department stores—nothing fancy, really—and honestly, I haven’t had any reason to complain.
David King72 said:Like I already mentioned... so far, they've earned nothing but praise from my end. My sister attended one of their events last month and she had absolutely nothing but good things to say.
Noah Wright4 said:The pirate restaurant is perfect for 130-150 people. Anything over that is just bad. On the dance floor, everyone would be packed in like sardines.😁
Haha... honestly, I have a feeling we’ll be crossing names off that list until we finally hit the 130 mark. I am completely lost here 😕😂... I was so certain we'd go with the pirate theme... great food, close to the beach... everything seemed set. But then suddenly there are 200 people on the guest list? Now I have no idea what to do... and places like San Diego or Santa Monica aren't even an option anymore. Total bridezilla mode incoming. 🙂
In case anyone is actually looking for the scoop on the Say Yes venue... The indoor hall holds about 260 people, whereas if you opt for the tent setup—which comes with all that outdoor scenery like the creek, waterfall, lake, greenery, lawns, and the fountain—you’re looking at a capacity anywhere from 300 to 450 guests. A deposit of $220 is required, and if you decide to go with the tent and the outdoor space, there's an additional $1667 (the tent rental itself runs $3333), plus you'll need to cough up another 30% three months out. Menu pricing starts at around $42 and goes up from there.
As for the feedback I've heard, some people have complained that the food portions are a bit light... hmmm... though personally, the hall looks perfectly fine to me.
And then there's that one question that keeps popping up: can the pirate restaurant actually handle 200 people? Some folks claim the sweet spot is really only 70 to 100 guests... while others told me it can squeeze in about 200-ish, even if the dance floor gets a little cramped. If only they would just expand the pirate restaurant a bit... that would solve all my problems.😁
Does anyone have a specific photographer at Getty Images they’d actually recommend? Also—if you’ve been in touch with them lately—does anyone happen to know what their current package pricing looks like?