120 posts shown.
Maria Bailey4 said:Milo - San Francisco
Honestly, I had one of the most uncomfortable experiences there... This woman actually looked me in the eye and told me I was too short—I'm only about 5'3"—and basically said she didn't have anything for my size because she wasn't going to bother altering her dresses for me. So, I just sat there feeling completely out of place while my maid of honor tried on gowns, all because the shop owner decided she was "normal height," as Mila would put it... Not to mention how she kept repeating, over and over, that they don't even carry chiffon wedding dresses!!!!
When it comes to actual quality, professionalism, expertise, and just being decent to people, Victoria's Secret and Glamour Bride are definitely the gold standard.
You can definitely find them for less money, though it really just comes down to what you're looking for... There are those big-name companies out there selling them for $2.00 or even more, but plenty of people will do the job for a bit less if you ask. Douglas Green7, if you've got the patience and the time—and if you're feeling a bit crafty—you could always try making them yourself...
cosmiclynx18 said:So, we’ve finally pulled the trigger and decided to host the wedding in a small town outside of Austin... mainly because we have guests traveling quite a distance, so we figured we should at least be close to the I-35 🙂🤷
I’m looking for some solid recommendations—should we go with Dolis, Lesnina, or Fenix? I haven't actually been to any of them... HELP ME OUT 🙂. We’re expecting about 150 guests max... what would you suggest? For me, the absolute dealbreaker is the food; it needs to be plentiful and actually taste good...
Google 😍
Just cross Fenix off your list immediately...
Amy Kern said:Betty Davis93 Quote:
I just booked Tina Kalinić! So many people have been raving about her, and honestly, looking at her Facebook profile and all the models she’s worked on, I am totally obsessed with her style.
Besides her, you’ve got Ivana Češljar (she's on Facebook too). From what I've heard from the other girls, they also mention names like Ana Benzon, Lucija Spajić, and Nada Gamulin.
gentlewolf69 Quote:
Ivana Češljar,
Thanks a million, ladies! 😍
I’m telling you, Ivana Češljar and Tina Kalinić are absolutely killing it! I’ve already seen a few of my buddies get their look done by them, and the results are seriously impressive. 👍
Got another recommendation from Zrinka, so let's see what's up!
Bottom line: I'm gonna call them one by one and see which one actually picks up! 👍
When it comes to hair, I’m dying for someone who actually gets the vibe and has the guts to pull off a short cut. Honestly, I’ve thought about DIY-ing a look with some accessories, maybe a headband or something, but there's one huge problem: I have no clue what kind of hair disaster I'll wake up to or which direction my hair is going to decide to go in that morning! 😬
Have you checked out the Jazz Hair Studio website yet? I know for a fact they've posted some photos of short styles there.
I can't really speak for TNT. Your best bet is just to hit up every vendor you're interested in and compare their rates and packages side by side. As for those arrangements where things seem to fall apart... honestly, that’s all down to personal taste, and if that's how you want to do it, then go for it. People are always going to find something to gamble on regardless. Personally, I don't get the whole "it looks like a funeral" association, but hey, people are weird. I actually had this massive headache with a friend of mine who was getting married on the exact same day as me, and we just couldn't see eye to eye on the church decor. I suggested we compromise by picking one of my colors—purple—and one of hers, maybe white or cream, so we could both be happy. But she shut me down immediately, saying she didn't want purple because she and her fiancé agreed it was strictly a color for funerals. Even the priest at our pre-marital counseling class said the same thing, insisting everything should be decorated in nothing but white. Did I listen to him? Of course not. At the end of the day, it's my wedding, and I'll decide whether I even want to decorate at all. Picking out a color palette isn't exactly a crystal ball for whether a marriage will succeed or fail. I wasn't too surprised by my friend's reaction, though—she's always been a bit narrow-minded—but the superstition from that priest really caught me off guard...
David King72 said:Mis-Cura is fine, I guess, but nothing to write home about... they talk way more than they actually get done. Personally, I find them pretty exhausting because they just drone on and on, and frankly, I don't have the patience for people like that.
I have to agree with that. A close friend of mine hired her to do the bridal bouquet, the bridesmaid flowers, and the decor for the head table at the venue. Honestly, she did a decent job decorating the hall itself. My friend specifically asked for a bouquet with various types of flowers in pink tones. She even sent over reference photos of exactly what she wanted, but the florist ended up making this beautiful bouquet of pink roses—which was lovely, don't get me wrong—but it wasn't what she actually asked for. On top of that, we had an agreement that I would receive one fresh flower bracelet and one artificial one as the maid of honor, but she only provided the artificial one while still charging us the full amount we originally agreed upon...
David King72 said:It isn't true that the same person owns both Phoenix and Walmart...
The reality is simply that the food at Phoenix is terrible, whereas over at Dolisa, it's actually much better.
I have to agree with that. I haven't actually spent any time at Dover so I can't really speak to their setup, but I've been to Phoenix twice now. Honestly, neither the vibe of the dining area nor the quality of the food really did it for me...
Ivana Češljar, $50, she’s coming home with those 200-piece lash sets... Honestly, everything else out there is twice the price, acting like they’re selling cosmetics made of solid gold or something. As for hair, I can't say much, though I've had great luck with Jazz Salon in the past, but my hair used to be quite long, and I have no idea what kind of look you're aiming for with short hair. And yeah, the sooner the better. I actually called Ivana a whole year in advance for my pier, and she was already booked up, yet her maid of honor managed to snag an appointment just two months before her own big day... You never know who's crazy enough to try booking a year ahead for the exact same date as you.
Sophia Howard7 said:Anyone have a recommendation for a versatile band—ideally one that features a Violin?
By versatile, I mean everything from local classics and oldies to modern hits, maybe even some soulful Eastern vibes—you know, that Halid style and whatnot.
Synergy Group. They back Joseph Ivančić, so they’re really well-versed in those Eastern melodic vibes, though during our wedding reception, they stuck strictly to rock and pop standards—where they truly shined. Their lead singer actually plays the violin. You can find them on YouTube, though the audio quality isn't exactly studio-grade. I caught them performing at a reception back in June, and honestly, I was floored from the very first notes when they played "Urban - Budi moja voda" for the couple's first dance. After that, I actually canceled my other band—since we hadn't clicked well anyway—and booked them instead. If I ever had to get married all over again, I wouldn't change a single thing, except maybe the hall... but I'd definitely keep the band exactly the same...
They’re originally from Mostar, but they tour all over the US quite often. For us, their rate was about $900 last year (or $800 if you don't need a female vocalist).
feralsurfer3 said:photo Mladen 🤷
Man, I remember back in the day when this guy first showed up on the forum just to plug himself while tearing everyone else down... they ended up banning him pretty quickly after that. That’s really the only impression he left on me.
Anyway, I hope you get those photos back soon and that they turn out looking just as sharp as the ones on the invitation...
And who was behind the lens for you? You can always just shoot me a DM if you'd rather not say it here in public...
feralsurfer3 said:So, it's me again, checking in nearly four months after the big party 😛 We’re still stuck waiting on those damn photos and videos... the photographer keeps dragging his feet. Do you guys think they should drop the price if they're two months late on delivery??? 😠
If your contract actually specifies a deadline for when the photos and video need to be handed over, then yeah, you definitely have some leverage to hold back a portion of the payment. If it helps at all, my wedding was back on August 31st, and we haven't seen a single thing yet... honestly, I don't see them being ready for at least another two weeks, maybe longer... but the catch is, we didn't sign a formal contract, let alone one that laid out a specific timeline for the final products.
Maria Bailey4 said:hey, anyone heading to that bridal boutique in downtown Chicago? anything actually worth looking at there?
I wouldn't recommend it... The owner basically keeps all the gowns in one tiny little room in her house, maybe ten square feet, right next to a pretty unpleasant bathroom. Most of what they have are just basic crinolines, and even the ones that aren't, they're mostly just plain satin...
Maria Bailey4 said:How tall are you, if you don't mind me asking? 😛
I'm about 5'3", or maybe 5'7" if I'm wearing heels. And honestly, Mila is practically 6'6" and acts so unrefined about it; it feels like she’s just trying to overcompensate for her own insecurities by putting shorter women down...
Girls, I really can't help you much with finding a photographer because that’s such a personal thing... everyone has their own specific taste.
Regarding the dress itself, bridal salons always seem to run these big sales around Christmas that last until January 31st, where they’ll drop prices by 30%, or they might tell you that you'll get $333 off if you put down a deposit on the day of your first fitting. I don't know if it's just a marketing tactic to rush people along—maybe they do that all year round—but my wedding was in August, and I hadn't even planned on looking for a dress before the five or six-month mark. However, once I saw those sales, I decided to go check out what was available just for the sake of information. I was actually shocked to find out at one shop that 6 out of the 10 dresses I liked were already reserved for my date, so it ended up happening that I had my dress booked within the very first month. The earlier you start hunting, the better your selection will be...
As for the shops, here is what I experienced: I looked around Appalachia, Boise, and San Francisco. Appalachia is definitely cheaper than San Francisco, but if you manage to snag one of those holiday sales, the price ends up being about the same.
If you’re looking for something modern, lacey, or just a simple flowy style, stay far away from Jelena in Boise, because she only carries old-fashioned satin and tulle ballgowns. Mila in Boise has designer brands, but honestly, she’s just so incredibly provincial. If you’re on the taller side, you probably won't find anything that works because her seamstress doesn't actually tailor the dresses to fit; she just cuts them based on the height of whatever bride reserved it. Also, if you're short like me, you'll probably feel pretty insulted because—and I am quoting her here—“she isn't going to cut her dresses for someone so small.” She only stocks lace and tulle because, again, her words, “nobody asks for a simple chiffon dress!!!” And please, steer clear of Annmarie in Boise; the woman keeps five dresses in a room inside her own house.
In San Francisco, Lipoto has some decent options, but their lace looks pretty cheap compared to New York City or Vogue Bride. Plus, my maid of honor tried on a dress that had never been worn before and noticed a hole in it right away. So, there's that level of quality for you. As for New York City, I have nothing but praise; it was the most professional and helpful salon I've ever stepped foot in, and the dresses are stunning. Now, Vogue Bride—the dresses are lovely, and that's where I booked mine since it was perfect for me. The agreement was that they would alter it to fit me perfectly since it was an older gown they weren't using anymore. But then, four days before the wedding, I went in for a fitting and was absolutely floored. There was no tailoring done at all; the seamstress was just trying to tighten and hem it. The more she worked on it, the worse it looked. I had to go back for three different fittings that single day. After the third attempt, the owner offered me two other dresses from their stock to choose from because it was obvious I had to give up on my original choice. I picked one that was beautiful, though not quite what I originally envisioned, they took my measurements, and told me to come back in two days. I showed up on Thursday, just two days before the wedding, with a million things to do, and they still hadn't finished the alterations properly. I ended up going back to the salon three times that day alone. I lost an entire day because of them. The owner told me it was the first time they'd ever had someone come in for so many fittings. When my maid of honor got married three weeks later, the exact same thing happened to her. Granted, she didn't have to change her dress, but she also had to deal with three or four fittings. On the actual wedding day, the seam of her dress split open (the photographer caught it during the photo session), so we had to sew it shut right before heading to the church. Despite all that drama, I still think it's one of the best shops alongside New York City.
Anyway, I hope this helps someone out. Arm yourselves with patience, visit every shop in the area, and don't go as a pack—just bring one person, maybe two at most. Once you find "the one," you'll just know (I told my maid of honor immediately that it was "the one," but unfortunately, fate didn't have the same plan for me 😁 ). If you want a good laugh, go see Jelena in Boise. Tell her you want a simple, flowing dress, and she’ll probably assume you mean "Roman style," and you'll see exactly what she offers you. 😁
From what I gather, Grasha can accommodate up to about 100 people—no more than that—but honestly, everyone seems to rave about it. People say the same about the park, though the big downside there is that the music has to wrap up around 2:00 AM because of the guests staying at the nearby hotel... As for Monterey, everyone talks up Castel Slanica like it’s some holy grail. I actually attended a reception there once, and I have to say, it was hands down the worst event I’ve ever been to. The bride had organized the whole thing from Switzerland; she had plenty of money, so price wasn't an issue, but they charged $38 per person just for the seating because she insisted on a buffet style... that was back in 2006, which was ridiculously overpriced even then, but it felt like they realized they could squeeze her for more and just took advantage of the situation. When we finally sat down in the restaurant, every single dish was stone cold. They didn't even bother reheating anything, and usually, you'd expect at least a warming tray under the food to keep things decent. To make matters worse, the portions were tiny, and finding a waiter was like searching for a needle in a haystack... we ended up having to wander into the kitchen ourselves just to grab drinks. If you ask me, Castel Slanica gets zero points from my end.
Purple and a sort of petrol green or blue...
I’m not quite following your logic here... why on earth would you label the photographer as unprofessional?
Maria Bailey4 said:
Like how? Give some advice to future brides.😉[/B]
Like how? Give some advice to future brides.😉[/B]
If I could go back, I’d swap out the florist (even though everything was lovely and the bouquet was beautiful, it just wasn't quite what I had envisioned in my head), the hair stylist, and the makeup artist (though I will honestly never regret the fact that Ivana Češljar was available for my date). Maybe even the photographer too, though I’m still waiting to see all the shots before I decide... 😁 Nothing was done poorly, really, it just didn't match the vision I had spent months building...
I wouldn't change the venue for anything in the world (Topić) because it was absolutely perfect; the space itself is stunning and so open, without those annoying pillars that block your view of half the guests, plus the dance floor was huge and the lighting was gorgeous... the food was fantastic and the service was seamless. But honestly, the band was the absolute highlight of everything and I don't even know how to thank them enough. It actually crossed my mind afterward that I should have tipped them at least another $100 because they truly earned it. They were such sweet people that they even posted a song dedicated to us on Meta after the wedding to wish us well...
My biggest piece of advice is to get everything organized well in advance—book your hair and makeup as early as possible because you never know what might pop up. For example, my getting-ready time was set for 3:00 PM; I scheduled my hair for 10:00 AM, makeup for noon, and my maid of honor's hair for 11:30 AM and her makeup for 1:00 PM. We told the photographer to be at my place by 2:00 PM to start capturing everything. Everything would have gone smoothly if the makeup artist, Antonela Đuzel, hadn't completely messed things up... See, I went to her for a trial on July 27th and asked exactly how I wanted my makeup to look. I told her I wanted purple and teal tones on my eyes. She told me straight up that she wasn't expecting that kind of look since most brides stick to neutrals, and she hadn't brought those specific shades because she had brides booked all day and assumed I'd want something standard. Well, she did the trial with what she had, and I actually loved how it looked, so I booked her for August 31st and even sent her photos on Meta to show her exactly what I wanted for the big day. Then, on August 31st, she calls me at 11:30 AM asking if I can come a little later because another bride—who wasn't even booked—had brought her maid of honor along and she wanted to do her too. I told her I'd be there at 12:30 PM. I showed up at 12:30 PM and ended up waiting until 1:15 PM just to get in the chair. When it was finally my turn, she asks me again what I want and tries to push some burgundy shade on me, insisting it was basically purple. Long story short, I ended up having to call my maid of honor to bring her own eyeshadow palette so she could do my makeup herself! Because of that unprofessionalism, I had to call the photographer and ask him to show up at 2:30 PM instead. I barely have any photos with my maid of honor because she didn't get in the makeup chair until 2:20 PM and didn't get home until 3:30 PM, and my husband was already picking me up at 4:00. So, my advice is to aim to be finished an hour earlier than planned, rather than being an hour late because something went sideways... and definitely bring your own eyeshadow if you have any specific or "unusual" requests like I did...
Make sure to tell the photographer which people are your priority so you leave enough time to get photos with them...
For things like pinning boutonnieres, rely on your inner circle, and let the younger crowd handle decorating the car...
If you have small errands to run (like waxing or getting your nails done), try to get them out of the way the night before, because you simply won't have the time on the actual day...
Walter Collins6 said:I stumbled upon a few options, but they're based out of Boise... ?!😕😕
They play everywhere, you know, and they actually did a few gigs down in San Diego once... It’s possible they might ask for maybe an extra fifty or a hundred bucks, though they didn't charge me anything extra for that show in Imotski, but even if they do tack on a little more, they’re still way, way cheaper than any of the local bands around here...