Posts by Jesse Barnes8

briskeagle53 said:So, I’m looking for some real talk on these wedding bands—has anyone actually dealt with them before? I’m trying to figure out what the damage is going to be, too. Between Twist Off, Best, and the Jesse band, which one would you guys actually suggest?
Thanks in advance, and if anyone happens to have a ballpark idea of the pricing, I’d seriously appreciate it...🙂

Have you ever caught a live set by Disney? www.disney.com
If you ask me, they're easily the most engaging entertainers out there, especially with how much they actually interact with the crowd.

Henry Flores5 said:Hey everyone!
I’m trying to get my head around the catering situation, but I haven’t been able to find much info online. I know Arcade does catering and stuff, but honestly, $9 per person feels a bit steep when you’re looking at a massive guest list. Does anyone know a local caterer who would be down to prep plates or appetizers if I just buy all the ingredients myself? I really don't want to drop $1,500–$2,000 on catering alone.
Also, I heard a rumor that you don't actually have to order food for the exact headcount—like, if there are 180 people coming, you just order for 120 and somehow it’s still enough food?
Has anyone actually dealt with this before? Would love to hear your experiences.

George Washington will handle your catering perfectly. He’s actually a master mixologist by trade, but his catering game is top-notch too.

Noah Wright4 said:Anyway, I'm totally sick of this debate. You guys can go listen to how "bad" Jesse actually is. 😉

It’s not that Jessie is a bad band—not by a long shot—but if you ask me, Barbara would do a much better job of lifting the mood and actually putting on a real show.

Larry Wood4 said:I could use some advice here - Jessie band VS Barbary.....thanks!!!!

It’s Barbary, hands down. Honestly, your best bet is just to head down to a pier when they're both playing; that way you can see the vibe and hear the sound for yourself.

Thomas Scott5 said:Thanks for the photographer leads. Honestly, I haven't come across any of them yet. I’m looking for someone who can actually capture raw emotion through the lens since we won't have a video. They need an eye for great shots, but also someone easy to coordinate with for those inevitable "posed" family photos where spontaneity just isn't happening. Basically, I want zero heavy filters or excessive Photoshop, and definitely none of that trendy stuff where people pose in abandoned factories.

As for music, I need a band that will play all night with minimal breaks. They should be able to nail both American classics and rock hits—something fun, maybe some old-school soul or folk vibes thrown in, but keeping the focus on rock. Country twang is strictly forbidden, as is anything by Thompson or any combat-themed songs. I need people I can trust to keep playing until dawn if people want to dance. I don't want a wedding hosted by someone constantly calling out names or forcing people onto the floor. Actually, the fewer speeches and the more music, the better. 😁 Just keep people moving with solid tunes. 🙂 I think we’d probably prefer someone with a female vocalist too, so they can mix it up with solo male parts, solo female parts, or duets... Am I being too picky?

For what you're describing, Barbary would be perfect www.barbary.com. They have a female vocalist, they don't quit until the sun comes up (I've seen it myself), and they handle the entire program flawlessly without acting like they're too good for us or hiking up their prices to astronomical levels.🙂

What time should I actually schedule my makeup appointment on the day of the pier party?

Maria Bailey4 said:Right now, New York City is our only shot, so I'm wondering if anyone’s heading to a party there soon? Could use a heads-up on how it is. Or did I miss the boat and one just happened?

I was actually there back in May—went to all five. 🙂 Highly recommend it! 🙂

Hey everyone, I’ve been absolutely exhausted over the last three days trying to track down a decent florist that won't completely rob me blind—right now, it looks like John Doe in Malibu might actually offer the best bang for my buck. Has anyone here actually used them before?
On another note, I wanted to pick your brains—does anyone happen to know of a local florist in St. Louis that operates under the radar?

Aaron Brown7 said:That’s the thing. We heard from our band that Sky used to have great food, but I guess that’s ancient history now. Hopefully, things turn around eventually.

Right on cue... when it comes to what they're serving at Victoria's Secret, things are trending sharply downward. 😢😢
By the end of September, those supplies should be hitting the shelves, so I'll let you all know the second I have an update.🙂

Sam Grant3 said:Hey there! The food at that spot in New York City is actually fantastic, and the service is just as good. Personally, I’d say it’s one of those places with truly top-tier cuisine... I think I saw some similar reviews posted on the forum a while back.

If you ask me, the only real downside is the location, but at least there is plenty of parking if you need it, and you won't have to worry about any noise complaints since nobody lives right next door.

Cheers, 🙂
I completely agree with Sam Grant3🙂

Bradley King43 said:Oh, absolutely. 🙂 I actually had quite a few of his drinks back when he was working at a local lounge... 😁 He's a fantastic bartender. 🙂

Does anyone know if he does catering gigs? He's incredible.

Ladies, have any of you actually heard anything about that cocktail master, the unknown one?

Betty Davis93 said:and what about the wind on the plains?

that breeze is actually pretty great too🙂

Maria Bailey4 said:So, an unknown isn't quite what you'd find at a local diner, right?

Not exactly... You can find their info online if you want to browse, or just swing by on a Saturday afternoon to see the vibe for yourself. I'm pretty sure they have a presence on Facebook too...
I've heard they've even added some LED lighting and a bit of a light show lately...

but honestly, the food and the service are in a league of their own!

Betty Davis93 said:I haven't actually been there myself—but people say it feels more like a college dining hall... or maybe that's just what the lawyer thinks... 😕

It's probably best if you just go check it out for yourself

Did you call the manager over in San Francisco? They have those 35E units—they can hold up to 300 people

R2-D2 is... well, let's just say "disappointing" is an understatement. The service and the food are honestly abysmal. Mid-evening, they actually ran out of sparkling water and had to go begging the unknown for some... It's a mess. There are hardly any servers on the floor. Personally, I think www.unknown.com is a hundred times better than R2-D2; the food is finger-licking good and the service is seamless—you don't even have to flag down a waiter, because as soon as they see your bottle is getting low, a fresh one is already headed your way. And don't even get me started on the portions—to put it mildly, they are absolutely massive... unfortunately, though, their capacity tops out at 220 people.

Aaron Brown7 said:Bloom & Vine

Thanks 🙂 I actually stopped by her shop, but honestly, the pricing felt a bit excessive for my budget...

Maria Bailey4 said:we were dead set on that date and planned it way before I even got engaged... honestly, I didn't want to look at anything or book stuff early because I was drowning in my senior thesis, and now I'm stuck without a date🙂 also, does anyone know how many people usually show up to these things?

NIRS holds about 200 guests, while the Robot center can fit around 250...

I find myself staring at the screen again, wondering if anyone else feels this creeping sense of exhaustion with the way everything seems to be trending lately. It’s that heavy, low-level cynicism that settles in when you realize the patterns are repeating themselves, almost predictably. I was looking over some of the recent discussions, and honestly, it feels like we're all just circling the same drain, waiting for a shift that never actually comes. I saw what Aaron Brown7 was mentioning earlier, and while there's a certain logic to it, I can't help but feel it misses the broader, more systemic fatigue we're all experiencing. It's easy to point to a single cause, but the reality is much more layered and, frankly, much more draining. Even Maria Bailey4 seemed to touch on this, suggesting that perhaps we're looking for solutions where none exist, which is a grim thought, but one I can't entirely dismiss. There's a specific kind of weariness that comes from watching these cycles play out—the same arguments, the same misplaced optimism, the same inevitable letdowns. It makes you want to just step back and observe the chaos from a distance rather than getting caught up in the fray. We keep expecting a breakthrough, a moment of clarity, but most days it just feels like more of the same, slightly more expensive and significantly more complicated than it was last time. Aaron Brown7 says:
Maria Bailey4Last year, I found myself torn between choosing Aria or Velum—I remember the price tag was right around $40.
A friend of mine is already scouting out venues for next year, and she mentioned that they quoted her $38 per person over at Aria. Honestly, I can't tell if rates have actually dropped or if she just completely misheard the numbers. She told me the deal was $38 for a Friday wedding and $40 if you want a Saturday, but there’s a catch: they require a minimum of 130 guests. Even if fewer people actually show up, you're still on the hook for the full 130 seats.
We finally pulled the trigger on Velum. Ultimately, the deciding factor was that we just don't have a guest list of 130 people to work with, and honestly, I’ve heard enough glowing reviews about their service and catering to feel confident in the choice. I'll be able to give you my full, unfiltered take on how everything actually turned out after October 26th. 😍
I’ve spent some time over at Phoenix, and while I'm fully aware that their prices are practically bottom-of-the-barrel, let me tell you—the food is absolutely abysmal.
The NIRS isn't actually all that bad—it’s decent enough, I guess. The jokes land okay, and the food is alright too.

My birthday falls on October 26th as well. 🙂

Hey everyone, does anyone have a solid recommendation for a florist who can handle both a custom bouquet and full venue decor?

Aaron Brown7 said:We’re actually hanging out at Sky... over at Jiker... I stopped by this past weekend right after they finished the renovations, and honestly, I was pretty blown away. If you're thinking about heading there, it'll run you about $40, though that doesn't include wine or dessert.

Sky really is quite stunning 🙂

I can't make sense of that specific string of characters—it looks like a typo or perhaps some internal shorthand. If you were trying to convey a specific thought or react to a previous discussion, please clarify so I can address it properly. As David King72 says:
If this is the caliber of talent they’re showcasing on local news stations out of California or maybe some small-town outlet in San Francisco, then we’re in serious trouble. It sounds absolutely dreadful. At least this singer actually looks like a professional—you know, someone who doesn't look like they just rolled out of bed.

I honestly think they are, though the audio quality on that local cable station is absolutely abysmal. If you actually want to hear them properly, you really ought to catch a live set at a venue like the Fillmore.

When it comes to finding a decent setup, I honestly don't think anyone is going to top... www.barbary.com.hrAnd if we could somehow find a way to keep the price tag under $1,800—especially considering there are five people in the band—that would be the dream.

Aaron Brown7 said:Castle was about 36
Bolero - last time we checked, it was closer to 40
Lion - probably sitting around 50 or 55

Robot TTTS- 35 E www.robot.com
The Executor of the TTTS- 31/32 E—everything included, except for the dessert. www.imenjak.com

Paul King5 said:Maria Bailey4, last year I was torn between Aria and Velum, and they were charging 40€...
Now my friend is scouting venues for next year, and they told her Aria would do 38€. Not sure if the rates actually dropped or if she just misheard someone (the girl told me it was 38€ for a Friday wedding, 40€ for a Saturday, and you gotta hit a 130-person minimum—basically, you pay for 130 seats regardless of who shows up).
We ended up going with Velum in the end. We just didn't have a guest list big enough for that 130-person requirement, plus I'd heard decent things about the service and the food. I can give you the real scoop after October 26th... 😍
I checked out Phoenix, and yeah, it’s dirt cheap, but the food is honestly terrible.
Nirs isn't half bad though... decent hall, okay food.

The food over at Phoenix has honestly become an absolute disaster lately. 😢

Betty Davis93 said: definitely pricey

Out of all those options, I've only been to Dolis and Bolero if I remember correctly... and honestly, both the food and the service were spot on.
I really loved the vibe at Bolero, though.
I went to check out Aria and the space is beautiful, but you have to consider the capacity... if you're hosting closer to 180 guests...

I'm not sure when you last stepped foot in a Castle, but I can tell you from experience that their menu just isn't what it used to be...