17 posts shown.
Well, our big day is officially over.
Since this forum was such a lifesaver for me when I moved to Chicago just two months before the wedding, I figured I should pay it forward and share my own experience.
The ceremony took place in Manhattan at St. Patrick's Cathedral, tucked away under some beautiful pines. They don't really let you decorate that church yourself; instead, you give a donation to their lady there, and she handles the decor however she sees fit. Since another bride had a wedding right before ours, we actually coordinated with her. Everything ended up looking exactly how we asked for it.
We held a little gathering and catering session before the mass, also in Manhattan, right on the grounds in front of the church. It was a scorcher that day—total St. Anthony weather—but there were enough pine trees providing shade to keep things relatively cool.
The catering was handled by Miller from Castle Rock, and honestly, I can't say enough good things. He blew everyone away with both the food and the setup. The price was $18 per person without drinks, and $23 once everything was included. On top of all the standard catering fare, I added some small cheese, spinach, and apple strudels, plus some fritule. Since I brought along a savory pie my neighbor made, he went above and beyond by preparing breaded shrimp and stuffed chicken. He even let us use a chocolate fountain in the hall and personally showed up before the reception to slice fruit and create those lovely fruit displays. I’m speechless; it was perfect!
There was actually another civil ceremony happening at the same time, and they used a caterer from Pirate. Their crew was basically hovering around our catering team, trying to pick their style because they couldn't get enough of them—and we all know how much Pirate usually charges per head.
Our priest was a close family friend, which was fantastic. I highly recommend going that route; it hits differently when the person officiating actually knows you. The whole mass was beautiful and melodic, thanks to some friends from our Our Lady of Fatima prayer group and the Rock; they were incredible.
The reception was held on the terrace at Lara at Dodger Stadium. We had 210 guests, and the seating was $34 per person. The menu was massive: prosciutto, cheese, French onion soup, then black and white shrimp risotto, followed by the main course featuring veal medallions with mushroom sauce gnocchi, schnitzel, breaded stuffed chicken, stuffed tenderloin, roasted potatoes, and veggies. Then came the lamb, suckling pig, and salad, ending with cake and desserts. Everything was included except for the hard liquor, which we provided ourselves.
The service was top-notch. They were constantly refilling plates, and the servers actually bonded with the guests. They kept checking in on us to make sure we had everything we needed, and at the end of the night, they even packed up all the leftover food for us to take home—and there was plenty left.
I picked up the sweets from My Little Cookies in Castle Rock. They were perfect—homemade, soft, and delicious. I got to hand-pick exactly what I wanted, at $25/kg.
The cake was from Red Velvet Cake, also out of Castle Rock. It was five tiers with an entire nautical theme—seashells, starfish, coral, you name it. It looked stunning, $667. I didn't actually get to taste it, but everyone said it was amazing, with a different flavor for every tier.
They also made me some sea-themed muffins and dessert cups, priced at $2.75 each; I had 150 of those in total.
For lighting, we went with MediaCom, specifically Joe Orlandini. I asked for soft colors and gentle washes of light, and he pulled it off perfectly with some fog and bubbles, even lighting up the olive trees to tie the whole scene together, $2167. The lighting really elevated the vibe; it looked flawless. Joe is a great guy and a true professional to work with.
Our photographer was Tony Cherina from Solina, who was also wonderful to work with. He stayed until 5 AM. I didn't see the videographer once all night, and during the reception, I actually panicked thinking we wouldn't have any footage, but they reassured me he was there the whole time—just being so low-key that I didn't notice him. I haven't seen the photos or videos yet, though, so fingers crossed.
A friend did the flowers for me, so I only paid the cost of the supplies. We went with roses and hydrangeas, which was a gorgeous combination.
The music was provided by the Trocadero Band (or the Shirokobriješki Dukati), and they played both at the catering area and in the hall. We hired them because they play music from all over the country, and since we had guests coming from everywhere, it was a huge hit. They cost $1500 and never stopped dancing.
Tina Kalinić did my makeup. She also did five of my bridesmaids, and I loved how she gave each of them a unique look that suited them personally rather than forcing everyone into the exact same style. Even though I was meeting them for the first time, she nailed it. Her work looks very natural, beautiful, and stays put all night.
My hair was done by a stylist at a salon near a local bistro in Chicago; there were seven of us in total. She gave everyone exactly what they asked for, and my style actually held up for two days—I even went for a photo shoot on Monday with the same look.
We picked out the rings at a jewelry store called Dvornik, $1000, looking at some of their newer designs.
As you can tell, everything turned out exactly how I envisioned it, except for one massive disappointment: Royal Bride in Chicago, where I rented my wedding dress. I ordered a brand-new gown back in December, and they promised it would arrive within four or five months. After calling them multiple times, the dress still hadn't shown up. Then, on June 10th—the day I was supposed to come in for my fitting—they called me at 8:00 PM to say it wasn't there yet, even though the party was only three days away! It finally arrived at the absolute last second, still packed up, and because we were rushed, they couldn't fix it properly. The tulle wasn't set right, the hem was off, and the straps kept slipping off my shoulders. To top it all off, I didn't even have time to get it cleaned. $2000 They charge for the rental, and then they even tack on $33 for the little girl's dress who carried the rings.
On top of that, they told me I had to return it by 1:00 PM on Monday. I had emphasized several times that the wedding was in California and that I had a photo shoot scheduled for Monday, so I specifically asked months in advance if returning it on Tuesday would be an issue. They told me it wouldn't be a problem, but they completely ignored our agreement. Naturally, I didn't manage to get it back to them until 5:00 PM on Monday, and meanwhile, they were blowing up my phone asking where the dress was. They caused me such unnecessary stress right before the big day, and I made sure to let them know exactly how much that sucked!
So, that's the whole story. Only Chicago let me down, so I wouldn't recommend them to anyone, though maybe I just had a run of bad luck.
Everything else was wonderful, and honestly, I could relive that day a hundred times over!
Good luck to everyone, and my advice? If you find something or someone you truly love, stick with them. Getting tangled up in complications usually doesn't end well.😉
Has anyone here actually dealt with the Strelitzia flower shop over in San Francisco? I'm curious about their service quality and if their prices are reasonable. Thanks in advance!
Does anyone know a great female vocalist who could sing at a church service? I’m looking for someone truly exceptional—someone who can deliver an Ave Maria that actually gives you goosebumps.
Hannah Murphy11 said:After several weeks of walking around and scouting for the right photographer, I’ve finally put together my full review of everything I’ve observed—and believe me, I’ve seen quite a lot. I truly hope this proves useful to anyone else out there, and perhaps, by documenting it all like this, I can finally make sense of my own impressions too.
Getty Images I was looking at a photography and basic video bundle priced at $1,850, which honestly seems like a reasonable deal on paper. Mike seems like an absolute legend—his shots are stunning, and the video work he’s posted on Vimeo is nothing short of perfection. However, after hearing a mountain of horror stories from various sources, I’ve decided to pass on them entirely. From what I can gather, those videos uploaded to Vimeo are actually just the work of Matthew and some other guy who started their own studio called Pixar. The rumors floating around are pretty damning: people are reporting massive delays of five to nine months just to get their photos back, instances where names were misspelled on the actual DVDs, and technical issues where the discs skip constantly. To make matters worse, word is that the actual editing of the footage and photos is being handed off to college students who have absolutely no idea what they are doing. It's just too much of a risk.
Pixar I only saw some of their photos on Facebook, and they honestly look incredible. They sent over a full proposal to my inbox, and the starting price for their basic photo and video package is around $2,200. Unfortunately, they’re already booked for my specific date, so I don't have any more details to share beyond that.
Ivan It’s a flat fee of 1,600 Euros just for the photography. If that sounds like a bargain to you, then by all means, go right ahead!
Fruit of the Loom Studio The basic photo and video package is priced at $2,000. I actually took a look at two wedding galleries they sent over to my email via their online portal. To be perfectly honest, I don’t see what the big deal is; personally, I found them to be somewhat cliché. I also haven't been able to determine if posing direction is included in their services, as I didn't see any shots like that in the galleries, on their blog, or even on their official website. In my estimation, it is far too expensive for the value they are providing, even if the majority of people seem to love their work.
Bonacci Studios I just looked over a photo and video package priced at $1,500. The guy is genuinely personable, his work is technically solid, and I find the price point to be quite reasonable. However, for some reason, I just wasn't blown away by it—I can't quite put my finger on what's missing. That being said, it is definitely worth checking out; I am certain there is someone out there who will absolutely love his style.
Julia's Studio First of all, this guy refuses to even email you a quote; he insists that you show up in person just to talk business. He doesn't have any standardized packages or set pricing structures, which leads me to believe he just pulls numbers out of thin air on the spot. For instance, he told my friend and me that our "special friends price" would be $1,800. It makes me wonder what kind of ridiculous rates he’s quoting everyone else. To make matters more complicated, he brings his wife along to these meetings, so you end up dealing with two photographers and one videographer. He tries to convince us that having two photographers at a wedding is essential while insisting that a single camera is plenty for video. Other professionals say the exact opposite, and frankly, I can't tell who is lying and who is just delusional. We didn't even get to see an actual physical album—just some sample books, photo slideshows, and videos. While the photos themselves are decent, the videos are nothing special. The man was incredibly grating with his constant bragging; he kept acting like he had watched a specific video a hundred times already, only to suddenly get all emotional about it again, crying, "My God, this brought tears to my eyes!" Even though I’m usually a crier, I honestly didn't find anything remotely touching about it. I actually sat down and watched an entire DVD from one of his weddings, and if I were rating him, I’d give him a +2/-3. As for the parent albums? A total disaster. They are hands down the worst we've ever seen. He even claimed they don't even produce specialized albums for parents. When we asked if we could suggest the music for the trailer or certain segments of the wedding video, he told us we could make suggestions, but ultimately, his word is final. Apparently, he used to work at Getty Images.
Getty Images by Tony They offer several different packages consisting of photo albums, coffee table books, and video services. For my part, the most impressive combination—which bundles a high-end album with a full video package—is priced at $1,700. This setup includes one dedicated photographer and one videographer; if you need to add extra staff for larger groups, it’s an additional $250 per person. I have to say, the photography itself is among the absolute best we’ve ever seen. You won't find much of his work posted on Facebook, so I highly recommend scheduling an in-person meeting to see his portfolio. He operates out of a studio in San Francisco. During our consultation, he walked us through two beautiful books and some cinematic clips, though we haven't had the chance to inspect a physical album yet. The guy is incredibly personable and genuinely eager to collaborate. On top of that, he has professional experience working for Getty Images.
Studio Smile The base photo and video package starts at $1,700 (which includes one photographer and one videographer). We actually sat down for a consultation with Ranko Pupić, who runs the studio. Honestly, the meeting was incredibly awkward because he spent the entire time belittling all his competitors while constantly bragging about himself. We sat there for nearly two hours, and the man did nothing but talk about his own work and his past footage. Now, I will be perfectly clear: the guy produces flawless videos. He utilizes every high-end tool imaginable—steady cams, cranes, even helicopters. However, there is a massive catch with the pricing. If you want a "love story" highlight reel, that’s an extra $275. If you want to use the helicopter, add another $165. And if you have more than 150 guests, he recommends bringing in a second videographer, which will cost you an additional $500. You can find examples of his work on Facebook. It is abundantly obvious that he lives and breathes video production, whereas photography seems like an afterthought to him. While we were flipping through the sample albums, he was busy chatting on his cell phone. I was absolutely appalled when I saw how they handled the presentation—they had a single photograph taped directly onto the inside cover page! It looked incredibly unprofessional. Furthermore, there wasn't a single black-and-white shot in the entire album. To put it bluntly: the photos are mediocre, the videos are top-tier, and the man is exhausting to deal with. Ultimately, everything revolves around his specific way of doing things. Vedran Vidak is an option if you want to hire him as a standalone photographer; he charges between $850 and $1,100 depending on which parent or wedding party albums you select. Basically, if you book Studio Smile, Vedran Vidak will likely be the one behind the lens, but you have the flexibility to hire him separately and find someone else to handle the video.
Ante Gašpar offers a photo and video package for $1,300, which includes an additional follow-up session the next day for $333. He is a very down-to-earth, modest family man who previously worked for the local studio in San Francisco. We had a look at his albums and books, and I must say, the photography is among the best we've seen. He has quite a large portfolio on Facebook, and the shots are truly stunning. My only gripe was that some of his pages felt a bit cluttered because there were too many photos packed in (the album has about 300 shots), and just like with the previous guy, a photo was taped to the back cover next to the binding. It feels like he’s incredibly accommodating—he'll do whatever you ask. He works alongside Miljenko Marin for video. From what I observed, they only use a single camera without a tripod, so the video quality is just mediocre. Even the DVD cover looked honestly pathetic, and the main menu on the disc actually says "best off" (yes, with two 'f's). So, the bottom line: the photos are amazing, the video isn't great, but the price is unbeatable.
Photo Studio Zumba offers a wide variety of packages; a solid combination would likely run you between $1,500 and $1,750. For a change of pace, this studio is run by a woman named Dražena. She is very personable and open to collaborating and implementing ideas from her clients. Looking through their albums, we saw a mix of absolutely perfect shots and total disasters. However, I did catch a video of theirs on Vimeo, and it was genuinely impressive.
Photo Marino—I’m not certain on the exact pricing, but I believe it’s around $1,300. If you book them, Gašpar can coordinate with them to handle a follow-up session the following day. We took a look at an album and a DVD from one of their weddings, and frankly, those were the worst photos and videos we have ever encountered, so we decided to cancel our meeting with them.
Studio Forever seems to be a photographer who is just starting out on his own. He mentioned working somewhere else previously, though he didn't specify where. His all-inclusive live package is priced at a very reasonable $1,100. He showed us a "best of" album featuring various wedding shots, mostly posed portraits. There were some truly beautiful images, and I believe he has real potential, but since we haven't seen a full wedding coverage, I can't say for sure how his documentary-style candid shots turn out. We also watched his video work, and it seemed quite good.
There is also Studio Bora—I checked out their website, and I really like their style. I can't recall the exact pricing, though, as I can't find their quote online. Studio Megagraf also offers a million different packages, with prices ranging from $1,100 to over $2,200. I don't have any specific details or impressions regarding these last two because I haven't seen their work in person.
I hope this breakdown proves useful to someone! Personally, I am currently torn between Tony and Ante, so any suggestions, advice, or extra info would be greatly appreciated.
You can't go wrong with Chern. Once you talk to him on the phone, his personality starts winning you over, and every meeting just makes you more impressed with who he is and the work he produces. He has this laid-back, calm energy, and that translates perfectly into his photos and videos—they feel relaxed yet completely professional.
A shoot with him usually runs about 3 or 4 hours, which sounds like a long time, but since he's so chill, everything flows smoothly without any stress. Plus, he's incredibly flexible when it comes to negotiations.
A friend of mine hired him for her wedding reception and she was absolutely thrilled with the shots. Anyway, those are my thoughts.😉
Just wanted to drop a quick heads-up about what I heard regarding the Say Yes ballroom. A friend of mine was at a banquet there recently, and apparently, they had to force the band to pack it up right at 2 AM. It might have just been a one-off situation rather than their standard policy, but honestly, you should definitely double-check the noise ordinances before you book.
Nathan Watson2 said:I’ve been spending a little time lately reading through everyone’s thoughts on various venues, the catering, the staff, and all that, and since I find myself in rather a peculiar situation—having two weddings to attend at the exact same location over the next two weekends—I felt compelled to share my impressions after experiencing the first one at Lora Restaurant at Poljud. Last week's reception hosted about 170 guests spread across 19 tables, held entirely on the restaurant's terrace, which, in my estimation, is a massive advantage over other venues; being so close to the ocean and the natural scenery makes a world of difference when the weather actually cooperates. The manager is a true professional, and we were quite literally allowed to decide whether we wanted the ceremony indoors or outdoors right up until the very last minute. As for the food, it was genuinely, exceptionally good (my only minor grievance being directed at the groom, who decided to ban alcohol after just an hour 🙂). It is abundantly clear that the staff is expertly managed to ensure such seamless service; you have servers who don't hover unnecessarily, yet they possess that uncanny ability to notice the moment something is missing and bring it out before you even realize you need to ask; all while maintaining an incredible level of politeness throughout the entire evening. I am genuinely curious to see if they can replicate this level of performance next weekend for a much larger crowd of 280 people...
My only real complaint would be Jessy band and their somewhat vague and lackluster repertoire 👎
All things considered, having attended dozens of weddings, I would personally rank them number one when it comes to service 😉
I agree with everything said here. That was my experience too when I went to see a smaller reception held indoors—only about 80 people...
I’m planning on being outside, and I love that you can tell them the day before if the forecast looks bad or if it’s supposed to rain...
The only thing bothering me about the indoor setup is that wall in the middle; it makes the space feel a bit disjointed and cramped... but I’m really hoping we can manage to stay outdoors.... They even let us sample the food, and it was great...
They also do catering, where the menu is slightly different—like that octopus salad and things like that—and honestly, it doesn't look half bad....
graniteskipper48 said:Just a quick question without the umbrella... who did you hire for the lighting?
We went with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Mostly because we couldn't hear anything but praise from every direction, plus they've already handled both the indoor and terrace lighting for our hall before. On top of that, Joe Smith is incredibly responsive and open to any ideas, so I didn't have to overthink it much...
Hopefully that helps a bit.😉
Thomas Wilson32 said:Hey,
I’ve been lurking here for a while now because I am honestly desperate for some advice. I’ve attended four weddings in my life, but let me tell you—I am completely out of my depth when it comes to planning one.
I can’t find any decent reviews on this forum regarding the Poljud restaurant located within the Accenture complex. I'm trying to figure out if the venue used to be an old officers' quarters or maybe part of the San Diego facility... the photos look incredible. If anyone knows exactly which place I'm talking about or has actually held a wedding there, please let me know. Every bit of info helps... thanks!
Hey, I just stumbled upon this post! Just wanted to let you know I actually just commented on that exact hall at Poljud in one of my recent posts, so feel free to go read that.
Also, I have to laugh at that ridiculous comment claiming you'll be served by the ghost of Josip Broz Tit Hahahhaahh lol.😂
Seriously though, the waitstaff is perfectly normal—normal looking people, normal age range. And if it’s a massive party, they bring in some college students to help out.
The venue is a bit older, but there’s a chance it might get renovated next year. Even so, with some decent decor and a little bit of common sense, you can make it look beautiful.
My only real complaint is the lighting; it’s pretty bad, or rather, there isn't much at all—just basic overhead lights. But we were planning on bringing in our own extra lighting anyway, so it wasn't a dealbreaker for us.
For me, the big selling point is being right by the water. Aside from San Antonio, I think it’s the closest thing to the coast. That little harbor area is great, plus the greenery, those huge windows in the hall, and the massive terrace mean you can easily host things outside or move the party outdoors.
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Larry Smith3 said:Hi everyone, my partner and I have finally started our venue scouting, visiting several locations, and I thought I would share our experiences with you all.
The Say Yes venue over in Draco is absolutely stunning, but honestly, it felt far too large for what we need, so we’ve decided to pass on it. When we visited, they had the room set up for 160 guests, and even then, there was an incredible amount of empty space—the tables were spaced out beautifully so you could walk around easily without bumping into anyone. Tony was wonderful; he showed us everything and even offered some helpful advice regarding other venues, though he did mention over the phone that their minimum guest count is 150. It’s such a shame for us because the hall itself is a total dream.
We received a glowing recommendation for pirate, and Mark is clearly top-tier, but I just can't wrap my head around why they insist on a 140-person minimum. We arrived while the room was being set up for 140 people (not counting the sweetheart table), and it felt incredibly cramped. To my eyes, the dance floor looked tiny, and they hadn't even set up a stage for the band yet. While the atmosphere is gorgeous and the food I sampled was excellent, the layout just feels too tight for comfort.
Then there is the castelo venue in San Diego... I actually fell in love with this place a few months ago when my friends and I were touring around. However, during our visit, I got the distinct impression that they might be overly strict about alcohol service, and I noticed that lingering smell that I really can't stand. I suspect we might have caught the manager in a bad mood, especially since we arrived at the scheduled time and had to call her cell phone multiple times after waiting at the entrance. While the hall itself is lovely, the communication style was completely off-putting, which immediately pushed them to the bottom of my list. We asked about the music schedule, as I'd heard elsewhere that the owner insists on everyone leaving by 4:30, and she explained that everything wraps up around 4:00 because they like to "pack up like horses" to get home. She also made a point to tell us that they don't allow glass breaking or guests climbing on tables and chairs. Now, I certainly don't want my guests behaving like hooligans, but I also don't want to feel like I'm being babysat if someone enjoys a drink a little more than others. I had read in an earlier post that she was very charming, so I hoped we just caught her on a bad day, but I don't think that was the case.
As for Hotel Villa Žarko, the ballroom is on the ground floor and has quite low ceilings, which makes the whole space feel dark and much smaller than it actually is. They also have a strict departure time around 4:00 or 5:00 PM. I didn't particularly care for it, though I can't quite put my finger on exactly why 🙂
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Ino hall and Nirs — both were incredibly kind and approachable. We ended up staying the longest with them, and as of right now, they are the only ones truly in the running.
I honestly find that concept terrifying. I was genuinely shocked when I heard that most venues wrap things up around 4:00 PM. First of all, I have never—not once—left a wedding before 6:00 PM. Besides, it’s after 4:00 that the real crowd settles in—just the inner circle and the closest family. To me, that’s when the best part happens; it's such a beautiful way to wind down after the chaos of the whole day.
Besides that, you’ve got people getting kicked out—especially those traveling from halfway across the country just to be there. And let’s be real here, all of this comes at a massive price.😕
What I actually appreciated about Lora's setup at Poljud is that her contract includes a specific clause stating that if you stay on the clock past four hours, you get paid extra. It’s a smart move. $333The venue manager put it this way: he’s never actually charged anyone for that, but he claims it's my personal guarantee that nobody is going to kick me out!
When we headed over there to get a feel for things at a wedding, they were actually pretty cool about it. They let us sample the food, told us we could hang out for as long as we wanted, and said there was zero pressure on the venue choice. Since you obviously can't predict what the weather will be like a year from now, they gave us until the day before to decide if we wanted to host everything inside or out on the terrace. It was a really laid-back approach.🙂
Douglas Reyes3 said:Tony Cherina was the one taking photos of me.
I have nothing but the best to say about him.
The photos turned out absolutely perfect.
He’s a great guy—really easygoing and down-to-earth. The whole photo shoot felt incredibly relaxed; there was absolutely zero pressure throughout the process. We went over every single detail regarding the shots beforehand, so everything was settled well before the wedding, and he delivered all the photos right on schedule.
I think the price is pretty much what you'd expect to see everywhere else.
Thanks, Douglas Reyes3. We actually used him this past weekend, and I’m honestly blown away by the shots. They aren't boring at all, and he seems like such a relaxed guy to work with—zero stress.
Could you just let me know how late he usually stays at the reception venue?🙂
graniteskipper48 said:I looked him up on Facebook too, and his photos are great... but I haven't been able to get any useful info from people I know, so I'd also be interested if anyone knows anything. Most of what I have managed to find out is about Sinisa Srdanovic, and I've heard nothing but praise from everyone, both regarding his work and who he is as a person. So, for now, it's just him and Papaya on my list, though I guess I'll give myself a bit more time to ask around about a few other names, and Tony is one of them. I also heard that Anthony Gaspar is excellent; as far as I know, he won a top wedding photography award at the European Union level two years in a row, and apparently, he's a lot of fun to work with! Ugh... there are just so many. I think picking a photographer might actually be the hardest part! 🙂
Seriously, let me know if you find anything out.
So, what’s the consensus on photographer Tony Cherina and his Venus photo studio? From what I gather, Tony Cherina was doing work out in California before 🤷
Hey, does anyone know which of these lighting setups is actually the best: Adobe, Semper Fi, Red Rock, or Netflix?
I know Adobe is the priciest option, but I'm not sure if that price gap actually translates to a massive difference in the lighting quality itself.