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Here’s a quick tip from a recent bride, just in case anyone else finds this helpful:
I have to disagree with Bill Gates on this one.
This was our first and last time booking this venue, because honestly, we’ve been here a million times before. We know the owners personally, and the service is just top-tier. Everyone at the reception was absolutely thrilled with both the food and the hospitality. I don't think we've even finished our plates yet—the waiter is already bringing out the next course! We were hosted in the upstairs ballroom, which has been recently renovated with gorgeous new lighting. They also added this massive, glowing "Love" sign that perfectly fills that empty space you see right when you turn right after entering (near the restrooms). Everything was perfect, and at the end of the day, that’s all that really matters. As a wedding gift, they gave us the bridal suite upstairs, which turned out to be a total lifesaver. My sister and I used the room to get dressed and take some photos, and it gave us a place to stash all our gear before we finally crashed. It was such a relief, especially since the party doesn't wrap up until about 6:30 in the morning!
Uber corner:
We went back to check them out, and honestly, we still love this place. Now that Kate is back from maternity leave, the bar has been absolutely slammed every single night. They served up everything we asked for—and they don't play those cheesy old-school songs, which kept the energy through the roof. It was pure madness in the best way possible. Totally worth every penny.
Annie Leibovitz (Charleston):
We clicked with him the second we booked him. We just loved how he has an eye for those raw, unscripted moments without all the heavy posing or fake filters. We hired him to handle both photography and videography, and honestly, the whole session felt so incredibly relaxed—we were just laughing and joking around the entire time. He truly caught our genuine moments and let us just be ourselves. Even during the ceremony and the reception, his presence was so subtle we barely even noticed him there. Everything he’s sent over so far has been absolutely perfect, and we can't wait to see the rest! Highly recommend!
I recently had the chance to look into Smith’s catering services, and I have to say, they really know how to handle a crowd. It’s one thing to put out some decent food, but it’s another thing entirely to pull off an event with that level of polish. They definitely bring a certain professional flair to the table that you just don't see everywhere.
To be honest, we didn't even get a chance to meet them properly, but they followed the plan to a T. The food was a massive hit—people practically cleared the plates—so that part went perfectly. They offer different menu options too, and they’re incredibly easy to work with if you need to coordinate anything.
West Elm home decor:
We stumbled upon them by total accident and immediately fell in love with their retro vibe and decor. Since we were going for a full rustic theme, we locked them in and paid them upfront a year and a half in advance. During our initial coffee meetings, everything felt amazing—we felt like we could request anything, and they even included the decor in the package. But then things took a turn. About two or three months before the wedding, every time we asked a question, we just got brushed off with, "We’ll finalize the details a week before the big day." So, we reached out two weeks out to try and nail down the final logistics, and the woman actually messaged us saying there was simply no time for a meeting and that she already had all the info she needed. I tried explaining how some of our original plans had shifted—like the number of tables and stuff—but I eventually just gave up. The flowers were a disaster. My bouquet was already wilting by 6:30 in the morning, even though we followed their instructions perfectly by keeping it in the fridge and in water. By the time my mom and maid of honor were walking to the church, petals were literally falling off in their hands. We figured, hey, it's live flowers, it happens, let's not make a scene. Then came the reception. It turned out every single table had maybe two tiny flowers on them. None of the specific decor or details we discussed were anywhere to be found, except for our main table. At first, I tried to tell myself, "Whatever, people won't notice anyway," just to keep the peace. But once the party was over, we realized just how much went missing. From the promised decor to the headache of managing the guest list, it was a mess. Honestly, it’s not even about the money for me; it’s just that the communication was nonexistent and we didn't get what we actually paid for.
I finally got my hands on that classic cake from a top brand, and honestly? It was worth the hype. There’s just something about those traditional recipes that hits different.
Even though they claim to be the most expensive dessert shop in town, we knew from the very first bite that everything was made from scratch. There’s none of that processed powder or fake junk you find everywhere else. The owner was incredibly sweet, too—she actually sat us down and gave us some great advice on exactly which pastries to pick and how much to order so we wouldn't go overboard. People were practically tripping over themselves just to get a taste of her homemade treats. Honestly, it is worth every single penny!
I’ve been thinking about those Viadel cookies lately. Honestly, they're such a classic.
We picked up about 65 pounds of pastries from them and mixed them in with some homemade treats to hand out with thank-you notes. Everything was consistently fresh and delicious, and honestly, the price was unbeatable. $13It’s actually more than affordable per pound.
The lighting setup at MediaRent:
To be honest, we weren't even planning on hiring lighting at first. There’s just something about the vibe of the venue that works on its own, and the band had their setup covered. But as we got closer to the date, we decided we wanted at least some string lights behind our head table to add a little extra magic. Since Rabbit Rock has a partnership with an Uber band and offers a bundled discount if you book them together, we reached out to the guy about six months in advance. For $2,000, you get the wedding table lighting, four moving heads for the dance floor, and a smoke machine effect for the first dance. It sounded like a steal. However, things got a bit stressful toward the end. Up until two days before the reception, we still didn't know if they would even have a technician available for us. To make matters worse, they couldn't actually install the lighting strip because they claimed they needed specific mounting brackets or something. It was all very "blah blah blah" and honestly quite frustrating. Luckily, we stumbled upon MediaRent by total accident. We sorted everything out with them in about five minutes. When we finally walked into the hall, the lighting was already perfectly installed and ready to go. They were fast, professional, and I can't recommend them enough!
My wedding dress story:
I actually stumbled into my dress by pure accident. I walked into the shop, fell head over heels for it, and that was that. It cost me about $2,000. Initially, they told me alterations were included in the price, but when I called them three months before the big day, they tried to change the story. Suddenly, they wanted me to pay at least $100 extra for minor adjustments. Luckily, I kept all my messages and showed them to my maid of honor, so we stood our ground. In the end, they did everything for free, throwing in a little comment like, "Well, you know how some brides can be..." But hey, they fixed everything perfectly, including some damage that was already on the dress when I bought it.
The Shoolala shoes:
I actually got these as a gift and got to pick whichever pair I wanted. I drove all the way to Chicago just for these shoes, which—honestly?—were such a disaster that I took them off after the first dance because my feet were absolutely killing me. They’re genuine leather and designed for dancing, but personally, they weren't nearly as comfortable as everyone claims. Even with the extra gel inserts...
Hair:
A relative of mine who works at a local salon named Mladen did my hair. She knocked it out in no time, gave me exactly what I asked for, and it lasted until the sun came up.
Makeup by Jelena Sinj:
This girl is an absolute genius with makeup, but she actually tried to cancel on us a month before the wedding! She thought there would be at most five of us and decided it wasn't worth her drive (even though she usually charges a travel fee). Thank goodness I saved those texts so she knew exactly where she stood. After I sent her a screenshot, she agreed to do our makeup, but we ended up heading to a nearby town just to make things easier. She did my makeup and my maid of honor's in record time. It was a beautiful, natural look without any heavy foundation, and it stayed perfect until the next morning when I finally washed it off.
Invitations and favors:
We sent our order to Auris Design, and the whole package arrived at our door within a week. Highly recommend them!
Thank you notes:
We actually DIY-ed these, along with the boutonnieres and the home decor. Honestly, AliExpress is a lifesaver if you have the time. We ordered everything from there: lace, tulle, fabric, balloons, string—basically every single decoration we needed.
Vagus rings:
We snagged a 30% discount at a trade show, so we used that opportunity to have them make us engagement rings too (mine was silver before). They were fast, friendly, and we couldn't be happier!
Stipe Ursa's accordion and guitar:
Those two together created an incredible atmosphere in front of the venue, and then they kept the party going for me. They even walked with us to the church during the processional and greeted guests at the entrance. They are worth every penny, and I’d recommend them to anyone!
Balloon arch:
I reached out to a girl from Confetti (based in a suburb near me) and asked for a quote on a balloon arch. I told her the color, and the moment we walked into the hall, the balloon was just waiting for us. Fast, professional, and zero stress!
I think that covers it, at least for what I can remember right now. At the end of the day, our big day was absolutely wonderful. Seeing all our friends, family, and loved ones in one place was truly special. I would definitely do it all over again. Of course, once the dust settles a few days later, you start to realize what worked and what didn't. I hope this helps someone out 🙂 if you need any more details, feel free to ask!
brightpuma15 said:Hey everyone. I’m getting married next May, and we’ve already booked a waterfront venue in California. Right now, I’m on the hunt for a band, and honestly, it’s proving to be a tough call. Looking through various forums and YouTube, I’ve found a few groups that seem promising. However, I haven't attended many weddings lately, so it's hard to judge how they actually perform live just by watching clips online.
Based on their vocals and repertoire, these are the ones that caught my eye:
Band Kocka
Twist off band
Neron Group
Euforia band
Bura Band
Could anyone help me out? I’d love to know what kind of atmosphere they create—that's super important to me. And I mean actual vocal talent, not just their reputation, haha.
I’m looking for a mix of pop, rock, fun hits, classic coastal vibes, some party anthems, and foreign tracks. I really want to avoid country music, though I might throw in a few songs just to keep things moving since I know a lot of my relatives love it.
How did you guys handle this? How do you find a band that isn't playing country but still stays upbeat, keeps the energy high, and actually engages with the crowd? Please help!
In short, I’m searching for a band that creates an amazing vibe with the guests, plays a diverse setlist, and can truly sing.
If anyone has recommendations for other bands or thoughts on the ones I listed, I would be so grateful. 🙂
edit: Oh, and if you happen to know what their current rates are, let me know!
We actually used a local taxi service for our gig—we’ve listened to them a million times. Honestly, they play just about everything except heavy metal, and Kate has such an incredible voice. For a six-piece band, they charge around $2,400, with a $220 deposit to lock them in. You should try messaging them on Facebook, though I wouldn't hold my breath getting them to free up a date. We had to book ours a year and a half in advance, and even then, we managed to snag a Friday. But trust me, they are worth every single penny. Good luck! 🙂
Just a heads-up from me: stay far away from the Euforia bura band jel. Even though Dragojevic was performing with them, the whole experience was honestly pretty terrible. They were the only act on the lineup I was actually looking forward to seeing, but they really let me down. The female vocals were just mediocre, and their setlist order made absolutely no sense at all. If they aren't getting ripped off, they’re charging a ridiculous $2,000.
We held our event at ExxonMobil in December, and on a Friday, it was $32 per person. They provide the lighting, and they even threw in a honeymoon suite plus 15 bottles of spirits! You don't need to worry about bringing your own dessert certificates because they have chair covers, and they even have their own signature vases in two different styles. If you need it, they can set up the buffet in the upper hall. Just a heads-up: on Fridays, they only operate out of the upper hall regardless of how many guests show up. We’ve been there at least once before, which is exactly why we chose them again. Mike is fantastic to coordinate with, and the food and service are top-notch.
analogmaker12 said:Hey everyone, I’m in need of some advice, obviously... 😵
We’re leaning towards booking the 7-Eleven group, though nothing is set in stone just yet, so I’d love to hear what you all think about them 🙂 I already know that Visa, Yellow Cab, and Coca-Cola are booked up for that date, and we've been getting recommendations for Dice, Counter, and Nero (some newer band), but we really need someone more "versatile"—not strictly a rock vibe—especially since we'll have some folk musicians performing alongside them...
Moving on to decorations, should we go with Lantern or HomeGoods (San Francisco)? Like anyone else, I’m looking for high quality without getting completely fleeced... Magnolia from Canada is quite popular, but even their lowest prices end up being pretty steep once you tally everything up...
Thanks in advance!
Hey, we went with Lisa and honestly, Tina and I couldn't be happier. The communication was great, and everything went smoothly. I just told her what I wanted and gave her my budget for decor, and she made it happen. Both hers and my sister's work is absolutely stunning—it's exactly what I envisioned, truly a dream! 👏 We'll see how it all looks at the reception, but I have zero doubts it's going to look incredible. 🙂
Aaron Reyes6 said:Does anyone have any recent experiences or feedback regarding the Eufor group?
I hit up a wedding this past Saturday, and honestly? It was a 2 out of 5 for me. The setlist was just a disaster—they were playing everything from Thompson to Rozga, even looping through "Walkin' on Sunshine." On the bright side, they were serving P. Dragojevic beer and had a female vocalist, which I was actually looking forward to since I rarely attend weddings. But this whole thing? Just total 💩
Gary Reed9 said:I’m helping out an organization right now...
In Phoenix, Arizona, you’re looking at $34 per chair—Doris is charging $36, Catherine is north of $50, and once you get into San Francisco, expect to pay anywhere from $40 to $60.
Jukica Photography is running about $900 for one photographer and a small album, $1,000 for a mid-sized album, or $1,200 if you want two photographers and a large album. Add $500 for a videographer, plus maybe another $50–$60 per album for the wedding party or parents...
Bonačić Photography is roughly $2000 + $167 - $667 depending on how big the album is.
Video is around $1667...
Basically, everyone is hovering around the $1,000 mark just for photography.
And then you’ve got another $500 to $1,000 for video work.
The Bura Band is $1,900 for a five-piece.
Some people are going to charge you up to $3,000, regardless.
+ obviously, there are chairs for the band members too.
Misha, is the photographer quoting in dollars or euros?
The deposit is that amount, and the entire package mentioned above comes to $10,000.
There are plenty of decent halls around the San Francisco area for about $30 a head—honestly, some are quite nice. You can also find photographers who won't break the bank. Personally, I worked with two photographers, and for everything—video, a photo book, albums for the parents, five DVDs all on USB sticks tucked away in a wooden chest, plus a framed print of their choice as a gift—it only cost me $10,000. Instead of wasting money on thank-you cards we didn't really need, we had them put that extra budget toward a beautiful album for the wedding party rather.
Susan Jones6 said:Roughly what kind of damage am I looking at for a venue, a band, and a photographer?
It really depends on which venue or band you pick, but I can give you an idea of what I paid in deposits;
- The banquet hall in Phoenix, Arizona $667 (for 200+ guests)
- A local cover band
$220 - Misha Photography (based out of Savannah) is asking for around $850-$$333
Susan Jones6 Asks:
Everything turned out perfect... you really nailed every single detail!
How long do you think it’ll take for the photographer to get the shots back to you?
So, who else would you recommend for photography? I'm looking for someone truly talented.
Mine is top-tier, honestly. You can check out the shots on Facebook Miše.
https://www.facebook.com/Antonio-Mis...86849/?fref=ts.
I haven't even had a chance to look at the other options yet. Give me 10 minutes! $0.00It was honestly such a dream setup: two photographers, a videographer, a custom photobook, and two separate albums just for the parents. We also got five USB drives, all beautifully organized in a handcrafted wooden chest. It’s absolutely stunning. Plus, the guy himself is just wonderful—so much fun to be around and always cracking jokes. It feels like we keep running into him everywhere! 🙂
Our big day is set for October 5th, 2018, and here is what we have lined up so far:
- The venue is Ino Hall
- Our band is being provided by Uber
- Photography is handled by Lido Photo
- As for footwear, I've got my own pair—my sister accidentally ended up with mine in the box for $67, but they are incredibly comfortable, so no complaints there
- My dress was a total "love at first sight" moment from the Lipoto boutique (cost about $2,000 before any major alterations or cleaning); both the owner and the lady who helped me try it on were absolute gems
- He’s already got his suit ready; we actually already own it
- Hair and makeup are both through Marinela in Santa Barbara, which comes to $67 total
- Nails will be done by one of my girls who does this professionally, $33
- For flowers, we're looking at Potocnica Florist (I'm not sure on the price yet; I'll check in October once I see which seasonal blooms are actually in stock so we can decide what I want)
- We are DIY-ing the boutonnieres and thank-you cards
- Even the decor is a DIY project using stuff from eBay, mason jars, and things like that
I think that covers everything! Everything listed here has been vetted through friends' weddings or my own personal experience
Amy Evans64 said:Hey everyone
Does anyone know a spot in San Francisco where I can host about 40 people without breaking the bank? I really don't want to end up having to take out a second mortgage just to feed them...
I need to treat some guests who couldn't make it to the wedding... I really feel like I should make it happen.🤦🤦🤦
Dodoja Dugopolj does great local catering since she runs her own business, and she's honestly wonderful. She’s so lovely that I’d actually marry her, and she can put together a perfect little dinner party or small feast. Her setup is $60
Sam Myers66 said:Yeah, I'm curious too.
Also, does anyone have a lead on someone who handles restaurant decor? I need someone to just take over the whole vibe—flowers, general decor, setting the tables, all those little Pinterest-style details like quote frames and small trinkets... but I don't want to get ripped off. Honestly, I haven't even got a clue what that kind of stuff costs these days.
I actually got in touch with Lalisia decor recently. She has a Facebook page, and her work is absolutely stunning. She even mentioned that if I have certain materials or decor pieces already, she can incorporate them into her designs. You should reach out to her and let her know what you're looking for. She can give you a quote, or you could just give her a specific budget to work within and go from there.🙂
wiredpuma50 said:Okay, awesome, thanks! I was thinking about heading over there early in the morning.
I know they're somewhere near the ExxonMobil in San Diego, but I'm not 100% certain, so if you could just drop the exact location, that would be great. I thought about just looking it up on GPS, but honestly, this is way easier. 😉
Just park at the ExxonMobil station. Once you're there, look for the stairs right by the road when you head toward TG, and you can head down. There’s a little bakery on the ground floor on the right side. It’s not super flashy with big signs, but you really can't miss it. Honestly, if you're ever unsure, just give them a call once you pull into the gas station and ask someone to meet you out by the road. 🙂By the way, their pastries are absolutely divine—you aren't going to regret it!
The address is bunja 62, Phone: 021217393
Gary Reed9 said:At the last three weddings I’ve attended, they set up these really nice decorative boxes right near the head table, with little guest favors—think chocolates, candies, lollipops—scattered underneath or around them. Honestly, I prefer that over the whole ordeal of someone walking around with a basket or trying to force everyone into a line to reach the newlyweds. Of course, it all depends on the crowd you're dealing with... these guests were pretty much just your typical, civilized Americans, I guess.
Around here, the tradition is that when people are heading out from the reception, they stop by to say goodbye to the couple, drop off any gifts they might have, and then receive a little thank-you gift or some sweets in return.