18 posts shown.
brightotter92 said:Hey guys, back again with more makeup questions. Anyone got some solid recommendations?
Does anyone happen to know what Mary charges for a full face of makeup?
My top pick would be Anne Benzon. I honestly wish I’d found her before my big wedding party. Out of everyone I've used, hers is definitely the best—very natural and subtle. It was actually the first time in my life I felt truly happy with how my makeup looked. She doesn't use fake lashes (well, I didn't want them, but I assume she does them for others), and she did both me and a friend for a party once. Even my friend, who isn't even from San Francisco, mentioned how much she loved her look too...
Josephine Svalina is also pretty good. I went to her for my wedding prep, and I made sure to tell her I wanted something really understated since I had done a trial with her before. She did such a beautiful, light job for the wedding 🙂 and I can't even begin to mention how she totally saved the day. My original artist had to cancel last minute because of her full-time job, and Josephine stepped right in to save us.
But still, Anne is my absolute favorite... I really wish I'd known about her sooner. 🙂 You can find her on Facebook at Anne Benzon make-up.
Anyway, I hope that helps!
hiddendriver18 said:Ladies and the occasional gentleman 😁
I have spent quite some time lurking on this forum, but I am looking for recent firsthand experiences and solid recommendations
regarding:
*hotel venues: Lion, Radisson, Atrium, and the President in Solon?
Additionally, does anyone know when the new Amphora hotel might open up near the coast?
Based on the blueprints, they should have banquet halls as well, right?
*bands: Yellow Cab, Jessy, Phoenix?
*photography/videography: California, Beep,..
*Makeup: Honestly, I’m at a complete loss here, so please share your thoughts. 😁
The same goes for florists; I've noticed some people who used to swear by certain vendors are now feeling pretty let down.
I trust you will all be generous with the latest intel. It would be a massive help.
Thanks 😁
I had my C-section relatively recently—back in August—so here are a few details to help out...
As far as weddings go, I’ve only ever been to one back at the Lion about ten years ago... 😁 I honestly have no idea what the vibe is like there right now, but I did a little digging into the Lion brand while browsing the sales. It looks like their chairs are hovering around $110 each, which is just... well, for my food budget, that’s a bit much. I crossed them off my list immediately. Besides, $110 really is way too steep for a single chair...
When it comes to live music, we hired Phoenix and they were honestly such an incredible band! They have more of an alternative vibe, but they’re really respectful of what the couple wants—they actually send over their full repertoire ahead of time so you can pick your favorite tracks or even request specific songs in advance. They also make it clear right away in their initial email that they don't play any cheesy country music, which was a huge plus. Even some of our older guests were absolutely loving them; they kept saying they'd never heard a wedding setlist like this before. We had everything from Pink Floyd to Dina Dvornik and Linđo... basically just a great mix of everything... 🙂 We actually decided to mix things up by bringing in an accordion player to fill the gaps between the band's sets. It was a great call because it meant we had a bit of everything playing—from local favorites to all those big international hits... there really was something for everyone... 😁😁 (except for the songs)...
We used Studio Jabuka for our photos, and honestly, I’d book them again in a heartbeat! I am just so impressed with them—they're incredibly easy to work with, super approachable, and the whole experience was just wonderful...
I’ve heard some good things about Beep, but apparently, you have to be really patient if you want to see any photos... I hear the wait time can be anywhere from nine to twelve months...
Makeup: Josipa Svalina! To wasn't actually my first choice, but my regular makeup artist had to cancel on me just a month before the wedding due to some personal stuff, so I reached out to Josipa. I went in for a trial run and made sure to point out everything I wasn't quite feeling, and she really nailed it on the big day: it was subtle and exactly what I asked for...
I did some floral arrangements for a florist named Nela—you can probably track her down on Facebook or Instagram if you're looking...
I was pretty happy with how everything went! The bouquet was actually a little on the heavy side since it was made entirely of roses, so instead of tossing it, we just did something a bit different. All the girls stood in a circle, I closed my eyes, spun around, and just picked someone at random to catch it... It was honestly such a beautiful arrangement, though, so I really can't complain... 🙂
Anyway, I really hope this covers everything and that I didn't miss any important details.
Best of luck with everything! 👍
placidcobra13 said:So, I’m also on the hunt for some restaurant or venue recommendations for a group of about 200-250 people?
Ideally, if there's any way to host an outdoor wedding ceremony... a hotel would be totally fine too🙂. We’ll need enough room to accommodate everyone (we don't live anywhere near California🕺), so keep that in mind! Thanks so much for all the suggestions, everyone🎉
Check out Nautic or the halls in San Diego (I think that's the name), The White House, or Catherine in Austin... they all have both venues and hotels, plus plenty of space for 200-250 people
wiredcanyon24 said:Just checking in from the guys' side of things 😁
Any recommendations for a wedding venue in San Francisco, Santa Monica, Savannah, or somewhere nearby?
To be honest, I don't care much about the specific spot—my fiancée is from New York and she’s really looking for a more minimalist, clean vibe.
We aren't exactly dropping money on a massive estate or anything crazy, so we're looking for some beautiful spots that won't break the bank. We're expecting around 100-110 guests.
Thx
You might want to check out Ino Hall; they just finished some renovations, the prices are super reasonable, and the food is fantastic (they actually have a great reputation for their catering). My only concern is that their main hall might be a bit too big for us since it fits at least 180, though they do have a lower level, I'm just not sure if that part has been updated yet.
Maybe give Jack Sparrow a shot? It has a lovely atmosphere, the service is solid, and it's perfect for a smaller wedding...
wiredcanyon24 said:I think I'm going with Jack Sparrow in the end—thanks for all the help, everyone.
Now I'm looking into music and photography. I’ve been browsing the threads and noticed a lot of people bringing up Pixar, but I’m getting the vibe that not everyone is exactly thrilled with them. Anyone willing to share their actual experiences?
As for the music, I need a DJ or a band. Just nothing like Christina Aguilera, Pitbull, or any of that cheesy, redneck, right-wing stuff...
If you've got any solid recs, let me know.🙂
Journey, the band from the coast, made it clear right from the jump that they don't play typical wedding pop. They have more of an alternative vibe, but man, they create such an incredible atmosphere. They even sent over their repertoire along with a request form, so you can pick a specific song for your grand entrance or the bouquet toss—or just let them take the reins if you want to be surprised. They played a mix of international hits and American classics. A few of our relatives were a little hesitant about all the foreign music, but plenty of others absolutely loved the setlist (they even played some Pink Floyd!). Plus, we had a local accordion player joining in, so those traditional American favorites were covered perfectly. All in all, there was something for everyone... 🙂
As for the photographer—I went with Apple. They did my shoot, then my godmother’s, and now they’re doing my sister's too. I am honestly just so thrilled with their service and how they handle everything. They’re super approachable and laid-back; you barely even notice them at the wedding because they just blend right in with the guests...
I noticed some talk about jewelry stores earlier in the thread. To be honest, I had a Swarovski engagement ring, and while it was absolutely gorgeous, I wouldn’t recommend buying their rings if you want something durable. They’re just so delicate. I wasn't exactly the most disciplined when it came to following all those "take it off before washing" rules—I just didn't feel like constantly taking it off and putting it back on—so it ended up turning a bit pinkish after a while. I eventually tucked it away in a jewelry box after the wedding. As for where to shop, we went to Sam's Jewelry (they have a location in Malibu near San Francisco) and the service there was fantastic, so feel free to check them out if you need a recommendation...
Regarding makeup artists, I’d highly suggest Joe Smith. I went to her for a trial run and then sent over a detailed list of exactly what I wanted to change (she’s great at defining eyebrows, so definitely let her know if you prefer a more natural look). I was so happy with how everything turned out on the big day! Just a heads-up, she does charge for the trial ($67 it was $250 without false lashes). For the actual wedding day, I went to Malibu, where she works at Makeup, and she has an Instagram page @m.pe.beauty. I was equally thrilled with the results there (same price point)... 🙂
Robin Sanchez5 said:Hey guys, does anyone have a recommendation for a band to play during the cocktail hour or just fill the room while our main act takes a break?
Ideally something with an accordion, sax, trumpet, or upright bass... I really don't want it to be just a guy with a guitar and a mic.
The wedding is actually at an eco-resort out in rural California, which isn't quite the coast, but we're originally from San Francisco. 😁
Thanks!
We actually hired Kaleta Kaleta Kaleta from San Diego (you can find them on Facebook under the name Kaleta Kaleta Kaleta), and they created such an incredible vibe at the party that everyone was asking us for their info afterward. There are about five of them in the group, they play the accordion along with several other instruments, and honestly, I can't recommend them enough! 😉 )
rapideagle33 said:I’m a bit confused here. How—and when—would they even alter the dress for the new bride or get it professionally cleaned?
Bringing it back at 8:00 AM the next morning just isn't going to work. The only way that makes sense is if they have an opening later in the week—like mid-week—so they actually have time to handle everything. Usually, things don't move until Monday since most boutiques are closed on Sundays. I had a similar situation once; I had all of Monday to get it back so I could finish up my photos.
I had a total moment of panic earlier! I heard this story about a girl who didn't even get her wedding dress until Saturday morning because it had been rented out just the day before. It sent me into a complete frenzy, and I started frantically messaging the bridal boutique... but everything actually turned out fine. I'll have my dress ready in time for the photo shoot that weekend, so it's all good now... 🙂 Thanks for the reply, anyway... 👍
Noah Wright4 said:If anyone is looking to rent a photo booth, just shoot me a DM.😁
We actually already have one bundled with our photographer, but thanks so much for the offer! 😉
Has anyone ever dealt with a situation where they put a deposit down on a wedding dress for a Friday, only to be told they had to return it by Saturday because another bride swooped in and claimed it? What happens if you still need the dress for your photo shoot? I sent a message to the boutique, but they won't be able to get back to me until tomorrow, and my stomach is already doing knots from the stress 🙂 thanks in advance!
mellowmarlin28 said:Hey there,
Has anyone here actually been to the D-art salon in San Francisco?
I'm thinking about getting some extensions done, so I wanted to see if you guys have any firsthand experience with them...👍👎
Hvalaaaa 😉
I usually just head there for quick haircuts—I haven't really gone in for full styling before—but they seem pretty solid. In fact, I'm actually planning on using them for my own wedding 🙂 I have a regular stylist I go to for cuts and color, but she suggested I let my hair grow out a bit so we can figure out the best look for the big day. Overall, I think they're great 😉 you might want to check out their Instagram page; you could probably find a style there that catches your eye
Sam Clark4 said:I was wondering if anyone here has ever used a photo booth instead of traditional wedding favors? It seems like such a blast for the guests, but I’m stuck on how to actually "force" everyone to participate. My goal is for every single guest to have a little keepsake to take home, so in this case, their photo would be the favor itself. I really don't want people heading home at the end of the night without a souvenir. Any ideas on how to pull this off? I'd love some suggestions! 😊
Personally, I'm planning on doing both 😁 meaning I'll prepare actual physical favors while also renting a photo booth so the guests can have fun—plus, we get to keep all those cute wedding shots for ourselves...
Does anyone know where I can find a house with a pool for a girls' trip? We're looking at August 23rd or 24th for about 20 people. I feel like I've messaged and called everywhere already... there are some places available, but they're asking around $1333 for just two days, which felt like way too much money to me :/
Justin Wright said:Does anyone know of any wedding dress boutiques other than Glamour Sposa?
Looking for options in San Francisco or the surrounding area. Thanks! 🙂
Well, you have Vesna Sposa—though I haven't gone there myself because I’ve heard quite a few negative things, and she's located right near Joker. Then there's the Lipoto boutique over in Poljica, near Auto-America. I actually ended up finding my dress there, even though I hadn't planned on stepping foot in that shop at first. It felt like they didn't have much variety, but I figured, hey, I've got nothing to lose... it's right in the middle of the city, so I thought I'd just take a look. And honestly, I found "the one" the second I walked through the door. I tried the very first one on and told them, "As far as I'm concerned, this is it..." 🙂 (and that was after visiting several other shops). There's also La Perla City Center, though I skipped that one since I heard it gets pretty pricey. If you're looking around the Sinj area, there are boutiques run by Mila, Claudio, Annmarie, and I think Helen too. Mila has an absolutely amazing selection—the dresses are so much higher quality and prettier than what you'll find at Glamour Sposa, where everything looked a bit washed out. Claudio, on the other hand, doesn't have much of a selection...
Anyway, I hope that helps... 😉
Justin Wright said:🤣 It feels pretty far away to me; I'm more of a Southern guy😁
We've narrowed our choices down to Kocka and Phoenix from San Diego.
Kocka seems like a better fit for the mainstream crowd, whereas Phoenix feels more like our vibe,
but they might be a little too alternative for a party setting.
Help me out here....
We still have Jukebox Live and Pink Panther as options too....
I haven't seen any of them live yet.
The atmosphere is what matters most to us—we need that dance floor packed until dawn.🎉
I'm getting married next August, and we picked Phoenix without a second thought. I heard them play at a wedding about four years ago, and after checking their Facebook later, it's clear they haven't changed a bit. They play incredibly well and create such a great energy. Plus, they have both male and female vocals and really listen to what the couple wants. We even asked if they could learn a specific song for our first dance since it wasn't in their usual set, and they said absolutely. We love their repertoire and I’d recommend them to anyone! 👍
mellowmarlin28 said:I'm getting married next June.
My photographer is Vedran Vidak. I know a few people he shot at weddings before, and everyone was seriously thrilled with him. People raved about how easygoing and chill he is, and how you can talk through anything with him.
And honestly, what I love most about him is that he isn't the type of guy who's going to push you or say, "Pick me, I'm the absolute best." Instead, he just tells it straight: "If you aren't feeling relaxed with me right now during this photo shoot, then there's no reason to hire me."
I looked into a guy from Studio Oak too, but Vedran ended up being a better deal for me.
One photographer, two videographers, a drone, extra editing for 400-500 photos on a USB, basic editing for 1,300-1,500 photos also on a USB, shooting on the day of and maybe a day or two after (I tried to avoid that, but they talked me into it 🙂), a love story session, a highlight reel of the reception, an hour-long video of the whole wedding (I didn't want one of those 3-hour marathons, that's just useless to me), and a big album for the newlyweds. All of that together will cost us slightly less than $4333. The deposit is about $333.
Hi there, thanks so much for the reply! I ended up reaching out to about ten different photography studios, and we finally decided to go with Apple. We took the basic package plus an extra photographer, which should run us around $1,500 total (the deposit was about $100 or $333). My fiancé and I met with the photographer in person, and he was just so pleasant and nice to talk to. We actually decided to skip the formal thank-you cards with printed photos because let's face it, most people just toss them in the trash anyway 🤷 (guilty as charged, haha!). So, we’ll just print some photos for our relatives, and for the thank-you notes, we'll come up with something else 🙂. We managed to get the essentials sorted—the venue, the church, the band, and the photographer—so I'm hoping to have some peace of mind for the next two months 🤣...
Quincy:
Adaline As specified by Michael Harris11:
I could really use some help here—does anyone have recommendations for a good wedding photographer and a band for a wedding out in California...?
When it comes to the photography, I really want everything to feel spontaneous. I’m not looking for anything staged or forced—just those raw, natural moments... like the bride just relaxing across the bed or something similar...🤣
I’ve heard some great things about Papaya Studio in St. Louis... has anyone here actually been there? I'd love to hear about your experiences...
I really wish bands would move toward a more modern sound—you know, actually singing songs in English and keeping up with the times. I'm just not interested in anything like Britney Spears or that kind of trash. And don't even get me started on accordion music... I can't stand it...🤦
I'm really hoping you guys can help me out here, because I honestly don't know anyone else to turn to...😢
Thanks so much!🎉 |
We finally made our decision to go with Phoenix from San Francisco! We actually caught them playing at a banquet about four years ago and they absolutely blew us away. I’ll send over their full repertoire soon, but they really do have everything in there... even hits by Britney Spears and Sega... 😁 But hey, you're free to choose whatever you want... 🙂 $5000 So, the deposit is $1,500, and they’ve been incredibly accommodating. I noticed their setlist didn't really include much Elvis Presley, so I asked if we could squeeze in two or three of his classics. I also requested that they teach us a specific song for the first dance that wasn't on the list, and they were totally cool about it and said no problem at all... so, yeah... 👍
Good morning, everyone... 🙂
I just signed up for this forum, so everything here is pretty much brand new to me, but I have to say you guys have been a huge help with picking out venues and all that. I’m getting married next August! We finally settled on the Inno Hall; the price is really reasonable, and Mrs. Miller is such a sweetheart—she's incredibly easy to work with. Plus, the couple gets their room for free, and they're actually expanding the space over the next month, so they'll be able to accommodate up to 350 guests... Since it seems like some of the prices on this forum might be a little outdated or even a bit higher than they used to be, I wanted to share some relatively fresh info I gathered on a few different venues. Let's go through them one by one...
Salo Nautic, Kaštel gomilica... They were actually our top choice, but they’re completely booked up... the only openings left are Fridays and Sundays in October, which just doesn't work for us timing-wise. The lady I was chatting with was incredibly sweet, though; she sent over a proposal via email right away. Prices start at around $45 per person if you have fewer than 150 guests, and it drops to about $42 if you're hosting more than 150. They offer three different menu options, too. If I caught everything correctly, they don't even rent out the venue during August since that's their peak season. You'll need a deposit of at least $200 to lock it in...
The Palace Hotel in Salona... The chairs are $48 apiece. We checked with most of the venues to see if we could serve the roasted meat earlier in the meal—right after the appetizers and soup—and most are cool with it, though they’ll tack on an extra $2 per person. At the Salona venue, they charge you for that change upfront, which bumps the price to about $50. Honestly, that feels like a bit of a stretch... it's weird because they don't charge that extra fee if you serve risotto before the roast, but I can't quite wrap my head around why they do it that way. You have to bring your own alcohol, but they do provide linens for the tables and chair covers in five different colors. The hall itself is absolutely massive and stunningly beautiful, but it’s just a little out of our budget right now... (Deposit— $1667)
Mr. & Mrs., Kaštel Sućurac (at the local fire station)... The gentleman we spoke with was truly lovely. I think prices are going to climb next year—maybe hitting around $40? They also charge an extra $2 premium if you want to change the seating arrangement. We decided to pass on her venue because we don't think it can actually handle 250 people (which is our guest count). It might fit everyone, but they’d have to cram the tables in so tight that there wouldn't be any room left for the dance floor...
Bloom, Mejaš (San Francisco)... There’s a brand new event hall that just opened up, run by a brother and sister duo who are honestly some of the nicest people you'll ever meet. They actually invited us over this past Saturday during their BBQ to check out the layout and even let us sample some of the food... It looks like they can host around 220 guests, and if you're looking at pricing, chairs start anywhere from $40 to $50 depending on which style you go with...
Ino, Kaštel Lukšić... To be honest, I didn't even know this venue existed until I stumbled upon this forum, but ever since then, everyone I've talked to has given it nothing but glowing reviews. As far as the layout goes, it looks perfectly fine—it seems like there’s plenty of room to dance, and it actually feels even more spacious now... But the thing that matters most to me is that everyone raves about the food, and that is absolutely huge for me! I really don't want to invite guests only to end up embarrassing myself, haha :P The deposit is around $450, and the pricing is $35 for a Friday or $37 for a Saturday. They aren't strict about serving the roast right at the start, which is nice, though they probably won't serve soup during the summer, so they charge an extra $1 if you opt for it. Even so, it’s not a big deal at all...
As for the other venues... I haven't even checked out Catherine’s place over in Dugopolj, mostly because I haven't heard two positive reviews in a row about it. Everyone says the venue itself is gorgeous, but apparently, the food is pretty mediocre—they don't put enough on the table, so you practically have to hunt down seconds just to feel full... I went to a banquet at Dolisa once, and honestly, I wasn't a fan of that space at all. Between the number of people squeezed around each table and the overall layout, it felt off. Not to mention, the dance floor was so tiny we were all basically stepping on each other's toes... I haven't looked into Aria or Bolero either (both are in San Francisco), mainly because they both have those low ceilings that give me a bit of a claustrophobic vibe, even if Aria does look nice... And I skipped looking at Sky over at Joker too, since I think their capacity tops out around 200 people, and we're looking at closer to 250...
Regarding the band, we finally made a decision! We're going with Fenix from San Francisco. We actually caught them playing at a party recently and they absolutely blew us away. They have both male and female vocalists, which gives them this cool rock vibe, but they’re super flexible and really respect what the couple wants. Plus, their setlist had a great mix of hits... Their price is 15... $0.00So, the deposit is $1,500. They already sent over their full setlist, so now I just need to go through and pick out the songs I'd rather skip. I actually emailed them about a few specific tracks I’d love to have played at the party, and they seem really easygoing and willing to work with me on it... Oh, and one more thing—they don't play any of that country music!
So, I just started looking into this, and now I'm on the hunt for a solid photographer. Since my boyfriend is from San Diego, we actually need at least two photographers and two videographers. The plan is to have one person stay with him in San Diego and one stay here with me in San Francisco, and then the crew from San Diego can travel over to San Francisco with the wedding party (we’re arranging organized transportation). So far, I've reached out to a few studios—Studio Oak has a starting price of $1,300, but their exclusive package is closer to $2,200, and if I understood them correctly, they charge $6.75/piece for the thank-you cards. Honestly, those prices caught me off guard... are they usually that high? I also contacted that guy Mike from Santa Barbara, but he only does photos, not video. He recommended a videographer named Anthony Weddings who he collaborates with for weddings, but I have a feeling the whole thing would end up costing way too much. Right now, the offer from Omega Photo Studios looks best since they top out at $1,300, but they haven't gotten back to me yet regarding filming at two different locations, so I'm not sure if I'll go with them. Does anyone have any suggestions?
One more thing—those discounts you see at wedding expos, can you still use them if I've already booked my photographers and everything else, or are they only for people who haven't picked anything yet? Thanks in advance for the help!