1) I’m having my makeup done by Katherine Graham from San Diego, so since I'll be traveling between Santa Barbara and San Diego, I'm also on the hunt for a hair salon—specifically a stylist who can handle formal updos without charging an absolute fortune... It seems like so many stylists out there are amazing at coloring and blowouts, but they really seem to shy away from those fancy occasion styles...
2) A reliable florist
3) For any ladies out there who took the DIY route with their wedding favors, invitations, and thank-you notes—where did you source all your supplies? Was it a total nightmare to pull off, and honestly... is it actually worth the savings?
Thanks so much for the help 🙂
I picked up everything I needed for the boutonnieres at Good Partner in Washington, D.C., and saved quite a bit of money. It takes a lot of time, though—it really just depends on whether you enjoy doing it and how much time you have left before the wedding.
Lisa Myers said:Lisa Myers hit H&M for the first time today. I honestly thought they wouldn't have my size in stock... but guess what? They actually did. But seriously—holy crap—everything there is so see-through! What am I supposed to do with clothes like that?!
I caught both Phoenix and Orange live. Honestly, there's a world of difference. The Phoenix crew plays with actual soul—they’re talented, they read the room, and they really know how to set the vibe. Orange? They just show up to go through the motions and collect a paycheck. They don't care about the crowd at all; they just stand there with these sour faces. In my opinion, they aren't even worth half of what they charge.
Jamie Allen4 As I was thinking about what was said, it really makes you wonder how much we overcomplicate things sometimes... Thanks so much for the advice, really, but I’ve been picturing something a little more special than just your run-of-the-mill banquet hall. I have this vision of something more unique—maybe an outdoor terrace or a scenic patio with a view, or something along those lines? If anyone out there has any creative ideas or has actually pulled off an event like that before, I would be incredibly grateful for the insight. Honestly, I'm pretty open to locations anywhere in the San Francisco area or even just a short drive away from the city. 🙂
I think that spot in Grašac is absolutely wonderful, though I honestly can’t say for sure when you were planning on heading over there for a bite, because whenever I gave them a ring about two months ago, they told me they only had two openings left between September and October. If you're looking for somewhere else, Doli is lovely, and that restaurant Velum over at the marina is also a great choice. I’ve heard people raving about how perfect their frappes are down by the docks, but then again, I haven't actually made it down there myself yet—I'm just going off the grapevine!
I once attended a wedding at a local venue that was easily the worst experience ever, strictly from a service standpoint. It wasn't the music, the couple, or the decor that failed; it was the disastrous service, incredibly slow servers, and terrible food. I definitely wouldn't recommend it.
Out of everything you mentioned, I’ve only tried Abraham, and honestly, they were some of the worst cookies I've ever had at a fair. I know they supply those little plastic containers of peach or Canadian sponge cakes for Walmart, but to me, they all tasted exactly the same. 🤷
I’m going to ask here too—any Midwest locals out there who can help me out? If you’ve ever been to the Viva hair salon in Valparaiso, what was your experience like?
nimbleheron47 said:It's not even the high waist—that actually looks fine on me. It’s those wide legs. I feel like I’m dragging half of downtown behind me. 🤣 Every single pair I try on. I think it's because of my hips; the fabric just swallows my legs and makes me look like two giant marshmallows. 😂
That’s beautiful. It always reminds me of this choir that used to sing "key to life" for newlyweds right after the ceremony outside the church. I think I got goosebumps at least ten times.
