Everything you need for a California wedding

rapidhawk26 said:Which "package" did you go with when you hired Mark? I’m asking because my friend went all out and picked the most expensive option—I think it was around $1,600—and the photos turned out absolutely stunning! She ended up with two large albums and four smaller ones for the wedding party and parents.

just some mid-range option, but it doesn't matter... I definitely overpaid ☕it wasn't about the package...

David King72 said:So, I recently attended a party there, and let me tell you, the atmosphere was just... underwhelming, to say the least.gloria All I know is that if it were up to me, I’d never book this place again; but hey, if that’s your kind of thing, be my guest. The food was actually fantastic—honestly, one of the best meals I've had in a while—but the venue itself? It was a total bust. We're talking tiny windows, decor that feels like it hasn't been updated since the 19th century, and a dance floor so small you could barely move. And that's just scratching the surface, so I hope my little breakdown helps someone else decide whether to book it or just cross it off their list entirely..
As for the waitstaff, I couldn't shake the feeling that they were all operating under some sort of strange, unspoken set of instructions, though I can't quite put my finger on it; they weren't hovering over us the entire night, but it definitely felt a bit off.

I went to Gloria this summer and the food was terrible. The room was a nightmare...👎

Emily Sanders3 said:I went to Gloria this summer and the food was terrible. The room was a nightmare...👎

Is there anyone out there who actually agrees with me besides my better half?
The dining area was a complete nightmare—they didn't even bother turning on the AC, so we were all just sitting there sweating through our clothes; I personally felt like I’d been caught in a downpour...
But then again, our meal was actually fantastic; I had some prosciutto, cheese, white risotto, and a little bit of roast because I was starving, and it was honestly delicious. 👍 👍
My partner tried the black risotto too, and he said it was absolutely abysmal.

I was actually thinking about leaving a comment on this... Is there anything more absurd than the "miracle duo" everyone keeps raving about? It’s almost impressive how people can look at such a predictable outcome and somehow frame it as some sort of divine intervention or a stroke of unexpected genius. Does anyone actually believe this was anything other than what we all saw coming from a mile away? Same here. 👎
The only thing I actually liked about the whole experience was the pacing; his sets run for about two hours at a stretch, followed by a decent ten or fifteen-minute breather to catch your breath?
Is there any end to his endless stream of letters? Honestly, does he just sit around all day drafting these things? 🤮

new room

I was just reading on the forums that the new room is officially open, so if anyone actually needs someone to go verify that for them, there you go.

I’m renting out luxury limos for weddings all over California
shoot me a DM if you want the details

Richard Lewis16 said:I’m renting out luxury limos for weddings all over California
shoot me a DM if you want the details

So, what kind of damage are we talking about here? What’s the price range? 🤷

It really just depends on where we’re talking about...
If you could just shoot me a private message with all the details on where exactly you need to head... once I have the full itinerary, I'll get back to you with a price...

So, everything went off without a hitch. Here’s my official list of recommendations:

The dress: La Perla Bridal Salon—smooth sailing from start to finish. The service was top-tier. Honestly, I hit up almost every boutique in the area, but they were the only ones with a selection that actually caught my eye.

The suit: Mister Mot—we found his suit in ten minutes flat. He was thrilled, and frankly, so was I. 😍

The venue: Castle Slannica—everything was perfect. Service was stellar, food was excellent (or so I’m told; I barely ate a thing, actually, I didn't eat anything at all).

Music: Bravo Band—absolute professionals. They were incredibly engaged and delivered exactly what we discussed, then some!

Photography: Ivica Lisjak 😍 I can't wait to see them, though I have zero doubts about the quality.

Florist: Jaglac over in Radunica—just incredible. This woman knows her craft inside and out. Nothing is impossible for her, and she won't break the bank either.

Dancing: Mimice Dance Studio—every single minute and every dollar spent was worth it.

Special effects for the first dance: Mirnovec Pyrotechnics—it wasn't exactly what we agreed on, but hey, the effect worked perfectly.

Cakes: Cukarin—still my number one choice.

Desserts: Homemade treats from a lady in Solina. Not a single crumb was left. I think that speaks for itself, especially considering there was over 130 pounds of sweets for 115 guests.

Wedding cake: A bakery from Marina (I can't remember the name, but the baker is a wizard when it comes to croquant).

If I missed anything, just ask. 😍

What’s the deal with Dalmacia Photography? I haven't reached out to them yet, but I'm planning to tomorrow.
Honestly, this photographer situation is giving me literal nightmares. I want high-quality shots, but I just can't seem to get on the same page as my guy. I’m itching to get someone booked ASAP before the calendar fills up, but he acts like we have all the time in the world.
Anyway, now that I've vented a little, maybe I can actually get some sleep. Another workday starts tomorrow, after all.

Look, Dalmacia is awesome. Both my sister and I used them—we had two different crews, but every single guy was great. They were super flexible, full of creative ideas, and I’d recommend them to anyone. Plus, they have a few different packages that fit right within that budget you're looking at. They have a website you can check out if you want, but honestly, you really can't go wrong if you hire them.

irontrucker said:Ladies, I need some help. My wedding is next year. The venue and the band are already booked, but I am completely stuck on the photographer. Having high-quality photos is everything to me, and I’ve spent so much time scrolling through this forum lately that I feel like I’m going to end up directing the photographer on how to pose me on the actual wedding day.
The issue is our budget. We set aside $1,000. We could potentially stretch it a little, but $1,500 is out of the question because we don't want to overextend ourselves right now. We aren't looking to blow money; we just want enough to get it done right. I might be willing to pay more, but my fiancé won't budge.
Give me some advice. Who is the best choice at this price point? I’ve heard Mark is good—he shot my sister’s wedding about six years ago—but they have multiple teams now, so I have no idea which one I’d actually like. Does anyone have experience with them? Please help.
Everyone else I looked at is way too expensive. I’d love to hire Matthews, but his rates are just too much for us.
What about the crew from San Francisco? I haven't called them yet, but I plan to tomorrow.
Honestly, picking a photographer is giving me nightmares. I want quality, but I can't reach an agreement with my guy. I want to book someone ASAP before they get fully booked, but he acts like there's always plenty of time.
Anyway, I needed to vent so I can finally get some sleep. Tomorrow is another workday.

I'm with Nicholas Ortiz8 on this one—that California studio is fantastic; I used them myself and they really earned my respect...👍 the only catch is the turnaround time. I haven't received my digital files or prints yet because they are apparently swamped with work... as soon as they're ready, I'll post them... for now, I only have some amateur shots... a few of them are in the thread.

Sandra Lee4 said:I'm with Nicholas Ortiz8 on this one—that California studio is fantastic; I used them myself and they really earned my respect...👍 the only catch is the turnaround time. I haven't received my digital files or prints yet because they are apparently swamped with work... as soon as they're ready, I'll post them... for now, I only have some amateur shots... a few of them are in the thread.

Can I get a password for those photos?🙂
Usually, you're looking at anywhere from a month and a half to two months for the prints and the DVD to arrive....

Does anyone happen to know where that Sala Castello place is located over in Chicago?

George Howard4 said:Does anyone happen to know where that Sala Castello place is located over in Chicago?

It's right off the highway, on the right side if you're driving from San Francisco toward Sausalito... just before you hit the exit for the freeway. It’s a massive white house. There are two halls there—one on the ground floor and one upstairs.

Microsoft if you’re looking for a photographer from Photo California, I’d honestly suggest Raymond Brooks7—the guy is absolutely top-tier and his work is just incredible 👍

Does anyone happen to know if the Pink Panther group is any good when it comes to managing fries; and I suppose, does anyone have a contact for them?

Kyle Scott10 said:Does anyone happen to know if the Pink Panther group is any good when it comes to managing fries; and I suppose, does anyone have a contact for them?

Look, I don't have a clue, but I'm sure someone will eventually chime in and let you know.

George Howard4 said:Does anyone happen to know where that Sala Castello place is located over in Chicago?

I actually booked that specific hall—you know, the one that’s sort of mid-sized! I’m heading there in two weeks for a party, so I'll be able to give you a firsthand account of how it really is.

Personally, I think 😍

Kyle Scott10 said:Does anyone happen to know if the Pink Panther group is any good when it comes to managing fries; and I suppose, does anyone have a contact for them?

From what I've heard, they're fantastic—and besides, a friend of mine was actually at a recent gig where they played, and she couldn't stop raving about how great they were! 👍

Kyle Scott10—check your inbox, I sent you a PM.

I attended a party last night where Fox News was performing—they were absolutely incredible, a perfect ten out of ten... does anyone happen to have the contact info for Trio Adria, or perhaps someone else here was at the festivities held at the Presidential Hotel?