Everything you need for a California wedding

I swung by the Arcade today. It’s a total non-starter. There’s no way you could trim the guest list enough to prevent it from feeling suffocating... I wouldn't dare bring more than 60 or 70 people there. Same goes for San Antonio... the plaza is gorgeous and they have that little area out front perfect for cocktails, which would look great, but the space is just too tight. I'm glad I dropped in today while they were supposed to be hosting a party for 106 people; seeing the actual table layout gave me the full picture... even my own crowd looked cramped. People will barely be able to squeeze between the tables... The deck is fine, but they've definitely overpacked the seating. As far as venues go, Holy Cross is the obvious choice, but it's a massive trek... Poolside drinks and a huge ballroom sounds ideal. If only it weren't so far away. I might check out Castle Slanica next. It seems everyone enjoyed it there and didn't complain about the bugs—which I find hard to believe—but I won't count my chickens before they hatch...

WHEN THAT DAY FINALLY ARRIVES!! JUST TRUST ME, EVERYTHING MATTERS!!! But honestly? The most important thing is that you don't lose your mind on the big day. It really comes down to whether everyone you’ve hired actually knows how to do their jobs without making a mess of things. From the service to the food—everything from the venue at Holy Cross to the catering—it all has to be seamless!!🙏🙏 If you walk into the hall and the music playing during the grand entrance is garbage... believe me, the whole vibe is ruined. Music is huge. In my book, it’s the absolute centerpiece. The BARBARY band—specifically that new lineup they've got going now—is pure gold!!!🙏🙏 Seriously, everything can be negotiated down to the tiniest detail. These guys cover every little thing, from the smoke machines during the first dance to the energy levels and a repertoire that spans from age 7 to 77. They play everything, and they'll keep the party going until the lights come up...🙏🙏And what I love most is that their setlist is massive—they've got hits for both the guys and the girls covered!!!😉👍

Here’s some info for you,www.barbary.com.hr—you actually get a gift from the band, plus they bring jugglers to the reception, which is a killer touch. Honestly, their photo and video work is top-tier here in the States, just look at their portfolio and you'll see what I mean. 😉www.wedingstudioin.com BEST OF LUCK! 😍

Maybe take a second to actually look back... just scroll through a few pages or a couple of posts earlier... It’s pretty obvious that Studio In and Barbary are constantly plugging themselves and fishing for compliments. This kind of aggressive, non-stop advertising popping up everywhere? It’s just not a good look.

Raymond Brooks7 said:Maybe take a second to actually look back... just scroll through a few pages or a couple of posts earlier... It’s pretty obvious that Studio In and Barbary are constantly plugging themselves and fishing for compliments. This kind of aggressive, non-stop advertising popping up everywhere? It’s just not a good look.

Not pleasant?????????????????????😕 😕I don't see what's so "unpleasant" about it—whether you listen to them or Viva, it's the same thing. But honestly, the local girl is way more engaged with Barbary; she's talking to everyone and acting approachable. It feels like everyone is actually participating in the party, almost like they're the hosts rather than just guests... plus, the price is like 1,000 bucks cheaper, so you tell me!!!!!! To me, and a lot of others, Thousand is wayyyyyyy better.🙄

cosmicdrifter86 said:Not pleasant?????????????????????😕 😕I don't see what's so "unpleasant" about it—whether you listen to them or Viva, it's the same thing. But honestly, the local girl is way more engaged with Barbary; she's talking to everyone and acting approachable. It feels like everyone is actually participating in the party, almost like they're the hosts rather than just guests... plus, the price is like 1,000 bucks cheaper, so you tell me!!!!!! To me, and a lot of others, Thousand is wayyyyyyy better.🙄

I think you missed the mark here... it looks incredibly tacky when you suddenly start promoting them across five or six different threads... especially when you didn't even bother to notice that those same people have already been bragging about it for ages. A single honest endorsement of your satisfaction would have been enough for everyone to get it... but this? (At least to me) it reeks of some cheap, forced advertisement....
And yeah, a thousand dollars is a massive amount of money.... I agree with you there.

😉

Raymond Brooks7 said:I think you missed the mark here... it looks incredibly tacky when you suddenly start promoting them across five or six different threads... especially when you didn't even bother to notice that those same people have already been bragging about it for ages. A single honest endorsement of your satisfaction would have been enough for everyone to get it... but this? (At least to me) it reeks of some cheap, forced advertisement....
And yeah, a thousand dollars is a massive amount of money.... I agree with you there.

Look, I'm just one happy young woman!!!!!!!!!! I'm constantly at some party, or another—honestly, I've practically gone broke from it—but I love giving advice, for nothing, obviously... I've seen it all, heard it all, so some of these comments just strike me as hilarious😂...

cosmicdrifter86 said:😉

Look, I'm just one happy young woman!!!!!!!!!! I'm constantly at some party, or another—honestly, I've practically gone broke from it—but I love giving advice, for nothing, obviously... I've seen it all, heard it all, so some of these comments just strike me as hilarious😂...

It really just comes down to personal taste. Sadly, that's how it works. You can't explain why so many people have such bizarre perspectives. Anyway, sincere congratulations on everything turning out so perfectly for you. It’s great that you’re sharing your happiness and your recommendations with us... I'm certain your advice will be gold for anyone looking to tie the knot in the future.👍

cosmicdrifter86 said:WHEN THAT DAY FINALLY ARRIVES!! JUST TRUST ME, EVERYTHING MATTERS!!! But honestly? The most important thing is that you don't lose your mind on the big day. It really comes down to whether everyone you’ve hired actually knows how to do their jobs without making a mess of things. From the service to the food—everything from the venue at Holy Cross to the catering—it all has to be seamless!!🙏🙏 If you walk into the hall and the music playing during the grand entrance is garbage... believe me, the whole vibe is ruined. Music is huge. In my book, it’s the absolute centerpiece. The BARBARY band—specifically that new lineup they've got going now—is pure gold!!!🙏🙏 Seriously, everything can be negotiated down to the tiniest detail. These guys cover every little thing, from the smoke machines during the first dance to the energy levels and a repertoire that spans from age 7 to 77. They play everything, and they'll keep the party going until the lights come up...🙏🙏And what I love most is that their setlist is massive—they've got hits for both the guys and the girls covered!!!😉👍

I just wish someone else would handle all the logistics on that day instead of me... It would be easy enough to just hire a wedding coordinator...

Here’s the latest intel from the field🙂

Stopped by the Officers' Club over in Lori today. They’ve got this massive terrace, but they aren't hosting any parties out there😢😢 The hall itself is a bit overkill, and honestly, they should put some effort into decorating it... though I doubt it'll happen. 99 percent chance it stays just like this. We also swung by the Passat area near Duilio—that nursing home you mentioned, you were right about the guy being shady. Basically, he’s talking in circles about renovating, maybe expanding the terrace, but he won't commit to anything. He says who knows if it'll be done by next summer, that it's "in the plans," but he's definitely not organizing anything for next year... plus, the access road is a complete mess, even if the view is spectacular... fits the whole nursing home vibe, I guess😠 😠 😠 We also drove out toward Castle Slanica.... based on everything I've heard so far, it's easily in my top three.... if only it weren't such a trek, but you can't have it all😁 I still have a few more atmospheric spots on my list, so I'll keep digging... nothing specific is jumping out at me yet... Marina Frapa.... does anyone from the local area actually host parties there? It feels way too far out, but how long does that drive actually take?

One more thing, if anyone's planning a party for 90 or 100 people... I didn't hear this mentioned earlier, but you should definitely check out the Neva Hotel over in Podstrana, near Mutogras... It’s nicely laid out, great atmosphere, two small pools right out front of the restaurant... then again, it is a Kerum property😁😁 But what can you do, it's a bit small... There wasn't a coordinator on site so I don't know about pricing, but it's worth a look...

nimblewolf22 said:They don't have round tables... Does anyone know if Villa Žarko or Hotel St. Croix on Catalina Island have round tables?

Starting next year, Villa Žarko isn't even doing mashed potatoes anymore, and I'm pretty sure Hotel Holy Cross has a hall that would work perfectly for me.🙂

nimblewolf22 said:Here’s the latest intel from the field🙂

Stopped by the Officers' Club over in Lori today. They’ve got this massive terrace, but they aren't hosting any parties out there😢😢 The hall itself is a bit overkill, and honestly, they should put some effort into decorating it... though I doubt it'll happen. 99 percent chance it stays just like this. We also swung by the Passat area near Duilio—that nursing home you mentioned, you were right about the guy being shady. Basically, he’s talking in circles about renovating, maybe expanding the terrace, but he won't commit to anything. He says who knows if it'll be done by next summer, that it's "in the plans," but he's definitely not organizing anything for next year... plus, the access road is a complete mess, even if the view is spectacular... fits the whole nursing home vibe, I guess😠 😠 😠 We also drove out toward Castle Slanica.... based on everything I've heard so far, it's easily in my top three.... if only it weren't such a trek, but you can't have it all😁 I still have a few more atmospheric spots on my list, so I'll keep digging... nothing specific is jumping out at me yet... Marina Frapa.... does anyone from the local area actually host parties there? It feels way too far out, but how long does that drive actually take?

Hmm, Frapa has a wedding there on December 20th. I’m not sure about exact pricing, but it fluctuates a lot depending on the catering you pick. I don't think they organize summer parties, but prices usually start around $50 and go up from there. You should check with the bride for more details.
It's a bit of a trek, but not impossible. For example, if you were coming from somewhere like San Antonio, it's all relatively close by.

So, about San Antonio... the beach there is absolutely gorgeous, and they’ve got this little little nook right out front that would be perfect for an aperitif hour—it would look so classy, honestly. Everything is laid out beautifully, but man, the space is just way too tight. I actually happened to swing by today right when they were setting up for a wedding with 106 guests, just so I could see how the floor plan actually looked with all those tables... and let me tell you, it looked insanely cramped. I mean, how are people even supposed to shuffle between the tables without bumping into someone? The patio area is decent enough, but they seriously overstuffed the room with too many tables.

Look, I hosted a wedding in San Antonio myself with 95 guests, and we did it by putting the head table at the top of the hall with three long rows running down the middle, and we still had plenty of breathing room. Plus, they have those windows that open right up to the beach, so guests can step outside to grab some air and break up the monotony of sitting inside. If I were giving advice, I’d definitely say it’s a great spot if you're looking at a guest list of 90 to 95 people max.

I decided to migrate over from another forum because my posts were getting completely buried in a sea of endless threads
, so I'm dropping my experiences here instead—hopefully this helps someone out somewhere

My reception was an absolute blast, so here’s the lowdown on how everything went

* San Antonio venue—it’s basically perfect if you’re looking at a guest list of around 100 to 120 people. It sits right on the beach and has floor-to-ceiling windows with a killer ocean view. One thing I loved was that guests could actually step outside during the night to catch up with relatives they hadn't seen in ages, which kept the whole vibe really relaxed. The food was solid and the service was good too; they were a little disorganized at the start, but they really stepped up their game by the end and made sure everyone was having a great time. We even had our first dance while guests watched us from the hotel terrace, all with the sunset glowing in the background

* For flowers, I went with Kata's Flower Shop for the boutonnieres, and honestly, I’m speechless. I only saw her a couple of times before the big day, and even though I just handed her a few random pictures for inspiration, she nailed it 100%. She made exactly what I envisioned, even if I wasn't the best at explaining it! My bouquet was absolutely stunning, and the boutonnieres and centerpieces were just as gorgeous. Everything held up perfectly despite the heat, too. I’d recommend this shop to anyone; there are plenty of fancy, overpriced florists in town, but this lady is just a down-to-earth person who does incredibly professional work. Seriously, props to her. She even managed to source some kale out of season for me and didn't charge a single extra cent beyond what we agreed on
* California Photo—I know they've been mentioned on here before, but I have nothing but praise for them. The guys were total pros, even though my wedding was a bit outside the norm since the groom and half our guests were international, so they had to handle a lot of things in English. They were so attentive to the details and were constantly running around making sure they caught every moment. This is actually the second time a family member has used them for a wedding, and I can tell you, their crews are always fantastic
* The dress: I went with Maggie Sottero from Lisa's boutique in Fresno—it was a bit of a drive, but totally worth it. I did a little bit of my own tailoring a few months before the wedding, and they shipped the rest to me. The shop is run by a young married couple who are extremely professional. Everything arrived perfectly, including the decorated baskets. I even emailed them a photo of the boutonnieres I wanted, and they recreated them flawlessly. Best of all, they were so flexible with my situation since I live out of state; I could ship the dress back and forth via mail without any drama. I’d definitely recommend them because they have an incredible selection, and finding Maggie Sottero in America isn't exactly easy
* The band: Adtriatik. I haven't seen much about them on the forums, but I would absolutely recommend them. These guys are phenomenal. They played for my sister two years ago, and now they played for me. It wasn't easy for them both times given that half our guests were foreigners, but they created such an amazing atmosphere and everyone had a blast. They even let our relatives jump up and sing with them! They played a mix of American and international hits so that every single guest was on the dance floor. Then, toward the end, they let us plug in our iPod for an hour so the younger crowd could play their own stuff, which kept everyone happy. There aren't many bands in this city, and I'm sure a lot of them aren't nearly as flexible as these guys. You can tell they truly love what they do and just want to set the mood—all the guests said the same thing. We got so close to them that they felt like part of the family. If anyone wants the specifics, hit me up via PM
* As for the church, St. Mary's in San Antonio, I have nothing but kind words for Father Don. He’s a wonderful man who stepped in at the last minute due to some other circumstances. The ceremony was perfectly paced and the sermon was beautiful. It’s a relatively newer church, but it’s beautifully designed, spacious, and gets tons of light inside

* A girl from this forum, Jelena, sang during the service, and everyone was saying how breathtaking it was. I didn't get a chance to thank her properly in all the wedding chaos—so thank you here, and major props to you

I have a million more details, but I've already written way too much. If anything else comes to mind, I'll post it later

No problem at all—it was honestly my pleasure 🙂

I’m starting to get sick of my own endless questions... Does anyone happen to have experience with the layout at Benedict's in Cali, specifically the outdoor area? I can't quite get a feel for the space. My contact from the valley claims they can fit over a hundred people on that front terrace, but it didn't look nearly that large to me. I was drawn to the vibe, but now I'm stuck wondering if it's worth the risk... Their business model seems a bit off, too. They don't offer a standard per-person menu price; instead, they bill everything individually—each dish, then a service fee, plus table settings, linens, and God knows what else. It feels a little shady...

nimblewolf22 said:I’m starting to get sick of my own endless questions... Does anyone happen to have experience with the layout at Benedict's in Cali, specifically the outdoor area? I can't quite get a feel for the space. My contact from the valley claims they can fit over a hundred people on that front terrace, but it didn't look nearly that large to me. I was drawn to the vibe, but now I'm stuck wondering if it's worth the risk... Their business model seems a bit off, too. They don't offer a standard per-person menu price; instead, they bill everything individually—each dish, then a service fee, plus table settings, linens, and God knows what else. It feels a little shady...

Hmm, personally, I’ve never been and don't know anyone who celebrates a cookout down there, so I can't really help you out. That said, I wouldn't recommend relying on an outdoor setup like that. You're essentially gambling; the weather could be perfect, or it could completely ruin your day. And what's the backup plan if it pours? Does the restaurant even have enough indoor seating?
The whole way they charge for it seems sketchy to me, though I guess you never truly know until you try it.🤷

pustalondra what was your per-person cost for San Antonio?😉

Alex Carter3 said:Hmm, personally, I’ve never been and don't know anyone who celebrates a cookout down there, so I can't really help you out. That said, I wouldn't recommend relying on an outdoor setup like that. You're essentially gambling; the weather could be perfect, or it could completely ruin your day. And what's the backup plan if it pours? Does the restaurant even have enough indoor seating?
The whole way they charge for it seems sketchy to me, though I guess you never truly know until you try it.🤷

I was leaning toward the patio, but honestly, I'm feeling a bit uneasy. After all this research, I'll probably end up staying indoors...😢 There’s room for about 80 people inside, but my guest list is closer to 120. If we get rained out, the backup plan would be a buffet style indoors... though we'd lose the formal seating arrangement since there isn't enough room. It would turn into more of a party vibe.🙂 Just another dilemma...😕