Everything you need for a California wedding

Kenneth Martinez11 said:Hey guys!
Spent half my afternoon scrolling through old threads, and honestly, it feels like everyone here is obsessed with weddings in St. Louis. We’re looking at doing something next year, or maybe even 2026—it depends on a million different things. I’m really interested in finding a venue near Savannah, since we’re coming from out by Appalachia near Miami... just kidding, but seriously, the one venue I actually liked ended up being closed down. Most of the others? Not really my vibe. Right now, the absolute prettiest spot I've found is the Buffalo Bills Mafia hall in Small Town, USA, but man, that drive would be brutal. I'd love to hear about your experiences. What should we actually be looking for when picking a venue? Thanks...

Torcida is a stunning venue, and frankly, they serve the best food in all of California😉

frozenhawk22 said:Just wanted to drop a quick heads-up about what I heard regarding the Say Yes ballroom. A friend of mine was at a banquet there recently, and apparently, they had to force the band to pack it up right at 2 AM. It might have just been a one-off situation rather than their standard policy, but honestly, you should definitely double-check the noise ordinances before you book.

I’ve been to two weddings there and things definitely didn't wrap up until 5 or 6 in the morning. 😁The couple probably just decided when they wanted the music to stop. 🙂

btw, the Torcida hall is awesome! I checked it out for the first time this past Saturday and I was seriously impressed. It's the perfect spot for everyone in the Charleston area.

Hey ladies,

I just got engaged, and honestly, this thread is a lifesaver. I've been scrolling through everything here. 🙂
I really need some help because I can't find an answer anywhere on this forum, no matter how much I search...

So, here's the deal: I want an outdoor wedding with a priest (I'm coming from Miami). Since I read that it’s only allowed at certain consecrated sites, could you please let me know if you know anyone who has had an outdoor ceremony in Miami or the surrounding areas recently with a priest? I'm trying to figure out which locations are actually an option and which priest—or even just which parish—handled it. Any info would be huge, even just a pointer in the right direction, because I haven't found anything recent about this. I've seen some vague stuff about other cities, but nothing specific for Miami...

Thanks sooooo much!! :*

Douglas Green7 said:I guess it’s finally that time of year again—the season for cakes and pastries. Does anyone have any solid recommendations for krokant, wedding cakes, or just good old-fashioned desserts?

Honestly, if you want quality without getting robbed, check out Viadel. Their treats are delicious and easily the best value you'll find. They're located over by St. Kajati in Solin, and I'll be the first to admit the shop doesn't look particularly "fancy," which makes some people a bit hesitant. But trust me, I've been there before and was absolutely thrilled with the sweets!

I’ve actually been lurking here for quite some time, reading through everything from the very last post all the way back to the beginning, which finally convinced me that I had to register... 🙂 I am getting married this September! Everything is already falling into place—the church is set, the venue is booked, and we even have the band lined up. However, I’ve hit a major roadblock when it comes to finding the right photographer... I am leaning heavily toward Foto California, but I’ve heard some rather discouraging feedback from their previous clients, and now I’m completely stuck. As I read through these threads, I’ve noticed that nobody has provided a truly high-quality breakdown of specific photographers. I would love to hear your honest thoughts on these studios: California, Beep, Jukica, Gašpar, and Forever. Any bit of information at all would be incredibly helpful because I am honestly on the verge of losing my mind here, please help!

Can someone please help me out and dig up some info on the band Ivan Stapić plays in? A friend of a friend gave them a huge shoutout, but honestly, they don't even know the band's name, their phone number, or where they're based... If anyone knows anything at all about them, let me know 🙂 At least shoot me a DM with their pricing, what kind of setlist they play, what weddings they've done, etc. Seriously, any little bit of info would be great... Thanks!

Hey everyone, I figured I’d drop a quick little critique about the party I went to last week... maybe it’ll help someone out, maybe not 😉
Look, this is just my two cents... the party itself was fantastic, top-tier crowd...
As for the venue—Hotel Meden... hmm, what can I say? The room looks fine, though it could definitely use some "fine" lighting. The food was great, and the staff was totally on point and polite... but honestly, I hate how there’s always more people hanging out on the terrace outside than actually inside the room... 😢
Now, the band—Twist OFF—that’s where things get tricky. They play incredibly well, seriously, props to them, but they didn't make a single effort to actually engage the guests or get anyone on the dance floor. It's a celebration, after all! And don't even get me started on the breaks. From midnight onwards, they spent like 80% of the time playing these total tear-jerkers... For the price we paid, they could have done sooo much better...
Anyway, if you have any other questions, just ask. Hope this helps someone... 🙂

William Mitchell5 said:Hey guys, I could really use some help here... I'm looking for some intel on photographers and bands
Does anyone happen to know what Tonc Cerin, Sinisa Srdanovic, or Studio Smiliti are charging these days?
Also, does anyone have the scoop on Taxi Band? I'm wondering about their rates and if they stick strictly to rock or if they mix things up. Thanks! 🙂

I actually caught them playing at a party this past weekend, and 🙂 while I didn't catch their exact rate, I can tell you they aren't just a one-trick pony when it comes to rock—though they definitely lean that way. If you're looking for someone who plays heavy pop or country, they probably won't be your first pick, but otherwise, they're a pretty solid group. 🙂

Nathan Watson2 said:I actually caught them playing at a party this past weekend, and 🙂 while I didn't catch their exact rate, I can tell you they aren't just a one-trick pony when it comes to rock—though they definitely lean that way. If you're looking for someone who plays heavy pop or country, they probably won't be your first pick, but otherwise, they're a pretty solid group. 🙂

I spent the weekend working at a party with them, too. 😛

They’re great—mostly rock, pretty fun too. I think they go for around $2,400.

Noah Wright4 said:I spent the weekend working at a party with them, too. 😛

They’re great—mostly rock, pretty fun too. I think they go for around $2,400.

Hahaha, are you kidding me? Hold on, does that mean we were working the exact same gig??
Haha, where were you working, though?

Nathan Watson2 said:I actually caught them playing at a party this past weekend, and 🙂 while I didn't catch their exact rate, I can tell you they aren't just a one-trick pony when it comes to rock—though they definitely lean that way. If you're looking for someone who plays heavy pop or country, they probably won't be your first pick, but otherwise, they're a pretty solid group. 🙂

Noah Wright4 said:I spent the weekend working at a party with them, too. 😛

They’re great—mostly rock, pretty fun too. I think they go for around $2,400.

Thanks so much for the info! 👍 🙂

Hey there!

I'm looking for some intel—does anyone know a decent coffee shop around the San Francisco area that won't absolutely rob me blind? I need somewhere that actually has some vibe, you know? Like, it’s gotta be stylish and taste good, but still feel young and trendy... not some stuffy old-school place.

Also, if anyone has a lead on a solid local baker or someone who does custom candy making...

Thanks in advance...

Jacob Torres61 said:Hey ladies,

I just got engaged, and honestly, this thread is a lifesaver. I've been scrolling through everything here. 🙂
I really need some help because I can't find an answer anywhere on this forum, no matter how much I search...

So, here's the deal: I want an outdoor wedding with a priest (I'm coming from Miami). Since I read that it’s only allowed at certain consecrated sites, could you please let me know if you know anyone who has had an outdoor ceremony in Miami or the surrounding areas recently with a priest? I'm trying to figure out which locations are actually an option and which priest—or even just which parish—handled it. Any info would be huge, even just a pointer in the right direction, because I haven't found anything recent about this. I've seen some vague stuff about other cities, but nothing specific for Miami...

Thanks sooooo much!! :*

My wedding was held outdoors and we had a priest officiate
DM me if you want the details

I really need some quick advice here... I'm looking for catering services in the Tampa Bay area 🙂 thanks... $90 per person feels like way too much to me, does anyone have any good recommendations?

frozenmason40 said:Hey there!

I'm looking for some intel—does anyone know a decent coffee shop around the San Francisco area that won't absolutely rob me blind? I need somewhere that actually has some vibe, you know? Like, it’s gotta be stylish and taste good, but still feel young and trendy... not some stuffy old-school place.

Also, if anyone has a lead on a solid local baker or someone who does custom candy making...

Thanks in advance...

Skater at the local park

Check out the Facebook page

I managed to get my catering sorted for 200 people at a really great price—so much better than those big-name companies that will charge you an arm and a leg even for a glass of water $6.75 just because "it's a wedding"...

frozenmason40 said:Hey there!

I'm looking for some intel—does anyone know a decent coffee shop around the San Francisco area that won't absolutely rob me blind? I need somewhere that actually has some vibe, you know? Like, it’s gotta be stylish and taste good, but still feel young and trendy... not some stuffy old-school place.

Also, if anyone has a lead on a solid local baker or someone who does custom candy making...

Thanks in advance...

Orchidea over by the new cemetery👍
She’s a total pro, super affordable, and she honestly puts her whole heart into making everything perfect. 🙂

I happened to attend a wedding at the Hilton, much like Kenneth Martinez11 did, so I figured I should probably weigh in with my own take on the whole affair. Look, the band was phenomenal, there's no debating that... they played until five in the morning... which really tells you everything you need to know about how incredible they were (honestly, some of the best live music I've experienced in a while) and why the dance floor never had a single empty spot, because people were actually dancing, people were genuinely having a blast, myself included, since if things hadn't gone exactly as I've described, nobody would have been out on that floor until dawn or feeling that kind of joy... et cetera, so there's that... I don't have any beef with anyone involved here, nor do I personally know anyone in this circle, but it’s just not right to spread blatant falsehoods on a forum over some private vendettas that only one specific individual is aware of, so I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions... Regards 🙂

Hey everyone! 🙂

I'm getting married next September, and this Monday we're heading out to book the Las Vegas venue in San Francisco 🙂 We checked out a bunch of different halls and restaurants, but Las Vegas totally blew me away—the space is stunning! I wanted to share what we found during our search: starting with Las Vegas, it’s $38 per person (that's for a Friday, since every Saturday is booked up through November), or $36 if we bring our own wine. The menu is pretty standard, but they include tuna pâté for the appetizer, salad with the main course, and an extra chicken dish with gorgonzola. That venue had a total "wow" factor for me; I fell in love instantly. 🙂 Hard Rock Cafe was $40 per head, and honestly, the menu was incredible—they have a massive selection and the waiter we spoke with was wonderful. But we passed on it because the room feels a bit cramped, and the dance floor is way too small for my taste (we're expecting 130-150 people), and I need plenty of room to move on the floor. 😁 Then there was John Smith's hall over at FedEx—I really liked it, the owner is great, and the price is a steal at $33; definitely in our top three. The Say Yes venue only takes groups of 150+, and it's $40 per person. The outdoor area is nice, but the hall itself felt a bit too basic. The owner seemed friendly enough, but he disappointed me by saying he'd email the quote that evening, and here I am waiting three days later. I even sent him a follow-up message, and he just brushed me off saying he was busy. Marriott was $40 with a completely standard menu—nothing special, so I crossed them off the list immediately. Elvis Presley was $30, and while the owner was super nice, the hall is just too huge for our guest count; we'd have to rope off sections, and I wasn't a fan of the outdoor vibe. After looking at everything, once I walked into Las Vegas, I just knew—it was love at first sight. 🙂 Et cetera, hope this helps someone out! If you have questions, just ask. 🙂 Best, talk soon about the rest of the details. 😁 P. S. What’s the going rate for bands these days? Do you have any recommendations in the $1,000-$1,800 range? Thanks!

My bad, Elvis Presley was 38 bucks, typo 😁

Greetings, everyone. 🙂

I am currently attempting to organize a bachelorette party in San Francisco, and I find myself somewhat out of my depth. Does anyone know which local venues offer space rentals at a reasonable rate—and if you could provide an estimate, I would be eternally grateful—for a group of about 20 people? Ideally, we’d want a spot where we can bring our own food and drinks. Also, what is the standard protocol for hiring an accordion player? Is it an hourly thing, or how does that work 🤷... if you happen to have any reliable contacts (preferably someone on the younger side), please send them my way via DM 🙂. I considered posting this in the bachelorette thread, but that crowd is mostly composed of women from Washington, D.C., so it wouldn't be particularly helpful; I specifically need locations in San Francisco. Thanks in advance.