Everything you need for a California wedding

Michael Mendoza14 said:Does anyone have a clue what a decent centerpiece bouquet usually runs for? I'd love to know what kind of numbers to expect :-) Also, do florists typically include rentals for things like mirrors, glass pieces, vases, or candle holders in their packages?

If you ask me, a lot of those big-name, high-end floral boutiques charge a massive premium just for the brand name, and at the end of the day, you often walk away with decor that looks like something you could have assembled yourself for a fraction of the cost. Everyone seems to have an opinion on how much it takes to pull off a $2000 truly spectacular setup, but I honestly find their logic a bit exhausting—specifically that whole argument about doubling the price because of sourcing costs. It feels like a bit of a reach to me, especially since they aren't buying brand-new vases and hardware every single time; they're mostly just charging you extra to rent out the same equipment they've used at a thousand other weddings already.

Dear future brides, my husband and I managed to attend about six weddings last year, so perhaps we can offer a little bit of guidance. Or maybe a little bit of relief 😛.

Regarding venues, we visited the upstairs hall at Castle Rock in the San Francisco Bay Area, a venue in a Small town in the Midwest, if I recall correctly, Say yes in San Diego, and Pirate in Miami.

When it comes to the space itself, I think Castle Rock appeals to me most because of its look and layout; there’s plenty of room for tables and enough floor space for 150 guests without any issues, though I suppose it is probably due for a complete renovation and a fresh coat of paint. The service is very well-organized and the servers are quick—there’s never a shortage of food, though nothing was particularly exceptional. It’s your standard wedding fare, so we had average prosciutto, mediocre French cheese, okay risotto, barely any meat, and the black risotto was so dark it was almost charcoal—you couldn't even see the cuttlefish. Meat quality really depends on the season, honestly, and the traditional beef stew was just terrible and tough (I truly despise that style of wedding stew from the bottom of my heart). All in all, it’s just your typical wedding standard. It was somewhat similar in that small Midwest town regarding the food, but we were at a small reception in a massive hall; the service there was incredibly slow and poor, and since they had a thin, squeaky accordion player performing between the bands, the musicians actually had to coordinate with each other. The breaks were enormous... overall, it was quite bad..
Say yes is a story in itself. The venue isn't bad, but the service is abysmal. Abysmal. And I mean that as a compliment. The breaks were huge, and the music went on way too long (they had two bands, and I nearly had a nervous breakdown because each one played for an hour straight). If you were sitting at the tables when they started serving the first group, by the time they reached us, it would take (without exaggeration) about half an hour!! Some of the appetizers were freezing cold (read: frozen), the prosciutto was inedible, the truffle pasta was practically swimming in cream, and to top it all off, the newlyweds completely flipped the menu on its head. They served soup, then the roast, then the pasta, then cake and desserts, then brought out the prosciutto, cheese, and appetizers again, then the stew, or something like that—honestly, it was a very, very bad idea.
As for Pirate... well, when it comes to food, there is simply no competition for Pirate. None. The food is fantastic and the service is excellent, but the restaurant is just too small. We’ve been to a few weddings there, and realistically, that room is meant for maybe 80 people, yet everyone stubbornly tries to squeeze 140–150 people in, so nobody has any room to dance. I wouldn't even highlight the food as a separate thing because everything is just so good. It’s great restaurant-quality food, rather than that classic heavy wedding catering, honestly.

Regarding the bands, I can't help much there... the only ones I actually enjoy seeing at a wedding are Uber. Those guys are excellent, whereas with others, I just feel a sense of dread because I immediately know what's coming (hint: I don't like wedding pop, nor those local folk songs or any of that stuff that 99% of rural American weddings feature). Most people love that kind of music, and that's perfectly fine; it's a matter of personal taste.

And even though I'm not a fan of the typical wedding music, I absolutely love flowers. However, I've noticed that a lot of brides don't like them or consider them an unnecessary expense, so instead of centerpieces, they put a vase with three stones or a tiny little jelly jar with three blossoms on the table. I mean, that's super cute for a coffee table at home, but on a dining table for 12 people surrounded by all those bottles and glasses!? Not so much..

Photographers? That's where I felt the most skeptical, and there were certainly the fewest photos to my liking. There are far too many subpar studios in Miami, and even the ones that used to be great have gone downhill lately. A studio called Papaya used to be much better.. personally, I love the Beep crew, mostly because they worked our wedding as part of the Photo America group.

For background music, I could mention the Trogir Singers and the Krakun ensemble; at every wedding they attended, they did their job flawlessly.

Also, I am so happy to see that lanterns are slowly becoming a trend here. They were used at two weddings we attended this year. Four years ago when we got married, nobody had even heard of them, but they look phenomenal and are five times more interesting than fireworks..

So, that's it.. I hope I've been at least a little helpful and haven't caused too much confusion 🙂

Hi everyone, I thought I’d share a few of my own thoughts since I’ve found quite a bit of helpful information on here

Regarding Vera Sposa, I was personally very satisfied, even though I’ve seen plenty of negative comments. In my experience, their bridesmaids were incomparably beautiful, the staff was incredibly polite, and everything went exactly as planned.

As for makeup, based on my own experience, I’d recommend Tina Katanic and Lucia Spajic, just as many people have mentioned here before. However, I wouldn't recommend Helena Makeup at all, based on both my own experience and a friend's. I suppose if you happen to love extremely heavy makeup, she might be for you, but it seems to me that the makeup looks just as heavy as the person wearing it...

For desserts, I’ve had pastries from Viadel on several occasions and they’re good; they have a nice variety. But I wasn't a fan of the cake. Personally, I think the cakes from Hrstica, Biberona, and Orbis are great.

Regarding photographers, I used Bonacic Studio and they were excellent; we were very happy with them. I also like Papaja, but as with everything, tastes vary and the most important thing is that it works for you personally.

I spent quite a while looking for flowers. Miss Florals does a massive amount of work and has some truly beautiful arrangements to show, and their pricing was similar to a few other florists I didn't particularly care for. In the end, though, I decided to go with a local florist who operates "off the books," and it turned out to be much cheaper and the results were fantastic. So, I'd suggest asking around.

The band, of course, depends on what kind of music you like. For me, XXS, Boss, and Best were great, while Viva was a slightly more urban choice.

So, I just swung by the Miss flower stand at this wedding expo, and I’m pretty sure "Mrs. Mom" was the one running the show. She was actually super sweet—took down my info and told me there was no way she could go over all the specifics right now with this crowd and all the noise. She said she'd give me a call on my cell later this week to work out some kind of "special deal" so we can finally hash out the actual details, like the flower types, pricing, and all that jazz. Apparently, they usually charge $167 for things like vase rentals and candle holders, but since I met them through the expo, they’ll throw those in for free. Does anyone have a ballpark idea of what their table centerpieces run? Or maybe something smaller, like a tiny vase with a single bloom and a candle at the end of the table? I definitely want roses mixed in with something else

After hitting several boutiques and going through a few dress fittings, here’s my take:

1.) The selection in San Francisco is pretty underwhelming. I don't know what's going on with bridal trends this year, but the variety is lacking. Honestly, it feels worse than in previous years; I remember coming in for fittings before and there would always be a decent amount of good options...
2.) Don't trust the photos online; they have nothing to do with what's actually in the shop. My advice? Don't over-research. Just book an appointment and see for yourself once you arrive. If you spend too much time looking beforehand, you just build up this imaginary version in your head, and then you end up confused when you actually get there and can't decide anything.
3.) It helps to have at least a vague idea of what you want—ballgown or mermaid—just to narrow things down. Fittings only last about an hour and they fly by.
4.) Dresses get reserved fast. If you aren't far out from the wedding date, it's probably smart to put down a deposit if you find "the one."
Once you've secured a gown, you can still try others if something new catches your eye, but you'll have that safety net.
5.) Try to schedule your fittings during the day if possible. You can see the details way better in natural light. At night, once those artificial lights kick in, you can't even tell how white the dress actually is.

So, basically:

Bridal Glamour—The first shop I went to for a fitting.
The staff was helpful enough, but the selection was poor. I managed to try on three, at least. I wasn't a fan of the fact that I couldn't pick from a catalog; apparently, they didn't have those models in stock, so I had to hunt through the floor. The salesperson kept insisting that time was running out and that looking at a catalog was a waste of time. They kept pushing me to hurry up, and I really don't appreciate being pressured when I'm trying to choose a wedding dress.
One of the three was okay, but when I went back for a second fitting during the day, I realized it wasn't the one.
At night, with all those neon lights on, you can't really tell... definitely recommend a daytime appointment there.
Also, I noticed some dresses looked a bit dirty, and some were even torn—one was even sitting in the window. I know there was a bridal expo recently and they were used for runway shows, so maybe they haven't been cleaned up yet, but still... shouldn't happen.
The materials aren't top-tier quality, but since the new collection is $3,500, it's worth it.
For that price, you get a lot; they even included a dress for my mom or maid of honor for free with my gown.
Rating for this shop: -3 out of 5.

Vera Sposa—I've already posted about her, but I have to say, I'm unpleasantly surprised. The shop is messy, almost like a discount warehouse where everything is just thrown together. You pay for a fitting, but it doesn't feel like an exclusive brand at all.
They brag endlessly, but they have nothing to show for it.
The dress I tried on was ripped under the bust... and apparently, it's been like that since the expo a few months ago. They still haven't fixed it.
The saleswoman was lovely right up until she saw I wasn't buying anything. Then the comments started, implying I wouldn't find a dress anywhere else in the US or whatever...
She also told me I couldn't pick from a catalog because I was wasting time and that she'd just show me what she wanted. I hate it when people pressure me to move faster. You can't even touch anything; she just hands you dresses based on her own whims, pushing older models while keeping the new ones tucked away.
From what I heard, she's on the verge of bankruptcy and isn't even ordering new styles.
Basically, every model there was a disaster. I didn't like anything.
And I should mention, the woman was constantly putting other shops down, claiming Vera Sposa is the best, has the biggest selection, the best dresses, blah blah blah... Vera Sposa is everything.😁
When I showed her a model I'd seen in a different shop back in 2016, she immediately said it was terrible, even though she didn't carry it.
Of course, everything is bad except for Vera Sposa... honestly, it's just like that. What a tragedy. They should really clean up their shop and make it look a bit more high-end instead of a cluttered mess, especially since we're paying for the fitting.
It seems like their main hustle is just flipping old wedding dresses when they pick up some vintage stock for $2000 😵

Rating: 1

Good grief—neat shop, super friendly clerk, dresses were tidy, prices weren't bad.
Gowns are around $1000, decent selection, mid-range quality.
No pressure at all. She mentioned not everything was in the catalog, but she offered to pull pieces one by one so I could just say yes or no... we settled on something quickly.
Really pleasant vibe during the fitting, major props to the staff.
She was honest, realistic, and helpful. She actually suggested styles that would suit me better than what other shops carry, rather than just trying to push a sale at any cost.
Rating: +3

La Perla—honestly the best shop in town.
The gown quality is top-tier; everything was pristine and bright white.
Staff is lovely, no rushing.
I actually had to look through all the catalogs first... thank God for finally finding a shop where what you see in the book is actually in stock.
Once I picked one, came the fitting.
During the fitting, they were totally real with me. If I thought something looked good, they'd agree; if not, they didn't pretend.
They weren't aggressive about making a sale either.
For certain styles, they straight up told me, "That doesn't really work for you, let's move on," and so on.
Great atmosphere, clean and organized, high-end quality... you feel like you're finally in a luxury boutique where they actually care about the details.
All praise from me. Highly recommend starting your search here if you want to avoid the negative experiences I had elsewhere... which is why I saved this shop for last.

My dress is finally chosen 🙂 :klap:

I hope you guys find yours too, with way less stress and wandering aimlessly through stores.
🎉

Rating for La Perla: 5!

coastalharbor6 said:Who should I hire as my wedding photographer? I’m really not looking for those cookie-cutter shots; I want something unique and truly special..🙂

By "standard," I mean those cliché poses where I'm staring at the bouquet, he's staring at the bouquet, and we're both just admiring the flowers together. 😂

The local studio I liked is already booked for my date.

I think Ranko Pupic is talented, but his vibe just doesn't quite mesh with mine, so I'd rather skip him if I can.. 🙂

Ivica Matić

Hey everyone, especially all the brides-to-be out there... I was wondering if anyone knows a good wedding dress seamstress in San Francisco who won't completely break the bank? To be honest, I'm not originally from San Francisco, so I don't really have any leads, but since I'm living and working here now, I'm trying to find someone local.
I'm looking for something simple—what I’d call a flowy, airy kind of dress.
If I can get the link to work, I'll post a photo of what I have in mind. Thanks!
http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/3...sses-Beach.jpg

Amy Evans64 said:Hey everyone, especially all the brides-to-be out there... I was wondering if anyone knows a good wedding dress seamstress in San Francisco who won't completely break the bank? To be honest, I'm not originally from San Francisco, so I don't really have any leads, but since I'm living and working here now, I'm trying to find someone local.
I'm looking for something simple—what I’d call a flowy, airy kind of dress.
If I can get the link to work, I'll post a photo of what I have in mind. Thanks!
http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/3...sses-Beach.jpg

Maybe try Arile...

Help me out here, I need some advice...
1. Where can I find a good garter online or in a shop?
2. I’ve decided to DIY my own wedding invitations. Does anyone have tips on where to pick up decent paper (maybe somewhere in the San Francisco area) without getting totally ripped off? Also, any leads on a reliable place to get the text printed?

Kenneth Martinez11 said:Help me out here, I need some advice...
1. Where can I find a good garter online or in a shop?
2. I’ve decided to DIY my own wedding invitations. Does anyone have tips on where to pick up decent paper (maybe somewhere in the San Francisco area) without getting totally ripped off? Also, any leads on a reliable place to get the text printed?

I think I actually saw some garter belts over at Intimissimi, maybe Yamamay has them too.
As for the paper and all that craft stuff, check out Walmart in Downtown.

Anyone got cake recommendations?
I was thinking about grabbing some pastries at Viadel, but based on what I've read in the comments, their cakes aren't really hitting the mark... so I'm wondering who you guys have actually had great cakes from without breaking the bank.

I’ve been asking around about photographers quite a bit lately, but honestly, this is one of those big wedding dealbreakers for me. I’m looking for actual artistry here—professional, high-end shots, not just someone clicking a shutter.
I did check in with Vidak, but then my fiancé managed to snag a better deal with Marin Photography; the problem is, his style just doesn't click with me. Has anyone here actually worked with them? Also, if you have any intel on Marinkovic, Peter Jurica, or the Papaja studio—specifically regarding their prices or what clients say—let me know. Thanks!

Hi everyone, I’m joining the conversation here.

If anyone wants a quick recommendation for a smaller boutique catering to about 120 people in the San Francisco area, I'm all ears. 🎉

Unless you've actually reached out to Marinkovic and he confirmed he's available, he could be booked up for the next year or more. If that's the case, maybe you can just "drop" him right now?

coastalharbor6 said:Unless you've actually reached out to Marinkovic and he confirmed he's available, he could be booked up for the next year or more. If that's the case, maybe you can just "drop" him right now?

I haven't called him yet because I need to see the damage first. If he's charging like $2,000, I'm out. 😁 I mean, I'm pretty sure he's booked solid, but I was just wondering if anyone here actually knows what his rates look like.

I reached out to him, but he was fully booked, so we didn't even get a chance to talk numbers. Though, if I caught that correctly, a session of just photos is over $10... so... 🙂

I’ve been shopping around specifically for photo-only packages, and honestly, the pricing caught me off guard. At first, I was ready to pull the trigger on the photographer I originally wanted, but then I started second-guessing everything after hearing how much more I'd end up paying (even though they are pretty high-profile and definitely worth the hype). So, I decided to do some digging and realized most prices fall right in that same range... maybe an inch or two higher or lower. With this particular person, looking at their portfolio alone, I think I'd be absolutely thrilled with the results.

I was actually the one who booked her... if I were you, I’d suggest meeting up with John specifically—not his mom—to lay everything out on the table from start to finish. Once you've said your piece, he'll probably ask what kind of budget you're working with, so just figure out what you're comfortable paying for the gym sessions beforehand. Then he can tell you straight up whether that works or if it's a non-starter. In my case, she didn't really bother giving me a breakdown of individual prices; I just listed everything I wanted and gave her a total number I was willing to pay. She agreed to it, and that was that. I guess we'll just have to wait and see how it all turns out.🎉

Michael Mendoza14 said:So, I just swung by the Miss flower stand at this wedding expo, and I’m pretty sure "Mrs. Mom" was the one running the show. She was actually super sweet—took down my info and told me there was no way she could go over all the specifics right now with this crowd and all the noise. She said she'd give me a call on my cell later this week to work out some kind of "special deal" so we can finally hash out the actual details, like the flower types, pricing, and all that jazz. Apparently, they usually charge $167 for things like vase rentals and candle holders, but since I met them through the expo, they’ll throw those in for free. Does anyone have a ballpark idea of what their table centerpieces run? Or maybe something smaller, like a tiny vase with a single bloom and a candle at the end of the table? I definitely want roses mixed in with something else

Everything is signed and sealed, I guess. Vera Wang’s take on this whole tragedy is honestly such a great description—it’s almost like those old Chinese fables. My godmother and I were just waiting in line, trying to sneak a quick peek at the dresses, when some lady acting like she owned the place stepped in to warn us. She told us we couldn't touch anything because they handle everything with gloves.🧐 I mean, I guess it’s just because when I walked into the dressing room, the hangers were all tossed on the floor or draped over some racks... and then, to top it off, they actually try to charge me for fashion consulting. $23 I guess she didn't mention anything about that when I was booking the appointment... I had absolutely no idea it would be like that. Honestly, I was so close to just losing my cool and snapping at her right then and there.😵😠

amberhawk60 said:After hitting several boutiques and going through a few dress fittings, here’s my take:

1.) The selection in San Francisco is pretty underwhelming. I don't know what's going on with bridal trends this year, but the variety is lacking. Honestly, it feels worse than in previous years; I remember coming in for fittings before and there would always be a decent amount of good options...
2.) Don't trust the photos online; they have nothing to do with what's actually in the shop. My advice? Don't over-research. Just book an appointment and see for yourself once you arrive. If you spend too much time looking beforehand, you just build up this imaginary version in your head, and then you end up confused when you actually get there and can't decide anything.
3.) It helps to have at least a vague idea of what you want—ballgown or mermaid—just to narrow things down. Fittings only last about an hour and they fly by.
4.) Dresses get reserved fast. If you aren't far out from the wedding date, it's probably smart to put down a deposit if you find "the one."
Once you've secured a gown, you can still try others if something new catches your eye, but you'll have that safety net.
5.) Try to schedule your fittings during the day if possible. You can see the details way better in natural light. At night, once those artificial lights kick in, you can't even tell how white the dress actually is.

So, basically:

Bridal Glamour—The first shop I went to for a fitting.
The staff was helpful enough, but the selection was poor. I managed to try on three, at least. I wasn't a fan of the fact that I couldn't pick from a catalog; apparently, they didn't have those models in stock, so I had to hunt through the floor. The salesperson kept insisting that time was running out and that looking at a catalog was a waste of time. They kept pushing me to hurry up, and I really don't appreciate being pressured when I'm trying to choose a wedding dress.
One of the three was okay, but when I went back for a second fitting during the day, I realized it wasn't the one.
At night, with all those neon lights on, you can't really tell... definitely recommend a daytime appointment there.
Also, I noticed some dresses looked a bit dirty, and some were even torn—one was even sitting in the window. I know there was a bridal expo recently and they were used for runway shows, so maybe they haven't been cleaned up yet, but still... shouldn't happen.
The materials aren't top-tier quality, but since the new collection is $3,500, it's worth it.
For that price, you get a lot; they even included a dress for my mom or maid of honor for free with my gown.
Rating for this shop: -3 out of 5.

Vera Sposa—I've already posted about her, but I have to say, I'm unpleasantly surprised. The shop is messy, almost like a discount warehouse where everything is just thrown together. You pay for a fitting, but it doesn't feel like an exclusive brand at all.
They brag endlessly, but they have nothing to show for it.
The dress I tried on was ripped under the bust... and apparently, it's been like that since the expo a few months ago. They still haven't fixed it.
The saleswoman was lovely right up until she saw I wasn't buying anything. Then the comments started, implying I wouldn't find a dress anywhere else in the US or whatever...
She also told me I couldn't pick from a catalog because I was wasting time and that she'd just show me what she wanted. I hate it when people pressure me to move faster. You can't even touch anything; she just hands you dresses based on her own whims, pushing older models while keeping the new ones tucked away.
From what I heard, she's on the verge of bankruptcy and isn't even ordering new styles.
Basically, every model there was a disaster. I didn't like anything.
And I should mention, the woman was constantly putting other shops down, claiming Vera Sposa is the best, has the biggest selection, the best dresses, blah blah blah... Vera Sposa is everything.😁
When I showed her a model I'd seen in a different shop back in 2016, she immediately said it was terrible, even though she didn't carry it.
Of course, everything is bad except for Vera Sposa... honestly, it's just like that. What a tragedy. They should really clean up their shop and make it look a bit more high-end instead of a cluttered mess, especially since we're paying for the fitting.
It seems like their main hustle is just flipping old wedding dresses when they pick up some vintage stock for $2000 😵

Rating: 1

Good grief—neat shop, super friendly clerk, dresses were tidy, prices weren't bad.
Gowns are around $1000, decent selection, mid-range quality.
No pressure at all. She mentioned not everything was in the catalog, but she offered to pull pieces one by one so I could just say yes or no... we settled on something quickly.
Really pleasant vibe during the fitting, major props to the staff.
She was honest, realistic, and helpful. She actually suggested styles that would suit me better than what other shops carry, rather than just trying to push a sale at any cost.
Rating: +3

La Perla—honestly the best shop in town.
The gown quality is top-tier; everything was pristine and bright white.
Staff is lovely, no rushing.
I actually had to look through all the catalogs first... thank God for finally finding a shop where what you see in the book is actually in stock.
Once I picked one, came the fitting.
During the fitting, they were totally real with me. If I thought something looked good, they'd agree; if not, they didn't pretend.
They weren't aggressive about making a sale either.
For certain styles, they straight up told me, "That doesn't really work for you, let's move on," and so on.
Great atmosphere, clean and organized, high-end quality... you feel like you're finally in a luxury boutique where they actually care about the details.
All praise from me. Highly recommend starting your search here if you want to avoid the negative experiences I had elsewhere... which is why I saved this shop for last.

My dress is finally chosen 🙂 👏

I hope you guys find yours too, with way less stress and wandering aimlessly through stores.
🎉

Rating for La Perla: 5!

I’m also looking into this, though if I’m being honest, I don't really get the logic behind it all... for instance, companies like MediaRent and Rabbit Rock are asking for around $4,000-$2000 depending on what you need, whereas lighting outfits like Lolita or Sempre Fi are quoting closer to $1000. It feels like they’re offering basically the same thing, so I guess I have no idea why there’s such a massive gap in pricing. I’m meeting with them soon, so hopefully they can actually explain the discrepancy to me. 😲

amberhawk60 said:Any lighting recommendations? Looking for something decent that won't break the bank... 😉

Does anyone else have experience with The Salon? Just say yes if you do. I was honestly blown away by how kind and welcoming everyone was; it really felt like they were actually putting in the effort... I guess I just have a feeling everything is going to turn out great...