Everything you need for a California wedding

Amy Evans64 said:I’ve been scrolling through the last few pages of comments regarding tailors, and all I can find is my own post asking about one... so I figured I’d try my luck here instead.

Basically, I’m looking for someone in San Francisco or the surrounding area who could do some alterations on a wedding dress I already bought.
I picked it up in Washington, D.C., and while they do have an in-house tailor, it just doesn't make financial sense for me to trek all the way back to D.C. just for a few tweaks.
I heard about this talented woman from Boise—she actually made a whole wedding dress out of curtain fabric—but the lady she worked for doesn't have her contact info anymore.

If anyone has any recommendations, I would truly appreciate it. Thanks!

Maybe in Arlington?

Noah Wright4 said:Maybe Allure?

That venue was way too small for me. They said they cap it at 220 people.

Hey everyone, just checking in from another hopeless romantic over here!!
I’m trying to figure out if any of the ladies on this forum have actually gone to Monica Sablic for a wedding ring? If you did, were you actually happy with how things turned out?
I’m currently torn between her and Arileo. I’ve got my own gut feeling about it (obviously, I’m totally open to hearing your suggestions/feedback/critiques), but I’d love to know which of these two studios I should prioritize? I’ve heard nothing but glowing reviews for Arileo, but then again, Monica’s portfolio looks pretty killer too... either way, I’ll take any info you guys can throw at me!
👍

Greetings, everyone,

This marks my very first contribution to this thread, though I suspect it won't be my last. 😁

I was wondering if you could all share your personal experiences regarding the various delis and eateries in Sedona (Zillars, Venice, Topic)? Specifically, I'm curious about the overall atmosphere, the quality of the food, and your general impressions.

Thanks!

Steven Lewis14 said:Thanks a lot for this detailed report! In the end, we decided on that new venue in San Diego, even though it's still under construction. Hopefully, they finish up soon.
I see you have some experience, 🙂—do you know if the Euphoria group is any good? (Or maybe some other reliable soul from the forums?) 🙂

Are you thinking about the studio located within the Salon Hotel?? If I recall correctly, the hotel itself isn't slated to open until March 1st, with full operations kicking off by April 1st... and I believe the base menu is priced at around $40 🙂 ..
As for the band, I've caught them playing at a few different parties; they’re decent enough and perfectly pleasant people... I'd say they're a solid choice. 🙂

wiredpuma50 said:Hey everyone, just checking in from another hopeless romantic over here!!
I’m trying to figure out if any of the ladies on this forum have actually gone to Monica Sablic for a wedding ring? If you did, were you actually happy with how things turned out?
I’m currently torn between her and Arileo. I’ve got my own gut feeling about it (obviously, I’m totally open to hearing your suggestions/feedback/critiques), but I’d love to know which of these two studios I should prioritize? I’ve heard nothing but glowing reviews for Arileo, but then again, Monica’s portfolio looks pretty killer too... either way, I’ll take any info you guys can throw at me!
👍

If I'm reading you right, you basically want something custom-made based on your own design, which means you didn't see this specific dress in their current collections, right?!
In my opinion, if that's the case, you'd probably be better off finding a talented local seamstress to whip it up for you rather than heading to a high-end fashion house. When you ask for something outside of their established lines, they tend to charge a premium because it's bespoke work, so you could easily end up dropping an extra thousand bucks just because you wanted something unique.

Now, if you actually saw something you liked at one of their shops but just wanted to tweak a tiny detail, that's a whole different story. From what I've gathered, people rave about Arileo—they're pros and they work fast. As for Monica, I haven't heard much, though nothing bad either; it just seems like fewer people go to her.🙂

mellowviper said:If I'm reading you right, you basically want something custom-made based on your own design, which means you didn't see this specific dress in their current collections, right?!
In my opinion, if that's the case, you'd probably be better off finding a talented local seamstress to whip it up for you rather than heading to a high-end fashion house. When you ask for something outside of their established lines, they tend to charge a premium because it's bespoke work, so you could easily end up dropping an extra thousand bucks just because you wanted something unique.

Now, if you actually saw something you liked at one of their shops but just wanted to tweak a tiny detail, that's a whole different story. From what I've gathered, people rave about Arileo—they're pros and they work fast. As for Monica, I haven't heard much, though nothing bad either; it just seems like fewer people go to her.🙂

The thing is, I honestly have zero clue what I want my wedding dress to look like yet. I thought maybe sitting down with a designer would help us brainstorm a solution together... who knows, I might end up falling in love with one of their actual runway pieces anyway. I've also heard great things about Ariel, but there's basically zero chatter about Monica, so I was just wondering if anyone here has actually worked with her or used her services...

Hey everyone,
I’m looking for some solid recommendations for a band or maybe some folk musicians to play at our reception. We're planning the music for May in Blue.

loneviper34 said:Hey everyone,
I’m looking for some solid recommendations for a band or maybe some folk musicians to play at our reception. We're planning the music for May in Blue.

What I meant to say, obviously, is that the wedding itself is happening this May in Blue. 😵😁

Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone here has actually dealt with a pirate situation out near Benicia in the last couple of years?

Alexander Morgan said:Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone here has actually dealt with a pirate situation out near Benicia in the last couple of years?

I attended a wedding there about two and a half years ago. The setting itself is absolutely stunning—provided you don't mind that the floor is slightly uneven and sloping. However, the food was an absolute disaster, and I know they aren't exactly budget-friendly either (if my memory serves, my friends had to cut one course because it was $45 per person). I can only hope things have improved, though their TripAdvisor reviews are currently abysmal. It’s such a shame, because the atmosphere is truly beautiful...

vividotter12 said:I attended a wedding there about two and a half years ago. The setting itself is absolutely stunning—provided you don't mind that the floor is slightly uneven and sloping. However, the food was an absolute disaster, and I know they aren't exactly budget-friendly either (if my memory serves, my friends had to cut one course because it was $45 per person). I can only hope things have improved, though their TripAdvisor reviews are currently abysmal. It’s such a shame, because the atmosphere is truly beautiful...

They've had a new chef for the last couple of years, so I'm kind of wondering if anyone here has been to a wedding since he took over? Also, I think prices have gone up lately, maybe hitting $55, $65, or even $75 depending on which menu you pick.
The setting is seriously beautiful, but I guess the risk of bad weather and mediocre food 😁 is making me a little hesitant.

Alexander Morgan said:They've had a new chef for the last couple of years, so I'm kind of wondering if anyone here has been to a wedding since he took over? Also, I think prices have gone up lately, maybe hitting $55, $65, or even $75 depending on which menu you pick.
The setting is seriously beautiful, but I guess the risk of bad weather and mediocre food 😁 is making me a little hesitant.

Those were on my list too, but with a 2.5 rating on TripAdvisor... I think I'll pass.

Pick a date in July 🙂 My own wedding is also outdoors (we have a solid backup plan in case it rains, but since we're aiming for around July 22nd, the peak heat of summer, I am genuinely praying for good weather). We once attended a wedding at the Getty Center in June and it started pouring right in the middle of dinner—just a total washout. The only people who complained were the critics; the rest of us just huddled under the covered section with our plates and drinks. We actually had a great time hanging out there for those thirty minutes until the rain let up. A much bigger issue than the brief downpour was how freezing it got; that rain brought a sudden chill with it, even though it cleared up later. Regardless, it was still the most beautiful wedding I’ve ever been to. Having an outdoor setting gives the whole event a more relaxed vibe, especially since the couple designed everything to feel like a big party rather than a stuffy, traditional wedding. 👍

Hi everyone 🙂

Does anyone have recommendations for a hairstylist who doesn't necessarily run a formal salon business but offers mobile services? I'm looking for someone who can come to my house and handle more formal styles for around $12 in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Thanks 🙂

Best,

Hey everyone! I’m on the hunt for a restaurant in San Francisco that can accommodate about 120 guests. We’re really looking for somewhere with a killer view, because we’d be willing to pay the premium to have an officiant come to the venue so we can handle everything in one single spot. Benicia is definitely off the table for us. Right now, the only place even on my radar is Pirate, so I wanted to see if anyone else had some better ideas.

Keith Gomez9 said:Hey everyone! I’m on the hunt for a restaurant in San Francisco that can accommodate about 120 guests. We’re really looking for somewhere with a killer view, because we’d be willing to pay the premium to have an officiant come to the venue so we can handle everything in one single spot. Benicia is definitely off the table for us. Right now, the only place even on my radar is Pirate, so I wanted to see if anyone else had some better ideas.

I'm not totally sure what the absolute max headcount is, so maybe I'm totally off base here, but these places have great views:
Graso Restaurant (you could do the wedding on the terrace or over in Manhattan)
The Plaza (the terrace)
Hilton
The Hilton (the beachside deck)

Jure in Malibu is actually pretty decent too since the beach is right there.
Maybe check out the School of American Ballet area.

Keith Gomez9 said:Hey everyone! I’m on the hunt for a restaurant in San Francisco that can accommodate about 120 guests. We’re really looking for somewhere with a killer view, because we’d be willing to pay the premium to have an officiant come to the venue so we can handle everything in one single spot. Benicia is definitely off the table for us. Right now, the only place even on my radar is Pirate, so I wanted to see if anyone else had some better ideas.

It isn't quite San Francisco, but it’s just a quick ten-minute drive away—check out Nautica in Castel. They have this terrace sitting about twenty meters from the water; the food and service are solid, and they've become quite the hotspot lately. Also, right across from the Pirate, you'll find the Rose Bowl restaurant. They have a terrace too, which might actually be a bit oversized for a group of 120, but it's worth a look—it's a lovely spot surrounded by olive groves and the ocean.

Hey everyone, quick question—does anyone know how the decor situation works for weddings? We’re getting married over in Manhattan, and I’m wondering if the venue handles all the setup themselves or if I need to take care of it. If I have to find someone, what kind of prices am I looking at? Is it super expensive to hire a decorator, and where's the best place to start looking? Thanks in advance!

You really have to pay them to set up the church, I think it’s $67..

Selling my deposit for the Arsenal game in San Diego on June 17th—hit me up in the DMs if you want it.