Everything you need for a California wedding

Sam Myers66 said:Hey, can someone who’s actually been there give me the lowdown on Benedict at Ben? I’m seeing a lot of bad reviews floating around, but I can’t quite put my finger on why people hate it so much. Also, what are we thinking for a backup plan if it rains? My biggest worry is the space—I don't think they can actually fit everyone inside. And am I being delusional for planning an outdoor wedding in September? Is it going to be freezing by then, or should I just move it up to August?

All I've heard is the food sucks (and parking can be a nightmare at Ben). Everything else is supposedly insane, though. You'll definitely need some extra lighting for the pine trees and stuff, but the vibe is killer. If it rains, you could just move the buffet inside with high-top tables and leave the rest outside. 🙂

Ps. Just remember how brutal it was on July 15th during the first day of Ultra (about 50 degrees, rain, and wind). Same thing happened one weekend in mid-August, so it's always a gamble.

PSS. For anyone looking at outdoor weddings, a couple recently rented out the summer cinema at Bacvica—just putting that out there if anyone's interested. 😉

Austin Hughes8 said:You talking about those Asian paper ones? Not sure about the legal side, but from what I've seen during dry seasons, I wouldn't touch them with a ten-foot pole. They're unpredictable—one second they're floating, the next they drop or catch fire, and if they land on someone's house or a pine tree, it's game over. You don't need that kind of stress on your party day.

Anyone near San Francisco know of a villa with a pool (not required) available for rent for a party? Maybe 2-3 days in mid-September.

Maybe check Booking or Airbnb.

steelheron10 said:We finally pulled the trigger and booked Joe's Crab Shack in Durham. Prices are super low, the staff seems really chill, and I hear the food is actually great.
Ps. Does anyone have recommendations for flowers or table decor that won't break the bank? Please! Just nothing like Williams Sonoma, I already know them too well.😉

I happen to have an incredibly sensitive stomach... 😁I can say with absolute certainty that their food is perfection... 👍

Regarding the menu at Panj, near Hrvac... We went there to check things out personally. The owners are incredibly polite and welcoming, and since it’s located right by the river, I suspect the food quality is easily twice as good as what you'd find at those typical sandwich shops in San Francisco. However, the atmosphere felt far too rustic for my taste; I didn't find the idea of dining outdoors appealing, so we opted to eat inside. A standard meal comes out to about $35...

EDIT:

Our initial plan was to rent a house with a decent yard somewhere near San Francisco and just bring in an outside catering service. However, nobody was willing to rent out a property for less than a week on such short notice, and the cost would have climbed to roughly $2,200. I’d honestly rather just pay the extra fee and stick with the reservation at Villa California...

Sam Myers66 said:Hey, can someone who’s actually been there give me the lowdown on Benedict at Ben? I’m seeing a lot of bad reviews floating around, but I can’t quite put my finger on why people hate it so much. Also, what are we thinking for a backup plan if it rains? My biggest worry is the space—I don't think they can actually fit everyone inside. And am I being delusional for planning an outdoor wedding in September? Is it going to be freezing by then, or should I just move it up to August?

I was at a party there last September and the weather held up fine. Dinner was outdoors at the restaurant near Lora; it was warm during the day, and once night fell, a light jacket was plenty. They seem to offer both indoor and outdoor options, so you can pivot based on the weather. Honestly, though, the food left me wanting more, but I wasn't paying much attention back then.🤣

What about Gusar? It’s an enclosed setup but right on the coast. You also have Amigos and Joe over in Malibu, which were decent enough.
Just saw online that Joe does waterfront wedding events. I remember being there for a family gathering where the welcome drinks and appetizers were served outside on the beach before we moved everything indoors.

Hey, does anyone have a solid recommendation for a photographer? I’m looking for someone who actually values those raw, spontaneous shots rather than just posing everyone like mannequins. 🤦

George Davis4 said:I was at a party there last September and the weather held up fine. Dinner was outdoors at the restaurant near Lora; it was warm during the day, and once night fell, a light jacket was plenty. They seem to offer both indoor and outdoor options, so you can pivot based on the weather. Honestly, though, the food left me wanting more, but I wasn't paying much attention back then.🤣

What about Gusar? It’s an enclosed setup but right on the coast. You also have Amigos and Joe over in Malibu, which were decent enough.
Just saw online that Joe does waterfront wedding events. I remember being there for a family gathering where the welcome drinks and appetizers were served outside on the beach before we moved everything indoors.

The indoor option at the beach house isn't happening because we're looking at about 120 people and that space won't fit everyone. We're checking out the Rose Bowl restaurant now—I assume that's what you meant when you mentioned Loma Linda—so maybe that's the move. But it loses that vibe I was going for. Still, relying on perfect weather without a backup plan is way too risky.

vividotter12 said:I happen to have an incredibly sensitive stomach... 😁I can say with absolute certainty that their food is perfection... 👍

Regarding the menu at Panj, near Hrvac... We went there to check things out personally. The owners are incredibly polite and welcoming, and since it’s located right by the river, I suspect the food quality is easily twice as good as what you'd find at those typical sandwich shops in San Francisco. However, the atmosphere felt far too rustic for my taste; I didn't find the idea of dining outdoors appealing, so we opted to eat inside. A standard meal comes out to about $35...

EDIT:

Our initial plan was to rent a house with a decent yard somewhere near San Francisco and just bring in an outside catering service. However, nobody was willing to rent out a property for less than a week on such short notice, and the cost would have climbed to roughly $2,200. I’d honestly rather just pay the extra fee and stick with the reservation at Villa California...

Villa California is $4,400 for less than 24 hours just for the empty space (no tables, glasses, lights, or sound...), so the price gap is actually huge 🙂

Joshua Flores17 said:Hey, does anyone have a solid recommendation for a photographer? I’m looking for someone who actually values those raw, spontaneous shots rather than just posing everyone like mannequins. 🤦

http://nikolasmernic.com/blog/2016-a...g-and-learning

Austin Hughes8 said:Villa California is $4,400 for less than 24 hours just for the empty space (no tables, glasses, lights, or sound...), so the price gap is actually huge 🙂

http://nikolasmernic.com/blog/2016-a...g-and-learning

Busy 😢 Anyone else still around? 🤔

Austin Hughes8 said:Villa California is $4,400 for less than 24 hours just for the empty space (no tables, glasses, lights, or sound...), so the price gap is actually huge 🙂

http://nikolasmernic.com/blog/2016-a...g-and-learning

I understand your point, but when you rent a private house, you don't even get the basic essentials required for a wedding. Furthermore, the locations where these houses are situated aren't even remotely comparable to Villa California. You also have to account for finding a property that is secluded enough to allow for an uninterrupted party while still offering a beautiful setting. If that matters to someone, they can find a house out toward Muncie for about $2,500. Unfortunately, California isn't the most accommodating region for this due to the rocky terrain and overcrowding; it would be much easier to organize something like this in Appalachia. In California, isolated properties are mostly luxury estates where a seven-day rental costs... well, a fortune. Any other houses are either right on top of the neighbors or are simply eyesores.

Time to pick our DJ... Most people have been pointing us toward either Smith or Boeing. Anyone here actually worked with them before? How was the vibe? 🤔 I'm grabbing a slice at Joe's Pizza 😉

velvetwolf6 said:Time to pick our DJ... Most people have been pointing us toward either Smith or Boeing. Anyone here actually worked with them before? How was the vibe? 🤔 I'm grabbing a slice at Joe's Pizza 😉

Double Beans is pretty damn stubborn. He just can't help himself when it comes to obsessing over things nobody else gives a single damn about. Plus, that price... $1667 If you ask me, she’s being straight-up rude.

Depends on what kind of music you're looking for. If you need someone with more of an urban vibe—mixing local tracks with mainstream hits—hit me up in my DMs. I've got two solid recommendations for you.

Austin Hughes8 said:Double Beans is pretty damn stubborn. He just can't help himself when it comes to obsessing over things nobody else gives a single damn about. Plus, that price... $1667 If you ask me, she’s being straight-up rude.

Depends on what kind of music you're looking for. If you need someone with more of an urban vibe—mixing local tracks with mainstream hits—hit me up in my DMs. I've got two solid recommendations for you.

The two of us definitely aren't looking for local folk or polka vibes. We're thinking more along the lines of 80s hits—both American and international... classic rock, pop, those timeless tracks, maybe something like 😁. As for whether the guests will actually dig the selection, we'll have to wait and see. Based on the chatter here, it sounds like Smith fits that exact mold. I also saw DJ Khaled bragging about it, but I can't find a single thing about him online—any idea what genre he actually plays??

I’ve been lurking on this forum for two days now, searching for some actual insight, yet nobody seems to mention the Hilton in Smalltown, USA. Does anyone here actually have firsthand experience with them? I’m looking for the truth regarding their service, the event space, and the food quality.
Thanks in advance for any input. ����

Hey, does anyone here have any actual experience with Lane Kovacevic? I stumbled upon her Facebook profile—Lana Make up—and honestly, she looks pretty legit, so I was wondering if anyone has actually sat in her chair before?
Thanks! ⚘

Robert Rogers21 said:I’ve been lurking on this forum for two days now, searching for some actual insight, yet nobody seems to mention the Hilton in Smalltown, USA. Does anyone here actually have firsthand experience with them? I’m looking for the truth regarding their service, the event space, and the food quality.
Thanks in advance for any input. ����

I haven't been there myself, but my boyfriend went recently and he said the food was hands down the worst he's ever had. Honestly, I'd double-check that info somewhere else before you commit.

velvetwolf6 said:The two of us definitely aren't looking for local folk or polka vibes. We're thinking more along the lines of 80s hits—both American and international... classic rock, pop, those timeless tracks, maybe something like 😁. As for whether the guests will actually dig the selection, we'll have to wait and see. Based on the chatter here, it sounds like Smith fits that exact mold. I also saw DJ Khaled bragging about it, but I can't find a single thing about him online—any idea what genre he actually plays??

Dupli has this strict rule where he won't touch country, folk, Jola, Britney Spears, Bulić, Thompson, or anything like that. You couldn't bribe him or talk him into playing that stuff even if you tried, no matter how much cash Auntie from Germany is throwing at him because she just wants to hear one song for the soul, you know? Like some old classic about the Mississippi River or whatever.

That’s actually one of the main reasons couples pick him—besides the fact that it makes sense if you want to put together a solid set and actually get people dancing.

Honestly, Dupli blows me away with his repertoire every single time. It gets to the point where as soon as I get home, I'm ripping some of those forgotten tracks onto a CD just so I can listen to them and feel that wedding energy again.
If you have a gut feeling that there might be a ton of Aunties and relatives (referring to that group I mentioned earlier) who aren't going to be thrilled about the lack of Mate Bulić or Thompson, and you're worried it might spark some drama or a fight, then maybe just go with a different DJ.
Though, from what I've heard, there's an option to book a combo deal with Dupli and another DJ. That way, Dupli handles the old-school hits while the other guy covers the Thompson types.

P.S. I'm really not trying to insult anyone's musical taste here. I'm just writing based on what I've seen, felt, and realized at weddings.
Couples often agree on one specific playlist, but once the guests start drinking (especially the parents), they can become incredibly pushy toward the DJ or the band, begging for all sorts of songs. And yeah, the aggressive ones can even get into actual fights.

casualwolf22 said:Dupli has this strict rule where he won't touch country, folk, Jola, Britney Spears, Bulić, Thompson, or anything like that. You couldn't bribe him or talk him into playing that stuff even if you tried, no matter how much cash Auntie from Germany is throwing at him because she just wants to hear one song for the soul, you know? Like some old classic about the Mississippi River or whatever.

That’s actually one of the main reasons couples pick him—besides the fact that it makes sense if you want to put together a solid set and actually get people dancing.

Honestly, Dupli blows me away with his repertoire every single time. It gets to the point where as soon as I get home, I'm ripping some of those forgotten tracks onto a CD just so I can listen to them and feel that wedding energy again.
If you have a gut feeling that there might be a ton of Aunties and relatives (referring to that group I mentioned earlier) who aren't going to be thrilled about the lack of Mate Bulić or Thompson, and you're worried it might spark some drama or a fight, then maybe just go with a different DJ.
Though, from what I've heard, there's an option to book a combo deal with Dupli and another DJ. That way, Dupli handles the old-school hits while the other guy covers the Thompson types.

P.S. I'm really not trying to insult anyone's musical taste here. I'm just writing based on what I've seen, felt, and realized at weddings.
Couples often agree on one specific playlist, but once the guests start drinking (especially the parents), they can become incredibly pushy toward the DJ or the band, begging for all sorts of songs. And yeah, the aggressive ones can even get into actual fights.

Yeah, even Dupli is pricey on top of everything else, let alone paying for two DJs. 😵 Those kinds of Aunties and relatives are definitely going to be there—so really, the question is whether the two of us will be drunk enough to allow that kind of chaos. It'll be tough, but hey, you never know.
If anyone has another DJ recommendation—someone with Dupli's vibe but who isn't quite so stubborn when things get critical with the crowd 😁

velvetwolf6 said:Yeah, even Dupli is pricey on top of everything else, let alone paying for two DJs. 😵 Those kinds of Aunties and relatives are definitely going to be there—so really, the question is whether the two of us will be drunk enough to allow that kind of chaos. It'll be tough, but hey, you never know.
If anyone has another DJ recommendation—someone with Dupli's vibe but who isn't quite so stubborn when things get critical with the crowd 😁

Maybe the price is staying the same because he brings that other DJ along with him.😉

I've run into that guitarist from Lite Motive stepping in as a DJ a few times before (the guy on the right in this photo: http://cdn.litemotive.com/photos/lit...estivali_9.jpg). The couples seemed super happy with him since he kept the 90s hits flowing, but unfortunately, I don't catch his name.

Someone was asking about DJ Khaled. I might have his number if anyone actually wants it

Robert Rogers21 said:I’ve been lurking on this forum for two days now, searching for some actual insight, yet nobody seems to mention the Hilton in Smalltown, USA. Does anyone here actually have firsthand experience with them? I’m looking for the truth regarding their service, the event space, and the food quality.
Thanks in advance for any input. ����

I stayed there about a year ago. To be blunt, the service was incredibly slow and frankly non-existent, and the food was just okay—nothing to write home about. It wasn't exactly a disaster (unlike our experience at Skyj back in September when we all ended up with stomach issues the next day), but it certainly wasn't impressive either. In my opinion, the hall feels far too massive and sterile. If you're considering it, your best bet is to go see the space in person and try to coordinate a tasting during one of their upcoming weddings, similar to how we did for the couple we were attending...