Everything you need for a California wedding

Hey, so I’m heading out this afternoon with my boyfriend for an interview at the Rose Bowl restaurant. Any tips on what we should be asking or what red flags to watch out for? This is our first time doing something like this, so I just don't want them pulling any fast ones on us.

Sam Myers66 said:Hey, so I’m heading out this afternoon with my boyfriend for an interview at the Rose Bowl restaurant. Any tips on what we should be asking or what red flags to watch out for? This is our first time doing something like this, so I just don't want them pulling any fast ones on us.

Parking situation, floor plan, sound system, lighting, decor, how they handle decor setup, unlimited drinks all night, desserts, the cake, restroom availability, the deposit, final payment terms, when we need to make a decision, late-night service fees, corkage fees, cake cutting fees if the cake isn't theirs, portion sizes for food and dessert per person, photo ops near the venue, smoking policy, total duration of the event, and any hidden extra costs.

That’s basically the checklist we used. 🙂 Seriously, don't be shy about asking every single thing on your mind. At the end of the day, you're the one paying the bills!

boldtiger12 said:Parking situation, floor plan, sound system, lighting, decor, how they handle decor setup, unlimited drinks all night, desserts, the cake, restroom availability, the deposit, final payment terms, when we need to make a decision, late-night service fees, corkage fees, cake cutting fees if the cake isn't theirs, portion sizes for food and dessert per person, photo ops near the venue, smoking policy, total duration of the event, and any hidden extra costs.

That’s basically the checklist we used. 🙂 Seriously, don't be shy about asking every single thing on your mind. At the end of the day, you're the one paying the bills!

Bravo, awesome, thanks a ton! I wouldn't have even thought of half this stuff, which would've left me paying extra later on.

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 😁

We booked DJ Khaled. Everyone raves about him and he’s handled plenty of weddings before. I can't give you a firsthand review yet, but I'm hoping he kills it. He has a Facebook page and a website, so check him out.

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 can't speak to the venue itself, but I've heard from two different acquaintances who attended separate weddings there that the food was quite disappointing—the meat was dry, and the risotto was subpar...
It might be wise to look into other options.

I’ve been sitting here reading through all these comments about Catherine, but honestly, I was at the reception late last August and everything was actually great. It was a massive party—nearly 400 people—but since the venue was huge and they used those big round tables, you didn't even feel the crowd. The food was delicious with a ton of variety; they had fritters and octopus salad alongside the standard appetizers, which isn't something I see very often. The servers were quick and on top of things, too. Mind you, we ended up at the "uninhibited" table, so whenever we needed something, we just flagged someone down as they passed by. All in all, it was genuinely good, and I didn't hear a single soul complaining about anything—we certainly weren't leaving any plates full. Someone might gripe that the portions aren't over-the-top—they serve it family-style so everyone can take a little bit—but that falls under the "get what you need" category, because we kept getting refills on everything we wanted... from the salad to the lamb, so we weren't complaining. It's hard to judge, though; maybe I actually prefer it this way. I was sitting with five skinny guys who can eat a mountain of food, and us girls don't exactly hold back either, but since not everyone is built like that, it's better to offer seconds than to just waste it. Any extra food that could sit was packed up for the groomsmen to take home.

Gary Reed9 said:I’ve been sitting here reading through all these comments about Catherine, but honestly, I was at the reception late last August and everything was actually great. It was a massive party—nearly 400 people—but since the venue was huge and they used those big round tables, you didn't even feel the crowd. The food was delicious with a ton of variety; they had fritters and octopus salad alongside the standard appetizers, which isn't something I see very often. The servers were quick and on top of things, too. Mind you, we ended up at the "uninhibited" table, so whenever we needed something, we just flagged someone down as they passed by. All in all, it was genuinely good, and I didn't hear a single soul complaining about anything—we certainly weren't leaving any plates full. Someone might gripe that the portions aren't over-the-top—they serve it family-style so everyone can take a little bit—but that falls under the "get what you need" category, because we kept getting refills on everything we wanted... from the salad to the lamb, so we weren't complaining. It's hard to judge, though; maybe I actually prefer it this way. I was sitting with five skinny guys who can eat a mountain of food, and us girls don't exactly hold back either, but since not everyone is built like that, it's better to offer seconds than to just waste it. Any extra food that could sit was packed up for the groomsmen to take home.

Thanks for the input. This is weighing on me because I've heard conflicting reports about their food being either mediocre or downright terrible, so I'm stuck in limbo.
We were there yesterday and the venue itself is stunning, but if the catering is as bad as people say, that's a problem. We’ll have to see if we can arrange a tasting with them first. Paying a premium for a meal that turns out to be subpar doesn't serve anyone's interests, myself included.

That’s probably the smartest move here.

Has anyone here actually eaten at Ruth's Chris in San Mateo?
The decor is decent enough, I suppose, but I have my doubts about the food and the service... I noticed nobody has even mentioned the dining room yet, despite how recently they renovated it.

Now for the wedding dress...
I just got off the phone with David's Bridal, Victoria's Secret, and the bridal boutique in Boise. I am absolutely floored because they all charge for fittings (I’ll have to look into whether that's even legal)!!
Mila $25, Donna Summer is charging $70, and Victoria's Secret is $75--$50 (depending on if you want to try on Berta dresses or not)!!
I still can't believe it—they already charge an arm and a leg just to rent the dresses, they book specific appointments, and then they HAVE THE NERVE TO CHARGE FOR FITTINGS TOO!!!

Steven Lewis14 said:Now for the wedding dress...
I just got off the phone with David's Bridal, Victoria's Secret, and the bridal boutique in Boise. I am absolutely floored because they all charge for fittings (I’ll have to look into whether that's even legal)!!
Mila $25, Donna Summer is charging $70, and Victoria's Secret is $75--$50 (depending on if you want to try on Berta dresses or not)!!
I still can't believe it—they already charge an arm and a leg just to rent the dresses, they book specific appointments, and then they HAVE THE NERVE TO CHARGE FOR FITTINGS TOO!!!

I went to try some things on at Spos in Downtown LA, and look, it’s perfectly legal—you get a receipt and everything—but then I look down and she’s listed under "consulting" on the bill... seriously...
Since I placed my order over the phone, nobody thought to mention a single thing about it, and then, after I’d already gone through the hassle of trying on three different dresses, that woman finally decides to bring it up... honestly, it was just incredibly unprofessional...

I don't know how things work where you live, but down in Downtown LA, those smaller boutiques won't charge you a dime just to try on a dress... they actually let you take pictures if you want to... 😉

The bride was absolutely livid when her maid of honor snapped a photo of her... I mean, honestly, the sheer audacity of it just left everyone stunned... 😵

David Reyes3 said:I went to try some things on at Spos in Downtown LA, and look, it’s perfectly legal—you get a receipt and everything—but then I look down and she’s listed under "consulting" on the bill... seriously...
Since I placed my order over the phone, nobody thought to mention a single thing about it, and then, after I’d already gone through the hassle of trying on three different dresses, that woman finally decides to bring it up... honestly, it was just incredibly unprofessional...

I don't know how things work where you live, but down in Downtown LA, those smaller boutiques won't charge you a dime just to try on a dress... they actually let you take pictures if you want to... 😉

The bride was absolutely livid when her maid of honor snapped a photo of her... I mean, honestly, the sheer audacity of it just left everyone stunned... 😵

What kind of logic is it to ban photography? It drives me insane. I’m the type of person who’s going to second-guess every single decision, and I want a photo to look back on. These aren't even their own designs, so what are they protecting? Everything is online anyway. 😡

To be quite specific, someone from my immediate family worked at the Marriott, so I am writing this based on both my own direct experience and the perspective of the newlyweds. Personally, I don't mind if there is less food available on the buffet stations—that is easily rectified by bringing more out—but in my view, it is utterly unacceptable to have to ask three separate times just to get water because the waiter keeps forgetting. The wedding party was particularly bothered by the fact that certain guests were charged for hard liquor, despite it being explicitly stated that all such expenses would be presented to the couple for final settlement. They even attempted to act coy by not packaging the leftover food, but the parents insisted that it belonged to them.
As for me, I am not a fan of comedy, though I suppose that is a matter of personal taste. The food itself was incredibly bland and uninspired, though no one is claiming you can't opt for higher-end catering options for an additional fee. I personally had a perfect meal at Skyj, yet just a few months later, the quality had become catastrophic, and I am not exaggerating. I find it hard to believe that such a decline is simply due to the chef's mood...

If you want to sample the food, you can simply attend a wedding; there is certainly no issue with doing so.

Sam Myers66 said:What kind of logic is it to ban photography? It drives me insane. I’m the type of person who’s going to second-guess every single decision, and I want a photo to look back on. These aren't even their own designs, so what are they protecting? Everything is online anyway. 😡

I was thinking the exact same thing, though I knew from the jump I was going to end up spending a fortune so I didn't let it get to me as much, but I totally agree and completely understand that if you're dropping that kind of money, you want a photo so you can stare at it 150 times a day just to be certain you made the right call 😁

And their excuse is exactly what you mentioned—claiming they need to protect their intellectual property, which is just laughable...

But if you ask me, those little mom-and-pop shops around here don't pull that nonsense just for show...😵

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 have a bit of a cautionary tale to share, based on a very close family member's recent experience... we were looking at a wedding for roughly 250 guests. To start, the appetizers were perfectly fine—the charcuterie and cheese were decent enough, though certainly nothing to write home about, which wasn't exactly what we were expecting. However, the French onion soup was absolutely abysmal; it was incredibly sour and had this strange, unpleasant aftertaste that really didn't belong in a dish. We also had about 20 children in attendance who don't typically eat much, and unfortunately, there wasn't even any risotto available as a backup option. As for the main course, the beef stew was so acidic it was practically inedible. At this point, the groom is absolutely livid and is demanding to speak with the person in charge. A certain lady in black (if you’ve been there, you know exactly who I mean) simply brushed him off, claiming she was too busy with the rush to talk. The roast was just as disappointing; the meat tasted old and was poorly cooked. You would naturally assume that for the head table, they’d serve the finest cuts, but that was far from the case here. By the next morning, the groom was understandably furious. Since several guests don't live nearby, we had arranged for a block of rooms at a discounted rate so people could rest before heading home, especially since the hotel was nearly empty following the wedding the night before. However, when guests arrived at the front desk for check-out, they were charged the full standard rate instead of the agreed-upon price. When people tried to resolve this, they were told by someone over the phone that the previous arrangement had been completely disregarded, and everyone was expected to pay full price. The groom, rightfully incensed, refused to let his guests be overcharged, especially after being served such revolting food the night before. Her response? And I quote: "Then sign this stating that's what you agreed to, so I know how much I can sue you for." It was truly the bottom of the barrel. Perhaps some people had a pleasant time there, but in my estimation, they are utterly disgraceful. About a week later, a man called the groom—having heard whispers about the situation because he’d held his own wedding there a few months prior—to ask for details, as he is currently in legal proceedings with that same woman.

Robert Rogers21 said:Has anyone here actually eaten at Ruth's Chris in San Mateo?
The decor is decent enough, I suppose, but I have my doubts about the food and the service... I noticed nobody has even mentioned the dining room yet, despite how recently they renovated it.

I can say with absolute certainty that their veal medallions in mushroom sauce served with potato croquettes were quite possibly the finest meal I have ever had at a banquet in any venue imaginable. I’ll be attending another event there in just three weeks, and frankly, I don't intend to eat anything the day before just so I can fully enjoy it. Both the cuisine and the service are truly top-tier.

Nathan Watson2 said:I have a bit of a cautionary tale to share, based on a very close family member's recent experience... we were looking at a wedding for roughly 250 guests. To start, the appetizers were perfectly fine—the charcuterie and cheese were decent enough, though certainly nothing to write home about, which wasn't exactly what we were expecting. However, the French onion soup was absolutely abysmal; it was incredibly sour and had this strange, unpleasant aftertaste that really didn't belong in a dish. We also had about 20 children in attendance who don't typically eat much, and unfortunately, there wasn't even any risotto available as a backup option. As for the main course, the beef stew was so acidic it was practically inedible. At this point, the groom is absolutely livid and is demanding to speak with the person in charge. A certain lady in black (if you’ve been there, you know exactly who I mean) simply brushed him off, claiming she was too busy with the rush to talk. The roast was just as disappointing; the meat tasted old and was poorly cooked. You would naturally assume that for the head table, they’d serve the finest cuts, but that was far from the case here. By the next morning, the groom was understandably furious. Since several guests don't live nearby, we had arranged for a block of rooms at a discounted rate so people could rest before heading home, especially since the hotel was nearly empty following the wedding the night before. However, when guests arrived at the front desk for check-out, they were charged the full standard rate instead of the agreed-upon price. When people tried to resolve this, they were told by someone over the phone that the previous arrangement had been completely disregarded, and everyone was expected to pay full price. The groom, rightfully incensed, refused to let his guests be overcharged, especially after being served such revolting food the night before. Her response? And I quote: "Then sign this stating that's what you agreed to, so I know how much I can sue you for." It was truly the bottom of the barrel. Perhaps some people had a pleasant time there, but in my estimation, they are utterly disgraceful. About a week later, a man called the groom—having heard whispers about the situation because he’d held his own wedding there a few months prior—to ask for details, as he is currently in legal proceedings with that same woman.

😱
That is terrible. :/

David Reyes3 said:I went to try some things on at Spos in Downtown LA, and look, it’s perfectly legal—you get a receipt and everything—but then I look down and she’s listed under "consulting" on the bill... seriously...
Since I placed my order over the phone, nobody thought to mention a single thing about it, and then, after I’d already gone through the hassle of trying on three different dresses, that woman finally decides to bring it up... honestly, it was just incredibly unprofessional...

I don't know how things work where you live, but down in Downtown LA, those smaller boutiques won't charge you a dime just to try on a dress... they actually let you take pictures if you want to... 😉

The bride was absolutely livid when her maid of honor snapped a photo of her... I mean, honestly, the sheer audacity of it just left everyone stunned... 😵

I went through the exact same thing, though mine was at Victoria's Secret... I mean, it's not like anyone's gonna die over $25, but it was honestly ridiculous that Bertha $50 was there while everything else was just $75... and that was just for the fitting, nothing else...
So I just headed straight over to Victoria's Secret Sirok Brijeg instead. Their selection is easily three times bigger than what we have here, and I actually found my dress... plus, even if I hadn't bought anything, they wouldn't have tried to charge me some random "consultation fee" or whatever...

Just wanted to weigh in on that Marriott in a small town in USA:
we stayed there recently,
and honestly, it was easily my worst experience regarding tiny portions and
terrible food quality.
From the ingredients to the prep and the flavor, everything just missed the mark.
The lamb was cold, the beef stew wasn't even close to being right, and the French dish—like someone else already mentioned—was a disaster...
The service (the speed of the servers, for instance) was actually flawless.
I don't know what they charge for a seat, but it should be waaaay lower
to justify such mediocre food.👎
It’s basically a "take it or leave it" situation; if you don't like them, I guess you just have no other options given how busy they are.

I could use some advice regarding bakeries—specifically for a wedding cake:. Location is San Francisco.
We're looking for a specific shape, which shouldn't be an issue,
but the prices are absolutely terrifying 🙂
Like, over $1.00 or $3,500 per cake-
so I reached out to some larger bakeries like Zenith.

Please, give me some tips on how to save my budget 😵

Megan Bishop3 said:Just wanted to weigh in on that Marriott in a small town in USA:
we stayed there recently,
and honestly, it was easily my worst experience regarding tiny portions and
terrible food quality.
From the ingredients to the prep and the flavor, everything just missed the mark.
The lamb was cold, the beef stew wasn't even close to being right, and the French dish—like someone else already mentioned—was a disaster...
The service (the speed of the servers, for instance) was actually flawless.
I don't know what they charge for a seat, but it should be waaaay lower
to justify such mediocre food.👎
It’s basically a "take it or leave it" situation; if you don't like them, I guess you just have no other options given how busy they are.

I could use some advice regarding bakeries—specifically for a wedding cake:. Location is San Francisco.
We're looking for a specific shape, which shouldn't be an issue,
but the prices are absolutely terrifying 🙂
Like, over $1.00 or $3,500 per cake-
so I reached out to some larger bakeries like Zenith.

Please, give me some tips on how to save my budget 😵

Maybe My Cookies in the suburbs?