Everything you need for a California wedding

Justin Wright said:I really need some help here—can anyone recommend a photographer and a wedding band for a wedding in California?
For photography, I’m looking for someone who captures spontaneous moments rather than everything being staged, like the bride just lounging on the bed and stuff like that.🤣
I've heard that Papaya studio in St. Louis is pretty good; does anyone have experience with them??

As for the band, I want something modern that plays international hits. Absolutely no Madonna, Rozga, or that kind of trash. And definitely no loud accordion players either.🤦

I'm hoping you guys can help me out because I honestly don't know anyone in the area...😢

Thanks!🎉

Casey Martinez12 said:Hey there

I'm looking for some recommendations for a wedding DJ. Since I'm currently out on the water, my internet connection is pretty spotty, so I haven't been able to properly comb through the existing threads. Any help would be greatly appreciated, I guess.

Justin Wright said:I really need some help here—can anyone recommend a photographer and a wedding band for a wedding in California?
For photography, I’m looking for someone who captures spontaneous moments rather than everything being staged, like the bride just lounging on the bed and stuff like that.🤣
I've heard that Papaya studio in St. Louis is pretty good; does anyone have experience with them??

As for the band, I want something modern that plays international hits. Absolutely no Madonna, Rozga, or that kind of trash. And definitely no loud accordion players either.🤦

I'm hoping you guys can help me out because I honestly don't know anyone in the area...😢

Thanks!🎉

I’ve been in that exact same headspace before, and honestly, Bonačić was a total lifesaver—they handled everything with such a chill, effortless vibe, yet they were incredibly thorough and didn't miss a single detail.
When it comes to what kind of music we listen to, I guess we just have different tastes. 😁

Michael Harris11 said:Good morning, everyone... 🙂

I just signed up for this forum, so everything here is pretty much brand new to me, but I have to say you guys have been a huge help with picking out venues and all that. I’m getting married next August! We finally settled on the Inno Hall; the price is really reasonable, and Mrs. Miller is such a sweetheart—she's incredibly easy to work with. Plus, the couple gets their room for free, and they're actually expanding the space over the next month, so they'll be able to accommodate up to 350 guests... Since it seems like some of the prices on this forum might be a little outdated or even a bit higher than they used to be, I wanted to share some relatively fresh info I gathered on a few different venues. Let's go through them one by one...

Salo Nautic, Kaštel gomilica... They were actually our top choice, but they’re completely booked up... the only openings left are Fridays and Sundays in October, which just doesn't work for us timing-wise. The lady I was chatting with was incredibly sweet, though; she sent over a proposal via email right away. Prices start at around $45 per person if you have fewer than 150 guests, and it drops to about $42 if you're hosting more than 150. They offer three different menu options, too. If I caught everything correctly, they don't even rent out the venue during August since that's their peak season. You'll need a deposit of at least $200 to lock it in...

The Palace Hotel in Salona... The chairs are $48 apiece. We checked with most of the venues to see if we could serve the roasted meat earlier in the meal—right after the appetizers and soup—and most are cool with it, though they’ll tack on an extra $2 per person. At the Salona venue, they charge you for that change upfront, which bumps the price to about $50. Honestly, that feels like a bit of a stretch... it's weird because they don't charge that extra fee if you serve risotto before the roast, but I can't quite wrap my head around why they do it that way. You have to bring your own alcohol, but they do provide linens for the tables and chair covers in five different colors. The hall itself is absolutely massive and stunningly beautiful, but it’s just a little out of our budget right now... (Deposit— $1667)

Mr. & Mrs., Kaštel Sućurac (at the local fire station)... The gentleman we spoke with was truly lovely. I think prices are going to climb next year—maybe hitting around $40? They also charge an extra $2 premium if you want to change the seating arrangement. We decided to pass on her venue because we don't think it can actually handle 250 people (which is our guest count). It might fit everyone, but they’d have to cram the tables in so tight that there wouldn't be any room left for the dance floor...

Bloom, Mejaš (San Francisco)... There’s a brand new event hall that just opened up, run by a brother and sister duo who are honestly some of the nicest people you'll ever meet. They actually invited us over this past Saturday during their BBQ to check out the layout and even let us sample some of the food... It looks like they can host around 220 guests, and if you're looking at pricing, chairs start anywhere from $40 to $50 depending on which style you go with...

Ino, Kaštel Lukšić... To be honest, I didn't even know this venue existed until I stumbled upon this forum, but ever since then, everyone I've talked to has given it nothing but glowing reviews. As far as the layout goes, it looks perfectly fine—it seems like there’s plenty of room to dance, and it actually feels even more spacious now... But the thing that matters most to me is that everyone raves about the food, and that is absolutely huge for me! I really don't want to invite guests only to end up embarrassing myself, haha :P The deposit is around $450, and the pricing is $35 for a Friday or $37 for a Saturday. They aren't strict about serving the roast right at the start, which is nice, though they probably won't serve soup during the summer, so they charge an extra $1 if you opt for it. Even so, it’s not a big deal at all...

As for the other venues... I haven't even checked out Catherine’s place over in Dugopolj, mostly because I haven't heard two positive reviews in a row about it. Everyone says the venue itself is gorgeous, but apparently, the food is pretty mediocre—they don't put enough on the table, so you practically have to hunt down seconds just to feel full... I went to a banquet at Dolisa once, and honestly, I wasn't a fan of that space at all. Between the number of people squeezed around each table and the overall layout, it felt off. Not to mention, the dance floor was so tiny we were all basically stepping on each other's toes... I haven't looked into Aria or Bolero either (both are in San Francisco), mainly because they both have those low ceilings that give me a bit of a claustrophobic vibe, even if Aria does look nice... And I skipped looking at Sky over at Joker too, since I think their capacity tops out around 200 people, and we're looking at closer to 250...

Regarding the band, we finally made a decision! We're going with Fenix from San Francisco. We actually caught them playing at a party recently and they absolutely blew us away. They have both male and female vocalists, which gives them this cool rock vibe, but they’re super flexible and really respect what the couple wants. Plus, their setlist had a great mix of hits... Their price is 15... $0.00So, the deposit is $1,500. They already sent over their full setlist, so now I just need to go through and pick out the songs I'd rather skip. I actually emailed them about a few specific tracks I’d love to have played at the party, and they seem really easygoing and willing to work with me on it... Oh, and one more thing—they don't play any of that country music!

So, I just started looking into this, and now I'm on the hunt for a solid photographer. Since my boyfriend is from San Diego, we actually need at least two photographers and two videographers. The plan is to have one person stay with him in San Diego and one stay here with me in San Francisco, and then the crew from San Diego can travel over to San Francisco with the wedding party (we’re arranging organized transportation). So far, I've reached out to a few studios—Studio Oak has a starting price of $1,300, but their exclusive package is closer to $2,200, and if I understood them correctly, they charge $6.75/piece for the thank-you cards. Honestly, those prices caught me off guard... are they usually that high? I also contacted that guy Mike from Santa Barbara, but he only does photos, not video. He recommended a videographer named Anthony Weddings who he collaborates with for weddings, but I have a feeling the whole thing would end up costing way too much. Right now, the offer from Omega Photo Studios looks best since they top out at $1,300, but they haven't gotten back to me yet regarding filming at two different locations, so I'm not sure if I'll go with them. Does anyone have any suggestions?

One more thing—those discounts you see at wedding expos, can you still use them if I've already booked my photographers and everything else, or are they only for people who haven't picked anything yet? Thanks in advance for the help!

Michael Harris11 said:Good morning, everyone... 🙂

I just signed up for this forum, so everything here is pretty much brand new to me, but I have to say you guys have been a huge help with picking out venues and all that. I’m getting married next August! We finally settled on the Inno Hall; the price is really reasonable, and Mrs. Miller is such a sweetheart—she's incredibly easy to work with. Plus, the couple gets their room for free, and they're actually expanding the space over the next month, so they'll be able to accommodate up to 350 guests... Since it seems like some of the prices on this forum might be a little outdated or even a bit higher than they used to be, I wanted to share some relatively fresh info I gathered on a few different venues. Let's go through them one by one...

Salo Nautic, Kaštel gomilica... They were actually our top choice, but they’re completely booked up... the only openings left are Fridays and Sundays in October, which just doesn't work for us timing-wise. The lady I was chatting with was incredibly sweet, though; she sent over a proposal via email right away. Prices start at around $45 per person if you have fewer than 150 guests, and it drops to about $42 if you're hosting more than 150. They offer three different menu options, too. If I caught everything correctly, they don't even rent out the venue during August since that's their peak season. You'll need a deposit of at least $200 to lock it in...

The Palace Hotel in Salona... The chairs are $48 apiece. We checked with most of the venues to see if we could serve the roasted meat earlier in the meal—right after the appetizers and soup—and most are cool with it, though they’ll tack on an extra $2 per person. At the Salona venue, they charge you for that change upfront, which bumps the price to about $50. Honestly, that feels like a bit of a stretch... it's weird because they don't charge that extra fee if you serve risotto before the roast, but I can't quite wrap my head around why they do it that way. You have to bring your own alcohol, but they do provide linens for the tables and chair covers in five different colors. The hall itself is absolutely massive and stunningly beautiful, but it’s just a little out of our budget right now... (Deposit— $1667)

Mr. & Mrs., Kaštel Sućurac (at the local fire station)... The gentleman we spoke with was truly lovely. I think prices are going to climb next year—maybe hitting around $40? They also charge an extra $2 premium if you want to change the seating arrangement. We decided to pass on her venue because we don't think it can actually handle 250 people (which is our guest count). It might fit everyone, but they’d have to cram the tables in so tight that there wouldn't be any room left for the dance floor...

Bloom, Mejaš (San Francisco)... There’s a brand new event hall that just opened up, run by a brother and sister duo who are honestly some of the nicest people you'll ever meet. They actually invited us over this past Saturday during their BBQ to check out the layout and even let us sample some of the food... It looks like they can host around 220 guests, and if you're looking at pricing, chairs start anywhere from $40 to $50 depending on which style you go with...

Ino, Kaštel Lukšić... To be honest, I didn't even know this venue existed until I stumbled upon this forum, but ever since then, everyone I've talked to has given it nothing but glowing reviews. As far as the layout goes, it looks perfectly fine—it seems like there’s plenty of room to dance, and it actually feels even more spacious now... But the thing that matters most to me is that everyone raves about the food, and that is absolutely huge for me! I really don't want to invite guests only to end up embarrassing myself, haha :P The deposit is around $450, and the pricing is $35 for a Friday or $37 for a Saturday. They aren't strict about serving the roast right at the start, which is nice, though they probably won't serve soup during the summer, so they charge an extra $1 if you opt for it. Even so, it’s not a big deal at all...

As for the other venues... I haven't even checked out Catherine’s place over in Dugopolj, mostly because I haven't heard two positive reviews in a row about it. Everyone says the venue itself is gorgeous, but apparently, the food is pretty mediocre—they don't put enough on the table, so you practically have to hunt down seconds just to feel full... I went to a banquet at Dolisa once, and honestly, I wasn't a fan of that space at all. Between the number of people squeezed around each table and the overall layout, it felt off. Not to mention, the dance floor was so tiny we were all basically stepping on each other's toes... I haven't looked into Aria or Bolero either (both are in San Francisco), mainly because they both have those low ceilings that give me a bit of a claustrophobic vibe, even if Aria does look nice... And I skipped looking at Sky over at Joker too, since I think their capacity tops out around 200 people, and we're looking at closer to 250...

Regarding the band, we finally made a decision! We're going with Fenix from San Francisco. We actually caught them playing at a party recently and they absolutely blew us away. They have both male and female vocalists, which gives them this cool rock vibe, but they’re super flexible and really respect what the couple wants. Plus, their setlist had a great mix of hits... Their price is 15... $0.00So, the deposit is $1,500. They already sent over their full setlist, so now I just need to go through and pick out the songs I'd rather skip. I actually emailed them about a few specific tracks I’d love to have played at the party, and they seem really easygoing and willing to work with me on it... Oh, and one more thing—they don't play any of that country music!

So, I just started looking into this, and now I'm on the hunt for a solid photographer. Since my boyfriend is from San Diego, we actually need at least two photographers and two videographers. The plan is to have one person stay with him in San Diego and one stay here with me in San Francisco, and then the crew from San Diego can travel over to San Francisco with the wedding party (we’re arranging organized transportation). So far, I've reached out to a few studios—Studio Oak has a starting price of $1,300, but their exclusive package is closer to $2,200, and if I understood them correctly, they charge $6.75/piece for the thank-you cards. Honestly, those prices caught me off guard... are they usually that high? I also contacted that guy Mike from Santa Barbara, but he only does photos, not video. He recommended a videographer named Anthony Weddings who he collaborates with for weddings, but I have a feeling the whole thing would end up costing way too much. Right now, the offer from Omega Photo Studios looks best since they top out at $1,300, but they haven't gotten back to me yet regarding filming at two different locations, so I'm not sure if I'll go with them. Does anyone have any suggestions?

One more thing—those discounts you see at wedding expos, can you still use them if I've already booked my photographers and everything else, or are they only for people who haven't picked anything yet? Thanks in advance for the help!

ironsurfer15 said:Renting a tent is super expensive if you're thinking about a full wedding setup. For 50-100 people, you're looking at maybe $40,000-$15! And then you still have to factor in catering and everything else... 😲
By the way, I'm a bit confused—you said you have a venue, the Gastro place in Jazina? Is that where that Posh bar is now? How many people can fit in there?
Personally, I'm looking at spaces for about 70 people. I'm not a huge fan of big halls; I'd rather find a larger restaurant or somewhere a bit more intimate... Plus, I'm not based in Zadar, so it's pretty tough for me to judge what's good, and getting recommendations on here is tricky 🤷

Jessica Hall34 said:Hey,

Sorry, nobody got back to me for a while because I haven't been checking the group...
Anyway, regarding Gastro near the cave, I'm not sure about the luxury brand one, but I know the cellar is right next door..
For 70 guests, I'd personally suggest Aurora over by St. Peter; I went there for a christening once, and it was really lovely.
But about that tent thing—I'm not sure if someone overcharged you or gave you the wrong info. We found a tent rental that came with everything (tables, benches, silverware, plates, glasses...) for just $6 $0.00 for a 120-person tent... This is for the pre-party at home, right?

It'll be held at "his" place since his house is in Savannah, but I rented a massive house for myself with a cellar tavern and a huge covered terrace out back for $1000 😁

rapideagle33 said:There's a big difference between renting a basic tent for the backyard and a full wedding tent. The latter includes the carpet, flooring, tables and chairs (not benches), lighting, chandeliers, and all those fancy extras a ballroom usually has—those are the kinds of prices you're looking at for a rental.

mellowmarlin28 said:I'm getting married next June.
My photographer is Vedran Vidak. I know a few people he shot at weddings before, and everyone was seriously thrilled with him. People raved about how easygoing and chill he is, and how you can talk through anything with him.
And honestly, what I love most about him is that he isn't the type of guy who's going to push you or say, "Pick me, I'm the absolute best." Instead, he just tells it straight: "If you aren't feeling relaxed with me right now during this photo shoot, then there's no reason to hire me."
I looked into a guy from Studio Oak too, but Vedran ended up being a better deal for me.
One photographer, two videographers, a drone, extra editing for 400-500 photos on a USB, basic editing for 1,300-1,500 photos also on a USB, shooting on the day of and maybe a day or two after (I tried to avoid that, but they talked me into it 🙂), a love story session, a highlight reel of the reception, an hour-long video of the whole wedding (I didn't want one of those 3-hour marathons, that's just useless to me), and a big album for the newlyweds. All of that together will cost us slightly less than $4333. The deposit is about $333.

Jessica Hall34 said:Yeah, you're right, that's a completely different ballgame.

I think ironsurfer15 and I were talking past each other. I actually own the venue, so the tents are just for the reception part, not the whole setup.🙂