Everything you need for a California wedding

Is it actually true that you get massive portions out in California, or is that just a thing in certain cities...

Do they serve individual plates, or is it more of a family-style situation with big pots and bowls hitting the table? Honestly, it depends—down in California, they usually set out two large platters for a table of about ten people. Sometimes the servers top things off if they notice a dish is running low, though other times you actually have to flag someone down to get more. They tend to clear away the dirty plates after every course and bring out clean ones while the dance block is happening, then food comes back out once the dancing wraps up. I haven't been to a wedding there where everything was plated individually, but I did attend one in Washington, D.C.—it was at some fancy estate outside the city—where we were served on actual plates.

There’s plenty of room for interpretation here, so it's entirely possible there are crowds who just get plated portions without all the communal platters and bowls.

Thanks to everyone for providing such detailed information 🙂
It seems we can reasonably conclude that the Midwest is a bit more budget-friendly based on what we know—though that’s just our current perspective—and as for finding accommodations near the mountains, that's a definite possibility... We just still have this "minor" dilemma regarding where exactly we are going to 😁

I could use some advice regarding venue selection. Since I can't settle on just one Pirate-themed spot, does anyone have other recommendations that offer a similar vibe and capacity? I am specifically trying to avoid those cookie-cutter banquet halls like the Hilton or the Marriott.

Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone could give me a ballpark idea of what fireworks cost for a wedding?
If anyone has used a specific vendor before, I'd love some recommendations too.
Thanks in advance!

Hey, I was wondering if anyone here knows about renting a car for a quick trip, maybe just for a few days or something... if you guys have any leads, what kind of prices are we looking at lately, and who would you actually recommend using?

Hey everyone!
Thanks for letting me vent and sharing your advice. You guys have already helped a ton, but I’ve still got a few things weighing on me.

The wedding is at the end of October. Between the threat of another COVID wave and the fact that it’s basically monsoon season here, plans could go south fast. We were planning on an outdoor reception by our place near the Colorado River, but if it pours, we’re totally screwed. Most catering companies aren't going to deal with all that mud and chaos...

Anyone have ideas for a backup venue just in case? I feel like it would be easier to talk to a local cafe or bar rather than a full restaurant, since most places won't let outside catering come in, and we really need that catering option for the outdoor setup.

The church is out in the outskirts of San Francisco, but the hall is downtown in San Francisco, so I'm looking at spots like maybe suburban areas or closer to the coast so people don't have to drive forever. Honestly though, San Francisco and the surrounding area should work fine.

Second question—has anyone worked with the Student Union? They have some pretty good deals on their menu right now, and the ‘hall’ is massive. If you don't mind getting married in a college cafeteria XD, we could save a lot of money on decor, but I keep crossing things off my list, so I'm thinking about switching venues entirely...

You could always rent a tent with flooring, though that’s definitely going to hit your budget a bit harder...

I went to a wedding at the Student Union once and it was alright, but since classes start back up in October, I'm not really sure if they even keep the venue open for weddings by then...

Matthew Kim88 said:You could always rent a tent with flooring, though that’s definitely going to hit your budget a bit harder...

I went to a wedding at the Student Union once and it was alright, but since classes start back up in October, I'm not really sure if they even keep the venue open for weddings by then...

Yeah, renting a tent with a floor for just a few hours? Total waste of cash. Especially for an outdoor wedding...

Wow, you guys are actually the first people I've heard of who've had a wedding there! If you don't mind, give me the scoop. I was low-key stressed because I didn't have any info on the catering, and my whole family is super picky—they won't touch cold lamb... Plus, I felt like the space was way too massive. Worried the vibe would just totally dissipate?? I mean, that depends on the crowd, obviously, but it's hard to picture a party in a place with nothing but bare walls and pillars...
The guy from the Student Center told us that since there aren't many students hanging out in that wing, the insulation is fine, and noise shouldn't be an issue...

Where do you guys usually pick up cakes and pastries (not looking for wedding stuff) and what
is the price range like these days?

Mark Cruz said:Yeah, renting a tent with a floor for just a few hours? Total waste of cash. Especially for an outdoor wedding...

Wow, you guys are actually the first people I've heard of who've had a wedding there! If you don't mind, give me the scoop. I was low-key stressed because I didn't have any info on the catering, and my whole family is super picky—they won't touch cold lamb... Plus, I felt like the space was way too massive. Worried the vibe would just totally dissipate?? I mean, that depends on the crowd, obviously, but it's hard to picture a party in a place with nothing but bare walls and pillars...
The guy from the Student Center told us that since there aren't many students hanging out in that wing, the insulation is fine, and noise shouldn't be an issue...

Wait, I just realized I posted this in the California thread... I wasn't actually in California at the Student Union, I was just at the restaurant near the Student Center where they don't have students sleeping nearby.😬

Hi everyone! I'm looking for some solid recommendations for wedding vendors. Specifically, I need help finding a good venue, bands, photographers, videographers, catering, dessert shops, florists, and lighting pros. Also, if anyone knows where to go for hair and makeup, please let me know—basically, anything else I might have missed here.

The plan is to host a smaller reception, probably under 100 guests. We’re looking at the Savannah area, so I'd love suggestions for places near San Francisco or maybe stretching out toward Charleston.
I'm also hoping to find options that are a bit more budget-friendly.

And yeah, the real headache is figuring out where to put about 27 guests during the peak summer months next year. If anyone has any leads on affordable accommodations, I'm all ears.

Hey, can anyone reach out who’s held a wedding at Our Lady of Prizidnica on Manhattan Island? We’re from a different parish, so I’m looking for some firsthand experiences or advice. Thanks.

Roger Young8 said:And yeah, the real headache is figuring out where to put about 27 guests during the peak summer months next year. If anyone has any leads on affordable accommodations, I'm all ears.

So, check out Hotel Salon over in San Jose (run by Dolis). They’ve got a wedding hall right inside the hotel, and I'm pretty sure they throw in some discounts on rooms for the wedding party—plus, I know the newlyweds usually get their stay for free.

With this whole pandemic mess going on, our numbers for October 17th just tanked from 250 people down to 50. Honestly, I don't see the point in hoping things improve anytime soon. Even if they lift the restrictions, everyone’s still too scared to move... let's just pray we can claw back some of those deposits.

So now we're scouting for a restaurant near San Francisco... if anyone has any leads, let me know 🙂 🙂 🙂 We're looking for somewhere with outdoor seating, but we definitely need an indoor backup if the weather turns sour. Argola looks pretty nice, but I can't find anything online about how many people they can fit inside.

Hey there!
I’ve been scrolling through most of the posts in this thread, and honestly, there is such a wealth of great info and advice here—but let's be real, a lot of it feels pretty outdated now since band lineups, pricing, and everything else have shifted so much. So, I’m reaching out to see if anyone can give me the latest scoop.
The big day is happening in San Francisco in October 2021, and right now, I’m on the hunt for both a band and a photographer. I’d love to hear about your actual experiences—specifically regarding whether vendors actually stick to their word, how long the sets usually last, how long you have to wait to get your photos back, what the damage to the wallet looks like, and all that good stuff.
For the music, I’m looking for a classic wedding band—you know, the kind that plays fun, high-energy party music and maybe some crowd favorites—but I need people who are professionals and won't pivot into something totally off-brand, like a weird tribute act for Nadal or playing nothing but Thompson all night. As for the photography, I’m strictly looking for a photographer, not a video combo, and someone who doesn't go overboard with the editing. I really want a natural look—minimal Photoshop and zero heavy filters, please.

If you're looking for a good photo, I guess Max B might be able to point you in the right direction.

Hey everyone. If anyone’s been to the Mr & Mrs hall over in Sucre lately, I’d love to hear your thoughts on how it felt—the vibe, the food, and how the service held up.
I'm also looking for some insight on the Aria hall in San Francisco.

Thanks a lot.

Heads up—Campus is running a 20% discount on wedding receptions right now! They still have some dates available, and you can snag the deal if you book your big day for sometime this year, as long as you get that reservation in by April 1st, 2021.