Everything you need for a Midwest wedding

Hey everyone. I just signed up for the new bride-to-be thread, so I figured I’d leave my mark here too 😉. I got the ring 🎉, so consider me officially checked in. The wedding is set for early spring 2013 out in the Midwest (I'm a New Yorker, he's a Midwesterner, and frankly, I have zero interest in some massive, over-the-top blowout 🙂), which gives me plenty of time, but honestly, I haven't the slightest clue where to even start 🤷. How far in advance should I be putting down deposits for a venue or a restaurant? Since we live in Washington, D.C., my first step is scouring the internet before actually heading out to scout locations in person. I'm hoping this group makes things a bit more manageable; right now, I'm flying blind and don't know where to look for anything
.

Welcome to the group, Tyler Campbell59 😁
At this stage, your priority should be nailing down a rough guest count, locking in a venue, and securing your photographer and DJ—once those pillars are set, you can actually breathe. If you get the big stuff out of the way now, you won't have to deal with the mountain of smaller details until about six months before the wedding starts piling up on you.

We’ve finally nailed down the design for the invitations, the favors, and all those little extra details... but can someone please point me in the right direction regarding where that boutique in downtown Chicago is actually located? I’m hoping to hit that shop first since I’ll already be passing through the downtown corridor anyway...
I honestly can't wait to get started on my first favor so I can show you all what I've come up with 😍

Jack Lee5 said:We’ve finally nailed down the design for the invitations, the favors, and all those little extra details... but can someone please point me in the right direction regarding where that boutique in downtown Chicago is actually located? I’m hoping to hit that shop first since I’ll already be passing through the downtown corridor anyway...
I honestly can't wait to get started on my first favor so I can show you all what I've come up with 😍

Once you get into town... just look for the alleyway right across from the farmer's market; the shop you're looking for is the second one down that street. 😁
It's located on the ground floor of a house—and honestly, the ladies running it are incredibly sweet. 😍
The owner is actually a distant cousin of mine, so I used to order bits and pieces and then just drop by later to pick them up... but I'm fairly certain they extend that same warmth to everyone.
If I may offer a bit of advice... the shop itself is quite small. If you spot a shade you love but can't find everything else on your list, don't be afraid to ask if you can peek into the back storage room to rummage around—or just place an order. For instance, I ended up ordering custom ribbons because they didn't have exactly what I needed in stock at the time. 😉

Jack Lee5 said:Welcome to the group, Tyler Campbell59 😁
At this stage, your priority should be nailing down a rough guest count, locking in a venue, and securing your photographer and DJ—once those pillars are set, you can actually breathe. If you get the big stuff out of the way now, you won't have to deal with the mountain of smaller details until about six months before the wedding starts piling up on you.

Thanks 🙂. Honestly, I'm stuck waiting on the headcount. My fiancé isn't exactly rushing the process, and since most of the guests are coming from his side, my hands are tied. I guess I have some breathing room, so I can take it ☕ slow for now.

Taylor Kelly2, do you happen to know if they have those T-type screws for sale in Harkar? I totally forgot to ask when I was there, and now I’m stuck without them. At General Dynamics, they only have $23 about 50 pieces, but I really need 250 🙂
...

I actually put in a request to have this ordered specifically... though I suspect they’ve already added it to their standard inventory by now...

Hey everyone...
I'm looking for a solid band that won't break the bank, because honestly, some of these quotes I've been hearing make me want to cry.
Basically just want someone who plays American rock... preferably avoiding those cheesy wedding bands...
Help !!!

Let me ask this again

Does anyone have a recommendation for a solid photographer who won't break the bank? I just need someone for the ceremony and some shots around the church. They don't need to come to the house or hang out with us after the wedding. It’s a tiny group—only about 15 people, just immediate family and the godparents. Is that even possible to find? The wedding is going to be in White Plains.

Thanks, Taylor Kelly2....I’m hoping I can track down 😁
I should be heading out next Tuesday—fingers crossed... though if anyone needs anything while I'm in town, just let me know, I'll be passing through

Like an American girl, maybe something like this?
http://www.stillband.net/
or
http://www.sax-band.com/index.html

Speaking of which, I’m definitely going to run short on materials for the lapel pins 🙂
I’m going to be short on the greenery too... honestly, I have no idea how we didn't realize we’d be missing more than 30 individual blooms 🙂
But I’ll have to handle it myself—since I need specific ribbons, and I'll have to hunt around based on the sample ribbon I currently have in hand... 🙂

Rachel Miller72 said:Let me ask this again

Does anyone have a recommendation for a solid photographer who won't break the bank? I just need someone for the ceremony and some shots around the church. They don't need to come to the house or hang out with us after the wedding. It’s a tiny group—only about 15 people, just immediate family and the godparents. Is that even possible to find? The wedding is going to be in White Plains.

Just hit up a few photographers and see what they'll charge for a mini-session like that. Your biggest headache might be the timing—if you're looking at spring or fall, everyone is usually booked solid. Honestly, I don't know anyone who's both good and cheap. Photography is huge for me, so whenever I find a style I actually love, the price tag is always way too high. People like Sony Music, Taylor Swift, or Studio 69 are definitely out of my budget.

Hey ladies, I was wondering if anyone here has ever hosted a wedding in Des Moines or maybe over in Slatina? If you have, could you shoot me a DM? So, we just got engaged—he’s from NYC, I’m from St. Louis, and we’re living in New York City now. We haven't quite decided if we want to go big or just keep it somewhat mid-sized, and honestly, when I try to think of venues, my brain just keeps looping back to the same few places... like Walmart, that Duhan spot in Slatina, or Cherry Valley. Then there's that hall in Milan, Tennessee, or that new Lord place in Des Moines. I'm really curious to hear about your actual experiences. I tried Googling the forum for some info, but I couldn't find much of anything 😢

Does anyone know an ultra-reliable dry cleaner in Indianapolis? I need to get a formal dress cleaned, but I'm terrified they'll ruin it (it’s my mom’s dress that basically became mine after midnight 😍)

Thanks for the tip! I think we're leaning towards VOX..🤷 Anyone have the scoop on them? Are they actually any good or 😕

I'm heading to the trade show today and tomorrow. Let's go! 🤣

So, I made it out today 😍
I have to say, I was pretty let down by the lack of local ring vendors—it felt like there was only one shop representing the whole area instead of any real variety from around Indianapolis... 😢
p.s. I actually walked away with some discounts
Fantasy flower atelier 10%
Quattro band Indianapolis 20%
Klara 10% bridal salon (2)
The 2012 ST Collection bridal boutique 30%
plus
a gift voucher from Photo-Joe $167
That’s the situation, ladies... honestly, I’m not even sure if I’ll end up using any of them. 🤷

How disappointing. I was really banking on finding some decent jewelry stores, especially since we're planning to buy rings at the end of the month, and we're heading out 😢
Ugh, I’m eyeing one specific bridal shop, Stephanie Atelier, but I bet their prices are sky-high just because it's a new collection. Honestly, I don't have that kind of wedding budget lying around—if nothing else works out, I'll just order everything online and call it a day. 😁

Wait, isn't that the exact bridal salon where I have my discount applied? The one I mentioned earlier?!
The discount specifically covers the 2012 collection—take a look at the trade show catalog; if you can't find it there, I'll just send over my own copy... 😉