Everything you need for a Midwest wedding

Keith Johnson9,
Damir is handling our wedding photos next weekend. We’ve already done three shoots—one at the venue where we’ll be taking portraits, and another for our intro video. So far, everything has been great. Most importantly, he’s super direct and there’s zero confusion about anything. He’s also incredibly friendly; during our first meeting, he told us to just take advantage of his time for any extra shots before or after the big day. He showed us all his albums, piles of photos, and the gear he uses... I'm really happy with what we've done so far 🙂 and yeah, he has some killer lighting options available for an extra fee 🙂

Keith Johnson9 said:Thanks, thanks 🙂

Anyway, Vision Studio is booked up for September 6, 2014. Honestly, though, my obsession with these high-end studios is starting to fade. I can't quite put my finger on why, but it feels like I might be overthinking this and just making my own life difficult. 🤷

Check out Vision Studio... they're affordable and actually pretty good..

coastalbadger86 said:Hey everyone, I could really use some help here... Does anyone know of a folk ensemble that performs both traditional string music and vocal harmonies? I think I saw someone mentioning a group from the Savannah area on a forum once, but I need the actual details—specifically the band's name and how to get in touch with them... 🙂

I'm not sure if they're based out of Savannah, but I know the Skitnica crew (they work with the Bonus Band quite often, if you can't track them down directly).

mellowsurfer41 said:Hey everyone!
Our big day is about 6 months away. I've taken plenty of time to plan this out, so we’re moving slow and steady with the organizing because I really want everything to turn out exactly how we pictured it.
We knew who we wanted for the band right off the bat—Sto Posto Band—and personally, they're awesome. We’ve caught them playing a few weddings before and they’re great 😍. They know their stuff, play whatever you ask, and basically only stop for dinner breaks 😉. The singer has a killer voice, and the female vocalist is pretty solid too 😍. As for the venue, we were hunting through just about every quote out there... Bendek was one option, but when we went to check it out, the waiter was super rude and basically brushed us off when we mentioned our date, kind of like, "What do you want a year in advance?" 🙂 Like, hellooo, most couples book 2-3 months out... It just ticked me off. But they closed down shortly after anyway, so I guess it worked out for the best 😂. In the end, we went with Kopik Restaurant and were blown away by the service and how they run things; you can tell they actually care. Ivanka is lovely and easy to work with on all the details. We'll have around 100 guests, which fits their hall perfectly. Since we're doing a Friday, we got a discount, so dinner will cost us $63 per person, including dessert! The only thing left is the wedding cake; we were thinking about getting it from Babin Greda, but we're still looking. Also, they provide the lighting for $500, and the guy who does it has a Facebook profile, so we can coordinate everything—colors, decor, the whole bit—all within that price. Now for the best part 😉: the dress 😉. I scoured the web for different boutiques and even hit up a bridal expo... Definitely went with Nikolin! The lady there is so sweet and not pushy at all; she actually listens and has patience. I originally just went in to ask about a specific dress I saw on their website; they didn't have it in stock then, but they called me as soon as it arrived. I tried it on and that was it. Love at first sight. I got $233 and $333 off the price, plus I get a bolero or a shawl for the church, hair accessories, a basket for the boutonnieres, and a little dress for the flower girl, plus a ring pillow. So, a huge chunk of stuff is already 😉 sorted. For the photographer, we hired someone from Savannah, Photo Click, $1333 and they seem decent. They also have a Facebook page, and for that price, we get an album, three DVDs with 4 hours of footage, and a thank-you note ranging from 5 to $2.25. We opted for the $2.25 version since we aren't having a massive wedding, so there's no point in overspending. Still need invitations and boutonnieres. We were thinking of Gal Studio—I think they're based in Belišće—they're on Facebook. They're pretty affordable and have a nice selection. Regarding boutonnieres, we're leaning toward badges, which are cheap at Magic Team; they even give a 30% discount for bulk orders.
My godmother is doing my hair (she's a stylist), but I am BEGGING you girls to let me know if you know any good makeup artists. Also, does anyone know where I can go in Indianapolis for that spray tan thing? I'm not allowed to go to tanning salons 😢. And how do you guys feel about spray tans?
Thanks!

$233 Is there a deposit, or what? And how much are their dresses these days? I got mine from them four years ago and was beyond happy with it; their gowns really are one of a kind...

rustyjackal26 said:Just a heads-up: the restrooms are a complete mess. They’re consistently lacking toilet paper and hand towels, too. You might want to have a word with them about keeping things clean and actually staying stocked up...😉

Maybe you just caught them during a bad shift. I went twice in a single year and it was always clean and well-stocked... 🤷

Kevin Nguyen48 said:Keith Johnson9,
Damir is handling our wedding photos next weekend. We’ve already done three shoots—one at the venue where we’ll be taking portraits, and another for our intro video. So far, everything has been great. Most importantly, he’s super direct and there’s zero confusion about anything. He’s also incredibly friendly; during our first meeting, he told us to just take advantage of his time for any extra shots before or after the big day. He showed us all his albums, piles of photos, and the gear he uses... I'm really happy with what we've done so far 🙂 and yeah, he has some killer lighting options available for an extra fee 🙂

Thanks so much for the intel! 🙂

Betty Thompson4 said:Check out Vision Studio... they're affordable and actually pretty good..

I’ve already checked them out. Looking at their shots—there's zero excitement there, let alone any creativity. 🤷 It just didn't hit the mark for me, but thanks for the suggestion! 🙂

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all the helpful info you guys shared.

I just have to say, photographer Ivan Ivankovo is an absolute disaster—just a total zero.

I’ll be doing my video my own way, but what he’s doing is a complete catastrophe. I don't usually like to speak negatively about people, but I really can't recommend Ivan Ivankovo at all.

Best of luck to everyone!

The "Traminac" band from Donji Miholjac.

I’ve caught them playing a few times now. These guys are solid, so I've decided to book them as my backing band. They even have an accordion player... weee 🙂

Price? $333

Please swap phone numbers via private message. M..

Does anyone happen to have a number for Marija Simosic? I tried sliding into her DMs on Facebook... but it's just radio silence so far... 🤷

Does anyone happen to know where else I might be able to find some Orangina bottles? I heard they’re all out of stock at Bijelić’s, and the local coffee shops around here (at least in my neighborhood) don't seem to carry them. There is one specific spot that stocks them, but they charge enough to fund an entire wedding party 🙂

edit: I'm looking to pick up about ten of them

Keith Johnson9 said:Has anyone here worked with Photo Inch out of Indianapolis? Specifically, Damir Korov?

This deal looks like the best value to me:

The Mini Cooper service package includes: $3500

-two separate crews consisting of two videographers and two photographers

* prints ranging from 4x6 to 8x12 inches (color, B&W, or sepia)
* photos organized in a standard leather photo album (B&W) pages
* edited shots using basic filters, presented in (B&W) frames with mats
* all high-resolution photos delivered on a DVD
* coverage at multiple locations

THANK YOU PHOTOS FOR UP TO 50% OF GUESTS

* photos printed on standard quality paper (matte or glossy)

* Full HD video recording + cinematic shots +
steadicam equipment + (VIDEO CRANE if technical conditions permit)
* shooting time lasting until the early morning hours
* full video and audio editing (intro, highlight clips, and wedding ceremony footage, including vows and speeches from the couple and guests...)

* delivery of 5 DVD sets in leather cases + a Blu-Ray disc

* dedicated audio recording and processing
* use of wireless microphones

He does a ton of weddings, so you get a real mixed bag when it comes to reviews—some people think his work is absolutely phenomenal, while others are just completely miserable with the results.

As for me, he did some non-wedding stuff for me a few years back, and honestly? I told myself "never again." It felt like his only real priority was how quickly he could grab the cash and squeeze every last cent out of the client...

🙄

I suppose I should probably say something here... It feels like we’ve all been circling the same drain for a while now. I was sitting there this morning, just staring at my coffee, thinking about how much things have shifted lately. Everything feels a bit more frantic, doesn't it? A bit more rushed. I find myself missing those slower afternoons... back when you could actually breathe without feeling like you were falling behind some invisible clock. Anyway, that's just me rambling. Just a thought... kaže:
Does anyone happen to know if there are any other spots left...? That little Orangina bottle... there was something about it. It’s more than just a drink, really. Just a simple, iconic little thing you'd grab from a fridge at a gas station or a corner bodega... those glass bottles always felt different in your hand. A bit more substantial. I can still picture it sitting on a table back in the day... turns out, some things are just built better than others... Where can I actually find some...? I heard Smith is completely out of stock, and at the local coffee shops around here—well, at least in my neck of the woods—they aren't carrying it at all. There is this one single spot that still has it, but they’re charging enough to fund an entire wedding party... 🙂

I need about ten of them...

If you really can't find any at the local coffee shops... maybe just grab a whole case of soda from a wholesale club like Costco. Then you'll have plenty of bottles on hand... 😉 We were just as sweet as you... It wasn't even that expensive, really. But we definitely paid for it in stress and wasted time... and we certainly had enough to drink... 😛

Keith Johnson9 said:I’ve already checked them out. Looking at their shots—there's zero excitement there, let alone any creativity. 🤷 It just didn't hit the mark for me, but thanks for the suggestion! 🙂

...I don't know... we used them and I was beyond satisfied. Whatever I asked for, they delivered. Obviously, it depends on what kind of vibe the couple is going for—which photos you saw—and how much they paid. If I remember correctly, about four years ago they offered us three different packages, though I'm not sure how things have changed since then. 🤔

I wanted to jump in on the conversation about those orange soda bottles... has anyone actually thought about using the ones from Gatorade? I’ve seen them used at a few weddings lately and they work surprisingly well. At the end of the day, it’s all the same thing anyway—as long as what's inside the bottle is good! 😁 Maybe it would be easier to just source them through local bars or cafes to make collecting them simpler...

dustytinker58 said:I wanted to jump in on the conversation about those orange soda bottles... has anyone actually thought about using the ones from Gatorade? I’ve seen them used at a few weddings lately and they work surprisingly well. At the end of the day, it’s all the same thing anyway—as long as what's inside the bottle is good! 😁 Maybe it would be easier to just source them through local bars or cafes to make collecting them simpler...

I was at a couple of weddings where they served bourbon in those small glass bottles, like the ones you see for premium mixers, and they actually looked really classy...

Hey everyone—does anyone happen to know where I might be able to rent some LARGE round tables around the Midwest? I'm looking for the kind typically used in banquet halls for groups of about 8 to 12 people. 🙂

Also, if you wouldn't mind sharing, I’d love to hear about your experiences renting those smaller, round bar-height tables—you know, the ones for home use or maybe small pop-up tents for when it rains or something.
Where did you guys end up getting them from? And just out of curiosity, how much space do they actually take up indoors?

I was wondering if anyone might be able to point me toward some talented folk musicians from the Indianapolis area or somewhere nearby? I’m in a bit of a bind because things have become unexpectedly complicated with the group I had originally booked for September 14th of this year. I need someone reliable, and I'm looking to keep the cost within $333
.

Keith Johnson9 said:The "Traminac" band from Donji Miholjac.

I’ve caught them playing a few times now. These guys are solid, so I've decided to book them as my backing band. They even have an accordion player... weee 🙂

Price? $333

Please swap phone numbers via private message. M..

They will be providing music for us as well, and my brother is actually playing the accordion, so it is going to be a very lively atmosphere! 🙂

Hannah Moore32 said:

I suppose I should probably say something here... It feels like we’ve all been circling the same drain for a while now. I was sitting there this morning, just staring at my coffee, thinking about how much things have shifted lately. Everything feels a bit more frantic, doesn't it? A bit more rushed. I find myself missing those slower afternoons... back when you could actually breathe without feeling like you were falling behind some invisible clock. Anyway, that's just me rambling. Just a thought... kaže:
Does anyone happen to know if there are any other spots left...? That little Orangina bottle... there was something about it. It’s more than just a drink, really. Just a simple, iconic little thing you'd grab from a fridge at a gas station or a corner bodega... those glass bottles always felt different in your hand. A bit more substantial. I can still picture it sitting on a table back in the day... turns out, some things are just built better than others... Where can I actually find some...? I heard Smith is completely out of stock, and at the local coffee shops around here—well, at least in my neck of the woods—they aren't carrying it at all. There is this one single spot that still has it, but they’re charging enough to fund an entire wedding party... 🙂

I need about ten of them...

If you really can't find any at the local coffee shops... maybe just grab a whole case of soda from a wholesale club like Costco. Then you'll have plenty of bottles on hand... 😉 We were just as sweet as you... It wasn't even that expensive, really. But we definitely paid for it in stress and wasted time... and we certainly had enough to drink... 😛

dustytinker58 said:I wanted to jump in on the conversation about those orange soda bottles... has anyone actually thought about using the ones from Gatorade? I’ve seen them used at a few weddings lately and they work surprisingly well. At the end of the day, it’s all the same thing anyway—as long as what's inside the bottle is good! 😁 Maybe it would be easier to just source them through local bars or cafes to make collecting them simpler...

Thank you all for the suggestions. I think we will ultimately go with the sparkling water bottles; I had been considering either those or small wine bottles, though those little wine bottles are hard to find everywhere, so water seems like the better option. Besides, I would much rather drink water than orange soda—I really don't care for it, nor do I enjoy carbonated drinks, and my husband doesn't drink anything except Coke. I will do a bit more searching, but if nothing else turns up, I'll just pick up a case of sparkling water. 🙂

Ethan Cox5 said:Does anyone happen to have a number for Marija Simosic? I tried sliding into her DMs on Facebook... but it's just radio silence so far... 🤷

I actually have her number right here. She did my makeup just two weeks ago, along with six other girls, and we were all absolutely thrilled with the results. It's likely she didn't respond to your Facebook message immediately because she mentioned that she prefers handling bookings over the phone rather than through social media messages. Could I please ask everyone to exchange phone numbers via private messages instead? Thank you. M.

I’m looking for some solid recommendations for a wedding photographer who can handle a larger crowd—we’re expecting roughly 300 guests. Ideally, I'd love to find someone located within the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area 😁. Also, does one typically need to book these professionals a full year in advance, or is it possible to secure someone just a few months before the big day? Thanks!