Everything you need for a Midwest wedding

Oh, I totally get that tradition too. My mother-in-law actually let me pick out my own necklace, bracelet, and earrings—but honestly, I’m not even wearing those on the wedding day. Instead, I'm going with my mom's necklace, my grandma's bracelet, some earrings from my MIL, and a ring from his grandmother... and everyone is perfectly happy with that! 🙂

Gregory Price11 said:Thank you... I actually looked around there as well, and I ended up being most satisfied with their collection. Because of that, I think I'll be getting mine from them too. I really did try to shop everywhere, but their selection is truly massive and just superior to the rest. Did you decide on white gold or yellow gold? Personally, I'm leaning toward white gold—I just find it much more aesthetically pleasing. 😵

White gold is the standard. I've never had any interest in the look of yellow gold. 😬

Joe, look, it’s just one of those traditions, you know? I’m planning on wearing my jewelry because my mother-in-law actually gave me some cash for it, so I went ahead and picked out a necklace, some earrings, and a bracelet all by myself a little while before the wedding. I’m going to rock them on the big day, but honestly, it's mostly because I am absolutely obsessed with how they look. If it weren't for that, I probably wouldn't even bother.

placidnomad94 said:Hillary, I wanted to join the conversation too; my date was September 18, 2010. I'm planning a smaller wedding with fewer than 100 guests in Bend, and now I find myself needing help finding a photographer... local prices in Columbus are getting a bit out of hand, so if anyone has a recommendation that won't break the bank...

I've heard of Vinko Photography out of Springfield. $1500, they're actually great. We didn't end up hiring them for our big day, but a friend of mine whose partner works in the industry did

Matthew Foster66 said:Just wanted to drop a quick tip here—this might be useful for someone! There’s this little boutique over in Kansas run by a lovely woman where you can find absolutely everything at incredible prices. For instance, those large satin bows they have? You can grab $6.75 10 pieces for a steal. And the decorative rose accents for cakes are just $0.83 a piece. They also carry ribbons, floral accents, and pretty much any other embellishment you could dream up. It is definitely worth making the trip!

If you head down to the main aisle, everything is even more affordable. The bows are down to just $1.20, and pretty much everything else follows suit. Plus, if you need something custom-made in a specific color just for you, they will happily whip it up!

rowdypanther16 said:Joe, look, it’s just one of those traditions, you know? I’m planning on wearing my jewelry because my mother-in-law actually gave me some cash for it, so I went ahead and picked out a necklace, some earrings, and a bracelet all by myself a little while before the wedding. I’m going to rock them on the big day, but honestly, it's mostly because I am absolutely obsessed with how they look. If it weren't for that, I probably wouldn't even bother.

I mean, I wasn't even planning on this. I honestly didn't expect to get anything, since whenever my mother-in-law goes shopping, she picks up stuff like coral or Murano glass... I really wasn't counting on this at all. But since I actually like the jewelry, I guess I might wear it. Maybe it's also a way to show respect to her, since she's been such a huge help to us. Maybe I'll dedicate one little detail of the wedding to her... 🤷 I don't know, honestly. 😕

Joe everyone, does anyone know where I can pick up some desert glass bottles? And I mean, like, in bulk...

rowdypanther16 said:I actually know this one acquaintance who decided to rent her wedding dress from a shop in Nikoline. By the end of the night, she had completely shredded the hem—it was this delicate lace thing—and the whole gown was absolutely caked in mud. But you know what? She just paid the rental fee like everything was totally fine and walked away. 😁 No extra charges, nothing.

Thanks, I feel much more at ease now. I actually went with Stephanie 😍

Greetings, everyone!

I am currently looking for some reliable vendors who can cover the area between Chicago and St. Louis for:

-wedding dress rentals
-florists
-photographers
-live bands

🙂

Please share any Proposals & recommendations you might have! 😁

David Fox43 said:Greetings, everyone!

I am currently looking for some reliable vendors who can cover the area between Chicago and St. Louis for:

-wedding dress rentals
-florists
-photographers
-live bands

🙂

Please share any Proposals & recommendations you might have! 😁

Here are my proposals & suggestions:

1Regarding wedding dresses... You really have so many options when it comes to where to shop. Between Isabella, Nicholas, Lisa, and Leah—plus checking out the selection at Cipelić near that Pizza Hut, or even stopping by Lilly M.—there is just so much to see. To be honest, I went wedding dress hunting with a friend last week, and we actually only found something we both liked at Isabella. It’s funny how that works; we all have such different tastes, which makes it a little tricky to suggest specific places to anyone else. For instance, my friend was absolutely head over heels for the Pronovias collection—they truly have stunning gowns. On the other hand, the Maggie Sottero pieces over at Lisa's didn't really do it for her... I suppose it just wasn't quite her style. Anyway, you should probably go take a look for yourself!
2. I suppose I should probably mention that I’ve been spending quite a bit of my free time lately tending to the flower shop. It’s become a bit of a passion project of mine, honestly! There is just something so incredibly peaceful about working with greenery and blooms; it really helps clear the mind after a long day. I might be getting a little carried away with all the different varieties I'm trying to cultivate, but I think it’s worth it. It’s a small thing, I guess, but it brings so much color into my life. I honestly have no idea, but I suppose we could head over to Bonsai and take a look; I've heard they're actually quite decent.
3. Photographer Ivan Mijić, Oliver Olanović, PhotoTop, Daniel, Photo Tref
Oliver Olanović— If you're looking for some inspiration regarding photography services, I highly recommend checking out the work over at http://www.artstudio-oliver.com/. It’s worth a look if you want to see some really high-quality professional shots! Maybe you could also take a look at the photos on Facebook? There are quite a few posted there.
Ivan Mijić - www.mijić.com
PhotoTop - PhotoTop
Photo Tref— www.phototref.com
4. Band It really just comes down to what kind of vibe you're looking for... personally, I think the Svirci are great, but you might also like the Brava Band, Krijan, or even the Blitz Band. It’s all about your own taste, I guess! 👍 I haven't actually heard Brava Band play before, but I've heard some really great things about them!
5. Makeup application. I heard from Daria that Martimex actually has some talented girls on the side who specialize in makeup artistry, and apparently, they’re quite good at what they do. As for me, I decided to go with Martimex. $33They’re actually offering free makeup trials—well, specifically for anyone getting their makeup done by them. Honestly, it doesn't really matter if you're the bride or not; I'm just the maid of honor, yet I still get my makeup done for free, which I think is pretty wonderful. Just a little heads-up, though: they don't apply individual lash extensions, they just focus on the makeup itself. That’s not a huge deal for me, I suppose, since I’m planning on having my lashes done earlier at Livia anyway.
6. Invitations, thank-you notes, chair covers, and all that good stuff... : Check out www.invitations.com!
7. Tent? I suppose if we're talking about outdoor setups or temporary structures, there's a lot to consider depending on what you're planning. Whether it’s for a backyard party or a camping trip out in the Rockies, choosing the right gear makes all the difference. I guess it really comes down to how much protection you need from the elements! Gala tents.
8. Regarding the catering arrangements, I’ve been giving it quite a bit of thought lately. It’s one of those elements that can truly make or break the entire atmosphere of an event, don't you think? If everything flows smoothly and the food is actually delicious, it sets such a wonderful tone for the rest of the celebration. I suppose my main concern is finding that perfect balance between variety and quality. I’m leaning towards a menu that offers a few really standout, high-quality options rather than just a massive spread of mediocre dishes. Maybe focusing on seasonal ingredients or a specific regional style could work well too? I haven't quite decided on a direction yet, but I feel like having a cohesive theme might help tie everything together beautifully. It seems like there are so many directions we could take—from a more formal sit-down dinner to something a bit more relaxed and social. I guess it all depends on the overall vibe we want to cultivate. I'll likely spend some more time looking into local caterers and perhaps requesting a few tastings before making any final calls. It's probably best to be a little extra cautious here to ensure everything is just right.Regarding Matičević and Grozd: Here is what I have on Matičević: http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php...00000697124889 Please disregard the pink color.
9. I suppose I should probably touch upon the subject of lighting. It’s one of those things that people often overlook during the planning stages, but I truly believe it makes all the difference in the world when it comes to setting the right mood. Maybe it's just my way of looking at things, but I feel like if you don't get the ambiance just right, even the most beautiful setup can end up feeling a bit flat or uninspired. I've been thinking quite a bit about how much the quality of light influences our perception of a space. It's almost subtle, isn't it? You might not notice it immediately, but then you realize that the warmth or coolness of the glow completely changes how you feel in the room. I guess what I'm trying to say is that we should perhaps be a little more intentional about it. It might seem like a small detail, but in my opinion, it really is the finishing touch that pulls everything together beautifully.: http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php...00000504890903

swiftcrane722 said:I've heard of Vinko Photography out of Springfield. $1500, they're actually great. We didn't end up hiring them for our big day, but a friend of mine whose partner works in the industry did

Respect to them, but they are $500 pricier than plenty of superior photographers in the Midwest... personally, they aren't the worst, but they are definitely at the bottom of my list of people I would actually hire. To each their own, I suppose.

Angela Davis74 said:White gold is the standard. I've never had any interest in the look of yellow gold. 😬

Well, it isn't my personal preference either, which is why I am asking. 🙄 Oh, one more quick question—are the most basic ones smooth, or do they have an engraved design? 🤷

They aren't smooth. There's a half-millimeter rim on each side that's polished, while the center has an icy matte finish. You can find a photo of it on the wedding ring page... just look there. If you need anything else, let me know.🙂

Angela Davis74 said:They aren't smooth. There's a half-millimeter rim on each side that's polished, while the center has an icy matte finish. You can find a photo of it on the wedding ring page... just look there. If you need anything else, let me know.🙂

Ah, I see what you mean. I follow your logic there. 🙂 Thank you so much...👍 Does engraving come included in the price, or is that an additional charge? I know they offer free resizing, but I wasn't quite sure about the engraving part.🤷

swiftcrane722 said:I've heard of Vinko Photography out of Springfield. $1500, they're actually great. We didn't end up hiring them for our big day, but a friend of mine whose partner works in the industry did

Greetings... honestly, if you look at photographers in the Chicago area, their rates tend to be much more affordable than what you'll find in St. Louis. For instance, Photo Brzica is $1333, though keep in mind the deposit is $167. Personally, I found them to be fantastic since I hired them myself. You might also want to look into Photo Zoom; their pricing is hovering right around the $4,000 mark, which is pretty similar to Photo Ilija. It really pays to just reach out and ask some questions first...😲

Gregory Price11 said:Greetings... honestly, if you look at photographers in the Chicago area, their rates tend to be much more affordable than what you'll find in St. Louis. For instance, Photo Brzica is $1333, though keep in mind the deposit is $167. Personally, I found them to be fantastic since I hired them myself. You might also want to look into Photo Zoom; their pricing is hovering right around the $4,000 mark, which is pretty similar to Photo Ilija. It really pays to just reach out and ask some questions first...😲

Neither Ilia nor Zoom are $1333. Unless they hiked their prices recently, I paid Zoom $3,000 plus extra for the thank-you card photos. Everyone is hovering around the $3,000 mark.
Generally speaking, everything is cheaper in a smaller Midwestern city than in a major hub like Chicago.

Regarding the rings—engraving, resizing, polishing—it's all included in their price.😉

As for Brzica, be careful who you actually negotiate with—the father or the son. You'll get two different stories. Also, if you don't direct the poses yourselves, the shots might end up monotonous. A friend used him, and every photo looked identical, like someone just walking past the lens. Not exactly creative. The editing is decent, but the compositions are boring. It’s better to stay involved so you aren't disappointed later.

Angela Davis74 said:Neither Ilia nor Zoom are $1333. Unless they hiked their prices recently, I paid Zoom $3,000 plus extra for the thank-you card photos. Everyone is hovering around the $3,000 mark.
Generally speaking, everything is cheaper in a smaller Midwestern city than in a major hub like Chicago.

Regarding the rings—engraving, resizing, polishing—it's all included in their price.😉

As for Brzica, be careful who you actually negotiate with—the father or the son. You'll get two different stories. Also, if you don't direct the poses yourselves, the shots might end up monotonous. A friend used him, and every photo looked identical, like someone just walking past the lens. Not exactly creative. The editing is decent, but the compositions are boring. It’s better to stay involved so you aren't disappointed later.

I don't know, I heard some things regarding $1333... but generally speaking, I've heard nothing but glowing reviews about the photographer. When I went to discuss the details, I spoke with a woman. Regardless of how it turns out, I've already paid the deposit. Honestly, as long as the quality isn't worse than what Iliya provides, I'll be perfectly satisfied.☕

James Lopez8 said:Here are my proposals & suggestions:

1Regarding wedding dresses... You really have so many options when it comes to where to shop. Between Isabella, Nicholas, Lisa, and Leah—plus checking out the selection at Cipelić near that Pizza Hut, or even stopping by Lilly M.—there is just so much to see. To be honest, I went wedding dress hunting with a friend last week, and we actually only found something we both liked at Isabella. It’s funny how that works; we all have such different tastes, which makes it a little tricky to suggest specific places to anyone else. For instance, my friend was absolutely head over heels for the Pronovias collection—they truly have stunning gowns. On the other hand, the Maggie Sottero pieces over at Lisa's didn't really do it for her... I suppose it just wasn't quite her style. Anyway, you should probably go take a look for yourself!
2. I suppose I should probably mention that I’ve been spending quite a bit of my free time lately tending to the flower shop. It’s become a bit of a passion project of mine, honestly! There is just something so incredibly peaceful about working with greenery and blooms; it really helps clear the mind after a long day. I might be getting a little carried away with all the different varieties I'm trying to cultivate, but I think it’s worth it. It’s a small thing, I guess, but it brings so much color into my life. I honestly have no idea, but I suppose we could head over to Bonsai and take a look; I've heard they're actually quite decent.
3. Photographer Ivan Mijić, Oliver Olanović, PhotoTop, Daniel, Photo Tref
Oliver Olanović— If you're looking for some inspiration regarding photography services, I highly recommend checking out the work over at http://www.artstudio-oliver.com/. It’s worth a look if you want to see some really high-quality professional shots! Maybe you could also take a look at the photos on Facebook? There are quite a few posted there.
Ivan Mijić - www.mijić.com
PhotoTop - PhotoTop
Photo Tref— www.phototref.com
4. Band It really just comes down to what kind of vibe you're looking for... personally, I think the Svirci are great, but you might also like the Brava Band, Krijan, or even the Blitz Band. It’s all about your own taste, I guess! 👍 I haven't actually heard Brava Band play before, but I've heard some really great things about them!
5. Makeup application. I heard from Daria that Martimex actually has some talented girls on the side who specialize in makeup artistry, and apparently, they’re quite good at what they do. As for me, I decided to go with Martimex. $33They’re actually offering free makeup trials—well, specifically for anyone getting their makeup done by them. Honestly, it doesn't really matter if you're the bride or not; I'm just the maid of honor, yet I still get my makeup done for free, which I think is pretty wonderful. Just a little heads-up, though: they don't apply individual lash extensions, they just focus on the makeup itself. That’s not a huge deal for me, I suppose, since I’m planning on having my lashes done earlier at Livia anyway.
6. Invitations, thank-you notes, chair covers, and all that good stuff... : Check out www.invitations.com!
7. Tent? I suppose if we're talking about outdoor setups or temporary structures, there's a lot to consider depending on what you're planning. Whether it’s for a backyard party or a camping trip out in the Rockies, choosing the right gear makes all the difference. I guess it really comes down to how much protection you need from the elements! Gala tents.
8. Regarding the catering arrangements, I’ve been giving it quite a bit of thought lately. It’s one of those elements that can truly make or break the entire atmosphere of an event, don't you think? If everything flows smoothly and the food is actually delicious, it sets such a wonderful tone for the rest of the celebration. I suppose my main concern is finding that perfect balance between variety and quality. I’m leaning towards a menu that offers a few really standout, high-quality options rather than just a massive spread of mediocre dishes. Maybe focusing on seasonal ingredients or a specific regional style could work well too? I haven't quite decided on a direction yet, but I feel like having a cohesive theme might help tie everything together beautifully. It seems like there are so many directions we could take—from a more formal sit-down dinner to something a bit more relaxed and social. I guess it all depends on the overall vibe we want to cultivate. I'll likely spend some more time looking into local caterers and perhaps requesting a few tastings before making any final calls. It's probably best to be a little extra cautious here to ensure everything is just right.Regarding Matičević and Grozd: Here is what I have on Matičević: http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php...00000697124889 Please disregard the pink color.
9. I suppose I should probably touch upon the subject of lighting. It’s one of those things that people often overlook during the planning stages, but I truly believe it makes all the difference in the world when it comes to setting the right mood. Maybe it's just my way of looking at things, but I feel like if you don't get the ambiance just right, even the most beautiful setup can end up feeling a bit flat or uninspired. I've been thinking quite a bit about how much the quality of light influences our perception of a space. It's almost subtle, isn't it? You might not notice it immediately, but then you realize that the warmth or coolness of the glow completely changes how you feel in the room. I guess what I'm trying to say is that we should perhaps be a little more intentional about it. It might seem like a small detail, but in my opinion, it really is the finishing touch that pulls everything together beautifully.: http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php...00000504890903

I would also simply add Dražen to this list—he used to run his own shop roughly across from the Boa on Clinton Street (or was it Lincoln? I always mix those two up 😁), but he isn't there anymore. He works from home now, and honestly, he's fantastic—incredibly creative and imaginative. He did the wedding decor for my sister, and he'll be doing the same for me; he's definitely the one. 👍

You know, I’ve actually never heard of him before. But now that you mention it, I have this feeling that I used to occasionally stop by on Lincoln's Street (near the Boa—there's a jewelry store there now) just to stare at the pictures for a bit.

Does anyone happen to have the contact info for Studio 69 over in Richmond? I'd really appreciate it if you could send it my way. Thanks.