Everything you need for a California wedding

Huge props to the Viva band!! They absolutely crushed it, such an incredible performance and a blast all around, honestly, they were more than worth the wait...🙏

Sean Watson10 said:Hey ladies!
Got another one where I could really use your input 🙏....does anyone know anything about Maroon 5? Are they actually any good?
thanks a ton for whatever you can tell me

so nobody knows anything about the Maraschino Band??? 😕🤷

Is taking a deposit and then pushing back the date acceptable? I’m not so sure. Don't get me wrong—I'm not trying to play defense for the musicians here. This isn't about them; it's about basic human decency. Forgive me if I disagree.

Hey ladies, I’m new here. I just started hunting for a venue and have been digging through this entire sub-forum for info—so I figured I’d dump everything I’ve gathered over the last few days here for any future brides who might need it. Basically, here’s the rundown on all the venues in the San Francisco area and everything you guys have told me about them…
I actually checked some stuff out myself, so I know the 2010 pricing, plus I’ve got my own takes…

1. Kaštil Slanica (Omiš)..................... $36 + $2 for linens (which, honestly, aren't even needed given the vibe) Standard menu, but you can negotiate a buffet style with really tasty, unique dishes at a good price. Huge space, gorgeous atmosphere. I went there for a corporate party and it was one of the best bashes I've been to—food and vibes were top-tier. Personally, I loved the party there, even if people were shouting over me... anyway, their young manager is the go-to contact for the next link. From me: + Other girls say: +++- extremely happy, except for one person regarding Kaštil Slanica.... I went to a party there and hated everything, wouldn't recommend it to anyone... the food was a disaster... and plenty of guests were unhappy... if you want another venue option, check this out:

2. The Pirate Ship (Kastel)............................... $36 (includes linens) I was there and the lady was lovely. Confirming they are open to negotiating—I was only in the upstairs hall. From me + Other girls: +- there were definitely some people unhappy specifically with the food, Kapera is minimal $667 or maybe around $300. The owner is decent, and she was the only one so far who offered us juice and dessert, which surprised me. You can negotiate things like your own prosciutto, wine, or lamb... it's right on the highway, on the right side when you're heading from San Francisco toward Trijon... just before the F1 turnoff. It's a big white house with two halls... one downstairs and one upstairs. $35—small hall holds 150 people with round tables (8-9 people), large hall holds 250 with long tables (10, 12, 14 people), and you won't hear noise bleeding between rooms.

3. Ino Restaurant...................................... (includes linens) $34. The lower hall is being renovated and should be ready by Feb 1st, or so they say. Pretty chill, but overall I wasn't feeling it—not sure if it was the hosting or the actual performance, since I'm looking for a party up to 120 people, but I'll give them a pass. Other girls say: + interesting venue, wasn't set up for a wedding yet, round tables, fits 200, nothing special... at least not for me... it's pretty classic... service was flawless.... the newlyweds were happy, everything was exactly how they wanted it... the lower hall isn't great, but the upper one is okay and spacious.

4. Sumica. Truly excellent. I'm waiting to hear how a recent party went before I book. $35, excluding appetizers and champagne, which you can bring yourselves. And it's not true that they won't take groups under 100 people like some girls said; I think the limit is just inside the building.

5. Maestral (Plano).............................. They are expanding the hall—apparently it used to cap at 300, but I didn't dig deeper. Other girls: + $32 or $33 including linens, or $31 without. Maestral is a nice hall... and you can really decorate it beautifully. Me? Maestral is meh, plus it's right on the road in the middle of nowhere.

6. Arkada ……………$35 + drinks (you can bring your own wine and liquor) The vibe before Christmas was gorgeous. I'm giving it a + even though the hosts were a bit scattered. Other girls: super, the space is perfect for 70 people…. Arkada organizes weddings for up to 350 people on Colored Street. The sub-location has a tiny stage and apparently fits 100 people, feels very local/homey.

7. Hotel Sunce (Suburbs) $42. In my opinion, overpriced compared to the rest of the options and the reviews are just "meh"—

8. Mammoth (near Lukšić)............................. $33 (linens included) Simple, sweet hostess, nice hall. For me, it was a total surprise—I looked into them more and it turns out the food at parties was actually delicious. I'm even expecting photos because if I hadn't heard the name, I wouldn't have thought twice, but now it's a strong contender for me. Big + from me. Other girls: Mammoth is great, they roast the lamb right there and it smells amazing, and they're currently renovating the hall so it's looking good.

9. Diocletian........................................ ..........$36 + covers—didn't see them set up except in photos. Host's rating was decent enough—my take: +- others: at Diocletian they start setting up at 5 PM so you can check it out. Hall is gorgeous, food is top-tier—one of the best spots if you actually care about eating. Staff is super attentive, always right there by the table so you aren't left hanging.

10. The Pirate Ship.............................. $35 based on latest info http://www.restoran-kokolo.com/ Haven't double-checked prices lately so no guarantees, but the food and vibe are totally solid.

11. Jure in San Francisco...……………………… Can't recall exact prices because the layout is weird—too many pillars splitting up the space—but the hall looks great since they renovated. Good for smaller, chill gatherings.😛$38 per person

12. Bracera in Long Beach—great vibe for maybe 40-50 people if that's what I gathered. Price isn't crazy either; honestly, perfect for a wedding like this.

13. Neva... outdoor vibe is awesome. $35 plus drinks. Guy’s got an allergy because it’s Kerum’s style, but I like it because it's right on the beach with little pools—professional setup. Outdoors is definitely better, but they fit about a hundred inside.

---------------------- haven't seen any others yet 🙂 leaving some room for your comments + a "+" before names means people liked it, otherwise—well, you know how it is.

14. +- Hotel Medena (Solin)..............................$30-35. Medena's pricing breakdown: 1. Standard menu (appetizer + cookies; cheese, prosciutto, French style; risotto—white and black; veal medallions and stew; lamb; fruit; coffee and all-you-can-eat pizza) = $32. Surprise omelet is +$1, round tables +$1, covers +$1, and if you want their desserts +$1—total "socialist" vibes at Medena.http://www.hotelmedena.com/weddings.asp Basic menu (appetizer, cookies, pizza, prosciutto, cheese, French style, white/black risotto, veal/stew, lamb, coffee, fruit, salad) is $32 max, maybe $35 if you factor everything in. You can even bring your own wine or lamb to lower the cost. Seems like prices include fruit and head table decor.http://www.imagesforme.com/show.php/652775_a3e0yd.jpg

15. The Pirate Ship............................. $42... though they might push for $45. They take 150 guests, or you could try a Friday when they handle smaller crowds.http://www.restorangusar.com/ The Pirate Ship is $42 including drinks—it's a meat and fish mix.

16. Adriatic Restaurant (Grasso location)................. 80-90 people.... $47 (for next year). Grasso wants an extra $10 just for the hall alone.$0.00 If you want both the hall and the terrace, that's another $10.$0.00 Grasso won't go below $50, and the terrace is an extra $10,000 [equivalent] plus.

17. ++++ Dolis Wedding Hall (Dugopolje)....................... 3 halls - $35. Dolis Lesnina 2 and 3 can hold up to 220—round tables. The main Dolis building has a great hall, good setup, ideal for 150-160 people. Includes covers.

18. St. Peter Restaurant (Arbania area)... round tables... includes covers. For 2009, price was $36-42 per person. St. Peter is actually pretty decent—same deal as in Solin. Depending on how far you want to drive, it's affordable, tidy, and the hall had those blue lights. Oh, and the bar is wood.

19. Marina Frapa (Rogoznica)............ $40 to $59 plus drinks. Marina Frapa has menus starting at $45 plus drinks (but honestly, it's worth every cent). $50+ plus drinks (around $25 per head for drinks).

20. Hotel Jadran (Solin)....................... around $50-60.http://www.hotel-jadran.com/hr/galerija.html The Jadran Hotel in San Francisco has a killer setting—the little hall is honestly ridiculous with those massive candelabras and a view of the ocean, pool, and woods.

21. Park Hotel......................................... $41-$47 (drinks not included)

22. Bellvue Restaurant (San Francisco)................................ (linens included) They handle the arrangements based on what you actually want... The hall got a makeover, so it’s worth checking out! For the Bellvue menu: appetizers start with fritters and grill, then prosciutto and cheese, followed by gnocchi and local beef stew, plus a surprise omelet, lamb/pork, and unlimited drinks (beer, wine, soda)—if you want to bring your own booze (like tequila, Jäger, or vodka), they won't charge extra. Coffee is served all night long if anyone needs it. There's a buffet at the front of the room so guests can help themselves later, but you gotta bring your own cake. Deposit is around $400-$500—next year Bellvue is looking at $38 (decor included). The young manager there is great—super chill and helpful—but the hotel itself is kind of a joke, and since the hall is on the 3rd floor, get ready to climb stairs in heels. The contract says up to 250 people, but 200 is probably the sweet spot. Minimum is 130. Linens are classic white, but you can get bowties in navy, pink, purple, beige, light green, orange, and they're planning on adding yellow soon. It's located near the DM in San Francisco.

23. F1 Restaurant (San Francisco)...................................... $29-$30

24. ++NIRS Restaurant..................................... $36 (linens included) — wouldn't recommend! Round tables—max 150 people, maybe 180 if you cram them in.

25. ++Amigos—conditional on 70 to 130 guests.

26. San Antonio....................................... $35 + $15 for drinks = $50. Antonio is a cute little boutique hotel, but way overpriced.

27. Alkom............................................. ...$43

28. President Hotel........................................ $37 (drinks not included)http://www.hotelpresident.com/

29. Pomak............................................. .........$33. Pomak is tucked away on some hills... it's basically a sports complex with a gym and badminton courts. They have one small hall and one larger one... haven't seen the big one in person because people were busy playing badminton, but the photos look okay.

30. Pasat-Duliovo........................................... ....$83

31. Sunce............................................. ................$30. Regarding Sunce—I was there for negotiations... everything she said last night is true. Service is a 5/5, and the owner is flexible even if he lacks any sense of style.

32. Benedikt-Bene.............................................. .....$40. My take? The vibe is pure poetry, but I had lunch there once and the food was terrible—way too much of it—so I crossed them off my list.

33. Gaspic Solin............................................. ..........$78—worst hall and service I've ever seen, period.

34. Lav Hotel……………. $55-$60

35. ++Bolero.................................................. ........$38. Bolero was $42 back in 2009, but everyone's hiked prices lately... now it's $44.http://www.restaurantbolero.com/ Chef Ivica is the man.

36. Phoenix Hall (Wide Bridge) ……….. $33 and everything is included (except cake)—their linens, candelabras, vases, etc., which you can grab to set the scene. $32 with linens—one huge hall for 300 people that's insane for big parties, high ceilings, great lighting, and nice setup. Tables range from 8 to 16, round or rectangular.
37. - two smaller halls for 150.

38. Robot Restaurant............................................. ........ $33. Highly recommended.http://www.robot.com/REST/RestaurantR...0/Default.aspx

39. +Imenjak.......................................... ................... $33 for everything! A gorgeous hall... renovated and beautiful.

40. Belvedere......................................... .....................$37

41. Fabula... 3 sales available... Standard menu and probably the cheapest option—around $43 if you're looking at peak summer Saturdays. I heard prices fluctuate depending on whether it's off-season or mid-summer, but let's say $42

42. Astoria in San Francisco—not 100% sure if they do mashed potatoes, but the restaurant and terrace are killer. http://www.apartmani-astoria.com/foto_hr.html

43. On the hill... weddings there are way too pricey

44. The hall at the auto-camp near LA

45. Lora—Restaurant Poljud.....................$87 Lora handles about 200-250 people, but she’ll need tons of decor, especially for the ceiling. Heard the service is top-tier though.

46. Stari Mornar..................................$38. It's all wood and mostly a seafood menu—pretty solid.

47. Jugo in Sustipanu....

48. Villa California—space is roughly $2,500

49. Restaurant Bekan for smaller parties

50. Kalafatic for smaller parties

51. A tavern in Brel; right by the main highway. Really nice natural vibe and ocean views. Food is classic American style, just really high quality and tasty. Service is great too!! You can definitely pull off something special there that still feels natural and classy. Not sure of the exact address, but here's the gist: about 250m before you hit the main entrance to Brel, where you can head down toward the beach; stay on the main road toward the coast and look for a right turn. There are two restaurants sharing a courtyard. The "tavern" is the one closer to LA—you'll see it, it has a second-floor terrace overlooking the water. (If you miss it, just turn around at the Brel entrance and go back. Then it's on the left side ;-)))

------------------------------------------------------
52. Villa Zarko isn't doing small parties anymore

THAT'S ALL FOR THE HALLS!!
----------------------------------Your comments regarding guest counts:

Small parties in Long Beach, Luxor over on the plaza, or maybe Le Monde in downtown—those guys handle smaller crowds.

60-70 people—Rus-Zrnivca.
Rusulica-Zrnivca,
Rus-San Francisco,
San Antonio-Podstrana,
Babilon-San Francisco city

120-130 people

Stari Mornar
Bellevue, Castle... you've got Ino and Mammoth... all in the suburbs area
San Francisco—NIRS on Bilicami, Officer's Hall in Lora, Pirate, Kokolo
Wide Bridge area: Sunce, Phoenix, Dolis,
TTTS: Imenjak, and there's a new one opening up but I don't know the name yet
On the way to LA you have: Amigos, Diocletian, San Antonio...

For 200+ guests, check out Dolis in Wide Bridge
Bolero San Francisco
Bellevue Trogir
Maestral Plano
St. Peter area
Castle in the suburbs

They take up to 300 people.
Dolis - Wide Bridge
Hotel Medena - Seget
Castle - Suburbs
Hotel President - San Francisco
Bolero - San Francisco
Phoenix - Wide Bridge
Robot - Stobreč
Maestral - Trogir
Belvedere – Seget
Fabula - San Francisco

----------------------MORE ADVICE !!!!!
Smart move: go scouting on Saturday between 3 and 7 PM... most halls will be prepping for the party then.

Heads up—everyone's gonna give you a capacity number... just subtract 20 from it. You don't want it feeling crowded.

---------------------------------
MY QUESTIONS:

Is there any other "Sunce" besides Hotel Sunce? Where is Bekan located, how many people fit, and what's the price? Looking for feedback on Castle and Mammoth... also, those big chairs—how many fit and what's the deal? And does anyone have the contact for Bellevue?

I've got plenty more info to pass along once this blessed 🙂 subforum figures everything out...

Thanks girls, you made this so much easier. If it weren't for me being indecisive, we'd be done. You guys are awesome, but you already knew that. 😉

Anthony Bennett6 said:Man, I'd pay $100 for a singer like that to go for 5 hours...

$100 for five hours isn't even that much—people forget you actually have to practice to sustain a 5-hour set...

Gregory Sanchez312 said:Is taking a deposit and then pushing back the date acceptable? I’m not so sure. Don't get me wrong—I'm not trying to play defense for the musicians here. This isn't about them; it's about basic human decency. Forgive me if I disagree.

Do bands even act like that? What kind of experiences have you actually had with this...😕

Nice work on this "brief report," John Ruiz80
really needed to be said...
You helped me out a ton, so a huge thanks to you

John Ruiz80 really went all out here, I have to give her credit 🙏
. I’m sure this will be useful for someone... Based on how you described it, John Ruiz80, that place in Brel should actually be called the Kričak Restaurant. It sits right next to the Ivandica Dvori Restaurant. There... consider that my little contribution to the thread 😍

Regarding NIRS, I actually hosted my party there and was truly thrilled with everything—the hall, the food, the service, you name it! I also held a luncheon there before the church service and had a hotel room available to me all day, so I used that space to get ready, do my makeup, and take photos. From what I recall, Raymond Brooks7 had booked them right when they first opened, but they ended up canceling her reservation after the fact. That’s why she left that note saying "would not recommend." If my memory serves me right, she had been coordinating the venue with a female manager at the time. The manager now is a very kind gentleman; ever since I placed my deposit, we have been in constant contact via email and phone, and he has been incredibly patient and helpful with every single question I've thrown his way.
When we secured the venue, we signed a formal contract and put down a $500 deposit.
So, at the very least, you don't have to worry about running into the same headache that Raymond Brooks7 dealt with.

By the way, the menu is priced at $36, or $37 if you include soup, though that information is already listed on their website. If you have already picked out a band, I’d suggest asking them for a recommendation on venues, since they’ve worked at so many locations—even though most people tend to book the hall first, then the band, and finally the photographer.

Jack Miller4 said:Regarding NIRS, I actually hosted my party there and was truly thrilled with everything—the hall, the food, the service, you name it! I also held a luncheon there before the church service and had a hotel room available to me all day, so I used that space to get ready, do my makeup, and take photos. From what I recall, Raymond Brooks7 had booked them right when they first opened, but they ended up canceling her reservation after the fact. That’s why she left that note saying "would not recommend." If my memory serves me right, she had been coordinating the venue with a female manager at the time. The manager now is a very kind gentleman; ever since I placed my deposit, we have been in constant contact via email and phone, and he has been incredibly patient and helpful with every single question I've thrown his way.
When we secured the venue, we signed a formal contract and put down a $500 deposit.
So, at the very least, you don't have to worry about running into the same headache that Raymond Brooks7 dealt with.

By the way, the menu is priced at $36, or $37 if you include soup, though that information is already listed on their website. If you have already picked out a band, I’d suggest asking them for a recommendation on venues, since they’ve worked at so many locations—even though most people tend to book the hall first, then the band, and finally the photographer.

John Ruiz80... you laid this out perfectly....👍

Jack Miller4 is right... my own comment is ancient... and it clearly doesn't apply anymore. 🙏
Thank God my experience helped push incompetent people out of a job they weren't cut out for, and that the chaos they caused me ended up being a lesson... lately, I'm only hearing positive things anyway....👍

I ended up booking K. Slanica in the end... and it wasn't just me who had nothing bad to say, the guests loved it too. Not to mention how many people have ended up booking weddings there after me. 👍 Kudos to the owner, the food, and the service.👍

Castle... I was just there in September and everything was flawless...

Mammoth... it was on my list, and I know the food is top-tier 👍 I just wish they had a different name 😬 (maybe that's silly, but 😂 yeah, that's how I feel), and I'd love to see some recent reviews... because it seems like whenever I pass by on a Saturday, there isn't a party happening. It confuses me because everything I've heard has been stellar... (plus, their lamb is incredible. 😍)

bands for fries
parrot
phoenix
bolero

I find myself in need of some assistance once again.
We put down a deposit for a wedding luncheon at Kaštil Slanica because we heard decent things, but lately, I’ve been hearing whispers that they’ve botched a few orders and messed up several banquets.
Has anyone here actually dined there for a special occasion? What was your experience like?

On another note, I am dreaming of having a wedding at Our Lady of the Island in Solin. Has anyone else held a ceremony there or perhaps has plans to do so? How did you go about contacting the priest? The church website doesn't list any office hours, and I have no desire to call blindly only to be brushed off. Or is it common practice to tip the priest after Mass?

Also, what is the protocol for signing up for the pre-Cana course at St. Peter in San Francisco? Is it handled over the phone or through some other method?

Please, help a girl out.

I feel compelled to set the record straight on this. I haven't actually attended a wedding at the Slanica venue in San Francisco, but I’ve encountered claims online suggesting their staff can be quite rude, and I find that hard to swallow. We ultimately decided against booking them because we aren't interested in a traditional wedding setup, but during our initial consultation, the woman we spoke with was absolutely wonderful. She was incredibly gracious, walked us through every detail, and even offered us a drink—not a hint of the hostility people describe. Her email responses were also prompt and professional. As for the catering, I can't speak from personal experience, but my maid of honor organized a small gathering there for her friends and mentioned the food was excellent.

Regarding the venues listed, I have personally visited the locations in Savannah—specifically Bellevue and Manhattan. My experience at both was quite positive. That said, if I had to choose, Bellevue is more aesthetically pleasing, and the food was slightly superior.

Hey ladies... I could really use a hand here. I’m stuck choosing between Hope Gamulin and Antonia Guć for my makeup... the wedding is this July in Savannah. Honestly, part of me just wants to do it myself because I’m such a massive perfectionist—if everything isn't absolutely flawless, I’ll probably just wash my whole face off right then and there. (Yeah, the wedding madness is officially setting in)
But hey, beggars can't be choosers, I guess
So, what do you think? Hope or Antonia? Or is there someone else out there who actually knows what they're doing?

Alex Reed2 said:Hey ladies... I could really use a hand here. I’m stuck choosing between Hope Gamulin and Antonia Guć for my makeup... the wedding is this July in Savannah. Honestly, part of me just wants to do it myself because I’m such a massive perfectionist—if everything isn't absolutely flawless, I’ll probably just wash my whole face off right then and there. (Yeah, the wedding madness is officially setting in)
But hey, beggars can't be choosers, I guess
So, what do you think? Hope or Antonia? Or is there someone else out there who actually knows what they're doing?

Lucy Spajic 👍

Sandra Gomez50 said:I find myself in need of some assistance once again.
We put down a deposit for a wedding luncheon at Kaštil Slanica because we heard decent things, but lately, I’ve been hearing whispers that they’ve botched a few orders and messed up several banquets.
Has anyone here actually dined there for a special occasion? What was your experience like?

On another note, I am dreaming of having a wedding at Our Lady of the Island in Solin. Has anyone else held a ceremony there or perhaps has plans to do so? How did you go about contacting the priest? The church website doesn't list any office hours, and I have no desire to call blindly only to be brushed off. Or is it common practice to tip the priest after Mass?

Also, what is the protocol for signing up for the pre-Cana course at St. Peter in San Francisco? Is it handled over the phone or through some other method?

Please, help a girl out.

If you haven't found out yet, you usually sign up for the pre-Cana course on the very first day it begins—typically Sunday at 7:45 PM. As for the specific dates for the upcoming sessions, your best bet is to check the bulletin at the church or give them a call. If you haven't managed to connect with the priest at Our Lady of Grace yet, I can send you Sister Mary's number via private message. Best of luck!

I was there during the afternoon session from about 5:15 PM to 7:45 PM when the registration kicked off...

Hey everyone, would someone be so kind as to share the contact info for the makeup artists Anthony, Nancy, and Lucy? I’d really appreciate it.

Thanks for the response and for providing the number 😉
I stopped by St. Peter's and noticed they have dates set for January 17th and then an engagement ceremony on February 7th. We’ve decided to go with February 7th.

Amanda Green5 said:Hey everyone, would someone be so kind as to share the contact info for the makeup artists Anthony, Nancy, and Lucy? I’d really appreciate it.

Oh my goodness, I think I might need their numbers too. It would be absolutely wonderful if anyone could share them, and maybe, if you happen to know a great hairstylist in the Los Angeles area, that would be amazing as well... thank you!