Everything you need for a California wedding

Alright, here’s my breakdown of the bash I hit this past Saturday 😉
The venue was the Zadar Foodies hall (it used to be an old basketball arena out by the bay)—honestly, incredible space. It’s massive; there were at least 300 people there and it didn't feel crowded at all 👍 They’ve got both square and round tables, plus adjustable lighting 😉 The ventilation was top-tier, too, and they actually allow smoking 😍 The staff? Absolute legends. Fast, friendly, and genuinely helpful. The food situation was endless—everything tasted amazing, and they kept the plates and bottles topped off constantly
What else? Parking was easy, bathrooms were spotless, and the price was a steal—only 40 bucks ☕
The band, Twist Off—just some young guys from Burbank—were killer. They killed the vibe and could play pretty much anything 👍 Though, obviously, don't expect them to play any cheesy polka; they don't do that kind of stuff in Burbank 😬

Photo credit: Studio G 😍

A few more details:
The cake: came from ALLO Bakery. There were five or six different cakes, each one unique with different flavors. We had the fruit one, and man, it was delicious
I'm not sure who handled the decor for the room, but it looked classy and understated. Just high martini glasses with white flowers and greenery on the tables, accented with a light lilac tulle ribbon— 👍
The wedding theme was lilac and white, and honestly, the color combo worked perfectly 😉

Hello ladies, I am back again....
I have the music, the church, the photographer :CHECK and almost the invitations
Now I need someone for the cake.... truly something edible that looks beautiful... perhaps something a bit unique... does anyone have recommendations for the area around Burbank or Los Angeles???

Thank you in advance

And if possible, please PM me about talented makeup artists... I mean truly talented! Someone who can achieve that old Hollywood glamour look...
How early should I be booking? And where can I get more complex hairstyles done?? This summer I tried to get victory rolls done, and I just ended up looking completely glued together....

Please help me!

Hey everyone, does anyone happen to know what Nancy Gamulin charges for makeup services?

Even though I’m already married, I still find myself popping back onto this forum every now and then😍...you ladies have honestly been such a lifesaver...from all the advice on salons to the little details...makeup, flowers...all that good stuff.

So, I’ve suddenly been asked to be a bridesmaid at a wedding...which means I am officially in "help me" mode! Any tips would be amazing...🤷...specifically regarding makeup artists...I used Antonia Guć for my own big day...but does anyone know of any other great artists out in Los Angeles? Please DM me with recommendations...oh, and if anyone happens to have a photo of her recent work...like a finished makeup look...that would be even better!🙏

Also, has anyone checked out that new bridal boutique, Claire😍? It definitely wasn't around when I was getting married—and since I haven't been lurking on here as much lately, I haven't heard if people are talking about it yet.🤷

Hey everyone, I could really use some help here—does anyone have any intel on Gaspić's restaurant over in Solin? I'm looking for the full scoop on the atmosphere, the service, and especially the food...

I’m actually looking to gather some intel on that restaurant in New York City—specifically regarding their capacity, the quality of the food, the level of service, and all that good stuff... thanks!

I’m also wondering where else in San Francisco I can pick up invitation stationery besides that Barnes & Noble across from the post office downtown. They only carry that pearlescent paper in purple, which isn't exactly what I'm looking for.

Does anyone here have any insight into whether booking the 021 band for a wedding is actually a good move?

Has anyone here dealt with them before... I could really use some Microsoft on this one. 🤷

I’m trying to track down a bit of information here... regarding the Volare band... has anyone actually seen them perform live, or perhaps caught them playing at a wedding or some kind of catered event?

What’s their vibe like? Are they any good?

Thanks in advance 🙂☕

So, I’m basically begging for some intel here... we’ve been scouting out a few different venues, but honestly, that NASCAR arena is starting to look pretty tempting, right?! Does anyone actually know what it's like, or has anyone been there recently? Like, what’s the vibe, how’s the food situation, and all that other stuff...??? I’m seriously losing my mind over this decision while he’s just sitting there acting like it doesn't matter, even though he’s already complaining about a headache...
Also, does anyone have a recommendation for a solid photographer?? And don't even get me started on the music requirements!!!??
Thanks a million in advance

Kate Gonzalez said:Does anyone here have any insight into whether booking the 021 band for a wedding is actually a good move?

Has anyone here dealt with them before... I could really use some Microsoft on this one. 🤷

They actually played at a party I went to once. They were great—and I’m not just saying that. Other guests were saying the same thing, and apparently, a few people from the party even booked them for their own events on the spot. The dance floor was packed all night. They played a mix of American hits and international tracks, and the vibe was just spot on. Honestly, they deserve a lot of credit.

Sandra Gomez50 said:I’m also wondering where else in San Francisco I can pick up invitation stationery besides that Barnes & Noble across from the post office downtown. They only carry that pearlescent paper in purple, which isn't exactly what I'm looking for.

Maybe check out a local stationery boutique or look for textured cardstock at Staples...

Donna Ross3 said:So, I’m basically begging for some intel here... we’ve been scouting out a few different venues, but honestly, that NASCAR arena is starting to look pretty tempting, right?! Does anyone actually know what it's like, or has anyone been there recently? Like, what’s the vibe, how’s the food situation, and all that other stuff...??? I’m seriously losing my mind over this decision while he’s just sitting there acting like it doesn't matter, even though he’s already complaining about a headache...
Also, does anyone have a recommendation for a solid photographer?? And don't even get me started on the music requirements!!!??
Thanks a million in advance

I have a booking up there, but not until October 23rd, so I probably won't be able to give you much advice just yet...

When I was picking my venue, I made sure the owner wasn't also the caterer. I wanted to avoid places that only focus on weddings because they tend to hire temp staff just for that one day, and I definitely didn't want anything that felt like a basement...

I recently attended a wedding at a NASCAR venue, and I have to say, every single guest was absolutely thrilled with the catering. 👍 Personally, I’ve always had a soft spot for French cuisine, and the dishes were simply exquisite; I treated myself to some beef bourguignon and gnocchi, which were divine, while many of the other guests seemed equally delighted with the roasted lamb paired with cheesy baked potatoes 😁. It was also quite lovely that the dance floor wasn't partitioned off from the rest of the room, allowing those who might not be inclined to hit the floor to still enjoy watching the festivities from their seats. I noticed in some advertisements they claim to accommodate up to 220 guests, but in my humble opinion, keeping it to around 170 or 180 people feels much more comfortable—anything beyond that starts to feel a bit overcrowded
.

... and they serve up these beautiful plates and steaks, which makes perfect sense given that their business is actually selling high-end restaurant equipment. They even went the extra mile and engraved our names right onto our champagne flutes

Thanks for the heads-up, Jack Miller49!

I actually love it when I tell people I’ll need an R1 and they just nod and say "no problem." Most of the time, though, I just get these little smirks from everyone else...

Olivia Adams71 said:The "official" list? Zadarexpress, Kanela, MyWay, and some other group I can't be bothered to remember.
My personal top three: Amadeus, Big Fun, and Tempo.

Have you ever actually heard those guys from The elite band? I hired them for a party once... only to realize halfway through that they don't even have a drummer... I mean, is that even physically possible to make sound good?

Joseph Ruiz7 said:Have you ever actually heard those guys from The elite band? I hired them for a party once... only to realize halfway through that they don't even have a drummer... I mean, is that even physically possible to make sound good?

I haven't come across them yet, but I find it hard to believe it would sound bad without drums—though, maybe you should catch one of their live sets at a gig sometime and see how it actually hits?

I'd love to. Thanks so much!

Donna Ross3 said:So, I’m basically begging for some intel here... we’ve been scouting out a few different venues, but honestly, that NASCAR arena is starting to look pretty tempting, right?! Does anyone actually know what it's like, or has anyone been there recently? Like, what’s the vibe, how’s the food situation, and all that other stuff...??? I’m seriously losing my mind over this decision while he’s just sitting there acting like it doesn't matter, even though he’s already complaining about a headache...
Also, does anyone have a recommendation for a solid photographer?? And don't even get me started on the music requirements!!!??
Thanks a million in advance

ExxonMobil had a party there once and they were pretty happy with it...

As for the music and photography... honestly, people have talked about those things extensively online. Either do some scrolling or tell us exactly what you're looking for, because being vague makes it impossible to give you actual advice.