Everything you need for a California wedding

Hey everyone!

So, we’re starting to map out our wedding for sometime next spring—probably looking at those classic June or September dates—and we’re expecting about 250 guests. We're based right outside of Miami, and honestly, most of our eyes are on venues in a nearby Suburban town. It seems like finding a spot in Miami that can actually handle a crowd that size is nearly impossible, if I know my facts straight, plus the Suburban town area should be a bit easier on the wallet...

Has anyone dealt with any local venues or handled bookings recently at places like Walmart, Dolis, or Phoenix? I’m looking for the real scoop: what was the experience like, how were the prices, and what was the overall vibe?

Also, regarding the music... we aren't picky, we listen to just about everything, so we'd probably go with a live band. Does anyone have any firsthand experience working with Wine and Ivo?

thanks Reddit!

Michelle Ross4 said:Hey everyone!

So, we’re starting to map out our wedding for sometime next spring—probably looking at those classic June or September dates—and we’re expecting about 250 guests. We're based right outside of Miami, and honestly, most of our eyes are on venues in a nearby Suburban town. It seems like finding a spot in Miami that can actually handle a crowd that size is nearly impossible, if I know my facts straight, plus the Suburban town area should be a bit easier on the wallet...

Has anyone dealt with any local venues or handled bookings recently at places like Walmart, Dolis, or Phoenix? I’m looking for the real scoop: what was the experience like, how were the prices, and what was the overall vibe?

Also, regarding the music... we aren't picky, we listen to just about everything, so we'd probably go with a live band. Does anyone have any firsthand experience working with Wine and Ivo?

thanks Reddit!

Regarding those banquet halls in the Suburban town area, I only ever went to Phoenix about a year and a half ago. Honestly, the food was pretty terrible, and you couldn't find a server anywhere to save your life... Later on, someone else mentioned to me that they had a similarly awful meal at a party there, though my brother went about six months ago for a friend's wedding and said everything was actually fine, so maybe they've turned things around... Everyone seems to say that Dolis is the best bet, though. Prices usually run anywhere from $35 to $40 per person, depending on which menu you pick out...

Michelle Ross4 said:Hey everyone!

So, we’re starting to map out our wedding for sometime next spring—probably looking at those classic June or September dates—and we’re expecting about 250 guests. We're based right outside of Miami, and honestly, most of our eyes are on venues in a nearby Suburban town. It seems like finding a spot in Miami that can actually handle a crowd that size is nearly impossible, if I know my facts straight, plus the Suburban town area should be a bit easier on the wallet...

Has anyone dealt with any local venues or handled bookings recently at places like Walmart, Dolis, or Phoenix? I’m looking for the real scoop: what was the experience like, how were the prices, and what was the overall vibe?

Also, regarding the music... we aren't picky, we listen to just about everything, so we'd probably go with a live band. Does anyone have any firsthand experience working with Wine and Ivo?

thanks Reddit!

Just a heads up, Wine and Ivo aren't actually a full band, they're more of a duo... so you really need to decide upfront if you want a "real" band or just a duo or trio. It all comes down to how much you value the music... if you just want some basic background noise to keep people moving, a cheaper duo or trio might suffice, but if you actually want high-quality musicianship, you should probably invest in a full band 🙂

rustywalker34 said:Just a heads up, Wine and Ivo aren't actually a full band, they're more of a duo... so you really need to decide upfront if you want a "real" band or just a duo or trio. It all comes down to how much you value the music... if you just want some basic background noise to keep people moving, a cheaper duo or trio might suffice, but if you actually want high-quality musicianship, you should probably invest in a full band 🙂

I'm with you there. There is a massive difference between a duo (keyboardist + singer), a trio (keyboardist + male singer + female singer), and a full band (singer + singer + keyboardist + drums + electric guitar, or whatever else they bring along). If you want the reception to have more of a rock vibe, then definitely hire a band. But if you’re aiming for that classic country-style celebration—you know, more like Zečić, Grdović, or Bulić—then a duo or trio will do fine. At least, that's how I look at it. Because, let's be honest, I can't expect a duo or a trio to play Don't Sleep, My Girl or I Like This Song with the same energy a full band would... I'm always leaning toward a band because I just can't stand that repetitive tapping on the same old synthesizer keys, where every single song ends up sounding identical because there are no drums or electric guitars to give it some soul... 🙂

Michelle Ross4 said:Hey everyone!

So, we’re starting to map out our wedding for sometime next spring—probably looking at those classic June or September dates—and we’re expecting about 250 guests. We're based right outside of Miami, and honestly, most of our eyes are on venues in a nearby Suburban town. It seems like finding a spot in Miami that can actually handle a crowd that size is nearly impossible, if I know my facts straight, plus the Suburban town area should be a bit easier on the wallet...

Has anyone dealt with any local venues or handled bookings recently at places like Walmart, Dolis, or Phoenix? I’m looking for the real scoop: what was the experience like, how were the prices, and what was the overall vibe?

Also, regarding the music... we aren't picky, we listen to just about everything, so we'd probably go with a live band. Does anyone have any firsthand experience working with Wine and Ivo?

thanks Reddit!

Regarding Wine and Ivo are you booking just the two of them, or is it the duo plus a guitarist, or maybe the duo plus a guitarist and a singer?

Either way, the party is guaranteed, so hats off to them.

gentlewolf69 said:I'm with you there. There is a massive difference between a duo (keyboardist + singer), a trio (keyboardist + male singer + female singer), and a full band (singer + singer + keyboardist + drums + electric guitar, or whatever else they bring along). If you want the reception to have more of a rock vibe, then definitely hire a band. But if you’re aiming for that classic country-style celebration—you know, more like Zečić, Grdović, or Bulić—then a duo or trio will do fine. At least, that's how I look at it. Because, let's be honest, I can't expect a duo or a trio to play Don't Sleep, My Girl or I Like This Song with the same energy a full band would... I'm always leaning toward a band because I just can't stand that repetitive tapping on the same old synthesizer keys, where every single song ends up sounding identical because there are no drums or electric guitars to give it some soul... 🙂

Even those standard country tracks by artists like the big names in Nashville... they don't all sound the same either.
Of course, not every band is created equal; you'll find some that are incredible and others that are frankly mediocre... it's difficult to make sweeping generalizations... but once you've experienced a powerhouse group like the Viva Group or Twist OFF and then listen to a mere duo or trio, that's when you truly realize the difference between a real band and just a couple of people playing instruments...

David King72 said:Regarding Wine and Ivo are you booking just the two of them, or is it the duo plus a guitarist, or maybe the duo plus a guitarist and a singer?

Either way, the party is guaranteed, so hats off to them.

Oh, I actually caught their classical set at a local jazz club once, just the two of them... they were absolutely brilliant, though I have no clue if they’re actually any good for a wedding reception...

I finally reached out to them a few days ago, and they told me they've added two new members to the mix, including this girl who apparently has an incredible voice... at least, that's what he claims.🙂 I really just want to hear them play at a party, but they aren't gigging anywhere near here lately.

Hi everyone!

I’m looking for some local insight regarding banquet halls in Miami—specifically thinking about Atrium, Radisson Blu, or Aria ex. Does anyone have experience hosting a party at any of those locations? I’d love to hear the honest truth about how the food turned out and if the service was actually professional or just mediocre...

Thanks so much! 🙂

A friend of mine hit up the Atrium for a party about two or three weeks ago, and her take was basically "what a total waste of money." She said the food was straight-up terrible... though that's just her and her husband's opinion. Maybe someone else actually had a blast.

Thanks Reddit!

Has anyone here actually stayed at the Radisson Blu? I’d really appreciate any feedback or insights you might have 🙂

placideagle10 said:Thanks Reddit!

Has anyone here actually stayed at the Radisson Blu? I’d really appreciate any feedback or insights you might have 🙂

The atmosphere and the layout of the ballroom itself are a perfect ten; everything is genuinely tasteful. As for the food, it’s very much that standard hotel fare where they serve individual plates to everyone—it lacks that certain "home-cooked" soul, though I'm not entirely sure what else they put on the menu. One thing to keep in mind is that drinks, especially water, come with an extra charge, so just the bill for the water alone can end up being quite a hit to the wallet... I'm not sure what else you'd want to know...

First and foremost, I need to know about the food—is it actually delicious? Also, how is the lighting in the room itself? I’m really not planning on bringing in any extra lighting rigs. Oh, and do you happen to know if there's a specific cutoff time for when guests have to head out?
I have to say, this particular room is one of my absolute favorites, mostly because it’s so close to the pool. 🙂 I'm currently torn between this space, the old Aria, Kokolo, and the Atrium.

placideagle10 said:First and foremost, I need to know about the food—is it actually delicious? Also, how is the lighting in the room itself? I’m really not planning on bringing in any extra lighting rigs. Oh, and do you happen to know if there's a specific cutoff time for when guests have to head out?
I have to say, this particular room is one of my absolute favorites, mostly because it’s so close to the pool. 🙂 I'm currently torn between this space, the old Aria, Kokolo, and the Atrium.

The catering is decent enough; I can't find much to complain about. As for the lighting, it’s fine... it won't match the intensity of a custom rental setup, but it gets the job done. If your band brings their own stage lights and some effects, that should be more than sufficient...
I feel the same way about Aria, but as for the Atrium... I don't know... it just doesn't feel worth the price tag to me. Personally, I think the food at the Pirate is the best, though you have to keep in mind that the Pirate only holds up to 130 people since it's a smaller venue.
But honestly, at the end of the day... everyone has different tastes, some prefer one thing, others another, and everyone has their own preferences. The main thing is ensuring nothing is outright terrible, because once things go south, it's a disaster... everything else is just a matter of personal taste...

Does anyone happen to know where I could rent a white tarp or maybe a canopy somewhere around the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose area?

rustywalker34, thanks so much! 🙂

My brother is getting married soon. Does anyone have recommendations on where to host a wedding in San Francisco for a small group of close family—say, about 50 people? I'm looking for a spot with a great atmosphere, delicious food, and top-notch service. Thanks!

Jeffrey Cox42 said:My brother is getting married soon. Does anyone have recommendations on where to host a wedding in San Francisco for a small group of close family—say, about 50 people? I'm looking for a spot with a great atmosphere, delicious food, and top-notch service. Thanks!

Maybe re di mar?

Jeffrey Cox42 said:My brother is getting married soon. Does anyone have recommendations on where to host a wedding in San Francisco for a small group of close family—say, about 50 people? I'm looking for a spot with a great atmosphere, delicious food, and top-notch service. Thanks!

I went to a celebration like that at a place called Gusara once and it was honestly wonderful! They have this setup where they can section off part of the restaurant, so it felt like we basically had the whole place to ourselves... though that wasn't on a Saturday night.

Hey everyone! Quick question—does anyone know the actual capacity of the Adriatic Grašo restaurant in San Francisco if there's a DJ playing? I've heard a bunch of different numbers, so I wanted to see if anyone here actually knows for sure. People told me they could fit about 90 people if a DJ is set up, but honestly, that feels like a bit of a stretch to me 😁
Thanks a ton!

I’ve been looking into both foto studio V in San Francisco (where Vilim Bujević works) and foto studio Toni over in San Francisco as well... Has anyone here actually hired either of these studios for wedding photography or videography? I'm curious—were you happy with how everything turned out? Or maybe you've just heard some word-of-mouth about them? Any bit of advice would be so appreciated... Thanks!