Everything you need for a California wedding

Can anyone recommend a trio or maybe a quartet based around Los Angeles? Please give me a few options, but I need them to be budget-friendly—ideally under $1,200. I really want a group that can bring a great vibe to the party. Spending $1,500–$2,000 is just way too much for me, especially since I'm also planning to hire some musicians for the actual gathering.

Ladies, I am in desperate need of some guidance regarding wedding photographers. I’ve been doing some digging and have narrowed my options down to two specific choices: Studio XXL over in Trilja—I’ve spent quite a bit of time scrolling through their website and Facebook page, and honestly, their portfolio looks fantastic, plus the pricing seems reasonable—and then there is Marino from Sinj, whose shots are also absolutely stunning, though I haven't had the chance to confirm his rates yet, so I'm assuming they're in a similar ballpark. Does anyone here happen to have any first-hand experience with either of them? I would truly appreciate any insight you can offer, please. The wedding is coming up on August 8th, so I really don't have much time to waste on indecision.
Thanks

Anyone have a recommendation for a versatile band—ideally one that features a Violin?
By versatile, I mean everything from local classics and oldies to modern hits, maybe even some soulful Eastern vibes—you know, that Halid style and whatnot.

placidranger9 said:Ladies, I am in desperate need of some guidance regarding wedding photographers. I’ve been doing some digging and have narrowed my options down to two specific choices: Studio XXL over in Trilja—I’ve spent quite a bit of time scrolling through their website and Facebook page, and honestly, their portfolio looks fantastic, plus the pricing seems reasonable—and then there is Marino from Sinj, whose shots are also absolutely stunning, though I haven't had the chance to confirm his rates yet, so I'm assuming they're in a similar ballpark. Does anyone here happen to have any first-hand experience with either of them? I would truly appreciate any insight you can offer, please. The wedding is coming up on August 8th, so I really don't have much time to waste on indecision.
Thanks

In my experience, Marino's photography is pretty mediocre, so if you want the real scoop, just shoot me a DM.

We just got some preview shots back, and I have to say, they look amazing. If the final result matches this quality, the wait will be totally worth it... 😍
http://i43.tinypic.com/68abew.jpg

Sophia Howard7 said:Anyone have a recommendation for a versatile band—ideally one that features a Violin?
By versatile, I mean everything from local classics and oldies to modern hits, maybe even some soulful Eastern vibes—you know, that Halid style and whatnot.

Synergy Group. They back Joseph Ivančić, so they’re really well-versed in those Eastern melodic vibes, though during our wedding reception, they stuck strictly to rock and pop standards—where they truly shined. Their lead singer actually plays the violin. You can find them on YouTube, though the audio quality isn't exactly studio-grade. I caught them performing at a reception back in June, and honestly, I was floored from the very first notes when they played "Urban - Budi moja voda" for the couple's first dance. After that, I actually canceled my other band—since we hadn't clicked well anyway—and booked them instead. If I ever had to get married all over again, I wouldn't change a single thing, except maybe the hall... but I'd definitely keep the band exactly the same...
They’re originally from Mostar, but they tour all over the US quite often. For us, their rate was about $900 last year (or $800 if you don't need a female vocalist).

Thomas Wilson32 said:Hey,

I’ve been lurking here for a while now because I am honestly desperate for some advice. I’ve attended four weddings in my life, but let me tell you—I am completely out of my depth when it comes to planning one.

I can’t find any decent reviews on this forum regarding the Poljud restaurant located within the Accenture complex. I'm trying to figure out if the venue used to be an old officers' quarters or maybe part of the San Diego facility... the photos look incredible. If anyone knows exactly which place I'm talking about or has actually held a wedding there, please let me know. Every bit of info helps... thanks!

Greetings,

First off... have you heard the saying "one man's trash is another man's treasure"? 😉 What feels bland to one person might be perfect for you, and vice versa. For instance, most people think the pastries from Delta are fantastic, but personally, I find them a bit underwhelming. 🤣

Secondly, looking at the bright side of that venue, the biggest plus is definitely the staff (maybe it's just me, but I love those "old school" hospitality types—my late grandfather was in the service industry, so they remind me of him...) You can't put a price on that!
The hall is all glass with massive ceilings (which is a huge win for photographers and acoustics), and you get a terrace included at no extra cost. 😲

Food, drinks, and music—that's the holy trinity of a great party. As long as people eat well, drink well, and have fun, you're set.

And one last thing: trust me, no matter which venue you pick, if you don't know how to host, even the best hall won't save the party. 🙂

Oh, and by the way, we're having a party too, and it won't be more than 70 people! It feels a little crazy to pay over $50 per head just for one night of drinking. 😁

So, take it easy and try not to stress.

Enjoy the ride!!! 😉

Hey, what's the deal with makeup services? I need some solid recommendations. My main thing is finding someone who doesn't just give everyone the exact same look—I want something custom. Also, I’ll probably skip the fake lashes, so I need someone who can actually work magic on dark circles without them 😬 Roughly what kind of budget am I looking at here? And how far in advance should I book? (Yeah, yeah, I know "as soon as possible" is the answer, but still). Do they come to you, or do I need to head to their studio?

Also, hit me up with some great hairstylists who specialize in short hair. There's a chance I might ditch the stylist altogether and just go with a cute accessory, but honestly, who knows how my hair is going to act that morning? 🤣 🙈

Los Angeles area

I ended up booking Tina Kalinić—so many people have recommended her, and if you check out her Facebook profile, you can see all the models she’s done makeup for, which I really love
Besides her, there's also Ivana Češljar (she's on FB too), and from what I've heard from other girls, they mention Ana Benzon, Lucija Spajić, Nada Gamulin, and a few others
As for hair, I honestly haven't a clue.
I might just head to my usual stylist downtown—what was it called... something like MIC Styling
You should probably call as soon as possible; I booked my appointment a month in advance, and when I was calling around before that, someone else was already fully booked
Prices usually run anywhere from $200 up to $117 depending on the type of lash extensions you want
Hairstyling is around $200-$300

Right now, the flowers are actually what's worrying me most
To be honest, I'm not even that stressed about the cakes or the dessert—as long as the cake looks pretty in the photos, I'm happy😁

Ivana Češljar, $50, she’s coming home with those 200-piece lash sets... Honestly, everything else out there is twice the price, acting like they’re selling cosmetics made of solid gold or something. As for hair, I can't say much, though I've had great luck with Jazz Salon in the past, but my hair used to be quite long, and I have no idea what kind of look you're aiming for with short hair. And yeah, the sooner the better. I actually called Ivana a whole year in advance for my pier, and she was already booked up, yet her maid of honor managed to snag an appointment just two months before her own big day... You never know who's crazy enough to try booking a year ahead for the exact same date as you.

Hey there!
I’m looking for some solid recommendations for a photo studio and a band in the Los Angeles area—ideally something that won't break the bank, maybe one of those hidden gems rather than the big-name outfits everyone uses. Thanks!

Betty Davis93 Quote:
I just booked Tina Kalinić! So many people have been raving about her, and honestly, looking at her Facebook profile and all the models she’s worked on, I am totally obsessed with her style.
Besides her, you’ve got Ivana Češljar (she's on Facebook too). From what I've heard from the other girls, they also mention names like Ana Benzon, Lucija Spajić, and Nada Gamulin.

gentlewolf69 Quote:
Ivana Češljar,

Thanks a million, ladies! 😍

I’m telling you, Ivana Češljar and Tina Kalinić are absolutely killing it! I’ve already seen a few of my buddies get their look done by them, and the results are seriously impressive. 👍

Got another recommendation from Zrinka, so let's see what's up!

Bottom line: I'm gonna call them one by one and see which one actually picks up! 👍

When it comes to hair, I’m dying for someone who actually gets the vibe and has the guts to pull off a short cut. Honestly, I’ve thought about DIY-ing a look with some accessories, maybe a headband or something, but there's one huge problem: I have no clue what kind of hair disaster I'll wake up to or which direction my hair is going to decide to go in that morning! 😬

Honey was absolutely wonderful to work with for my friends. They managed to get everything coordinated with them so quickly... and their appointment ended up being on July 28th.

I’ve actually attended two banquets held at Walmart. The food was absolutely incredible both times. One was last year and the other was just this year, and they offer such beautiful venues and delicious catering that I went ahead and booked a hall for my own celebration 🙂
The same boss runs Phoenix too, but honestly, the food there was a total disaster...

placidranger9 said:Ladies, I am in desperate need of some guidance regarding wedding photographers. I’ve been doing some digging and have narrowed my options down to two specific choices: Studio XXL over in Trilja—I’ve spent quite a bit of time scrolling through their website and Facebook page, and honestly, their portfolio looks fantastic, plus the pricing seems reasonable—and then there is Marino from Sinj, whose shots are also absolutely stunning, though I haven't had the chance to confirm his rates yet, so I'm assuming they're in a similar ballpark. Does anyone here happen to have any first-hand experience with either of them? I would truly appreciate any insight you can offer, please. The wedding is coming up on August 8th, so I really don't have much time to waste on indecision.
Thanks

You should also take a look at Papaja Studio and Tony Cherina. Their photography is truly phenomenal. Personally, I ended up going with Papaja. I actually recommended them to a close friend before her big day, and she hasn't had a single regret. The photos were absolutely flawless, and even the DVD

Hi there... I'm looking for some honest feedback on the Aria banquet hall. What’s the service actually like? How is the food quality? Also, what are we looking at regarding the chair rental costs, and is there decent parking available nearby?
Thanks in advance 🙂

Has anyone here actually used TNT Florist or Missy's before?
Which one would you guys suggest I go with??

Richard Doyle48 said:I’ve actually attended two banquets held at Walmart. The food was absolutely incredible both times. One was last year and the other was just this year, and they offer such beautiful venues and delicious catering that I went ahead and booked a hall for my own celebration 🙂
The same boss runs Phoenix too, but honestly, the food there was a total disaster...

It isn't true that the same person owns both Phoenix and Walmart...
The reality is simply that the food at Phoenix is terrible, whereas over at Dolisa, it's actually much better.

Timothy Fisher50 said:Has anyone here actually used TNT Florist or Missy's before?
Which one would you guys suggest I go with??

Mis-Cura is fine, I guess, but nothing to write home about... they talk way more than they actually get done. Personally, I find them pretty exhausting because they just drone on and on, and frankly, I don't have the patience for people like that.

is that some kind of TNT?