Everything you need for a California wedding

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So, what’s the consensus on photographer Tony Cherina and his Venus photo studio? From what I gather, Tony Cherina was doing work out in California before 🤷

Thomas Scott5 said:"Quote:"

Nera, we worked everything out with them beforehand. We even had a few specific shots planned with our parents and friends. We made sure to hit every table we wanted so we’d have photos with everyone—especially the immediate family and close friends. I can't give you a final verdict on the photos yet since we haven't received them, but honestly, based on how the day went and their communication, we were really happy with them. Look, if you're looking for a formal photoshoot where someone directs every single pose, they might not be the right fit for you. We weren't interested in that classic, staged vibe, so having a few "set" shots was just enough for us. Everyone has different tastes. We didn't want that whole "look at each other like this, jump now, act like this, then act like that" routine, which is why we didn't pick that type of photographer. We also didn't want a follow-up shoot the next day, so I'm not sure how they handle that, though I know some photographers do short sessions like engagement shoots. We just wanted something relaxed—to capture the actual moments and the genuine emotions. Hopefully, they nailed it.
Your best bet is just to reach out to them. Tell them what you have in mind, see if they can actually pull it off, and ask for a quote.

Yeah... that's what I was thinking too. I wouldn't make any decisions until I contacted them anyway; I just wanted to see if anyone here had experience with them and what it was like. I prefer spontaneous photos as well, though I did see a photoshoot a friend had, and I liked it... those staged ones felt somewhat spontaneous, if that makes sense 🙂. I'll look at a few more photographers first, and once I narrow down the choices, I'll reach out to all of them. I hope the photos end up being "as expected"... and more than that 🙂

frozenhawk22 said:So, what’s the consensus on photographer Tony Cherina and his Venus photo studio? From what I gather, Tony Cherina was doing work out in California before 🤷

I looked him up on Facebook too, and his photos are great... but I haven't been able to get any useful info from people I know, so I'd also be interested if anyone knows anything. Most of what I have managed to find out is about Sinisa Srdanovic, and I've heard nothing but praise from everyone, both regarding his work and who he is as a person. So, for now, it's just him and Papaya on my list, though I guess I'll give myself a bit more time to ask around about a few other names, and Tony is one of them. I also heard that Anthony Gaspar is excellent; as far as I know, he won a top wedding photography award at the European Union level two years in a row, and apparently, he's a lot of fun to work with! Ugh... there are just so many. I think picking a photographer might actually be the hardest part! 🙂

graniteskipper48 said:I looked him up on Facebook too, and his photos are great... but I haven't been able to get any useful info from people I know, so I'd also be interested if anyone knows anything. Most of what I have managed to find out is about Sinisa Srdanovic, and I've heard nothing but praise from everyone, both regarding his work and who he is as a person. So, for now, it's just him and Papaya on my list, though I guess I'll give myself a bit more time to ask around about a few other names, and Tony is one of them. I also heard that Anthony Gaspar is excellent; as far as I know, he won a top wedding photography award at the European Union level two years in a row, and apparently, he's a lot of fun to work with! Ugh... there are just so many. I think picking a photographer might actually be the hardest part! 🙂

Seriously, let me know if you find anything out.

Nera, thanks 🙂
Picking a photographer was easily the hardest part for us, too. At the end of the day, those photos are pretty much the only thing you actually get to keep as a memory. Music is just about setting the vibe—it mostly comes down to the playlist and the DJ, and if things start heading south, you can always step in. But with the photography, you don't realize if it's bad until it's already too late.

graniteskipper48 said:I looked him up on Facebook too, and his photos are great... but I haven't been able to get any useful info from people I know, so I'd also be interested if anyone knows anything. Most of what I have managed to find out is about Sinisa Srdanovic, and I've heard nothing but praise from everyone, both regarding his work and who he is as a person. So, for now, it's just him and Papaya on my list, though I guess I'll give myself a bit more time to ask around about a few other names, and Tony is one of them. I also heard that Anthony Gaspar is excellent; as far as I know, he won a top wedding photography award at the European Union level two years in a row, and apparently, he's a lot of fun to work with! Ugh... there are just so many. I think picking a photographer might actually be the hardest part! 🙂

Anthony Gaspar is a wonderful guy and his photos are stunning; he actually shot me just the day after my session, and even though I usually loathe being in front of a camera, it was such a joy to work with him.

Hey, I’m having a hard time finding updated pricing for all these caterers online. If anyone happens to know what they're charging this year, could you point me in the right direction? 🙂

1. Arkada
2. Rus
3. Pimpinella
4. little Kate
5. Boban drinks

I’d be bringing my own alcohol...
Could someone shoot me a DM or reply here with recommendations? Also, does anyone know what the rates are for off-the-books catering, and who actually does good work??

Thanks! 😍

Does anyone happen to have any recent updates regarding Sky restaurant or the Tip Top band? 🙂
Thanks in advance! 😉

Well, ladies, I finally made a decision...

I just wanted to let you know that I ended up passing on the flowers altogether—mostly because my photo studio, Zumba, offered this lighting setup that included these gorgeous table lamps. Honestly? In my opinion, they were way more striking than any floral arrangement could've been.

As for Zumba, they’re absolutely stellar; we'd recommend them to anyone in a heartbeat. 😉

frozenhawk22 said:So, what’s the consensus on photographer Tony Cherina and his Venus photo studio? From what I gather, Tony Cherina was doing work out in California before 🤷

Tony Cherina was the one taking photos of me.
I have nothing but the best to say about him.
The photos turned out absolutely perfect.

He’s a great guy—really easygoing and down-to-earth. The whole photo shoot felt incredibly relaxed; there was absolutely zero pressure throughout the process. We went over every single detail regarding the shots beforehand, so everything was settled well before the wedding, and he delivered all the photos right on schedule.

I think the price is pretty much what you'd expect to see everywhere else.

Douglas Reyes3 said:Tony Cherina was the one taking photos of me.
I have nothing but the best to say about him.
The photos turned out absolutely perfect.

He’s a great guy—really easygoing and down-to-earth. The whole photo shoot felt incredibly relaxed; there was absolutely zero pressure throughout the process. We went over every single detail regarding the shots beforehand, so everything was settled well before the wedding, and he delivered all the photos right on schedule.

I think the price is pretty much what you'd expect to see everywhere else.

Thanks, Douglas Reyes3. We actually used him this past weekend, and I’m honestly blown away by the shots. They aren't boring at all, and he seems like such a relaxed guy to work with—zero stress.

Could you just let me know how late he usually stays at the reception venue?🙂

frozenhawk22 said:Thanks, Douglas Reyes3. We actually used him this past weekend, and I’m honestly blown away by the shots. They aren't boring at all, and he seems like such a relaxed guy to work with—zero stress.

Could you just let me know how late he usually stays at the reception venue?🙂

He stays as long as there's action happening! :-)
In my experience, no photographer sticks around until 7:00 AM when it's just the newlyweds, the wedding party, and a few drunk relatives left. :-)

You can work everything out directly with him. He really appreciates knowing the important details—like if someone is giving a reading at the church so he can pay extra attention, or if there's going to be a surprise during the reception.
After all, brides can get pretty upset if they realize you missed the shot of them carrying the cake to someone's birthday party later on...

I think he's great because he isn't one of those people who acts like they're doing you a huge favor just by showing up.

Hey ladies—does anyone happen to know where in Santa Monica (though maybe somewhere in San Jose or San Francisco would work too) I can find some pigeons to release? You know, the kind newlyweds let go after the wedding... and does anyone have an idea about what they usually cost?

William Lewis8 said:I heard through the grapevine that with Papati, the photo selection at the end can be a total mess. Like, you open your album and it’s just a bunch of random strangers instead of your actual inner circle, and the quality? Honestly, questionable... hm... 🙄 I saw some of their shots online too, and they looked pretty terrible to me. So, I've officially ruled them out. Now I'm stuck choosing between Bonacic, MegaGraph, or California... help me out here! 😳

I actually booked Papaya myself, and honestly, these "he said, she said" comments right before a wedding are just exhausting. It’s not that I don't believe you—since I've seen plenty of their work and have communicated with them much more extensively than you have—it’s just that, frankly, these claims don't make any sense.
How could the photos not be organized correctly? They follow a chronological order; it really is that straightforward. That is how they arrange them.
And as for the claim that there are more strangers in the album than people you know... I truly don't know whether to laugh or feel sorry for you. At my own wedding, everyone present was someone I knew and was welcome in the album. Besides, I don't expect a photographer to just snap pictures of us and ten close relatives, nor do I expect them to instinctively know exactly who everyone is or how close we are. My expectation is simply that they capture fun shots of everyone and everything and weave them into a cohesive story.
Regarding the "grainy" photo quality—that has nothing to do with actual quality. As someone who is quite passionate about photography and knows my way around a camera, I can tell you that what you're describing is photographic grain. Even the most legendary photographers in the world have grain in their shots; I won't go into a deep technical lecture here.

In any case, I think the most practical way to put it is that Papaya's style just isn't for you rather than claiming they are poor quality based on what you heard...

graniteskipper48 said:I looked him up on Facebook too, and his photos are great... but I haven't been able to get any useful info from people I know, so I'd also be interested if anyone knows anything. Most of what I have managed to find out is about Sinisa Srdanovic, and I've heard nothing but praise from everyone, both regarding his work and who he is as a person. So, for now, it's just him and Papaya on my list, though I guess I'll give myself a bit more time to ask around about a few other names, and Tony is one of them. I also heard that Anthony Gaspar is excellent; as far as I know, he won a top wedding photography award at the European Union level two years in a row, and apparently, he's a lot of fun to work with! Ugh... there are just so many. I think picking a photographer might actually be the hardest part! 🙂

I had some free time to look into those names, and if I'm being completely honest, I think you really need to decide on a specific style first. Looking at the people you mentioned, their styles vary wildly; some have a similar vibe, while others couldn't be more different. Based on your posts, it seems like you're stuck somewhere between "I want everything to be spontaneous," "spontaneity isn't a huge deal," and "I'm not even sure how much spontaneity I want."
I’m telling you this because the biggest mistake you can make is picking the wrong aesthetic. For instance, Papaya and Siniša are polar opposites.
It feels like all these guys are professionals who do great work, yet none of their styles quite hit home for me—except for Papaya's. I knew exactly what I wanted from my photos, and that was the key.

God bless you all! Has anyone here actually attended a gala at the Sky? I’m looking for some honest feedback or tips. I’m currently in the middle of planning a massive banquet for about 120 to 130 guests for next June, so I’m still scouting for the perfect venue.
Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, my partner and I have finally started our venue scouting, visiting several locations, and I thought I would share our experiences with you all.
The Say Yes venue over in Draco is absolutely stunning, but honestly, it felt far too large for what we need, so we’ve decided to pass on it. When we visited, they had the room set up for 160 guests, and even then, there was an incredible amount of empty space—the tables were spaced out beautifully so you could walk around easily without bumping into anyone. Tony was wonderful; he showed us everything and even offered some helpful advice regarding other venues, though he did mention over the phone that their minimum guest count is 150. It’s such a shame for us because the hall itself is a total dream.
We received a glowing recommendation for pirate, and Mark is clearly top-tier, but I just can't wrap my head around why they insist on a 140-person minimum. We arrived while the room was being set up for 140 people (not counting the sweetheart table), and it felt incredibly cramped. To my eyes, the dance floor looked tiny, and they hadn't even set up a stage for the band yet. While the atmosphere is gorgeous and the food I sampled was excellent, the layout just feels too tight for comfort.
Then there is the castelo venue in San Diego... I actually fell in love with this place a few months ago when my friends and I were touring around. However, during our visit, I got the distinct impression that they might be overly strict about alcohol service, and I noticed that lingering smell that I really can't stand. I suspect we might have caught the manager in a bad mood, especially since we arrived at the scheduled time and had to call her cell phone multiple times after waiting at the entrance. While the hall itself is lovely, the communication style was completely off-putting, which immediately pushed them to the bottom of my list. We asked about the music schedule, as I'd heard elsewhere that the owner insists on everyone leaving by 4:30, and she explained that everything wraps up around 4:00 because they like to "pack up like horses" to get home. She also made a point to tell us that they don't allow glass breaking or guests climbing on tables and chairs. Now, I certainly don't want my guests behaving like hooligans, but I also don't want to feel like I'm being babysat if someone enjoys a drink a little more than others. I had read in an earlier post that she was very charming, so I hoped we just caught her on a bad day, but I don't think that was the case.
As for Hotel Villa Žarko, the ballroom is on the ground floor and has quite low ceilings, which makes the whole space feel dark and much smaller than it actually is. They also have a strict departure time around 4:00 or 5:00 PM. I didn't particularly care for it, though I can't quite put my finger on exactly why 🙂
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Ino hall and Nirs — both were incredibly kind and approachable. We ended up staying the longest with them, and as of right now, they are the only ones truly in the running.

Joshua Miller18 said:I had some free time to look into those names, and if I'm being completely honest, I think you really need to decide on a specific style first. Looking at the people you mentioned, their styles vary wildly; some have a similar vibe, while others couldn't be more different. Based on your posts, it seems like you're stuck somewhere between "I want everything to be spontaneous," "spontaneity isn't a huge deal," and "I'm not even sure how much spontaneity I want."
I’m telling you this because the biggest mistake you can make is picking the wrong aesthetic. For instance, Papaya and Siniša are polar opposites.
It feels like all these guys are professionals who do great work, yet none of their styles quite hit home for me—except for Papaya's. I knew exactly what I wanted from my photos, and that was the key.

Spontaneous photos are important to me, but a full photo session is too. The issue is that, except for Ivica Matić, who is a bit pricey, nobody I've looked at so far balances both equally well. So, I guess I'm still in the phase of searching and deciding which of those two things matters more to me... though obviously, I'm not the only one whose opinion counts, my boyfriend is involved too—which is why there are different names in the post.

"Quote:"

Larry Smith3 said:Hi everyone, my partner and I have finally started our venue scouting, visiting several locations, and I thought I would share our experiences with you all.
The Say Yes venue over in Draco is absolutely stunning, but honestly, it felt far too large for what we need, so we’ve decided to pass on it. When we visited, they had the room set up for 160 guests, and even then, there was an incredible amount of empty space—the tables were spaced out beautifully so you could walk around easily without bumping into anyone. Tony was wonderful; he showed us everything and even offered some helpful advice regarding other venues, though he did mention over the phone that their minimum guest count is 150. It’s such a shame for us because the hall itself is a total dream.
We received a glowing recommendation for pirate, and Mark is clearly top-tier, but I just can't wrap my head around why they insist on a 140-person minimum. We arrived while the room was being set up for 140 people (not counting the sweetheart table), and it felt incredibly cramped. To my eyes, the dance floor looked tiny, and they hadn't even set up a stage for the band yet. While the atmosphere is gorgeous and the food I sampled was excellent, the layout just feels too tight for comfort.
Then there is the castelo venue in San Diego... I actually fell in love with this place a few months ago when my friends and I were touring around. However, during our visit, I got the distinct impression that they might be overly strict about alcohol service, and I noticed that lingering smell that I really can't stand. I suspect we might have caught the manager in a bad mood, especially since we arrived at the scheduled time and had to call her cell phone multiple times after waiting at the entrance. While the hall itself is lovely, the communication style was completely off-putting, which immediately pushed them to the bottom of my list. We asked about the music schedule, as I'd heard elsewhere that the owner insists on everyone leaving by 4:30, and she explained that everything wraps up around 4:00 because they like to "pack up like horses" to get home. She also made a point to tell us that they don't allow glass breaking or guests climbing on tables and chairs. Now, I certainly don't want my guests behaving like hooligans, but I also don't want to feel like I'm being babysat if someone enjoys a drink a little more than others. I had read in an earlier post that she was very charming, so I hoped we just caught her on a bad day, but I don't think that was the case.
As for Hotel Villa Žarko, the ballroom is on the ground floor and has quite low ceilings, which makes the whole space feel dark and much smaller than it actually is. They also have a strict departure time around 4:00 or 5:00 PM. I didn't particularly care for it, though I can't quite put my finger on exactly why 🙂
.
Ino hall and Nirs — both were incredibly kind and approachable. We ended up staying the longest with them, and as of right now, they are the only ones truly in the running.

I honestly find that concept terrifying. I was genuinely shocked when I heard that most venues wrap things up around 4:00 PM. First of all, I have never—not once—left a wedding before 6:00 PM. Besides, it’s after 4:00 that the real crowd settles in—just the inner circle and the closest family. To me, that’s when the best part happens; it's such a beautiful way to wind down after the chaos of the whole day.
Besides that, you’ve got people getting kicked out—especially those traveling from halfway across the country just to be there. And let’s be real here, all of this comes at a massive price.😕

What I actually appreciated about Lora's setup at Poljud is that her contract includes a specific clause stating that if you stay on the clock past four hours, you get paid extra. It’s a smart move. $333The venue manager put it this way: he’s never actually charged anyone for that, but he claims it's my personal guarantee that nobody is going to kick me out!
When we headed over there to get a feel for things at a wedding, they were actually pretty cool about it. They let us sample the food, told us we could hang out for as long as we wanted, and said there was zero pressure on the venue choice. Since you obviously can't predict what the weather will be like a year from now, they gave us until the day before to decide if we wanted to host everything inside or out on the terrace. It was a really laid-back approach.🙂