Everything you need for a California wedding

graniteskipper48 said: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.

Maybe try Studio Julia? 🙂

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!

Hey, I just stumbled upon this post! Just wanted to let you know I actually just commented on that exact hall at Poljud in one of my recent posts, so feel free to go read that.

Also, I have to laugh at that ridiculous comment claiming you'll be served by the ghost of Josip Broz Tit Hahahhaahh lol.😂
Seriously though, the waitstaff is perfectly normal—normal looking people, normal age range. And if it’s a massive party, they bring in some college students to help out.

The venue is a bit older, but there’s a chance it might get renovated next year. Even so, with some decent decor and a little bit of common sense, you can make it look beautiful.

My only real complaint is the lighting; it’s pretty bad, or rather, there isn't much at all—just basic overhead lights. But we were planning on bringing in our own extra lighting anyway, so it wasn't a dealbreaker for us.

For me, the big selling point is being right by the water. Aside from San Antonio, I think it’s the closest thing to the coast. That little harbor area is great, plus the greenery, those huge windows in the hall, and the massive terrace mean you can easily host things outside or move the party outdoors.

frozenhawk22 said:Hey, I just stumbled upon this post! Just wanted to let you know I actually just commented on that exact hall at Poljud in one of my recent posts, so feel free to go read that.

Also, I have to laugh at that ridiculous comment claiming you'll be served by the ghost of Josip Broz Tit Hahahhaahh lol.😂
Seriously though, the waitstaff is perfectly normal—normal looking people, normal age range. And if it’s a massive party, they bring in some college students to help out.

The venue is a bit older, but there’s a chance it might get renovated next year. Even so, with some decent decor and a little bit of common sense, you can make it look beautiful.

My only real complaint is the lighting; it’s pretty bad, or rather, there isn't much at all—just basic overhead lights. But we were planning on bringing in our own extra lighting anyway, so it wasn't a dealbreaker for us.

For me, the big selling point is being right by the water. Aside from San Antonio, I think it’s the closest thing to the coast. That little harbor area is great, plus the greenery, those huge windows in the hall, and the massive terrace mean you can easily host things outside or move the party outdoors.

Just a quick question without the umbrella... who did you hire for the lighting?

Noah Wright4 said:Maybe try Studio Julia? 🙂

I haven't heard of him... I just saw he had a Facebook profile so I sent a friend request and checked it out... thanks. 🙂 Did he take your photos, or what?

graniteskipper48 said:I haven't heard of him... I just saw he had a Facebook profile so I sent a friend request and checked it out... thanks. 🙂 Did he take your photos, or what?

No... That’s a colleague of mine who, in my opinion, is hands down the best at blending documentary style with posing.

Noah Wright4 said:No... That’s a colleague of mine who, in my opinion, is hands down the best at blending documentary style with posing.

unknown.. thanks a lot.. I will definitely check it out 🙂!

Hey everyone, quick question—does anyone know where I can score some cheap confetti and boutonnieres?

Thanks in advance...

graniteskipper48 said:Just a quick question without the umbrella... who did you hire for the lighting?

We went with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Mostly because we couldn't hear anything but praise from every direction, plus they've already handled both the indoor and terrace lighting for our hall before. On top of that, Joe Smith is incredibly responsive and open to any ideas, so I didn't have to overthink it much...
Hopefully that helps a bit.😉

Hey there,
I’m looking for a bit of guidance here. First off, I’m crossing my fingers that we get some decent weather in September—let’s just call this a "get-together" rather than a full-blown bonfire, shall we? We're looking at a group of about 60 to 70 people, potentially hosting it in either San Diego or San Francisco. If anyone has any solid restaurant recommendations that could handle a crowd of that size, I’d truly appreciate it. Thanks.

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.

My vote goes definitely to Ino.

Much better service, better food, and more space—everything about them beats Nirs in my book.

graniteskipper48 said: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.

What you're looking for in a photographer is exactly what I need too, and I finally found that perfect balance with Photo Marino and Ante Gaspar.

Frank Wells5 said:Hey there,
I’m looking for a bit of guidance here. First off, I’m crossing my fingers that we get some decent weather in September—let’s just call this a "get-together" rather than a full-blown bonfire, shall we? We're looking at a group of about 60 to 70 people, potentially hosting it in either San Diego or San Francisco. If anyone has any solid restaurant recommendations that could handle a crowd of that size, I’d truly appreciate it. Thanks.

Here are a few thoughts:
There's Grašo right by the local marina—they've got a killer terrace and the food is actually solid. Plenty of space whether you want to be inside or out.
George's place in Malibu (just a bit past Hotel Lav)—the main room is upstairs and basically one giant glass wall overlooking the beach and the ocean. They usually do a "welcome cocktail" down on the sand with torches and stuff.
Maybe check out Mali Venecija in Vranjic, which is sort of halfway between San Francisco and San Diego. They have this really cute garden area tucked away in the shade that they can deck out with candles.

Hey everyone!
So, over the last few days, we’ve been checking out the Sky restaurant, the Say yes i hotel President ballroom, and the hotel itself over in Solin. Honestly, the guy I'm with is totally loving the Hotel President vibe. But for me... I don't know, the wallpaper is just kind of bothering me? I guess I'm worried about whether it might be distracting while dancing or something. And most importantly—how's the food? If anyone could give me the scoop, I’d be super grateful.

Joshua Perez122 said:Hey everyone!
So, over the last few days, we’ve been checking out the Sky restaurant, the Say yes i hotel President ballroom, and the hotel itself over in Solin. Honestly, the guy I'm with is totally loving the Hotel President vibe. But for me... I don't know, the wallpaper is just kind of bothering me? I guess I'm worried about whether it might be distracting while dancing or something. And most importantly—how's the food? If anyone could give me the scoop, I’d be super grateful.

I was there for a party last year
and I actually thought I'd be tripping over the wallpaper, but not at all—it was actually more comfortable than dancing on tiles or hardwood floors
as for the food, it was alright, nothing mind-blowing... considering what you pay per seat, I definitely expected something a bit more gourmet...

Oh, that sounds awesome for a wallpaper... I mean, what was the whole vibe like there? Does it bother you being stuck in a basement without any windows? And man, do you really think it’s worth dropping that much cash when you have to factor in the cost of food? Thanks!

Hey everyone!! I’ve finally joined the ranks of the brides-to-be!! My name is Slavonka and I’m getting married in San Francisco....for me, the absolute dealbreaker was finding a venue close to the ocean....and since I’ve been reading on here that the food at the Pirate is unbeatable, it didn't take me long to make my choice. To be honest, our guest list is sitting at about 200 people right now—but that includes all the kids, grrr—so I expect that number to drop down to around 160, which feels just right! I did seriously consider Erin (formerly Kokolo), but once I went to the Pirate for an interview.....the owner was absolutely wonderful and so kind, and the venue itself is perfect....so I think I'll just trim the guest list rather than looking for another hall :P plus, I'll have 🙂 there too... okay, now....what's next?? I still have a full year to go; D-Day is June 5th of next year (a Friday). I know I have plenty of time, but what should my priority list look like when booking everything....we haven't 100% locked in a band yet, though we've been asking around, and we have friends/acquaintances covering photography, so the most critical stuff is already sorted 🙂 I know the wedding expo happens in February, so I'm thinking of hitting that up to snag some discounts and then handling the rest in those final four months. Has anyone else gone this year?? What kind of things can you actually get discounts on?? And when do I need to head to the church for the prep course?? Also, how far in advance should I book a makeup artist? Please, I need recommendations and price ranges (nothing crazy, just good value)...haha, that's basically it for now 🙂 thanks in advance!!!

Joshua Perez122 said:Oh, that sounds awesome for a wallpaper... I mean, what was the whole vibe like there? Does it bother you being stuck in a basement without any windows? And man, do you really think it’s worth dropping that much cash when you have to factor in the cost of food? Thanks!

I actually had a great time
It didn't bother me at all being downstairs—there was a pool outside, and guests would head up for breaks, which was really nice. We even had a welcome cocktail and then fireworks later on

Listen, that’s just how the President does things... it's totally normal for them to jack up the price like that. The food wasn't bad, actually—it was pretty good—but it wasn't something I was obsessing over, if you know what I mean. I guess it just depends on what matters more to you... the food, the atmosphere, the price, or how many people are there...

For me, it’s all about the vibe. I just really want everyone to have a blast and actually get out there on the dance floor, you know? We're looking at a crowd of maybe 200 people. As for the DJ, we're currently torn between Snoop Dogg and the White House... I guess we need to make a call and get everything booked within the next few days.

frozenhawk22 said:"Quote:"

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.🙂

I don't quite understand it either, particularly when they tell us how much work goes into setting up the hall... as if that's our responsibility to pay for.🤷

David King72 said:My vote goes definitely to Ino.

Much better service, better food, and more space—everything about them beats Nirs in my book.

In the end, we decided to go with Nirs; the venue just felt more right to us, and we received more recommendations for them. Regarding Ino, everyone tells us "the food is amazing," which I certainly believe, but that seems to be the extent of the feedback we get.🙂

Has anyone here recently looked into getting a wedding dress from Miles in San Diego? I am absolutely enamored with the Maggie Sottero designs, but a friend mentioned that they don't offer alterations if the dress is too long, and she hasn't heard many glowing reviews about that specific boutique. I also saw someone on the forum mention that they canceled a dress just a few days before the wedding. I actually went there with a friend a while back, and my overall impression was wonderful until the moment the lady, prompted by a question about whether they rent out baskets, started lecturing us about her own personal integrity (that kind of thing generally irritates me and makes me want to walk out immediately). However, since I've also heard so many compliments, I'm feeling a bit conflicted now.😕

Larry Smith3 said:I don't quite understand it either, particularly when they tell us how much work goes into setting up the hall... as if that's our responsibility to pay for.🤷

In the end, we decided to go with Nirs; the venue just felt more right to us, and we received more recommendations for them. Regarding Ino, everyone tells us "the food is amazing," which I certainly believe, but that seems to be the extent of the feedback we get.🙂

Has anyone here recently looked into getting a wedding dress from Miles in San Diego? I am absolutely enamored with the Maggie Sottero designs, but a friend mentioned that they don't offer alterations if the dress is too long, and she hasn't heard many glowing reviews about that specific boutique. I also saw someone on the forum mention that they canceled a dress just a few days before the wedding. I actually went there with a friend a while back, and my overall impression was wonderful until the moment the lady, prompted by a question about whether they rent out baskets, started lecturing us about her own personal integrity (that kind of thing generally irritates me and makes me want to walk out immediately). However, since I've also heard so many compliments, I'm feeling a bit conflicted now.😕

mila lately, all I've been hearing is negative feedback
about a month ago, she took orders for three more brides at the exact same time as my friend
just imagine four brides all showing up at once, each bringing a guest; the salon turned into a total circus and obviously, she couldn't give everyone the attention they deserved
no wonder she was so high-strung