Everything you need for a California wedding

Adam Bishop20 said:That Studio is freaking legendary!!! man, I am absolutely losing my mind over how good this is...

Honestly, I end up stopping by there on Monday afternoons too... just to save myself the headache of trying to deal with all the photography stuff later...😠

rapidmason10 said:At the party I went to, there wasn't even a hint of that country stuff....
As for them wanting to be the main attraction as a band... honestly, if you're this conflicted, the best move is to catch them playing at a local festival or something. That way, you'll know exactly what you're getting into....

I had a blast with them! Everything was perfect—hardly any breaks, and the dance floor was packed the whole night...👍

I mean, I heard rumors that the lead singer is kind of a spotlight hog, but who knows...
How many people were actually in the band anyway? Was it just three, or more?
Honestly, I think I'm still gonna go see them, I just can't figure out how to judge if they're worth the ticket price per hour of music... ugh, this is harder than it looks! :-)

hollowsailor5 said:Does anyone happen to have a photo from a wedding at the Hilton, or maybe a shot of the ballroom itself? Also, if anyone’s actually attended a reception there, I'd love to hear your honest take on the place...

I went to a wedding there about two or three years back, and honestly, it didn't exactly blow me away. 🤷
The food was decent enough and the room itself is fine, but everything really depends on how they set up the seating. For my taste, though, the lighting was way too dim—plus, it felt super weird having some guy come out of the kitchen after every single course just to count the guests. 😲

Good evening, everyone! I’m new to the group—I've been lurking and reading through the threads for a few days now, but I figured it was finally time to jump in and ask a few questions regarding the local dining scene... Does anyone know if prices have climbed much since 2010? Specifically, does anyone have a handle on what a menu would have cost back then at places like Dollis, Holy Cross, NIRS, Pirate, or Fabula? I feel like I’m getting a different answer from everyone I ask, so I’m a bit lost on what the actual reality was back then...

Adam Alvarez5 said:Good evening, everyone! I’m new to the group—I've been lurking and reading through the threads for a few days now, but I figured it was finally time to jump in and ask a few questions regarding the local dining scene... Does anyone know if prices have climbed much since 2010? Specifically, does anyone have a handle on what a menu would have cost back then at places like Dollis, Holy Cross, NIRS, Pirate, or Fabula? I feel like I’m getting a different answer from everyone I ask, so I’m a bit lost on what the actual reality was back then...

Your best bet is just to call them up and ask directly.😉

@Adam Alvarez5
I think you're looking at a range of about $32 to $40, but honestly, it all depends on what you order—like if you go for some crazy specialty omelet or whatever. You should probably just call them and ask... but that’s the ballpark. For instance, I paid $38, or $36 if you skip the omelet. Some places will even let you bring your own wine or meat to bring the price down... it's all about the negotiation.

Pirate's got this $42 menu where you get a mix of fish and meat...

Hi everyone!🙂I’m new here. I’ve spent most of my time just lurking and reading through different threads, but I’m feeling a little lost and could really use some help.
Does anyone know if the Trophy band (based out of the San Diego area) is still active? Also, do they still have the same lineup they had a few years back?🤷They were absolutely incredible 🙂when we hired them for a wedding, and we’re seriously considering booking them for our own big day.
Thanks in advance for any info you can share!😍

Aha... well, I think I’ll just stick to the standard menu items... you know, the usual suspects like prosciutto, cheese, maybe some French specialties, risotto, beef stew, or lamb... Does anyone happen to know what the prices look like over at Dollis??? A huge thanks to anyone who can help me out!

Adam Alvarez5 said:Aha... well, I think I’ll just stick to the standard menu items... you know, the usual suspects like prosciutto, cheese, maybe some French specialties, risotto, beef stew, or lamb... Does anyone happen to know what the prices look like over at Dollis??? A huge thanks to anyone who can help me out!

Hey Holly Ann! I think it's around 38 Euros, but I'm not 100% sure. I called them once just to get the scoop, but honestly, the Bolero looked way better to me, so I ended up ditching the whole idea. If I were you, I'd just give them a ring—it's not like it's rocket science, right?!
Here's the link if you want to reach out to them!

Later...

Hey everyone.. 🙂
After scrolling through basically every single page of every thread here ( 🙂 ), I figured I’d just throw my hat in the ring.. I'm planning a wedding in San Diego for next year, but there's a bit of a catch—we don't actually live there. So, I could really use some solid suggestions or leads if you guys have them. It feels like there aren't many local women on this thread, so there isn't much info about getting married in San Diego specifically—which is why any help would be huge.. bands, restaurants, photographers... I've been hunting online and it seems like almost none of the photo studios in San Diego even have their own websites. Help a girl out 🙂 thanks so much, everyone!

mellowfalcon said:Hey everyone.. 🙂
After scrolling through basically every single page of every thread here ( 🙂 ), I figured I’d just throw my hat in the ring.. I'm planning a wedding in San Diego for next year, but there's a bit of a catch—we don't actually live there. So, I could really use some solid suggestions or leads if you guys have them. It feels like there aren't many local women on this thread, so there isn't much info about getting married in San Diego specifically—which is why any help would be huge.. bands, restaurants, photographers... I've been hunting online and it seems like almost none of the photo studios in San Diego even have their own websites. Help a girl out 🙂 thanks so much, everyone!

Well, people in San Diego don't really lean into online advertising much either, but here's what I've got for you

Regarding photographers, I'd suggest Studio G—they do great work—or maybe Click, and Suzi—she actually has an online gallery.
Just drop a note letting us know your guest count and what kind of vibe you're going for; a few pages back, some of us already posted recommendations for restaurants 😉
If you don't want to sit around waiting until Monday for a reply, just fire off your questions now 😉

Olivia Hill9 said:Hi everyone!🙂I’m new here. I’ve spent most of my time just lurking and reading through different threads, but I’m feeling a little lost and could really use some help.
Does anyone know if the Trophy band (based out of the San Diego area) is still active? Also, do they still have the same lineup they had a few years back?🤷They were absolutely incredible 🙂when we hired them for a wedding, and we’re seriously considering booking them for our own big day.
Thanks in advance for any info you can share!😍

Never heard of those guys, but here's their contact info

Ugh, thanks a million... I'm looking at about 200 people, so I need a venue in that ballpark. I saw that one thread where everyone was roasting almost every single hall—that was actually super helpful... I just don't know which places can actually handle 200 guests without feeling like I'm hosting an event in a massive empty stadium. Finding that "Goldilocks" zone isn't easy. My biggest headache is that I can't be driving back and forth to San Diego every single weekend to scout locations, so I can't visit everything myself. It would be a lifesaver if the venue was near a Hilton or some decent apartments, since most of my guests will probably need a place to crash. As long as it’s relatively close to San Diego—maybe as far out as a suburb like Dollis or even a little past that, but nothing crazy 🙂
Also, if anyone knows a reliable shuttle or bus company for rent, that would be huge.
As for the band, I need something that doesn't lean too hard into that cheesy country/folk vibe, but also isn't stuck in that aggressive rock era either. Something more urban/indie, but you know, not like they'd turn their noses up at some classic old-school hits.
Does anyone know a photo studio in San Diego that does both photography and videography? I stumbled upon Suzy's page and she seems legit... any idea what the price range looks like there?
Okay, I think that covers it for now 🙂 Hope I didn't overwhelm you with all this 🙂

Adam Bishop20 said:Hey Holly Ann! I think it's around 38 Euros, but I'm not 100% sure. I called them once just to get the scoop, but honestly, the Bolero looked way better to me, so I ended up ditching the whole idea. If I were you, I'd just give them a ring—it's not like it's rocket science, right?!
Here's the link if you want to reach out to them!

Later...

I mean, it kind of depends on how many people you're trying to fit in the hall... if Dollis is charging 38 Euros, then I guess that's pretty pricey for a venue in a small town like Dugopolje... I don't want to mislead you or anything, but I'm pretty sure from what I've heard that the price is closer to 30 Euros... but if they really are asking 38, I think that's way too much, especially since you've got such a massive Pirate to pay for too...

So, maybe Ann will give us the heads-up, right? But honestly—if she doesn't step up and fill us in—I’m just gonna pick up the phone and call her myself. Why wait around? 😉 Honestly, that place felt way too far out for me—like, basically in the middle of nowhere—but hey, if you got a killer deal on a room, who cares, right? It was a solid service, I'll give 'em that. But now...

mellowfalcon said:Ugh, thanks a million... I'm looking at about 200 people, so I need a venue in that ballpark. I saw that one thread where everyone was roasting almost every single hall—that was actually super helpful... I just don't know which places can actually handle 200 guests without feeling like I'm hosting an event in a massive empty stadium. Finding that "Goldilocks" zone isn't easy. My biggest headache is that I can't be driving back and forth to San Diego every single weekend to scout locations, so I can't visit everything myself. It would be a lifesaver if the venue was near a Hilton or some decent apartments, since most of my guests will probably need a place to crash. As long as it’s relatively close to San Diego—maybe as far out as a suburb like Dollis or even a little past that, but nothing crazy 🙂
Also, if anyone knows a reliable shuttle or bus company for rent, that would be huge.
As for the band, I need something that doesn't lean too hard into that cheesy country/folk vibe, but also isn't stuck in that aggressive rock era either. Something more urban/indie, but you know, not like they'd turn their noses up at some classic old-school hits.
Does anyone know a photo studio in San Diego that does both photography and videography? I stumbled upon Suzy's page and she seems legit... any idea what the price range looks like there?
Okay, I think that covers it for now 🙂 Hope I didn't overwhelm you with all this 🙂

The Marriott near the airport might work. It's right by the transit station. Greyhound or a local charter service could handle the buses. That Nadio photo studio I mentioned seems like a great call too... they do both photo and video
Suzy might be a bit pricey though. I don't know her exact rates... she seems to have separate pricing for just the ceremony, then the cake, and so on...

So, I finally ended up booking my girls with the group 021... they seem totally solid to me—they cover both our local hits and some American classics too. It’s four guys plus one girl, and we're looking at $1,800 for this year, then bumping it up to $2,000 next year.

Hey there, Mlada 2010, thanks so much for the help... I think I’m actually going to give them a call tomorrow to see what the standard menu pricing looks like, and of course, I’ll circle back and let you all know what I find out... Honestly, I have a feeling it isn't quite $38. That feels a bit steep to me, especially considering it's out in a small town in the Midwest where things aren't exactly right at my doorstep. Does anyone else happen to know of any good halls in San Francisco that could accommodate about 120 people? Personally, I really like the Holy Cross venue near that small rural town. Mlada 2010, do you happen to know what the standard menu costs over at that small town, and do they take bookings for 130 people since they clearly have more capacity? Best regards!

Adam Alvarez5 said:Hey there, Mlada 2010, thanks so much for the help... I think I’m actually going to give them a call tomorrow to see what the standard menu pricing looks like, and of course, I’ll circle back and let you all know what I find out... Honestly, I have a feeling it isn't quite $38. That feels a bit steep to me, especially considering it's out in a small town in the Midwest where things aren't exactly right at my doorstep. Does anyone else happen to know of any good halls in San Francisco that could accommodate about 120 people? Personally, I really like the Holy Cross venue near that small rural town. Mlada 2010, do you happen to know what the standard menu costs over at that small town, and do they take bookings for 130 people since they clearly have more capacity? Best regards!

Ann, look, the standard menu at Bolero runs about $45. And just so we’re clear—that doesn't include fruit or dessert. If you want to sweeten the deal, you could always ask them to throw in an extra octopus salad or something... though if you bring your own wine, you actually save about a buck fifty. As for what people are getting paid for a 130-hour week? Honestly, I couldn't give you a straight answer right now—I think it really depends on how old you are (maybe there's less wiggle room in the summer?). My fiancé and I actually sat down for a chat at Bolero and signed our contract right there. Isaac, the manager, was super fair; he's the kind of guy you can actually sit down and negotiate with. If you need his number, just let me know... Good luck, catch ya later!😍