Everything you need for a Midwest wedding

Hi everyone!
I’m finally joining the conversation🙂
I’ve been reading through some great ideas here, but the issue is that most of the good stuff seems to be concentrated in New York City.
I’m trying to figure out what's available locally in Indianapolis—specifically where I can find things like balloons, bows, candles, decorative paper, glassware, or maybe a local potter or candle maker who does custom work. I'm also looking for invitations, thank-you notes, live bands, cake decorations, and basically anything else a wedding needs that hasn't crossed my mind yet.
Also, how far in advance should I be looking to rent a wedding dress? What are the typical costs, and what have your experiences been? Is it better to go custom or just rent?
Basically, any recommendations or advice would be much appreciated.😉

Brian Reed74 said:Hey everyone!
I'm finally joining the conversation🙂
I've read through plenty of great ideas, but the issue is that most of what I actually need seems to be located in New York City.
What can I find locally in Indianapolis—and if you have prices, even better—like balloons, bows, candles, wrapping paper, mason jars, perhaps a local potter or candle maker who does custom work, invitations, thank-you notes, a band, cake decorations, etc., etc., basically everything needed for a wedding that isn't popping into my head right now.
How far in advance should I rent a wedding dress? What are the costs? Any experiences to share regarding custom sewing versus renting?
Basically, any recommendations or advice are more than welcome.😉

Regarding Indianapolis—the one thing I'll tell you straight up is don't hire a wedding planner; they are absolutely terrible. As for the dress, definitely rent it—and do it early enough so you aren't paying extra just to secure your choice. I'm not sure if you've picked a venue or where you're hosting the party yet, but go to the Hilton and ask them for recommendations—it seems like a solid spot for a wedding.

So, I actually just had my wedding about three months ago (up in Indianapolis), so everything is still pretty fresh in my mind, but I haven't really done deep research or anything, so I might not be able to help with *everything*. I can just tell you what I did, though! I picked up my dress at Midwest on Rockefeller, right by the Cathedral. It wasn't pricey at all, and honestly, I thought it was gorgeous! Super simple, but it felt special. I can send you a photo if you want... Usually, dresses run anywhere from $500 (you know, those old ones passed around a million times) up to like $3,500-$4,000 if you're looking at a brand new 2006 or 2007 collection. I also ordered some treats from Caitlin's, and we were pretty happy with them. Everywhere I asked, they were around $55-$20 a pound. My wedding wasn't huge, so organizing stuff was kind of easier that way. We did dinner over at Midwest, and it was totally fine. Since I have lighter skin and the sun isn't quite hitting as hard as it does lately, I went for a spray tan over at Pearl near Central Park, and I was super happy with how it turned out. The girls there are great. $40 covers the whole body. I actually went for a trial a week before just so I wouldn't look patchy during the ceremony. 🙂 We actually made our own invitations and confetti. It ends up being way cheaper—if you're feeling creative, I mean. Everything else was handled by freelancers or just people we knew—flowers, makeup, the cake, hair, all that. If you need more details on anything, just ask...

Brian Reed74 said:I’m trying to figure out what’s actually available in Indianapolis—like, where can I find everything from balloons and bows to candles, wrapping paper, or mason jars? Does anyone know a local potter or candle maker who does custom work? Also looking for invitations, thank-you notes, bands, cake toppers... basically anything else a wedding needs that I haven't even thought of yet.
Basically, any tips or recommendations would be huge.😉

Honestly, I’d probably be interested in the candle situation too. Or maybe just a spot that stocks a ton of different colors and sizes if you don't want to go custom.
By the way, I noticed down at the Target on the bottom floor (way back there behind the knitting aisle), they actually have a pretty decent selection of wedding decor and little trinkets, even stuff for the dessert table. They just don't really have any cute candles.😢

Brandon White4 said:My wedding was just three months ago—up in Indianapolis—so everything is still pretty fresh in my mind, though I haven't done deep research so I can't be an expert. I can only share what I did. I picked up my dress at Midwest on Rockefeller, right near the Cathedral. It wasn't pricey, but it was gorgeous—simple, yet unique. I can send over a photo if you want... Generally, dresses run anywhere from $500 (old, reused stuff) up to $3,500–$4,000 (for something brand new from the 2006/2007 collections). I ordered Caitlin’s cookies, and we were actually quite happy with them. Prices seemed to hover around $55–$20 per pound wherever I asked. My guest list wasn't huge, which made organizing everything a bit easier. We had dinner at Midwest, and it was perfectly fine. Since I have very pale skin, and the sun isn't quite hitting as hard as it does lately, I went to Pearl (near Central Park) for a spray tan, and I was really pleased with the result. The girls there are great. $40 covers the whole body. I did a trial run a week beforehand just to make sure I didn't end up looking blotchy at the wedding. 🙂 We DIY'ed the invitations and the confetti. It turns out much cheaper if you're the creative type. Everything else—flowers, makeup, cake, hair—we hired professionals or acquaintances for. If you need more details, just ask...

I've already got the venue, the photographer, and the catering sorted. I was thinking about hunting for a dress around November or December since the wedding isn't until May 2007 (maybe I waited a bit too long to start planning 🙂), so is it still too early?
Can you send a photo of the dress and the bouquet if you can? Also, I'm extremely pale, so I'm really curious about the spray tanning. Does it wash off quickly? Does it stain clothes? How dark do you actually get? Did you happen to go to that MO-MI salon over on the loop? I heard they do custom dress orders. And where did you find the supplies for the invitations and confetti? That's all for now; if I think of anything else, I'll reach out.

Brian Reed74 said:Did you maybe check out that Miscellaneous showroom over on the loop?

Honestly, I’ve swung by there maybe three times and walked away empty-handed every single time. Their hours are just... insane. They’re constantly changing them. Now apparently they’re doing double shifts? Doesn't work for my schedule at all, so I’m done with them. Just went ahead and bought my own fabric for the dress instead.

Brian Reed74 said:Where'd you find the stuff for the invitations and confetti? That's pretty much everything for now—if I think of anything else, I'll hit you up.

If you want the best paper selection for those invites, head to Walmart over in the Aaron Copland district—it’s that neighborhood right behind the Olivia shop (near the block center). It's this big glass storefront that sells computer gear and office supplies. I actually picked up my invitation materials in New York City, but I grabbed a little something from them too.

My sister-in-law purchased some balloons from a shop in Indianapolis that also maintains a location in a similar town nearby. I believe the store is situated near a supermarket, somewhere right in the heart of the city center. Having visited their branch in the other location myself, I can assert that their inventory is incredibly comprehensive. They even produce their own cakes and pastries...

Brian Reed74, I was wondering which photographer you ended up going with? What were their rates like and everything? We’re currently on the hunt for both a photographer and some live music. As for the venue, we’ve already settled on the ballroom. 🙂 We went with John Doe. 👍 (I’ve heard nothing but great things about that venue, the service, and all that.)
If anyone has any recommendations for a band in Indianapolis, please let me know...😉

so, where's everyone grabbing their flowers lately? looking to put together a bouquet... any good spots?

Does anyone happen to know where I can pick up those little sugar packets? Doesn't have to be here in Indianapolis, I wouldn't mind ordering them from somewhere else if that's easier. Ideally looking for those long ones? Brown sugar works too, I guess...

I feel like we're in the exact same boat and facing the same dilemmas... 😕
Once the catering and cake are sorted, it’s time to deal with the photographer and the band. 🙄

Regarding photographers—I came across Anic Photography, and they apparently work in Indianapolis too http://www.katalinphoto.com/HR/home.htm. I found it a little odd, though, since there's just a cell number listed without a physical address or a landline. Has anyone heard of them, or better yet, actually worked with them? Based on their website, they seem pretty great! 🙂

As for the band, we definitely aren't looking for anything too traditional or old-school. I went to a few weddings where Victor played and it was alright, and Dove from the local area is decent enough... but my fiancé is really leaning toward some kind of mix involving a mandolin and keyboards. Apparently, there are some good groups on Facebook that do this, and we're actually planning to go hear one of them on a Saturday soon...

Anyway, if anyone has any recommendations for the Indianapolis area, please let me know!! 🙂

Has anyone here actually heard of this printing shop? Or perhaps some of you have even used them for your own projects?

Down in Savannah, they have:

http://www.pozivnice.org/

I find myself quite drawn to several of their invitation designs, and honestly, the pricing seems rather reasonable to me. I was thinking that I might make a point to stop by their location in Savannah when I head down to visit my grandmother... but before I commit to the trip, I thought I would ask you all first, just so I don't end up making a wasted journey.🙂

Nicholas’s bridal boutique... they actually have a location out in Indianapolis too, though I couldn't tell you the exact street address off the top of my head... personally, I found my dress there on the very first try!!!

www.vjencanicenikolina.hr

vividwolf80 said:We're basically in the exact same boat here... 😕
Once the catering and cake are sorted, it's officially time to deal with the photographer and the band... 🙄

As for photographers—I came across Katalin Photography, they work in the Indianapolis area too http://www.katalinphoto.com/HR/home.htm, but I find it a little sketchy since there's just a cell number listed, no physical address or landline... Has anyone heard of them, or better yet, actually used them? Based on their site, they look awesome! 🙂

Regarding the band, we definitely aren't looking for anything country or folk. I’ve been to weddings where Victor played and it was alright, and Dove from Virginia isn't bad either... but my guy really wants some mix of acoustic instruments and keys. Apparently, there are some great groups on Facebook we're looking into; we're trying to set up a time to hear them one Saturday...

Anyway, if anyone has any leads for the Indianapolis area—please let me know!! 🙂

For my wedding, I reached out to a band from Indianapolis called Star Fish.... a friend who lives out that way recommended them... but they were already booked... I heard they're really good though..

Samuel Taylor6 said:pinnky, I was wondering which photographer you ended up going with? What kind of prices are we talking about? We're actually hunting for a photographer and a band right now too. We already picked our venue. 🙂 We went with John Doe. 👍 (I've heard nothing but amazing things about that place, their service, everything.)
If anyone has any suggestions for a band in Indianapolis, please let me know...😉

We actually picked John Doe as well, specifically for June 16th, 2007.
I've heard nothing but great things about them...
My dear brother actually has a band—they're from Savannah and they're awesome—so if you still need leads, I can give you their number so you can chat with them... they're even playing at our wedding.

Can someone please let me know where you guys are getting your cakes made and what the damage is going to be? I don't care if it's just a private baker or a big catering company like Magnolia Bakery!

Anyway, I’ve been putting in some actual work lately and hit up a few bridal boutiques.
The biggest thing you have to do first is figure out exactly what you're looking for, because honestly, the selection is overwhelming.
At the Isabella boutique, the dress I’m eyeing is about $833, at Stephanie's it's $933, and over at Nicholas it's $1200...So, don't make it harder than it needs to be—just go try them on and start asking questions...

Our wedding is set for August 2007—we’re based out of Indianapolis—and we already locked in the Classic venue over on Oakland Avenue. We’ve got the catering, the servers, and even a band lined up (they're actually pretty decent). Right now, though, we're hunting for photographers. I’ve already decided I’m getting my dress custom-made at MO-MI because their stuff is killer—I've rented from them before for weddings and they never miss. As for invitations, those are already picked out, and we're just finishing up the cake orders. A friend of ours is going to bake them since she does this professionally... and yeah, there's still a mountain of stuff left to do, but fingers crossed everything goes smoothly.

My wedding is five months out. We booked a venue with pools up in Napa Valley—two dinners scheduled around $40, including all the catering and prep work. We've got a band from Live Nation—$2000. For dessert, we're working with two local ladies privately—one handles cakes, the other does pastries. I don't have their exact rates yet, but if anyone's interested, I can track down their numbers. As for photo and video, we're looking at "Mara" Photography—I think they're running about $1433 for the shoot and 150 photos. I already reserved my dress at Isabelle—$1333. I found some invitations I really love, though it’s still a bit early to pull the trigger—they're $2.25/piece including printing. For thank-you notes, I'm going with a photo print at $2.00/piece featuring our date and names. I toyed with the idea of giving different types of favors, but honestly, photos feel like the right call—most other stuff just ends up in the trash eventually. We're planning to make the favors ourselves; it's not a massive cost saving, but we want that personal touch. We might even DIY the invitations if I find the right paper. I’d love to craft everything by hand, but unfortunately, time isn't exactly on my side 😢

So, I’m checking in from Indianapolis (well, technically just outside Elizabeth). My wedding is set for June 15th, 2007, and we’re holding it over at the Hyatt Regency. We’ve decided to keep things simple with just a dinner reception, which ends up costing us $50 per person, drinks included. They’re actually going to handle all the desserts for us too (one cake $0.83) along with the wedding cake—there are about 40 of us attending, so the cake is $133, and the best part is we can pick whatever flavor we want. Honestly, the ballroom is absolutely stunning. We aren't hiring a live band or anything; we're just going to curate our own playlist from a CD. We’re even making our own invitations and favors! Our photographer is based right here in Elizabeth (Anic Photography), and the total package for all three items comes to $167 (that covers the church ceremony coverage, a DVD, a CD with all the digital shots, 150 prints, and a physical album). From what I’ve seen of his portfolio, we truly couldn't find anyone better. Of course, if we went with someone else, it would definitely end up being more expensive! Wishing all you ladies the absolute best of luck!😍

Ugh, so many people from the Midwest... I'm just glad the damage isn't too bad... if you guys happen to stumble upon anything cheap, please just let me know...
There are actually some decent finds over at Wedding Advice in Super (ground floor)