Everything you need for a Midwest wedding

Walter Price5 said:It seems some of you know that agency in Richmond that handles Lepidoptera's wedding planning. If you don't mind, could you share what their services actually cover? I'm looking for rough pricing and why you'd recommend them over others. Also, do they handle catering?

I actually know the owner personally, and she is an absolute rockstar. She didn't handle my wedding because she launched her agency just two months after my big day, but seriously, she’s a total powerhouse. She’s hands-on, stays on top of every detail, handles the coordination, and just gets things done...
I'm not sure about the exact costs, but since they're based in the Midwest, they won't charge the crazy premiums you'd find in places like NYC or LA.
They do everything—catering, tents, lighting, cakes, desserts... I won't ramble on too long, just look up Leah on Facebook; all the details should be right there.

jadetiger7 said:sun25, weren't you supposed to have a Mirror studio for photographers too?

Hostel Plus is right downtown and their rates are actually pretty good $77 since they're brand new and renovated—personally, I think they're the nicest spot around. I've even booked wealthier older guests there because it's much nicer than staying at the Admiral. The owner also runs a hostel over in Cordelia where you can get a stay $45 at a discount.

For anyone asking about places to stay in Richmond, just be careful with Magnus. They seem cheap, but I heard that during events like the Catherinian Fair, exhibitors will book rooms and then just disappear without even picking up the keys. Do a little digging online first. As far as I know, there are also some apartments near the boardwalk.

Also, May 28th is my birthday, so we’ll have a double celebration.

That agency out of Richmond handles everything—literally everything you need. They even found me a guest registry for almost half of what most companies charge. Isidor is great and will get everything sorted!

I had planned on it... but they were already fully booked by the time I reached out.

cosmictiger67 said:I seem to have overlooked one detail, so I would be truly grateful if someone could suggest a reliable catering service here in Indianapolis. 🙂

Look, check out Lipov Cold or Karaka. Just go look at their websites and see. Prices vary a ton depending on what you're looking for...

Gentledriver92, nothing too extravagant—just something light enough for guests to nibble on before they head out to church, but still delicious. I am looking for some firsthand accounts regarding catering services (though I am also weighing the option of simply ordering some platters from Billie, for instance 😉). Thank you!

cosmictiger67 said:Gentledriver92, nothing too extravagant—just something light enough for guests to nibble on before they head out to church, but still delicious. I am looking for some firsthand accounts regarding catering services (though I am also weighing the option of simply ordering some platters from Billie, for instance 😉). Thank you!

Look, I can tell you specifically—I was at weddings where they used Lipov catering. At the groom's side, they had both hot and cold appetizers and honestly, there was just everything... all beautifully laid out and arranged and blah blah blah. Then at the bride's side, they just did cold platters and salads, which was also fine. You get a server, they bring their own plates, glasses... they set everything up and clean up after themselves, so you don't have to worry about a thing. 😉

cosmictiger67 said:Gentledriver92, nothing too extravagant—just something light enough for guests to nibble on before they head out to church, but still delicious. I am looking for some firsthand accounts regarding catering services (though I am also weighing the option of simply ordering some platters from Billie, for instance 😉). Thank you!

The Lipov cold cuts are fantastic, definitely recommend them, but you might also want to check out the catering options over at Nutrition:
http://www.prehrana.net/catering-osijek-bugarin.html
Their presentation is really lovely, and word is they’re pretty affordable, too. They actually had a booth at the fair out in the Prairies, and honestly, theirs was the best-looking setup there...

gentledriver92 said:I had planned on it... but they were already fully booked by the time I reached out.

Looks like you beat me to it. 🙂
And you beat me to the punch for once! 🙂

cosmictiger67 said:I seem to have overlooked one detail, so I would be truly grateful if someone could suggest a reliable catering service here in Indianapolis. 🙂

We actually do catering specializing in cured meats if you're interested. My fiancé runs the business, so just shoot me a DM if you want more details.

jadetiger7 said:Looks like you beat me to it. 🙂
And you beat me to the punch for once! 🙂

hehe, yeah, I guess we both got what we wanted 😁

Walter Price5 said:I suppose I’m facing the same issue... My in-laws are staying at the Admiral too. Only, since I need accommodations for about 100 people, would the price difference be 125 or 135?
Does anyone know of a decent hostel or motel around here? I guess. Maybe. $33 Staying at VK? I guess maybe.

Maybe try asking about the rates at Gem or Lady-Mu. I guess Lady M might be cheaper, but honestly, don't go expecting anything too fancy! 🙂

frozenangler87 said:Maybe try asking about the rates at Gem or Lady-Mu. I guess Lady M might be cheaper, but honestly, don't go expecting anything too fancy! 🙂

Gem is pricey, and I wouldn't recommend Lady M if they actually care about their guests. 🙂)))

cosmictiger67 said:Hello there! I am also on the lookout for some reasonably priced accommodations, though my search is centered in Indianapolis. 😕

To me, this looks like a pretty solid deal for Indianapolis, though I suppose it really depends on how many people are splitting the bill.

$110That's the rate per person if you're sharing with someone else.
http://www.zoo-hotel.com/doc-pdf/Cjenik%20soba.pdf

I'm not entirely sure if this will appeal to you, but it might be worth checking out the new student dormitory. They have these apartment-style setups that basically function just like a hotel suite—you get a kitchen, a living area, a bathroom, and a bedroom with two beds. It was roughly around $67 per person. They also offer standard rooms (room, kitchen, bath) and maybe even some basic dorm rooms, both of which should end up being cheaper options. Since there are hardly any students around during the weekends, it’s much quieter. If you're part of the younger crowd, why not give it a shot?

We've got part of it sorted. We have Peter's Hall and Ana Višnjevac, the band Essekeri, and the photographer from Photo Inch. Everything looks great. We're sticking with the hall's catering plus their dessert options—those treats from Babin Greda that everyone on this forum raves about. We're getting our rehearsal tonight, so I'll let you know how it goes 🙂))

jadetiger7 said:Gem is pricey, and I wouldn't recommend Lady M if they actually care about their guests. 🙂)))

Well, I guess that’s really her only option if she's looking for budget stays (at least from what I can tell)!

There's also the Hotel Slavonija, the Hotel Cibalia, or that motel over on Gundulić, but I'm thinking those are probably way out of her price range anyway!

Thanks so much for providing those details, I really appreciate it! 😉

jadetiger7 said:Gem is pricey, and I wouldn't recommend Lady M if they actually care about their guests. 🙂)))

What exactly is messy about that Lad m? I'm heading to the Midwest for Easter, so I'll probably check around and book somewhere... I mean, guests usually just need a place to sleep, nothing fancy, but I still think things should look decent.

Like one girl mentioned above... if we're talking about a difference of only 5 dollars, $3.25it's probably not even worth moving guests from one hotel to another. Right now, I'm staying at the Admiral $45, which is a good deal considering how much things cost in San Francisco 🙂)

I still haven't booked a photographer or a florist. I've asked about this before, but I haven't gotten a straight answer yet. I guess I'm stuck on Krizmanić because I heard he was decent, but then I saw some conflicting stuff about him on the forums.
I'm not local, so I don't really know anyone to recommend, and since people have been mentioning him online, I'm a bit hesitant. If anyone here has actually used him, maybe you could reach out with some details?

Walter Price5 said:I still haven't booked a photographer or a florist. I've asked about this before, but I haven't gotten a straight answer yet. I guess I'm stuck on Krizmanić because I heard he was decent, but then I saw some conflicting stuff about him on the forums.
I'm not local, so I don't really know anyone to recommend, and since people have been mentioning him online, I'm a bit hesitant. If anyone here has actually used him, maybe you could reach out with some details?

Regarding Krizmanić—he's alright. His rates aren't outrageous, so for the price, it's fine. He isn't a high-end pro, but he puts in the effort. Honestly, he's better than half the people shooting weddings out in the Midwest. I've seen some of his shots that were absolutely stunning, while others were just average. I suspect it depends on his mood that day—which shouldn't happen with a true professional who charges premium rates. His work is solid, follows the rules, and stays on schedule, even if it lacks that "wow" factor sometimes.

I’d also suggest looking into Rahel. She has studios in both Vincennes and El Paso. If you can, go see her work in person. Her photography is excellent; she has a real eye for elegance. The shots are well-executed, though they aren't overly edited or flashy. She charges around a thousand dollars, but you get a lot for the package. See if she fits your style.

Aside from Studio69, those are the only photographers in the Vincennes area I’d personally recommend. As for the rest of the US, I couldn't say. There are probably better options out there, but the prices would likely be much higher.

Walter Price5 said:What exactly is messy about that Lad m? I'm heading to the Midwest for Easter, so I'll probably check around and book somewhere... I mean, guests usually just need a place to sleep, nothing fancy, but I still think things should look decent.

Like one girl mentioned above... if we're talking about a difference of only 5 dollars, $3.25it's probably not even worth moving guests from one hotel to another. Right now, I'm staying at the Admiral $45, which is a good deal considering how much things cost in San Francisco 🙂)

I mentioned Lady M because I honestly thought it would be cheaper. I've never actually stayed in a room there, though—I was just in some hall during a makeup presentation!
To be totally real, people used to say that hotel was basically for quick hookups, and even those UN Peacekeeping Forces guys stayed there back during the war!
But word is there's a new owner involved and things are way better now, and I heard the whole vibe is totally different!

But seriously, my advice? Just put everyone in the Admiral. It's right downtown, it's relatively affordable, and it's reliable. Why worry about what people might say later about where you put them or how you handled it?! Look, it's a solid spot, the people and service are fine, and you won't find anything cheaper at that price point. But hey, maybe check out a few others too, then you can decide.

Walter Price5 said:I still haven't booked a photographer or a florist. I've asked about this before, but I haven't gotten a straight answer yet. I guess I'm stuck on Krizmanić because I heard he was decent, but then I saw some conflicting stuff about him on the forums.
I'm not local, so I don't really know anyone to recommend, and since people have been mentioning him online, I'm a bit hesitant. If anyone here has actually used him, maybe you could reach out with some details?

We ended up booking Franov & Petrić. Honestly, given the level of quality they provide, I think their pricing is more than fair. In my opinion, many photographers at that caliber charge way too much, but these guys seem very reasonable. They're based out of Indianapolis and are relatively new to this scene, so they might not have the massive reputation just yet... but we've seen their portfolio and it's incredible. You can tell they are true artists. They just have a different style, which is exactly what we were looking for 🙂. I'm really hoping our photos turn out just as beautiful 😍. They have a website, so you should definitely take a look 😉