Everything you need for a Midwest wedding

Hey ladies, anyone got a solid recommendation or contact for a makeup artist in Indianapolis or maybe a nearby suburb? Ideally someone who does house calls, but I’m not super picky! (Seriously, if I have to ask this one more time, I'm gonna lose it! I feel like I'm asking everywhere and getting absolutely zero replies 😢

Check my previous posts if you don't believe me... I get my makeup done by Victoria from Indianapolis. You can find her on Facebook as MAC Cosmetics, so just look it up...

Kenneth Bailey48 said:Check my previous posts if you don't believe me... I get my makeup done by Victoria from Indianapolis. You can find her on Facebook as MAC Cosmetics, so just look it up...

Thanks so much, I remember seeing people mention her and some girl named Elena before, but I didn't have their info. This was exactly what I needed to finally see their work and photos! thanks a ton

Brandon Richardson6 said:Hey ladies, anyone got a solid recommendation or contact for a makeup artist in Indianapolis or maybe a nearby suburb? Ideally someone who does house calls, but I’m not super picky! (Seriously, if I have to ask this one more time, I'm gonna lose it! I feel like I'm asking everywhere and getting absolutely zero replies 😢

My bad regarding that sniper shot, looks pretty terrible and isn't even close to what I had in mind. Just having a rough day...

Brandon Richardson6 said:My bad regarding that sniper shot, looks pretty terrible and isn't even close to what I had in mind. Just having a rough day...

Which sniper? 🤷

😉

Daniel Smith8 said:Which sniper? 🤷

😉

you're an absolute sweetheart! thanks 🙂 (today's a new day, things will look up)

Ladies, quick question: has anyone here ever had their makeup done by David via Facebook? If so, could you please shoot me a private message? I'd love to chat!

Ethan Wilson94 said:I'm looking for some halls near Indianapolis—specifically in those smaller towns that aren't too far from the city. I tried searching online, but everything just points back to Indy or some suburban town, and if you look toward the Finger Lakes, there are barely three options to choose from.

Oh, and I need space for about 180 people. If anyone knows any spots, throw some prices and honest reviews my way. Thanks 🙂

You might want to check out a hall in a Small town nearby—it's not a long drive from the city at all... some of our friends were incredibly happy with that venue, so it's definitely high on our list of preferences.
P.S. They actually have a profile on Facebook, so you can head over there to browse through some photos.

Back again with my brilliant insights... how does it even make sense to pay for the venue separately from the catering? And then charging extra for linens on top of that... what is actually going on here?? Can someone please walk me through this logic? 🤷
help

With certain venues, you’re basically looking at two different routes. One option is to go all-in with them—they handle everything from the catering to the bar service, which is bundled right into the hall rental, and then you just pay a per-head fee. The other route is to rent the space separately and bring in your own crew—hiring your own chefs and servers while sourcing your own food and drinks... some people swear by this because, honestly, it can end up being way more budget-friendly if you play your cards right. As for linens, it’s a bit of a toss-up depending on where you book; some places include them in the base price, while others will tack on an extra charge if you need $2.25 or more...

Anthony Hall83 said:With certain venues, you’re basically looking at two different routes. One option is to go all-in with them—they handle everything from the catering to the bar service, which is bundled right into the hall rental, and then you just pay a per-head fee. The other route is to rent the space separately and bring in your own crew—hiring your own chefs and servers while sourcing your own food and drinks... some people swear by this because, honestly, it can end up being way more budget-friendly if you play your cards right. As for linens, it’s a bit of a toss-up depending on where you book; some places include them in the base price, while others will tack on an extra charge if you need $2.25 or more...

Just to add to that:
With some halls, you're just paying for the space itself (which includes the room, the chefs, and the staff), but you have to source the actual food yourself!
And I guess there are tons of different combinations too. Like, maybe you pay per head, but instead of the full menu, you pick up the desserts and spirits somewhere else—that usually brings the cost down a bit.

There are like, a million different ways to mix and match! I guess it’s probably best to pick a venue first, see what they offer, and then figure out what works best and what makes the most sense for your budget.

Help me out here!

Does anyone know where I can pick up those water beads—you know, those little gel balls that swell up when you soak them and look great in vases for decor😁?

I'm looking around Memphis, Nashville, or if I really have to, maybe even Indianapolis
.
Thanks!

copperheron47 said:Help me out here!

Does anyone know where I can pick up those water beads—you know, those little gel balls that swell up when you soak them and look great in vases for decor😁?

I'm looking around Memphis, Nashville, or if I really have to, maybe even Indianapolis
.
Thanks!

They used to carry them at the local hardware store in Dallas, or you could just order them from a design studio online in whatever color you want.

copperheron47 said:Help me out here!

Does anyone know where I can pick up those water beads—you know, those little gel balls that swell up when you soak them and look great in vases for decor😁?

I'm looking around Memphis, Nashville, or if I really have to, maybe even Indianapolis
.
Thanks!

I think I saw them at some discount stores near the border a few days ago! They had pretty big packs and they were only like $2.75. I think they only had the clear ones, but I'm not totally sure!

Where in Indianapolis can I find a high-quality Soak Off?

Ronald Jones11 said:Where in Indianapolis can I find a high-quality Soak Off?

The girls over at that Elite studio near Times Square do such a great job. I actually went in for a standard French tip and some gel, and honestly, I was super happy with it. I really can't stand it when they make them look way too thick, you know? But this turned out just right!
I didn't get a Soak Off myself, but I'm pretty sure they offer it there.

Alright, let me jump in here too...
I read through these threads all the time, and honestly, I’ve picked up so many good ideas just from this forum... thanks guys.
My wedding is set for April 14th, 2012, and I’ve already checked off most of the big stuff.
Just kidding—I actually booked everything at Baron Trenk in Indianapolis (it's basically their whole vibe: food, drinks, decorations, desserts, the works).
For photography, I went with Zoom Photography plus a friend of mine who does professional shoots and is even willing to fly out from Key West to the Midwest to shoot for us.
The band is the Band (haven't seen them live yet, but based on what I've seen online, they look awesome).
Those are the heavy hitters. Everything else is currently in the works, and I know exactly who to call when the time comes to start booking.
The only thing giving me a headache right now is hair and makeup... I'm not from the Midwest, I'm originally from California, so finding someone local is proving to be a bit of a struggle. Also, I'm wondering how far in advance I should put down a deposit for hair and makeup? Is four months out enough notice?🤷🤷

Look, it all depends. I had to beg my stylist just to squeeze me in for a September appointment back in May because one bride had already booked him solid for her wedding party, even though his other weekends were wide open. So... I don't know what kind of stylist you're looking for, but honestly? Just pick a place and book it immediately so you can stop stressing about it. As for makeup, there are plenty of artists who will just come to your house, which is way easier. Just scroll through this thread and you'll see your options.

Hey ladies, I have a quick question for you—where in Washington, D.C. or Columbus can I find some decent wedding shoes? I’m specifically looking for a shop that actually specializes in bridal footwear rather than just general heels. Where did you all end up going to shop for yours?

Rebecca Gray4 said:Hey ladies, I have a quick question for you—where in Washington, D.C. or Columbus can I find some decent wedding shoes? I’m specifically looking for a shop that actually specializes in bridal footwear rather than just general heels. Where did you all end up going to shop for yours?

Honestly, we don't really have any specialized bridal shoe boutiques around here. You basically just hit up regular shoe stores and hope you find something in their "massive" selection.
I haven't even heard of a dedicated bridal shop in Washington, D.C., let alone in places like Indianapolis or Columbus!

I haven't checked out anything in Columbus yet, but my little trek through Indianapolis? Yeah, I'd give that experience a solid zero out of ten!