Everything you need for a Midwest wedding

Susan Brooks3 said:Can't speak for Silver Band, but I can tell you this about Kriv Spoj: they're killer. I caught them at a wedding recently and they absolutely crushed it—especially during the cake cutting and when the newlyweds, best man, and bridesmaids all join in for a song. They really know how to crank up the energy. Honestly, though, it all comes down to what kind of vibe you two settle on...

That's good to hear, because we actually already picked them 😍

nimbleviper15 said:Hey ladies, I see you're looking to get a tan. I don't know how much time you have before the wedding, but here is some advice from a former regular. 😉 You could probably go twice a week, or even three times, depending on your schedule and the look you're after. Personally, I found the best results came from combining it with actual sunlight. If you want to speed things up, you might try drinking fresh carrot juice starting now—maybe twice a day. You can mix it with oranges, apples, or lemon; you definitely need some lemon for the Vitamin C, since that helps the body process all those vitamins and minerals. I think you'll get better, more even results by using lower settings for longer and slowly increasing the strength. If you jump straight to the highest intensity, you might just burn, end up with an ugly tone, extra moles, or prematurely aged skin. It’s probably wise to use lotions both before and after. Also, don't shower for at least an hour after a session. Good luck.😉
You'll look great, just try not to overdo it. 😉

Thank you so much for the tips; they are always appreciated, and yours are particularly helpful. It is definitely best not to overindulge, as we really just want a lovely, subtle tan😉😉

jadeotter10 said:For a brass band, I can definitely recommend the Boy Scouts of America. I heard them once and they were sooo good! You can find them on YouTube, go check them out 😉

Thanks for the tip! They’re awesome and have plenty of availability for our dates, though they might be a little pricey, I guess. 😢
They're looking for someone for just one afternoon, I guess. $833I mean, I know they’re a solid group, but maybe it's just a bit much?
Anyone else looking? I guess since those Midwest folk musicians released their new tracks and videos, they probably hiked up their prices too. Does anyone have a lead on someone else? $500Maybe around 2000 max? I guess.

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum! I was wondering if anyone could share their experiences with Fantasia Floral Design? Also, I'm having a hard time deciding between two makeup artists for my wedding day—Jelena or Ana Coric. They both have such incredible portfolios, and I'm totally torn. On another note, I really wanted to give a shout-out to the newly opened Salon Queen over on Cepinski Street (just before you hit Lidl). A group of us went there to get our lapels done; we brought in a reference photo, and she actually did an even better job than the picture! The pricing is very fair too, not overpriced like some places can be. We also picked up balloons and decorative bows from her. She made the bows herself, so they aren't those cheap, mass-produced ones you see everywhere. Since our wedding colors are purple and green, we asked her to custom-make the bows to match, and honestly, they turned out absolutely stunning. If you need anything like that, I highly recommend her!🙂😍

Patrick Morris6 said:Thanks for the tip! They’re awesome and have plenty of availability for our dates, though they might be a little pricey, I guess. 😢
They're looking for someone for just one afternoon, I guess. $833I mean, I know they’re a solid group, but maybe it's just a bit much?
Anyone else looking? I guess since those Midwest folk musicians released their new tracks and videos, they probably hiked up their prices too. Does anyone have a lead on someone else? $500Maybe around 2000 max? I guess.

Oh, hey! So, I actually reached out to that Slavonian Tamburaš group myself, and they’ll do it for under $2000, so I think I’m gonna pull the trigger on them. Honestly, they’ve been the best ones I’ve heard at weddings out in the Midwest, and since the price is right, why not?
Just a month ago, I was at this wedding where Zlatan Klas played—they're definitely cheaper, but honestly, they just didn't wow me 😢
. The only other people recommended were Kas, but I don't know, I heard they're more expensive, and since I haven't actually seen them live, I really don't want to take the gamble, even though they did win that one TV show, so you'd think they'd be great.

Jonathan Hernandez29 As specified by Thomas Brooks2:
I am quite new to this community, so I am eager to hear about your personal experiences with the Fantasia floral boutique. I find myself facing a bit of a dilemma regarding my wedding day makeup; I am torn between booking either Jelena or Ana Coric, as both stylists are truly exceptional and I simply cannot make up my mind. On a separate note, I felt compelled to share a wonderful recommendation for the newly opened Salon Queen over on Cepinski Street, just a short distance from the local Lidl. A group of us went there for our bridal party reveres, and although we arrived with a specific photo for inspiration, she managed to execute the look even more beautifully than we had imagined. Her pricing is incredibly reasonable as well, avoiding those excessive fees you sometimes encounter elsewhere. We also purchased our balloons and decorative bows from her, and I must say, the bows were handcrafted with such care. Since our wedding colors are a unique combination of purple and green, we asked her to custom-make the bows to match, and they turned out absolutely stunning. If you happen to be looking for any of these services, I recommend her most sincerely.🙂😍

My experience working with Jelen has been nothing short of phenomenal, provided we are talking about the same Jelen who was previously with Martimex. She is truly one of a kind, and I actually had no idea she was back in the workforce given how busy she must be with her little ones at home.🙂🙂In my personal estimation, Ana Coric comes across as a bit disorganized and lacks a certain polished touch—no offense intended, of course, that is simply my own take on her style. I also find myself wondering why it takes her such an extensive amount of time just to complete a single makeup application for one client. Beyond that, her pricing is truly where my biggest grievance lies, as I firmly believe you simply cannot charge those kinds of rates for that particular level of quality. Perhaps my input is helpful and perhaps it isn't, but having been styled by nearly every prominent makeup artist in the industry during various fashion shows, I feel quite confident that my perspective is an objective one, regardless of whether anyone agrees with it or not.☕

Since nobody seems to have any info on Ten, does anyone know anything about Kunjevac? Ladies, I need help here 🙂

Mark Flores47 said:Since nobody seems to have any info on Ten, does anyone know anything about Kunjevac? Ladies, I need help here 🙂

I heard Kunjevac is closed down, but you should probably double-check. We actually drove out there once hoping to check them out, and the girl at the front desk was totally clueless. She told us the manager would email over some info, but it’s been nearly two months since we got that email and still... nothing. Absolute radio silence. It’s honestly pathetic how unprofessional they are. 🤷

We went ahead and booked the Ivanov estate over in Ivankov, and honestly, we’re feeling pretty good about it so far. We’ve heard nothing but glowing reviews, so I’m thinking we definitely made the right call here. 🙂

The Band that really caught our attention ☕ is the Gentlemen. Once again, we've heard nothing but praise for them. Has anyone else here actually worked with them before? 😵

driftingjackal9 said:We went ahead and booked the Ivanov estate over in Ivankov, and honestly, we’re feeling pretty good about it so far. We’ve heard nothing but glowing reviews, so I’m thinking we definitely made the right call here. 🙂

The Band that really caught our attention ☕ is the Gentlemen. Once again, we've heard nothing but praise for them. Has anyone else here actually worked with them before? 😵

And yeah, we're at the Ivanov estate, just like you already knew! Since my wedding went down before yours, I'll give you the real scoop—🙂 everyone’s happy, and the owner is a total legend!! He’s there all night, serving everything and checking in to see if you need anything else.
I've heard the Gentlemen are killer!!! Didn't catch them live myself, though.

Man, 😠 the vibes there seem great—lots of nature and all that stuff 😉 but I still need to double-check things. I know a friend and her boyfriend went there recently, so maybe Salaš isn't even open anymore... who knows. Thanks for the heads-up, I’ll have to look into it. Honestly, if I show up and they’re being unprofessional like that, I'm out. I haven't even started looking properly yet, but I'm already getting a bad feeling 🤣 because having guest rooms is a huge plus for me. I've got tons of family living out of state.. 😕 so I'd definitely be looking to snag a discount on those rooms right away 😁

Mark Flores47 said:Man, 😠 the vibes there seem great—lots of nature and all that stuff 😉 but I still need to double-check things. I know a friend and her boyfriend went there recently, so maybe Salaš isn't even open anymore... who knows. Thanks for the heads-up, I’ll have to look into it. Honestly, if I show up and they’re being unprofessional like that, I'm out. I haven't even started looking properly yet, but I'm already getting a bad feeling 🤣 because having guest rooms is a huge plus for me. I've got tons of family living out of state.. 😕 so I'd definitely be looking to snag a discount on those rooms right away 😁

Eee... they're totally shut down. Both Sala and the restaurant. My partner and I were actually hoping to grab dinner there, but nope, nothing happening 😢

Thomas Brooks2 said:

Jonathan Hernandez29 As specified by Thomas Brooks2:
I am quite new to this community, so I am eager to hear about your personal experiences with the Fantasia floral boutique. I find myself facing a bit of a dilemma regarding my wedding day makeup; I am torn between booking either Jelena or Ana Coric, as both stylists are truly exceptional and I simply cannot make up my mind. On a separate note, I felt compelled to share a wonderful recommendation for the newly opened Salon Queen over on Cepinski Street, just a short distance from the local Lidl. A group of us went there for our bridal party reveres, and although we arrived with a specific photo for inspiration, she managed to execute the look even more beautifully than we had imagined. Her pricing is incredibly reasonable as well, avoiding those excessive fees you sometimes encounter elsewhere. We also purchased our balloons and decorative bows from her, and I must say, the bows were handcrafted with such care. Since our wedding colors are a unique combination of purple and green, we asked her to custom-make the bows to match, and they turned out absolutely stunning. If you happen to be looking for any of these services, I recommend her most sincerely.🙂😍

My experience working with Jelen has been nothing short of phenomenal, provided we are talking about the same Jelen who was previously with Martimex. She is truly one of a kind, and I actually had no idea she was back in the workforce given how busy she must be with her little ones at home.🙂🙂In my personal estimation, Ana Coric comes across as a bit disorganized and lacks a certain polished touch—no offense intended, of course, that is simply my own take on her style. I also find myself wondering why it takes her such an extensive amount of time just to complete a single makeup application for one client. Beyond that, her pricing is truly where my biggest grievance lies, as I firmly believe you simply cannot charge those kinds of rates for that particular level of quality. Perhaps my input is helpful and perhaps it isn't, but having been styled by nearly every prominent makeup artist in the industry during various fashion shows, I feel quite confident that my perspective is an objective one, regardless of whether anyone agrees with it or not.☕

Thanks for the reply. I honestly don't know if she worked there, but I know she goes by Jelena make up on Facebook. 🙂

Has anyone here worked with the pixel photographer based out of Petrijevac?🤷

Does anyone actually know where I can go to rent some fancy table candle holders? Seriously, pleaseeeee help me out here, I am totally obsessed with them and just have to have them for this setup! 😢

Sam Campbell2 said:Does anyone actually know where I can go to rent some fancy table candle holders? Seriously, pleaseeeee help me out here, I am totally obsessed with them and just have to have them for this setup! 😢

You might be able to find some at a few local florists over in Des Moines.
I’d definitely try checking out Palm Springs—I know for a fact that Stella carries them...

Yeah, I heard something about it... supposedly some issue with the billing or whatever 🤷 but they’ll end up reopening it, for sure 🙂

I was wondering if anyone could share some more detailed experiences regarding the Hilton in Des Moines? 🙂

Hey everyone...
I’ve got a question that might sound totally stupid or like I'm asking in the wrong place, but I figured this was my best shot at getting an answer.
I saw this bride recently—she was having her wedding reception at Downtown Perić in Des Moines—and I am honestly obsessed with her dress. It wasn't like one of those traditional, puffy wedding gowns; it felt more like a high-end evening dress, but man, it just caught my eye. From what I can tell, since they posted photos on their Facebook page back around summer 2012...
If anyone knows who I'm talking about or happens to know the girl, I'd be so grateful if you could let me know where she got it or rented it from. No big deal if not.
The photos are under public on their page, so if anyone wants to help out, just check the album labeled 'heh'.

Chris Kim said:I was wondering if anyone could share some more detailed experiences regarding the Hilton in Des Moines? 🙂

I headed out there to check out some wedding packages—both for the bridal party and just to see what things look like from a guest's perspective!
I’ll say this much about the first option: their prices are definitely more competitive than the others, but does a lower price tag actually mean better quality? Not necessarily! The lady working there was perfectly polite, don't get me wrong, but she just wasn't hitting the right note with me. When I tried to dig into the details—asking things like, "Look, does the stuffed cabbage really need to be top-tier, or are you just checking a box because guests expect it at a wedding?"—she didn't exactly lean into the conversation. Instead, she just brushed my suggestions aside with, "Why would you need that?" or "What's the point of that?" Honestly, it left a bad taste in my mouth. It didn't feel like she was actually interested in helping us pull off a great wedding dinner. If they aren't willing to listen to our vision, how can we trust them with our big day?
What about the other part of the experience? Honestly, the service was pretty lackluster. The servers barely checked on us, so we were left sitting there thirsty unless we went out of our way to flag someone down. On top of that, the food portions felt really skimpy. Now, I’m stuck wondering—was that actually on the staff, or was it because the newlyweds brought their own catering and just had the hotel prep it? I honestly can't tell! But all I know is the bottom line: I walked away feeling pretty disappointed.