Everything you need for a Midwest wedding

Susan Carter11 said:Hello everyone 😉.
I’ve started the slow process of planning my wedding, and I could really use some advice. I'm based in Memphis, so I'm looking for a venue, a florist, a band, and all the little extras that go with it. There is a local hall here called V&S, but I haven't heard anything good about it. I assume Hotel Lav is on the pricier side, so if anyone knows their rates, please let me know 😉. My other options are Wichita (which seems like a better bet) or Indianapolis—though Indy is a bit of a trek since my relatives are coming from Little Rock, and I'd rather they didn't arrive completely exhausted from the drive. As for florists in Memphis... what about Jukić? Yes or no? Ideally, I want one vendor who can handle everything: the bouquet, boutonnieres, decorating the car, the church, and whatever else they offer. Please send recommendations for Memphis or Wichita. Regarding photographers... right now I'm looking at the Krizmanić family or Photo Ivan from Ivankov. Most of them include invitations and thank-you notes, so hopefully, that's one less thing to worry about. For the dessert... I'm hoping the cake and decor are included in the venue price 😁, otherwise, I'll probably order the sweets and the wedding cake from Babin Greda. Now, the band!!! That's the real headache. There are endless options, but I need someone talented who won't break the bank (around $1667). I'm looking for a group that can play traditional folk music as well as modern hits. Even a standalone folk group would work, provided they are versatile enough to cover everything... and again, a reasonable price point 🙂.
If I've overlooked anything, please chime in 😉. I hope I'm not being too demanding 😂

Ugh, I can't help you much, but whatever you do, DO NOT hire Photo Ivan NIKAKO!!!! Five of my relatives used him and he completely trashed their memories. First, you're stuck waiting for a month, then the DVDs end up glitching—you can barely even see yourselves. Seriously, believe me... they used to be great, but unfortunately, they haven't been for a year now. Since you're in Memphis, tell me—what's the deal with Picasso from Vu? We put a deposit down because they're super cheap and throw in all sorts of freebies—two photo pillows which is pretty cool, a bunch of large prints, five sets of DVDs... the works. Have you dealt with them before?

Jamie Newman10 said:Well, initially, people were complaining about the service itself—they were incredibly sluggish and just painfully slow. Then there was the food, which, to put it mildly, was an absolute disaster. The staff is a total catastrophe too; they move at a snail's pace and half the things they promise you never actually happen. As for the atmosphere, "terrible" doesn't even begin to cover it—honestly, go ask someone who was actually involved in the planning meetings with them and you'll see what I mean. Sure, they might be cheaper, but the vibe, the staff, and the manager are all complete disasters.

It's such a shame that everyone's had such bad experiences... 😢 Thanks for the reply, Jamie Newman10, and thanks to dustytinker58 as well 🙂
if anyone else has had a slightly more positive experience with this hotel, please feel free to share

Susan Carter11 said:Hello everyone 😉.
I’ve started the slow process of planning my wedding, and I could really use some advice. I'm based in Memphis, so I'm looking for a venue, a florist, a band, and all the little extras that go with it. There is a local hall here called V&S, but I haven't heard anything good about it. I assume Hotel Lav is on the pricier side, so if anyone knows their rates, please let me know 😉. My other options are Wichita (which seems like a better bet) or Indianapolis—though Indy is a bit of a trek since my relatives are coming from Little Rock, and I'd rather they didn't arrive completely exhausted from the drive. As for florists in Memphis... what about Jukić? Yes or no? Ideally, I want one vendor who can handle everything: the bouquet, boutonnieres, decorating the car, the church, and whatever else they offer. Please send recommendations for Memphis or Wichita. Regarding photographers... right now I'm looking at the Krizmanić family or Photo Ivan from Ivankov. Most of them include invitations and thank-you notes, so hopefully, that's one less thing to worry about. For the dessert... I'm hoping the cake and decor are included in the venue price 😁, otherwise, I'll probably order the sweets and the wedding cake from Babin Greda. Now, the band!!! That's the real headache. There are endless options, but I need someone talented who won't break the bank (around $1667). I'm looking for a group that can play traditional folk music as well as modern hits. Even a standalone folk group would work, provided they are versatile enough to cover everything... and again, a reasonable price point 🙂.
If I've overlooked anything, please chime in 😉. I hope I'm not being too demanding 😂

Honey, I might not be able to help much, but here goes, hopefully this helps a little... 🙂
In Wichita, I think the best option is the Admiral Hotel. The restaurant is lovely, the food is great, and the staff is professional and attentive 😛 You could also look into the Bos halls; I've never been myself, but I've heard from plenty of people that they're decent.
Whatever you do, don't hire Photo Ivan... to be perfectly honest, I've never seen such poor photos or videos in my life. It was a nightmare!! 😱 Photo Rahela from Vk is good, and lately, I've heard about photo Medo, though I wouldn't bet my life on him.
Regarding sweets, the bakery run by Katherine in Ivankov used to have wonderful cakes; I just hope they haven't changed over the years 😉
A band for $1667?? That's tough! I don't think anyone will play all night for less than $1,000 🤷
As for flowers, the shop run by Iris from Ivankov is good, but I don't really know how the others compare... I hope this helps a bit 🙂

Quote : Alex Ross32

Hannah Moore32 said:Hey Tete, did you ever end up getting a wedding dress from that Isabelle boutique in Cleveland?? Or even just stop by there to get a sense of what their rental prices look like... Thanks in advance 😁

The new collection is sitting at $5,500—which is a massive jump compared to the old stuff that usually hovered between $3,500 and $4,500. I already put down a deposit with them, but honestly, I’ve had a total change of heart since then. So, if you end up finding "the one" at their shop, let me know—I can just hand over my deposit to you.$333) za $167 So you’d end up wearing the wedding dress in the end anyway—just a thought. $167 Cheaper—as if that’s ever actually been the case. It’s always some kind of catch. 🙂 They told me it was possible—like you’ve actually put away a grand, even though you're just sitting there thinking you're saving money. $167 🙂

I’ve already posted this before—sorry if I'm repeating myself—but hey, maybe someone actually finds it useful. 🙂

What’s the damage with Krizmanić? Does their quote already cover thank-you gifts, or is that an extra line item?
It drives me nuts when I have to tack on $2.25 per gift on top of the base rate—it ends up making the photographer way more $500 expensive than they actually are.

Alex Ross32 said:Quote : Alex Ross32

The new collection is sitting at $5,500—which is a massive jump compared to the old stuff that usually hovered between $3,500 and $4,500. I already put down a deposit with them, but honestly, I’ve had a total change of heart since then. So, if you end up finding "the one" at their shop, let me know—I can just hand over my deposit to you.$333) za $167 So you’d end up wearing the wedding dress in the end anyway—just a thought. $167 Cheaper—as if that’s ever actually been the case. It’s always some kind of catch. 🙂 They told me it was possible—like you’ve actually put away a grand, even though you're just sitting there thinking you're saving money. $167 🙂

I’ve already posted this before—sorry if I'm repeating myself—but hey, maybe someone actually finds it useful. 🙂

Wait, so you actually changed your mind??
Ahhh, okay, now I see that you did :P I clearly misread that part 🙂 maybe we could actually work something out together 😁

Susan Carter11 said:Hello everyone 😉.
I’ve started the slow process of planning my wedding, and I could really use some advice. I'm based in Memphis, so I'm looking for a venue, a florist, a band, and all the little extras that go with it. There is a local hall here called V&S, but I haven't heard anything good about it. I assume Hotel Lav is on the pricier side, so if anyone knows their rates, please let me know 😉. My other options are Wichita (which seems like a better bet) or Indianapolis—though Indy is a bit of a trek since my relatives are coming from Little Rock, and I'd rather they didn't arrive completely exhausted from the drive. As for florists in Memphis... what about Jukić? Yes or no? Ideally, I want one vendor who can handle everything: the bouquet, boutonnieres, decorating the car, the church, and whatever else they offer. Please send recommendations for Memphis or Wichita. Regarding photographers... right now I'm looking at the Krizmanić family or Photo Ivan from Ivankov. Most of them include invitations and thank-you notes, so hopefully, that's one less thing to worry about. For the dessert... I'm hoping the cake and decor are included in the venue price 😁, otherwise, I'll probably order the sweets and the wedding cake from Babin Greda. Now, the band!!! That's the real headache. There are endless options, but I need someone talented who won't break the bank (around $1667). I'm looking for a group that can play traditional folk music as well as modern hits. Even a standalone folk group would work, provided they are versatile enough to cover everything... and again, a reasonable price point 🙂.
If I've overlooked anything, please chime in 😉. I hope I'm not being too demanding 😂

I've heard Smith is alright—nothing mind-blowing, but based on what I've read here, nobody seems to complain about them. As for that Getty Images guy, I've never even heard of him, so I wouldn't recommend him.. 🤷 girls around here haven't mentioned him at all. Personally, Admiral is my top choice right now 😍, though we haven't picked a date yet. My fiancé's brother is getting married this year, so maybe we'll go next year... provided the price is right. 😕 I'm hosting 400 people, so I need guest rooms too. Also, you can forget about finding a decent band for 5k; the terrible ones charge way too much. Hope I'm not being annoying

Alex Ross32 said:What’s the damage with Krizmanić? Does their quote already cover thank-you gifts, or is that an extra line item?
It drives me nuts when I have to tack on $2.25 per gift on top of the base rate—it ends up making the photographer way more $500 expensive than they actually are.

About a year ago, my brother paid $5300 plus $2.00 per gift—and they had 180 of them, so we're looking at $6380 total. No clue what the market looks like now, but my brother was super happy with their work.

Honestly, finding a decent camera for under a thousand bucks is basically impossible, and even if you do find one, you have to wonder if it’s actually any good... Mine set me back almost eleven grand!! 😳 But hey, whatever... that's just the category where I refuse to cut corners...
And don't even get me started on photographers... man, the prices people are asking these days... I haven't even put a deposit down on anyone yet... They are just way too expensive for me right now... 😁

Hannah Moore32 said:Wait, so you actually changed your mind??
Ahhh, okay, now I see that you did :P I clearly misread that part 🙂 maybe we could actually work something out together 😁

Yeah, she changed her mind 🙂 I moved way too fast on that payment 🙂 If you end up finding a wedding dress over there, definitely let me know 😉

Ethan Cox5 said:Honestly, finding a decent camera for under a thousand bucks is basically impossible, and even if you do find one, you have to wonder if it’s actually any good... Mine set me back almost eleven grand!! 😳 But hey, whatever... that's just the category where I refuse to cut corners...
And don't even get me started on photographers... man, the prices people are asking these days... I haven't even put a deposit down on anyone yet... They are just way too expensive for me right now... 😁

You won't find anyone for under $6,000 😢 and if you want someone actually decent—someone who isn't just average—you're looking at $10,000 or more once you bundle the photography, video, and thank-you gifts together (since most vendors split those up to make the initial quote look cheaper). A wedding is just plain expensive 🤔

quietcobra52 said:About a year ago, my brother paid $5300 plus $2.00 per gift—and they had 180 of them, so we're looking at $6380 total. No clue what the market looks like now, but my brother was super happy with their work.

I really need to give them a call then—this sounds like a steal, and honestly, the photos look solid. I've seen much higher quotes from photographers who couldn't find the focus if their lives depended on it.

Alex Ross32 said:What’s the damage with Krizmanić? Does their quote already cover thank-you gifts, or is that an extra line item?
It drives me nuts when I have to tack on $2.25 per gift on top of the base rate—it ends up making the photographer way more $500 expensive than they actually are.

A buddy of mine shelled out roughly $2333 for a package that covered 1000 photos, video, and the thank-you cards...

quietcobra52 said:Ugh, I can't help you much, but whatever you do, DO NOT hire Photo Ivan NIKAKO!!!! Five of my relatives used him and he completely trashed their memories. First, you're stuck waiting for a month, then the DVDs end up glitching—you can barely even see yourselves. Seriously, believe me... they used to be great, but unfortunately, they haven't been for a year now. Since you're in Memphis, tell me—what's the deal with Picasso from Vu? We put a deposit down because they're super cheap and throw in all sorts of freebies—two photo pillows which is pretty cool, a bunch of large prints, five sets of DVDs... the works. Have you dealt with them before?

I haven't had any dealings with Picasso, but I happen to be passing by their office today, so I might go poke around a bit 😉.

I know there isn't a band available around $1667, though it might have been worth asking 😉 just in case there are exceptions. I know some famous folk musicians who would play for $5,500 since we have connections, but they don't really know how to play anything else. It’s a real headache 😉

Everything is great in Indianapolis, especially at Kristal, because they offer full-service decoration—everything from the venue and cars to the church, dresses, and catering... but they're just too far away for me 😢.

Hey Susan Carter11, you should definitely do a little driving through the countryside... honestly, you might find some local spots that offer the exact same stuff as those big-name places, just without the massive price tag. That’s been my experience anyway... I managed to score all the desserts, tablecloths, and even two full dinners for $55... 🙂 we're just handling the drinks ourselves...

Ethan Cox5 said:Hey Susan Carter11, you should definitely do a little driving through the countryside... honestly, you might find some local spots that offer the exact same stuff as those big-name places, just without the massive price tag. That’s been my experience anyway... I managed to score all the desserts, tablecloths, and even two full dinners for $55... 🙂 we're just handling the drinks ourselves...

What kind of venue are we talking about here? 🙂

Alex Ross32 said:You won't find anyone for under $6,000 😢 and if you want someone actually decent—someone who isn't just average—you're looking at $10,000 or more once you bundle the photography, video, and thank-you gifts together (since most vendors split those up to make the initial quote look cheaper). A wedding is just plain expensive 🤔

My photo Picasso is $1333 + $1.75 for the thank-you gifts. All in, we’re looking at 4 $233 which I think is a steal. Plus, they seem like genuinely cool people. We aren't exactly high-maintenance when it comes to photography—as long as the price is right and they don't screw over our DVD. There was this other photographer (photo Ličanin from Gundinac) at the same price point, and we were seriously torn between them, but we ended up going with Picasso based on a recommendation.

Ethan Cox5 said:Honestly, finding a decent camera for under a thousand bucks is basically impossible, and even if you do find one, you have to wonder if it’s actually any good... Mine set me back almost eleven grand!! 😳 But hey, whatever... that's just the category where I refuse to cut corners...
And don't even get me started on photographers... man, the prices people are asking these days... I haven't even put a deposit down on anyone yet... They are just way too expensive for me right now... 😁

My band goes for about $1,000 a day including the backing tracks. Basically, they do accordion and folk instruments during the day, then switch it up to keys, drums, and guitar for the evening sets—hehe... plus they're actually really good and can play just about anything. Since I'm a bit of a mixed bag myself—as is my sweetie—we needed musicians who could handle a huge variety of genres. Honestly, every other group I called was asking $1,300-$1,600 without any backup at all... absolutely insane!!!

Alex Ross32 said:Yeah, she changed her mind 🙂 I moved way too fast on that payment 🙂 If you end up finding a wedding dress over there, definitely let me know 😉

No worries... I've already been scrolling through some stuff online, looking at what they have available there. I have a feeling it’ll be one of those types... I just can't seem to bring myself to actually head out there yet... 🙂 So, what's the deal with the staff over there? Are they actually friendly... or do they give you that typical "don't bother me" look? I can never tell sometimes... Some people... In salons?...

Hannah Moore32 said:No worries... I've already been scrolling through some stuff online, looking at what they have available there. I have a feeling it’ll be one of those types... I just can't seem to bring myself to actually head out there yet... 🙂 So, what's the deal with the staff over there? Are they actually friendly... or do they give you that typical "don't bother me" look? I can never tell sometimes... Some people... In salons?...

The staff is actually super sweet. I went in totally indecisive, telling them I was still weighing my options, and they didn't even blink—they just went through all the dresses with me all over again without any attitude. They really try to get what you're looking for so they can suggest things in that same vein. When you call to set an appointment, just tell them exactly which dresses you want to try on. There's a chance the ones you want might not be in stock the day you show up, so they'll book a special time when everything you want is actually in the shop—saves you from having to drive back and forth a hundred times.