Vendor Reviews - Lancaster Area

redreviving6

This post is way overdue but I promised my vendors that I would give them credit for their outstanding work!  We got married on March 26, 2010 at Eden Resort and I have to say our wedding was perfect and went off without any problems thanks to our fabulous team!  I can't upload pics but here are some from our vendor's blogs:

Couture Cakery: www.couturecakeryblog.net/2010/03/tamara-ralphs-weddingcongratulations.html">http://www.couturecakeryblog.net/2010/03/tamara-ralphs-weddingcongratulations.html

Planned Perfection: www.plannedperfectionpa.com/blog/2010/03/28/tamara-and-ralph-march-26-2010/">http://www.plannedperfectionpa.com/blog/2010/03/28/tamara-and-ralph-march-26-2010/

Here are my reviews of local vendors I used (I am not from Lancaster, so I planned this wedding away)

Venue: Eden Resort Courtyard/ A
www.edenresort.com/">http://www.edenresort.com/
I was sooo nervous about Eden but I have to say, they were phenomenal! and accommodating.  The courtyard is spectacular, the food was great.  Tina and Deb were readily available throughout the process.  It was very cost-effective for a Friday. The only drawback was ending at 10pm but besides that- fabulous!

Originally, we were having our ceremony at Grace Baptist Church but after we created our invitations, they told us that our switch to a female officiant went against church policy.  Therefore we moved our ceremony, and female officiant to Eden's Grande Ballroom (Thanks Tina for accommodating us).  Although we wanted to be in a church...it was THE BEST decision we made!  We reprinted our invitations and kept it moving!

Rehearsal Dinner:  Cork and Cap (Cork Factory Hotel) A++
www.corkfactoryhotel.com/corkandcaprestaurant/">http://www.corkfactoryhotel.com/corkandcaprestaurant/
By the time we thought about planning a rehearsal dinner we were almost over budget due to the ceremony mishap.  Thank goodness for Cork Factory's Cork and Cap restaurant for coming to the rescue .  We had a customized menu that included several heavy appetizers mixed with a few stationary items.  IT WAS PHENOMENIAL!  Literally, more than we expected, delicious and people are still talking about the food and ambiance.  The lamb chops...worth the drive!  Definitely check them out if you are looking for a true experience!

Baker:  The Couture Cakery/ A+ 
www.couturecakery.net/">http://www.couturecakery.net/
Schedule an appointment--she is absolutely phenomenal!  We wanted a cupcake tower and gave her freedom to design whatever she wanted.  We were pleased--Her red velvet is unmatched and everyone raved about how good her cupcakes were. Cost effective, extremely talented and creative.  Oh, and she also did a Grooms Cake for us...LOVE HER!

Flowers:  Petals and Beans/ A++
www.petalsandbeans.net/">http://www.petalsandbeans.net/
Please check out my pictures! We met Stacia at "The Best of Weddings" show hosted by Planned Perfection.  After visiting a few florist no one could quite top Stacia's design ability and value!  Our flowers were amazing...she was the ONLY florist who could give me Peonies in March w/o being extremely pricey.  You'd be doing yourself an injustice if you didn’t at least consult her

Photographer: Susquehanna Photographic/ B+
www.susquehannaphoto.com/">http://www.susquehannaphoto.com/
Finding a good and responsive photographer was difficult, we interviewed a lot of photographers, almost went with Simple Life Portraits but their lack of responsiveness lead us to severe the contract.  We sought out Susquehanna Photographic and were overal pleased with our photos.  They were timely, professional, creative and captured our wedding like a storyline!  The only downside was our posed shots which needed a bit more direction.  Otherwise, they are phenomenal and cost-effective! 

Jannat Hair Salon/ B+
 As an African American bride it was difficult to find hair salon recommendations in Lancaster.  I am glad we found Jannat's.  They closed to shop for us and did a good portion of my bridal party's hair.  They knew exactly how I wanted my hair and how to work with my weaved hair!   They do all types of hair textures, but if you are African American, I'd encourage you to check them out.

and SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST...

PLANNED PERFECTION! A+
 www.plannedperfectionpa.com/">http://www.plannedperfectionpa.com/

From "The Best of Wedding" show in November to the day of our wedding, Jonnaysa and crew did a great job coordinating the last minute details and timeline for the wedding.  We already had our design concept in place.  The hubby and I went back and forth about hiring a DOC but after the wedding, he was extremely thankful for Jonnaysa.  We often underestimate the value of having someone coordinate for us...but let me tell you...we had not ONE issue the day of our wedding!  We owe a huge portion of this to Jonnaysa's expertise and professionalism!

Lastly, I wanted to give some advice...

1) If you aren't connecting (personally and communicatively) with your vendors, axe them...there are too many great vendors in the area to feel uneasy!   We had a relationship with all of ours

2) We had a Friday wedding in March and had 98% attendance (and everyone lived out of town).  Communication is key, calling and following up is worth it

3) The small touches make all the difference, the favors, food selection, welcome bags, etc...are things you and your guests will remember!  Make your wedding your own and you can really do it on a budget.  If you are getting married in 2011...SHOP ON BLACK FRIDAY!  We saved SO MUCH by doing this.

4) The day is about you and your hubby (or wife).  Spend as much time as you can gazing in each other’s eyes and being in love...nothing else matters (and you get great pictures too)

Hopes this helps and congrats on your upcoming nuptials! 

redreviving6

This post is way overdue but I promised my vendors that I would give them credit for their outstanding work!  We got married on March 26, 2010 at Eden Resort and I have to say our wedding was perfect and went off without any problems thanks to our fabulous team!  I can't upload pics but here are some from our vendor's blogs:

Couture Cakery: www.couturecakeryblog.net/2010/03/tamara-ralphs-weddingcongratulations.html">http://www.couturecakeryblog.net/2010/03/tamara-ralphs-weddingcongratulations.html

Planned Perfection: www.plannedperfectionpa.com/blog/2010/03/28/tamara-and-ralph-march-26-2010/">http://www.plannedperfectionpa.com/blog/2010/03/28/tamara-and-ralph-march-26-2010/

Here are my reviews of local vendors I used (I am not from Lancaster, so I planned this wedding away)

Venue: Eden Resort Courtyard/ A
www.edenresort.com/">http://www.edenresort.com/
I was sooo nervous about Eden but I have to say, they were phenomenal! and accommodating.  The courtyard is spectacular, the food was great.  Tina and Deb were readily available throughout the process.  It was very cost-effective for a Friday. The only drawback was ending at 10pm but besides that- fabulous!

Originally, we were having our ceremony at Grace Baptist Church but after we created our invitations, they told us that our switch to a female officiant went against church policy.  Therefore we moved our ceremony, and female officiant to Eden's Grande Ballroom (Thanks Tina for accommodating us).  Although we wanted to be in a church...it was THE BEST decision we made!  We reprinted our invitations and kept it moving!

Rehearsal Dinner:  Cork and Cap (Cork Factory Hotel) A++
www.corkfactoryhotel.com/corkandcaprestaurant/">http://www.corkfactoryhotel.com/corkandcaprestaurant/
By the time we thought about planning a rehearsal dinner we were almost over budget due to the ceremony mishap.  Thank goodness for Cork Factory's Cork and Cap restaurant for coming to the rescue .  We had a customized menu that included several heavy appetizers mixed with a few stationary items.  IT WAS PHENOMENIAL!  Literally, more than we expected, delicious and people are still talking about the food and ambiance.  The lamb chops...worth the drive!  Definitely check them out if you are looking for a true experience!

Baker:  The Couture Cakery/ A+ 
www.couturecakery.net/">http://www.couturecakery.net/
Schedule an appointment--she is absolutely phenomenal!  We wanted a cupcake tower and gave her freedom to design whatever she wanted.  We were pleased--Her red velvet is unmatched and everyone raved about how good her cupcakes were. Cost effective, extremely talented and creative.  Oh, and she also did a Grooms Cake for us...LOVE HER!

Flowers:  Petals and Beans/ A++
www.petalsandbeans.net/">http://www.petalsandbeans.net/
Please check out my pictures! We met Stacia at "The Best of Weddings" show hosted by Planned Perfection.  After visiting a few florist no one could quite top Stacia's design ability and value!  Our flowers were amazing...she was the ONLY florist who could give me Peonies in March w/o being extremely pricey.  You'd be doing yourself an injustice if you didn’t at least consult her

Photographer: Susquehanna Photographic/ B+
www.susquehannaphoto.com/">http://www.susquehannaphoto.com/
Finding a good and responsive photographer was difficult, we interviewed a lot of photographers, almost went with Simple Life Portraits but their lack of responsiveness lead us to severe the contract.  We sought out Susquehanna Photographic and were overal pleased with our photos.  They were timely, professional, creative and captured our wedding like a storyline!  The only downside was our posed shots which needed a bit more direction.  Otherwise, they are phenomenal and cost-effective! 

Jannat Hair Salon/ B+
 As an African American bride it was difficult to find hair salon recommendations in Lancaster.  I am glad we found Jannat's.  They closed to shop for us and did a good portion of my bridal party's hair.  They knew exactly how I wanted my hair and how to work with my weaved hair!   They do all types of hair textures, but if you are African American, I'd encourage you to check them out.

and SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST...

PLANNED PERFECTION! A+
 www.plannedperfectionpa.com/">http://www.plannedperfectionpa.com/

From "The Best of Wedding" show in November to the day of our wedding, Jonnaysa and crew did a great job coordinating the last minute details and timeline for the wedding.  We already had our design concept in place.  The hubby and I went back and forth about hiring a DOC but after the wedding, he was extremely thankful for Jonnaysa.  We often underestimate the value of having someone coordinate for us...but let me tell you...we had not ONE issue the day of our wedding!  We owe a huge portion of this to Jonnaysa's expertise and professionalism!

Lastly, I wanted to give some advice...

1) If you aren't connecting (personally and communicatively) with your vendors, axe them...there are too many great vendors in the area to feel uneasy!   We had a relationship with all of ours

2) We had a Friday wedding in March and had 98% attendance (and everyone lived out of town).  Communication is key, calling and following up is worth it

3) The small touches make all the difference, the favors, food selection, welcome bags, etc...are things you and your guests will remember!  Make your wedding your own and you can really do it on a budget.  If you are getting married in 2011...SHOP ON BLACK FRIDAY!  We saved SO MUCH by doing this.

4) The day is about you and your hubby (or wife).  Spend as much time as you can gazing in each other’s eyes and being in love...nothing else matters (and you get great pictures too)

Hopes this helps and congrats on your upcoming nuptials! 

caracbeara

Thanks so much!!!! I've been keeping an eye out for your vendor reviews!!! Congrats on your wedding!!