I'm married! I honestly found about 95% of my vendors through recommendations and reviews on this board, so I thought I'd pay it forward to brides planning their weddings. We had a beautiful wedding day and I loved every minute of it!
If anyone has any questions or would like more information, feel free to send me an email at teaandco1211 @ gmail.com (minus the spaces)--PMs never work for me!
Reception: Arrowhead Golf Club, Wheaton
Recommendation: VERY HIGHLY recommend
Review: I knew wayyyy before I was even engaged that I wanted to have my wedding reception at Arrowhead. It is a gorgeous setting, and made for beautiful pictures. The whole building was decorated for Christmas, from the mulitple Christmas trees, to the amazing gingerbread house that the chef decorates every year with his family. Guests came up to me all night to rave about the stunning building, the friendly and helpful staff, and the superb food. Kristina, Jaci, and the rest of the team at Arrowhead helped make my wedding day dreams come true, and I can't imagine a better setting.
DOC: Karolina Warren, Weddings by Karolina
Recommendation: VERY HIGHLY recommend
Review: I can sum up my experience with Karolina by simply saying, I do not know how brides get married without her. She was worth her weight in gold, and was so unbelievably helpful, organized, diplomatic, and calm. Karolina was the main reason why I made it through wedding planning and the wedding weekend without having a nervous breakdown, and I will be forever grateful to her for that. Her pricing is extremely reasonable, and I honestly could not have done this without her. Oh, also--I have never met another human being who responds to emails so quickly. Love!
DJ: Matt Lodding, Your Night Productions
Recommendation: VERY HIGHLY recommend
Review: Matt was a fantastic DJ and emcee. The dance floor was packed, and one party enthusiast told me the next morning that Matt was the best DJ he's ever seen (heard?). We added uplighting at the VERY last minute (as in, Friday morning for our Saturday wedding), and we are so glad we did--it only added to the beauty of the room. I would work with Matt again in a heartbeat.
Photographer: Tasha Schalk, Redwall Photography
Recommendation: VERY HIGHLY recommend
Review: I loved Tasha from the moment I met her. She is friendly, enthusiastic, and quick to respond to emails (which I sooo appreciate). Tasha's eye for detail is amazing and beautiful. She is so passionate about her work and it shows. We received an email from Tasha the Tuesday after our wedding with "sneak peek" shots--gorgeous and such a wonderful surprise! I cannot wait to see the rest of the wedding photos and will treasure them for the rest of my life.
Videographer: JJ Kim, Orange Wedding Films
Recommendation: VERY HIGHLY recommend
Review: I am completely obsessed with JJ and the work that his team does. JJ is so unbelievably kind--you cannot set foot in his studio without feeling like you are in a friend's family room (an amazingly high-tech family room, but nonetheless, a friend's home). I was adamant in the beginning of wedding planning that I did not want a videographer...and then I saw one of JJ's wedding trailers and knew that not only did I NEED a videographer, but it had to be JJ. I am convinced that JJ is the absolute best at what he does and I am so excited to see our wedding trailer and film!
