My husband and I have never been the type to complain. We're pretty relaxed people, so when it came time to decide on how we wanted our wedding to unfold, we opted to have a really laid back, small wedding in Milwaukee (where we live).
Even though we were married a month ago, I'm still reeling from how terrible it was to work with some vendors. Others were absolutely fantastic, so I will definitely make mention of them, but I'd like for fellow brides to know who to avoid so that this sort of stuff doesn't happen to them.
First, THE GREAT! Hinterland Gastropub in the Third Ward - A+++ Using this restaurant for our reception space was the best decision I've ever made in my life. Their food is amazing, they are willing to work with you to fit your budget, they can fit your dietary needs/food preferences, and they are just awesome people to hang out with. The chef has won multiple, coveted culinary awards, and the space has the most amazing rustic (yet high-end) feel to it. President Obama ordered all of his Superbowl beer from their brewery in Green Bay last January and they totally deserve every bit of recognition. They have space for dancing, and also have space for a bridal shower/reception dinner if you wanted to do that instead of having your reception here. Ask for Andrea, the event coordinator, and tell her that the Linn's sent you.
THE BAD/UGLY:
Calvary Presbyterian Church/The Big Red Church on Wisconsin Avenue, across from Marquette Law School -- D
The church allows you to bring in any pastor/officiant you want and you do not have to be a member to be married there. You do, however, have to pay $800+ to use the space. The church is historic and doesn't have air conditioning. When we inquired about how they were able to have so many weddings there in the summer (as they stated to us was happening), the wedding coordinator assured us that it was generally cool, and that they opened the windows and "fanned out" the place with multiple large fans all day and the night before to ensure that it would be comfortable for guests. On the day of our wedding (and during the rehearsal the night before) the church was sweltering. I walked down the aisle to see a black standing fans (the rotating type you'd buy at Walmart) blowing behind the groomsmen. You could barely hear our music over the blowing of the fan, and the fan was doing nothing to help with the heat.
We had nontraditional music at our ceremony, and I was assured that the wedding coordinator would know exactly when to tell people where to go. As I stood behind the doors, waiting to enter, she said "You can hear the music, can't you? You can figure out when to go, right?" But I couldn't hear the music, and apparently neither could she. I ended up walking out about 30 seconds too soon.
When I got to the podium, I saw the groomsmen, you had only been standing about 3 minutes before I got there, sweating with their hair beading up. My husband looked like he wanted to pass out, and sweat was dripped from the back of his neck onto his collar.
They also added way too many chairs for the number of people attending, so in all of our pictures, the place looks entirely empty. I really wish I could get at least a portion of my money back on this one.
DJs on the Mix - F
We didn't actually use them because they backed out on us a week before the wedding. We had a couple issues with the contract, mainly because the Zilli person we were dealing with was making all kinds of assurances (like we'll have back up equipment, we'll arrive on time, we'll set up before guests arrive, etc) but no where in the contract does it say that they will do that. We simply asked for them to add this language to the contract, and they refused. If you read carefully, the contract says that they will be held liable for nothing, you will be held liable for everything and if they show up late, don't set up, don't have back up equipment, or don't show up at all, they owe you nothing, not even your money back. READ THIS CONTRACT CAREFULLY and insist that cautionary language be added OR DON'T GIVE THEM MONEY. Qutie frankly, I wouldn't use them at all. When they refused to add the back-up language, the Zilli person just kept saying "we've had this problem, and we fixed it, even though that customer was crazy... we've had this problem, and we refused to fix it because it was crazy... we've had this problem..." --- she was trying to tell us how she fixed problems as they arose, but it really just came off as though they had problems all of the time.
C. Adams Bakery in the Public Market - B-
We used them for our cakes, and everyone loved the way they turned out. On the logistical end, they were a hot mess. A day before the wedding, when I called to confirm everything, they told us they were deliving cupcakes, and asked if we had put a check in the mail for them yet. We had already paid (twice) by credit card, and ordered three small, and one tiered cake from them.
Senik's in Whitefish Bay - B+
We used them for flowers. They turned out so beautifully and exactly how I wanted them. On the logistical end, Terri could never figure out how to send an email, and I would have to call multiple days in a row to get a returned phone call. Three times she sent me a quote with the wrong flowers in it, to the point where I was writing notes back to her in capital letters and sharpie pen to get the point across. Apparently it worked, though. Just really nerve-wracking to have to go through before your wedding.