Hi everyone - this is my first post but you ladies all seem so helpful that I figured it was worth a shot to solicit some first-hand recommendations! I'm getting married at Miromar Lakes on November 20, 2010, but I live in Miami so I'm only over there once every couple of months, and usually only for a quick Saturday or something, which is making planning a little tough - I already have a photographer (we're flying him in from CA) but have really been stressing about finding a good florist - not to mention the DJ/sound tech and a hair/makeup artist (I think Miromar has people on-site for salon stuff but I know it's super expensive there and I'm nervous about relying on them without word-of-mouth recommendations)...
So far for flowers I've talked to Heaven Scent Flowers in Bonita Springs and Grace Lakes Florist in Naples - both of whom were really nice and seemed to do good work, but I kind of found them on my own from the internet and would love to know if any of you have worked with either of these places - OR if you have any other suggestions for good florists in the area that are reasonably priced but do interesting/creative work, especially with brightly colored orchids and roses. At this point, centerpieces seem to be such a money-pit that I think I'm going to go the DIY rout on those, but we'll see. (FYI I got 7" glass cylinders w/ a 3.5" diameter for $1 each at DollarTree.com - and saved the shipping by having them shipped to a local DollarTree and picking them up! They look just like ones that sell for $14 at Pottery Barn!)
I haven't even started talking to DJs yet - the ones I have seen mentioned a lot are RJ Vida, Sword Sounds, and Grant Hermond & Assoc. - we are looking for someone who can mix it up and get people out on the dance floor (and keep them there!) - my fiance is obsessed with hip-hop style stuff, but his Cuban mother will want some cuban/spanish style stuff and my family will want some oldies - and of course there are plenty of contemporary songs (and even some country) that we would like included if possible... I don't really want lots of super cheesy stuff (i.e. chicken dance and conga line) but am fine with some cheese if it gets people participating (i.e. electric slide).
SO - any support for the ones I listed/have heard of from other posts or any other recommendations of people we should consider? I'd also really love to know if someone thought a DJ did a particularly bad job so I know who to steer clear of...
Lastly (but not least importantly!), any suggestions you have on hair/makeup artists would be great (it does not have to be the same person if someone is awesome with either hair or makeup, please let me know ). I have a fairly specific idea in mind for my hair, so I'd like someone who can follow photos/a vision pretty well - and for makeup I'd like someone who's really good at getting you "photo ready" with the foundation and doing really amazing eye makeup.
Sorry to be so long-winded - but you ladies know how it goes when you have all this stuff running through your mind!!
Any help/suggestions you can give would be MOST appreciated!!
Thanks in advance,
Liz
