hello ladies!i was married back in June but i never would have found so many amazing vendors if it weren't for this board. check out the blog on my photographers website to see all the details. i am sarah of "sarah and john ~ married."
http://www.daphnephotostudio.com/blog/2009/09/cincinnati-wedding-photographer-sarah-john-married/i know this sounds cliche but it really was THE best day of my life. we did what WE wanted and i know that had a lot to do with the day's success.some vendors that i would recommend in a heartbeat are:daphne photostudio: so artistic and creative. i think her work is absolutely comparable to some of the more higher priced photographers that get mentioned on this site. i talked to all of them and Kelly's prices were within my budget and her packages included all the things i wanted. plus she's just a cool and good person...that goes a long way in my book.katie elfers: another EXTREMELY creative artist. i wanted anemones...like, i had to have them. however, anemones are not in season in the summer. katie said she could get real ones but she felt they weren't going give me the look i wanted. she suggested silk and i was hesitant. but she ordered a high end silk alternative and said she could get it on the cheap, so we went with it. NO ONE belived me when i told them my bouquet was silk. i know people think, "ugh, silk is so tacky." not if you're working with someone who knows what they are doing
she also did all the other bouquets and bouts, centerpieces, and aisle garlands, which were all real flowers. except the aisle poms...i made those myself.bell event centre: it only took one visit to seal the deal on this place. i did book 15 months in advance for a june wedding but i didn't care...i HAD to have it there! the atmosphere during the ceremony was stunning: the candles, the music (no echo at all), everything. the food is hands down the best wedding food i have ever had, and i have been to weddings at just about every major venue in cincinnati. ALL of the staff knew our names and what we were drinking. i never had an empty glass all night. the owner himself served john and i dinner and checked in to see if we needed anything else. the planning process was smooth and emails/calls were answered immediately.say cheese photobooth: this was THE hit of the wedding. i made my own book for all the extra strips guests made and it cracks me up everytime i look at it. it was very easy to use and the attendants got a kick out of our "props" we had for guests.comfort suites newport: we had 2 of their top floor suites and they were amazing (can you say in-room jacuzzi tub?) we had a river view and there was plenty of room for everyone to get ready the day of (2 hairdressers, 1 makeup artist, 4 maids of honor, 1 bride, 1 mother of the bride, 1 girlfriend of a best man.) convienent parking and 2 minutes from downtown and the levee.crystal coleman, hairdresser: she's been my hairdresser for 6 years and she works at mitchell's in hyde park. i wanted to wear my hair down and fullish. my hair does not hold curl but it was curly all day. she's awesome. period.kendall neimeyer, makeup artist: she does make up on the side but is a teacher full time. as someone who was an art teacher but also had to have a side job, i completely related to her and was happy to work with her. she's had no formal training, she's just good. she gave me the lipstick she used so i could touch up throughout the day (even though i didn't) and i still wear it every now and then. she does false eyelashes too and i had them (they looked real!) palmer taxi: sweet guy, VERY nice black crystler 300. i couldn't justify spending 100's of dollars for a limo that i would ride in for maybe 10 minutes total, and then it would just sit there all night. he took me and my dad to the bell from the hotel, then went back and got the girls. it was maybe 30 bucks. but we tipped him huge b/c he was awesome. other vendors:dj jimmy mackmontgomery inn boathouse (rehersal dinner)obryon's (bachelor/bachelorette party)other amazing resources:etsy.comgarden ridgejoann fabricsmen's wearhouse, tri-countycandle factory outlet in western hillsvistaprinthobby lobbymichaelsmartha stewart wedding magazinei hope to sell a bunch of stuff that i used since its still in perfect condition...look for that post with more pics coming soon!