Review Feedback

jrelich24

Hi Fellow OC Knotties!!

I am looking for feedback and reviews on a few things, wondering if anyone can help.. Any informaiton would be helpful.  Thank you!!

Venue - Capri Laguna (Ceremony & Receoption)
Fleur de Lis Events (Ceremy & Reception)
Hotel - Capri Laguna (for overnight guests & Bridal Suite)
Click Chick Photo
Dominick Jr Photo
Venue - Hotel Laguna

Venue - La Palapa Del Mar - Long Beach

DK630

I'm pretty sure the Capri Laguna is a fairly popular place for weddings, and the scenery is beautiful so you really can't go wrong.  I haven't heard of either of those photographers...wish I could help you more!

kasarin

I have some serious reservations about Dominick Mauro photography. Let me preface this by saying that I have no knowledge about the quality of his work because I never met with him. He may be a great photographer. But if you do decide to go with him, don't waste your money on the second photographer. I think there are a lot of other photographers who are trustworthy and honest to choose from. 

Have you already visited Hotel Laguna?

lala90

Hi--
LaPalapa is a great restaraunt, has a wonderful view, and is reasonably priced.   I don't know anything about the Laguna Venue sorry.

I am sorry I don't know any of your other venues or vendors so I cannot comment.  If you decide to go with La Palapa, be sure to look at my bio for vendor recs.  I am also getting married in Long Beach.

My photographer is Charla Blue and I don't think she is on my bio yet.

Good Luck.

jrelich24

Hi ladies,

Thank you for the feedback so far.
My Fiancé and I went and visited Capri Laguna this weekend, not at all what I anticipated. Pictures online look much better than the in-person view. It is a very old, rustic, Laguna hotel and very crammed on space. For the amount of the site fee, I would have expected more… Just not what we were looking for. 

I did not think that trying to get married on the beach was going to be so difficult…. I mean it is California for goodness sakes, there is beach everywhere… lol  My fiancé and I are originally from Michigan and would REALLY like a beach wedding. It is difficult to deal with all of this essentially alone. We do not know anyone that has been married here. We have no references to build off of (except what I am able to find searching the web, and the discussion boards). I am looking anywhere from Long beach to San Clemente that will allow us to marry on the sand.  Thoughts…anyone???.......please…… 

As for the other vendors I listed, I have to say first impressions are everything. I did not get the warmest welcome from LaPalapa, and when I asked if they had references from previous brides that I could contact they straightforward replied No. They will however allow the beach wedding.

Lala90 – Have you attended a wedding at LaPalapa before, or know someone who has?  (Or has anyone reading this post attended or had a ceremony/reception there before??) 

Kasarin – Honestly, I didn’t get a welcoming first impression vibe from Dominick. He wanted a lot of information before he would really talk to me. The problem is I do not have a lot of my information yet… I have found others since I originally posted that have more reasonable prices and the second photographer is included; however, I have not meet with any of them yet. I have not visited Hotel Laguna yet. It looks beautiful online, but I have learned that doesn’t even come close to cutting it. Do you know anything about the venue?

Ayla10

I visited Hotel Laguna, and it was probably my third choice venue. The ceremony site is lovely (the gazebo, I mean- I believe you have the option of a beach wedding, but I wasn't interested in that), but the reception hall would have taken a lot of work to get looking as nice as I envisioned. It's very bare looking. But other than that, it's pretty nice. I have fond memories of Hotel Laguna- my family used to go to Clae's (a little restaurant inside) for Sunday brunch and watch the dolphins playing in the surf.

kasarin

We visited Hotel Laguna and it is an older hotel. The weddings there aren't on the sand- they have a private courtyard. We didn't really like the reception room because it was on the same level as the beach, and so you don't look out to the ocean- you look out to a bunch of people playing in the water. Plus, the hotel needed a major renovation.

How many people are you planning on having? There are a few places in Newport, where you can have your reception on the harbor, but I don't know of any "sand weddings". I think it is pretty hard to get a beach wedding permit. Balboa Park has a gazebo on the lawn next to the sand, and then guests can walk over to the Balboa Harborside Pavilion across the street. 

I also had a friend who got married in Dana Point on a cliff overlooking the ocean. (Heritage Park).  I think you wanted to bring in your own catering, and I know the reception was on the harbor, and she brought in her own food and drinks. If you are interested, I'll find out the reception site.

I just did a quick google search and found this website: http://www.allcaliforniabeachweddings.com/. I don't know anything about the vendor though. Also, try searching on Project Wedding. They have a lot of reviews.

GL!

meaganbrand

we're getting married in laguna at the gazebo by las brisas in heisler park. but we're also having a small wedding.. 50 people, no wedding party etc. our reception is at the beach house cafe about a half mile down. we have the private dining room upstairs, but again.. small reception, no dj. both are pretty and very affordable for us. it all just depends on your guest list and budget.

jrelich24

I had a feeling Hotel Laguna might be along the lines of an older hotel like Capri Laguna.
Kasarin – Funny you pulled up that link, I had found it after I posted my reply. I sent them a request, hoping they can give me some type of insight. We are looking to potentially invite 100 guests. The count will probably be more along the lines of 75, just depends on how many people make the travels from Michigan. If you could send me the information on the site in Dana Point, I would appreciate it. Thank You!

lala90

I didn't go to a wedding at LaPalapa, I just had dinner there.  they have a ballroom I think if you need a bigger space for weddings.  I also saw them setting up a wedding on  the sand there.  Do you want to get married ON THE BEACH or is an ocean view ok?  You can always look into The Reef in Long Beach, which has a view.  Good Luck! 

Tygerlily22

Did you look into the Surf and Sand Hotel in Laguna Beach?  Very classy and modern with great ocean views from two patio setting. For something a little more rustic, try the Casa Del Camino Hotel.  They are famous for their cutting edge roof top bar and beautiful downstairs Tuscany restaurant.  Where Hotel Laguna is outdated and shabby, Casa Del Camino historic in a cultural way, but much more updated.  It underwent renovtions a few years ago and it really shows.  They also have a great beach where you can married on the sand between the rocks.  All beach permits for weddings in Laguna Beach are about $150.00.

cheerstou

Have you looked into Pacific Edge it is in Laguna and is gorgeous it is being remodeled but you can spend the night and you get the whole place for 24 hours.

kyks17

I was also going to recommend Las Brisas. My officiant has told me he does lots of ceremonies on the sand in front of Las Brisas, and they have the reception there after. You might try that.