Hello, I've rarely posted but I've read A LOT of posts during my planning. So, I thought I would help out all of the other lurkers that don't chime in ever.
Oh where to start...
Venue - American Legion Post 598, Kettering, OH - My father is a Legion commander so suggested the "Million-dollar Legion" right away. And WOW, super nice outside, nice wooded lot, plenty of parking, nice big reception room with a big dance floor. We were planning on the ceremony being outside on their wooded lot, but we were rained out. They also supplied our bar and the bartender was super nice.
The Dress - David's Bridal, Miamisburg, OH - I had two separate appointments to try on dresses and ended up going with the one I tried on my lunch break one day. It fit perfect the day I bought it but not the month before. Woops
I had the alterations done there, which I was very leary of doing after reading reviews, but I didn't notice anything wrong when I picked it us, so relieved!
The Guys' Tuxes - Price Stores, Dayton, OH - So so happy we decided to go with them. We got a much nicer tux for the same price for what we would have paid for a basic/low end tux at one of the chain stores.
The Girls' Dresses - Alfred Angelo - Miamisburg, OH - After several trips during my lunch break (the ladies there were such a big help every time I went in there, I felt so bad) to browse the dresses, I finally took the girls in to help. We decided to go a different way than what we had talked about but the dress. We picked one that flattered both of them. The alterations were each done else where, so I can't help with that.
Flowers (bouquets)- The Flowerman, Centerville, OH - After an anxiety attack at another florist, I made an appointment at The Flowerman. The girl I met with was so helpful. She wasn't trying to tell me what I wanted, but listened to what I was saying and showed me pictures of the flowers and made suggestions but left it all up to me. The bouquets were so so pretty. We DIYed the corsages and bouts which was a lot of fun and so easy. The OTHER place, the guy tried to tell me what I wanted, but I didn't like anything he was suggesting (really lime green flowers when I'm telling you want ivory and blue???) Anyway, I gave that place a small deposit since I was planning on revisiting them; I used that to get two dozen roses for the head table centerpiece.
Flowers (centerpieces) - Meijer, Englewood/Huber Heights/Fairborn, OH - MIL works at Meijer and gets a 10% discount on almost everything. We bought 12 potted white orchids. They were on sale and we got MIL's discount plus I kept getting the $10 off $50 so they ended up being cheap cheap cheap! It was also a nice thank you to give to the bridal party and the friends & family that stayed to help with the clean up.
Food - Christopher's, Kettering, OH - (copied from a reply in another post) We were planning on shopping around but my dad put a end to that during our tasting there! They went over the top just for our tasting. I'm vegetarian but my mom, dad & fiance all got to try two different chickens and their filet mignon as well as a salad, green beans and macaroni & cheese and dessert! We've heard nothing but good things about the chicken they decided to go with and the spinach lasagna was amazing. They also offered us a vegan wrap at no extra charge if anyone coming was vegan. They coordinated our table linens for us as well (through L&H Rentals - and they went above and beyond for us too). The chef we tasted with hosted our buffet.
Cake - Ele Cake Co, West Carrollton, OH - YUM! We got 100 cupcakes and a 10" layer cake (as well as our anniversary tier). After looking at different bakers online and their pricing for a stacked cake, we decided to go with Ele because of their cupcake pricing (which saved a lot of money). I was unsure of what I wanted the design to be on the anniversary tier, I just said, "something floral like that one over there," while we were in there for our tasting.
Linen & Chairs - L&H Rentals, Germantown, OH - They were recommended to me buy a coworker that knows them. Christopher's was able to coordinate the linens with our catering order. We ordered lap length, however they weren't able to get enough clean to fill our order, however they had enough in the floor length available so they upgraded us at no charge and brought extra for some reason. No complaints there! They looked so good. We also reserved chairs that we were planning on using outside but we were rained out, so inside they went! Well, we didn't have enough for the tables we were setting up since we were planning on using the venue's chairs. L&H keeps chairs at a popular wedding venue not far; they drove there to get the rest of the chairs for us.
Photographer - Chabree Grove Photography, Troy, OH - I know Chabree from school days. We had originally booked someone else who cancelled on us two weeks before the wedding! So I started Facebook messaging any one I knew did any sort of photography. I have watched Chabree's photography page since she started a couple of years ago. Luckily her plans for that day cancelled so she was available and worked up a package for us so we could stay within our budget. We are so excited to see the pictures.
All the vendors showed up exactly when they said they would. Good thing since I was refusing to leave to go to the hotel to get ready until they got there. I highly recommend all of the vendors I mentioned here. And if anybody has any questions, I will gladly answer them!