As many others have done, I haven't posted much. But the reviews were most helpful - so I am putting ours here.
Drees Pavilion - Devou Park - Ceremony and Reception A+++++++ This was the best. We picked this place because of the amazing view because we wanted to celebrate all things Cincinnati. Having a reception almost anyplace else would've been just a room. This made it an event. We did have to book over 18 months in advance (particularly for the 9-10-11 date) but it was so worth it. Scott Mescher and Janine Hill were exceptional. We had very detailed requests and a complex set up, but it couldn't have been more beautiful. All our guests were wow-ed and the gazebo was gorgeous. They let us put up flowy curtains in it to make it even more beautiful for the ceremony. The cocktail hour on the patio was fabulous and the facility inside for dinner was magnificent. They always answered every question, either by phone or email very quickly. And didn't act like our requests were ever out of line. A definite winner.
Officiant - Kathryn Seifert - A+++ She is a lovely woman and our ceremony was exactly what we wanted. She was responsive and perfect.
Photographer - Geri Ciulla - A+++++++++++++ Geri did gorgeous e-pics and pics of our daughter. Haven't seen the wedding pics yet but I am confident they will be as perfect as the rest. She was unobtrusive, responsive and resonably priced.
Caterer - Elegant Fare - A We had a bit of an issue with our coordinator working well with Drees. And the food was OK - not awesome - but OK. But they were great with the tastings and their service crew was outstanding. Never needed a thing the night of the wedding. All the servers were very attentive.
DJ - Julie Jamison - Weddings Remembered - A+ Julie kept the group dancing all night. Nice job with the announcements. Reasonably priced. But didn't always respond to emails in a timely manner.
Live music- ceremony and coctail hour - Brian Deyo, Newburg Trio - A+++
Had several special requests and handled them all perfectly. The music for the ceremony was beautiful. Couldn't hear them during the cocktail hour though. Perhaps they were set too far away or our guests were too rowdy!
Florist - A Secret Garden, Florence, KY - A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Not enough plusses available for this vendor. The flowers were simply a-may-zing. We got an initial quote of $15,000 from a popular vendor in Covington. Then a second for $7500 from someone else. Our final flower bill was under $4000 from A Secret Garden and they couldn't have been more perfect. We had 28 table arrangements, all different, dripping with crystals and jewels. Two giant gazebo arrangements, multiple other arrangements throughout the venue. And our bouquets!!!!! OMG!!! Mine particularly was stunning. The outside of this place is a little off-putting. Looks kind of like a dive. But the job they do is incredible. Can NOT recommend them enough.
Cake - North College Hill - B NOT what we were envisioning. Provided crystal banding for the layers and it didn't meet end to end and they did nothing to cover it up. The icing was not detailed in the way we wanted. Tasted OK - but it was the one point in the whole evening that was not perfect.
Limo - Savannah Nights - A+++++ We had two limos and a party bus and they were outstanding. My dad had a cigar bar which was a LOT more popular than we anticipated, so the driver of one of the limos had to run for more. We had babies that were escorted with their caregivers from the event to the hotel when it was time. And all of our guests had glowing things to say about their transportation that evening. They were great to work with and did exactly what we needed them to do at any particular moment.
Caricaturist - Rob Maystead, Lexington - A+++ This was kind of a last minute add-on but what a great idea!!! He had a steady line all night and everyone enjoyed it. He was BUSY and did at least 15 per hour. It was a lot of fun and the pics were great.
Hair - Stacee and Nicole from the Head Shoppe - A+++++ We ALL looked so beautiful and glamorous. Our wedding had a definite "look" and they nailed it with all four bridesmaids, my mom and me. Plus, I changed my hair and dress before the reception and my hair was perfect down with the romantic dress for the ceremony and up for the glamorous, fun dress for the reception. WOW they were terrific. Came to our house and did all 6 of us in 3 hours.
Makeup - Brideface - Molly - A+++++++ Again - gorgeous. Airbrushed, glam eyelashes, gorgeous faces. A couple of my BM's weren't big makeup wearers but they all loved their look and loved the feel and we looked fab all night!!!!
Hotel - Holiday Inn Riverfront Covington - a BIG FAT F...... Every wedding needs one thing that doesn't go exactly right. Unfortunately, the hotel was it. My dad worked with Mark Calitri, the sales manager, for months. HE was very responsive right up until the time our guests started checking in. Then no where to be found. The rooms were dirty, the sinks didn't drain. My dad arranged for an early check-in at 10 and was left waiting till 11:45 TO CHECK IN!!! Not like he was busy or anything that day!!!!! But here's the kicker, my husband and I had TWO SEPARATE ROOMS on our wedding night. Obviously that got worked out, but what a hoot!! Do not recommend this hotel.
Dance Instructor - Bud Walters - A We had fun doing this. My mom and dad and my husband and I took 3 lessons. My husband and I didn't really do our "dance" at the wedding. We did remember a few elements. But my dad's and my dance was really very pretty. He is not a dancer and was worried about looking stupid while everyone was watching. But the couple of turns and entrance and exit that Bud put together for us made him much more comfortable and it was a great moment.
Bunch caterer - Chefs Choice Caterer - A++ Had about 70 peoploe to my moms house day after. Great hangover food! Sausage gravy and biscuits, breakfast casserole, pastries, fruit, juices. It was nummy. Showed up a little late and my mom was scrambling - but the food was good.
All of our paper products were specially designed with ETSY vendors. Meghan LaMason did our STD's, Invites, menus, place cards and seating charts. They were all outstanding and really set the tone for our wedding. Programs were done by another vendor, Things Remembered, I believe, at Etsy. We had special door hangars for our out of town guests that we ordered from there too.
Calligraphy was done by Tasha from
www.thepurplesquid.com in Northern Kentucky. She was fun to work with. Did the addressing on our STD's and invites and the names on the place cards.
I think that's it. Seems like we worked with so many people!!! But it was a gorgeous night. People went out of their way to tell us how gorgeous everything was. We kind of went "over the top" but that's what we wanted. And it seems like most of the little details did not go unnoticed... which is nice. Couldn't be happier!!!!!!!!!!