Vendor Reviews

shalomizard

I got married on September 4 and would like to share my experieinces with some local vendors (almost all positive)
Venue: Calamigos Ranch 
http://www.calamigos.com/
Fantastic! They made the process easy, were always in touch, and my wedding moved seamlessly.  It was a beautiful place to get married and I don't have a bad word to say about them.  
Wedding Planner:Silver Charm Events
http://www.silvercharmevents.com/Silver_Charm_Events/Los_Angeles_Weddings.html
Although I only hired Silver Charm to be a Day of Coordinator, at times I felt like I had hired them to do much more.  Liz and Maeline always responded to my questions quickly and made sure to check in to be sure I was on track.  The month before they were like this master seamstress that sewed together all these bits of fabric that I had organized.  They had a lot of patience at the rehearsal with our large and rowdy bunch!  My dad, who initially thought a coordinator was a giant waste of money even conceded that he didn't know how the day might have gone without them.  
Paper
STDs:
A friend did the design, and we sent it to http://www.printrunner.com/.  When we first got them, the magnets were off-center and of low print-quality.  I went down to their printing center in Chatsworth and they were extremely apologetic.  They rushed the fixed order and mailed it back.  The new magnets were centered properly, and the print was much better.  I was very happy with how they handled the error.  
We went to the Paper Goose in Studio City http://www.papergoose.com/ for the envelopes and the cardstock to put the envelopes in.  The paper was beautiful, and they spend a long time working with me to pick out the right colors.  If they were cheaper I would have loved to use them for invitations as well.  
Invitations:
We used www.weddingpaperdivas.com.  Great designs, great quality, great customer service.  Half the price that paper source quoted for something very similar.  I wouldn't hesitate to use them again for other events.  
Programs:
We used this heavy bond paper http://www.amazon.com/Neenah-05221-Classic-Writing-Baronial/dp/B000J0AUAQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1315508221&sr=8-3 and printed them ourselves.  Very inexpensive and turned out nice.  
Flowers:
We used McCann Florist in Woodland Hills.  http://www.mccannflorist.com/  It's run out of someone's house, so was significantly cheaper than most other places I looked at.  They absolutely exceeded my expectations in every way.  I didn't really know what I wanted in the flowers, and a lot of other places I looked at found this irritating.  Instead, she took some of my basic ideas into consideration, really listened, and made some samples based on our conversation.  When I didn't like the bouquet she showed me she just said okay and made a new one without a hint of irritation.  When I saw the ceremony site for the first time I was absolutely blown away by how gorgeous it was.  I'll admit that I was kind of high-maintenance with her and she always responded with patience and kindness.  Highly recommended!!  
Ceremony Music:
I used the La Folia Chamber Ensenble http://www.lafolia.net/
We had a guitar and violin duo.  My cello teacher recommended them to me and so I never actually met or heard them before the wedding.  I didn't need to though.  They were fabulous.  
Band:
We had a live band from West Coast Music. http://westcoastmusic.com/  They were fantastic.  We got so many compliments on them that night and in the days that have followed.  I had to sheepishly admit that I had nothing to do with it as my in-laws are the ones that found them! 
Dress: 
I got my dress from Alfred Angelo in Beverly Hills. It was an absolutely horrific experience.  
-Dress arrived late
-Wrong Veil Ordered
-Dress was lost for about a week, eventually turned up in their storage area
-Alterations people stained my dress with a dirty iron and didn't want to take responsibility (it was eventually worked out)
-Nickel and dimed at every corner. $280 for hem and bustle.  Had to buy crinoline separately. $70 to have it steamed. $30 for them to hold on to it before the alterations (eventually got them to waive that). Had to pay $5 if I wanted a bag to take my dress home in.  
-Was constantly pressured to buy more crap from their store and asked at every visit why I wasn't doing my bridesmaid dresses through them. 
Photographer:
We used Micah and Megan http://www.micahandmegan.com/blog/
We haven't gotten photos back so I can't attest to that, but what I can say is that they are kind, professional, and we certainly love everything in their portfolio!  Actually a number of guests approached me to comment at how friendly and likable they were.  They put everyone at ease and made having people following you around taking photos a lot less stressful than it could have potentially been! 
Videographer:
We used D. P. Weddings. http://www.dpweddings.com/
Same issue as the Photographer, I can't attest to the final product, but we were very pleased with out experience working with them.  

Cake:
We used Buttercelli Bakeshop http://buttercellibakeshop.com/
We love love LOVED them.  We tasted at 8 (yes, 8) different cake places.  My husband and I are serious about our desserts. This place was the best and the least expensive!  We got some many comments about it being the best wedding cake they had ever had.  They were so friendly, accommodating, and just the nicest owners.  It's one of those small businesses that you feel really good about supporting.  Even if you don't do a cake there, go down for one of their other desserts!  
Makeup:
I used Rosett at Trinity Salon and Spa in Woodland Hills http://trinitywoodlandhills.com/
I swore up and down that I was doing my own makeup.  I'm not a girl who wears much makeup and I was terrified I would look like a clown.  Someone bought the makeup for me as wedding gift, and even then I protested, but agreed to go in for a trial.  Through the trial she had to do my makeup through constant cries of "that seems like far too much eyeliner....." but I was so pleasantly surprised.  She did and absolutely fantastic job and made me look far better than I ever could have myself without going overboard.  I'm officially a convert!
Hair:
I used Michelle at Alan Edwards Salon in Encino.  http://www.allenedwardssalonencino.com/  She was so fantastic.  She ended up doing two trials and barely charged me for them.  She did a phenomenal job on both my hair, and the two bridesmaids that used her.  I'll probably be going to her for regular haircuts from now on.    

RanwaP

Thanks for your tips! I think I'll be calling your makeup person! 

deannagreene

So helpful!  I'm looking up the bakery now. 

katzluv88

Now im completely nervous about my dress... Especially since it was the only dress i wanted before i was even engaged. The two times i visited the store i had amazing help. would you suggest since technically im not getting married until April 2012 and my dress should be arriving in November to hang on to it until January instead of leaving it with the alterations lady for 2 months? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I would hate for my dress to get lost and ruined and not fixed before the big day.

joysyear

Thanks so much for the honest reviews. I was just about to book porto's for our cake but I'll check this place out first..
Congratz on being a misses