Connecticut

**Vendor roll call**

Hello everyone!
      I am having a difficult time finding vendors who are trustworthy, reasonably priced and great at their work! Please share the vendors that you have used, are planning to use or vendors whom I should stay away from! I am specifically looking for:

1)Florists
2)Bridal/Groom wear shops
3)Invitation sites
4)Photographers/videographers
5)Photobooth and smoke machine rentals
6)Wedding planners

***Thanks***
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Re: **Vendor roll call**

  • Vanessa630Vanessa630 member
    1000 Comments Fourth Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    Our wedding was 6/18 and I highly recommend all of my vendors but I can only help with some of these.

    1)Florists: Jane from Just for You (Highly recommended on these boards)
    2)Bridal/Groom wear shops: Bancroft Bridal (Mass border, near Springfield) and Men's Wearhouse (Waterford, CT and MA) (Edit: Plus, BM dresses at Fairytales in Glastonbury, CT)
    3)Invitation sites: Etsy Seller for design- sheilamaridesign and Cards & Pockets for printed invites, etc.
    4)Photographers/videographers: Can't say enough about Studio1923 (photographer) and Fran Gagnon (videographer).
    5)Photobooth and smoke machine rentals: Didn't use
    6)Wedding planners: Didn't use (a coordinator was included in our package).

    Good luck!!!
  • edited December 2011
    1)Florists - Jane from Just For You in Middlefield, CT.

    2)Bridal/Groom wear shops - I got my dress at The White Dress by the Shore in Clinton, CT. My bridesmaids dresses are from Bella Bridesmaid in Westport, CT - they are Lula Kate.

    3)Invitation sites - Mine are from etsy - GrayClouldPrint - she is making custom invitations plus matching wedding paper (menus, place cards, etc)

    4)Photographers/videographers - Photographer: Victoria Souza in Stratford - I love them!. Viedographer: Chad Whelan - I don't know him really or care much about videos it was more for my fiance.

    5)Photobooth and smoke machine rentals - Not doing

    6)Wedding planners - Not doing
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  • edited December 2011
    1)Florists - Christine at Azalea Floral Design (will work with any budget and make amazingly beautiful things)2)Bridal/Groom wear shops - Do not go to the bridal mall under any circumstances3)Invitation sites - Glitzyevents.com, gorgeous but expensive4)Photographers/videographers - I can not rave enough about Claudia at Fabuluxe photos. She is amazing, well priced for her talent, her photos are omg, her creativity is fantastic, and she will literally lay on the ground for a perfect shot.5)Photobooth and smoke machine rentals - Claudia at Fabuluxe includes a photo booth in her packages :)6)Wedding planners - PM
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  • rswan412rswan412 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I haven't gotten married yet, but I can tell you that my interactions thusfar have been phenomenal with my vendors!

    1)Florists - still looking, had a great interview with Hana Floral, they are a knot pick

    2)Bridal/Groom wear shops - Melissa Ashley Brides in Westerly, RI is phenomenal- love them there- I did not have a great experience at Alfred Angelo in Manchester, though some girls have!

    3)Invitation sites -Going through Jess at Estoprints

    4)Photographers/videographers - I'm using AE Stelzer Photography out of Boston, MA- she travels anywhere and is super reasonable. A friend of mine just got married, and had Sugarshots Photography and they rocked it also!

    6)Wedding planners - Christine at Piece of Cake Events has been so helpful so far- love her personality!

    Good luck- let us know who you go with!
  • estegemanestegeman member
    Third Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    1)Florists Jane at Just For You
    2)Bridal/Groom wear shops White Dress By The Shore in Clinton, CT
    3)Invitation sites Coral Pheasant Stationary...Nichole is custom designing my invitations.  Cant wait!!!!!
    4)Photographers/videographers Val McCormick/ no videographer
    5)Photobooth and smoke machine rentals N/A
    6)Wedding planners My venue (The Society Room in Hartford) includes a personal attendant for the bride and groom :)
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  • edited December 2011
    1)Florists  Datura A Modern Garden- my caterer recommended and he's great- very artsy and not your typical florist, extremely nice but pricier than Jane

    2)Bridal/Groom wear shops So far I've been to Mariella's which has a huge selection and great service and White Dress by the Shore which was a great experience but their gowns weren't my style.  They were pretty pricey and all looked the same to me.

    3)Invitation sites  I'm having a friend who's a graphic designer do mine but I've heard and seen great things on etsy.com

    4)Photographers/videographers  Val McCormick Photography- very sweet, great artistic pictures and not as expensive as many others.  DL Video Productions- quite possibly the best video place I've seen.  He makes your wedding into a movie- not just a typical wedding video http://www.dlvideoproductions.com/

    5)Photobooth and smoke machine rentals  Not sure if we're doing yet but may go with a friend's company for the photobooth http://www.thesnaparazzi.com/

    6)Wedding planners  I'm not using one
  • Mandafly84Mandafly84 member
    Third Anniversary 100 Love Its 100 Comments Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    1.) Florists - using Adam's Garden of Eden in Pawcatuck, CT - they do amazing work!

    2.) Bridal/Groom - going to Mariella's next weekend, so we'll see!

    3.) Invites - I seriously can not say enough about Jen Strunk of Designerjen.org.  She's right in CT so she'll meet with you or she'll work virtually.  She is really incredible and her pricing is more than fair.

    4.) Photogs - haven't booked yet

    5.) N/A

    6.) Wedding planners - I don't know if this is a service she's offering publicly yet but my invite designer is also helping with my wedding planning and will be my DOC
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  • edited December 2011
    1)Florists Flowers by Danielle out of Monroe, CT

    2)Bridal/Groom wear shops Classic Brides by Eva in Stratford and Men's Warehouse

    3)Invitation sites Didn't order online.  Went to Kristine's Papery in Milford.

    4)Photographers/videographers not going to mention photographer (I don't recommend her) and videographer was Glenn Andrew Video Production out of Brookfield, CT (loved him!)

    5)Photobooth and smoke machine rentals N/A

    6)Wedding planners My venue (The Waterview) includes a Day of Coordinator and a Ceremony Coordinator.
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  • Carebear62584Carebear62584 member
    1000 Comments Third Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    1)Florists  We are using Jane at Just for You
    2)Bridal/Groom wear shops  Mariella Creations - Rocky Hill.  I got my dress there and since my BM's are getting their dresses there, they save 10% and I save 5% on mine.  Didn't know that until a few days ago when I went with my OOT BM so that she could get measured.
    3)Invitation sites  We are actually probably using 123print.com.  My brother's GF did her graduation invites thru them and they seemed like pretty good quality.  They are very cheap....I think about $150 for invitations and response cards for 150-200 people (not including envelopes).  Plus, nothing really tickled my fancy on other sites but I really like one on there.
    4)Photographers/videographers  Studio1923, Jerome and Jen Braga!!! Can't say enough great things about them.  I pretty much picked my date based on their availability because my venue was wide open for dates.  They are THAT amazing....I knew I wanted them 3 years ago when my cousin got married and used them.
    5)Photobooth and smoke machine rentals  Not using
    6)Wedding planners  Woodwinds has a day-of coordinator so I don't need anything else (most venues do so check on that).

    Also, I know you didn't ask for these, but just throwing it out there.....I recommend DJ Melee and stay away from Powerstation.  Also, I am using Naomi's for hair and makeup.
  • edited December 2011
    1)Florists- Melissa from Stylish Blooms. Absolutely adore her, and she does beautiful work.
    2)Bridal/Groom wear shops: Bride: VOWS in Boston (where I purchased my dress) and Something Blue Bridal in Southbury- I bought my veil here and did all of my alterations with them. My mom also ordered her gown here. They were great!Groom- Men's Wearhouse Tux store in Buckland Hills Mall
    3)Invitation sites: We didn't use a site, and I don't recommend the person we used either (PM for vendor name)
    4)Photographers/videographers:Photog: I don't recommend who we used, but I DO recommend Sidney Chang www.sidneychang.com
    Video: Vividography- they were AMAZING!!! Our highlight reel is in my siggy!
    5)Photobooth and smoke machine rentals- Didn't use
    6)Wedding planners: Carisa from CR Socials- She's the sweetest thing! You'll love her!

    And, again, I know you didn't ask for a DJ rec, but if you need one DJ Melee is awesome! If you don't have a DJ yet, def look into his services! And I used Beauty Entourage for hair and makeup. Ashley had me and my girls looking flawless all day!
  • kls114kls114 member
    Tenth Anniversary 5000 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    We got married on 7/23 & loved all of our vendors!

    1)Florist: Jane!!! LOVE HER!! Just for You <3
    2)Bridal/Groom wear shops: The Bridal Suite in Stamford & Men's Wearhouse
    3)Invitation sites: Magnetstreet! <3ed our STD's & Invites from there!
    4)Photographers/videographers: King Vincent Storm <3 < 3 <3 them! Highly rec!!
    5)Photobooth and smoke machine rentals: Didn't use but whoever you use for entertainment should have some suggestions
    6)Wedding planners: Didn't use
    **Adding these**
    7)
    DJ/Entertainment: Jimmy Dee Music http://www.jimmydee.com
    8)
    Uplighting: Music in Motion
    9)
    Cake: Cakes by Donna --beautiful designs and awesome to work with!
    10) Make-up: Danielle Santagata (dsantagata1923@yahoo.com)
     
    ~Miss.~
    ~Mrs.~
    **Password: kls114**
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  • edited December 2011
    Here are the vendors we used for our wedding - they were all great!

    1)Florists  Jane at Just For You
    2)Bridal/Groom wear shops  David's Bridal (bride and BM), Jos. A. Bank (tuxes)
    3)Invitation sites  N/A - designed and printed them myself
    4)Photographers/videographers  HK Photography and Star Quality Video
    5)Photobooth and smoke machine rentals  N/A
    6)Wedding planners  N/A - our venue included a coordinator

    Also, I highly recommend DJ Melee for music and Danielle Santagata for makeup.
    Anniversary
  • edited December 2011
    THANK YOU EVERYONE!! I TRULY APPRECIATE THIS! FI AND I JUST SETTLED ON AQUA TURF AS OUR VENUE. HAS ANYONE HAD A WEDDING AT AQUA TURF? PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR REVIEWS ABOUT THE VENUE. THANKS AGAIN!!
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  • edited December 2011
    1) Broad Brook Gardens is South Windsor 2) David's Bridal for me, Men's Wearhouse for him 3) DIY'ed with paper from cardsandpockets.com 4) Photog = HK Photography, video = Fran Gagnon 5) not doing 6) I'm the planner! :)
  • SuMmErKuTiESuMmErKuTiE member
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    1)Florists Jane at Just for You

    http://www.justforyouweddings.com/

    2)Bridal/Groom wear shops I got my dress at Something Blue Bridal in Southbury and my BM's got their dresses at Classic Brides by Eva in Stratford. I highly recommend both shops especially Eva's since she includes all alterations for free.

    http://www.somethingbluebridalct.com/Pages/Default.aspx

    http://www.classicbridesbyeva.com/

    3)Invitation sites I made my own with supplies from Cards & Pockets.

    http://www.cardsandpockets.com/

    4)Photographers/videographers We got a combo photography and videography package with MJS Studios.

    http://mjsphotostudio.com/

    5)Photobooth and smoke machine rentals N/A

    6)Wedding planners I had an onsite wedding coordinator at my venue (Waters Edge) and she was awesome! She worked with us every step of the way and was equally amazing on our wedding day as well.

    Adding the following vendors:

    DJ: Tom Salatto from Starry Night Entertainment. We can't rave about him enough, he was awesome and kept our dance floor packed all night, plus he was at least half the price of the other dj's we looked into.

    http://www.starrynitedjs.com/ 

    Hair and Makeup: Dana Barone Salon. They traveled to me on my wedding day and did a fantastic job with my hair and airbrush makeup which lasted all day and all night.

    http://www.danabartone.com/ 

    I also used Etsy a lot for various projects and creative touches.
  • cdbishopcdbishop member
    Sixth Anniversary 500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    1)Florists - Guilford Greenery Florist
    2)Bridal/Groom wear shops - White Dress by the Shore for my dress, most likely Mens Wearhouse for him
    3)Invitation sites - Designing my own
    4)Photographers/videographers - Brooke Allison Photography
    5)Photobooth and smoke machine rentals - Top Hat Photobooth, no smoke machine
    6)Wedding planners - me and I have a coordinator who helps at my venue.
  • DiLynn83DiLynn83 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_vendor-roll-call?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:65Discussion:2da3b455-8e61-4468-910c-d43604f0d43fPost:1bc8a53e-834b-4dbe-a0b1-73fb0a3d1aa5">Re: **Vendor roll call**</a>:
    [QUOTE]1.) Florists - using Adam's Garden of Eden in Pawcatuck, CT - they do amazing work! 2.) Bridal/Groom - going to Mariella's next weekend, so we'll see! <strong>3.) Invites - I seriously can not say enough about Jen Strunk of Designerjen.org.  She's right in CT so she'll meet with you or she'll work virtually.  She is really incredible and her pricing is more than fair. </strong>4.) Photogs - haven't booked yet 5.) N/A 6.) Wedding planners - I don't know if this is a service she's offering publicly yet but my invite designer is also helping with my wedding planning and will be my DOC
    Posted by Mandafly84[/QUOTE]

    <div>Ditto this, I am using Jen as well.</div>
  • DiLynn83DiLynn83 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_vendor-roll-call?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:65Discussion:2da3b455-8e61-4468-910c-d43604f0d43fPost:c9f42083-96ba-4586-9b5a-84a8b94d79e8">Re: **Vendor roll call**</a>:
    [QUOTE]THANK YOU EVERYONE!! I TRULY APPRECIATE THIS! FI AND I JUST SETTLED ON AQUA TURF AS OUR VENUE. HAS ANYONE HAD A WEDDING AT AQUA TURF? PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR REVIEWS ABOUT THE VENUE. THANKS AGAIN!!
    Posted by darkoa1[/QUOTE]

    <div>I have been to weddings there and enjoyed myself very much.  The grounds are lovely and the rooms are beautiful.  Food is very good, too.  The -only- thing I'm not crazy about is that there can be more than 1 wedding at a time, but plenty of people think that's NBD.</div>
  • edited December 2011
    1)Florists: perfectprincessevents.com (I wasn't excited about flowers until after I met with Helena! She's amazing and is even cheaper than Stop & shop)
    2)Bridal/Groom wear shops: I got my dress from oncewed.com used but highly recommend white dress by the shore (although pricey) and Antonios for the guys
    3)Invitation sites: papersource.com I can't recommend enough, they were very accommodating and reasonably priced
    4)Photographers/videographers: we're using Athenablude.com, a little pricey but she does amazing work
    image
  • edited December 2011

    1)Florists - All Occasions Florist (Middletown CT) 
    2)Bridal/Groom wear shops - Classic Brides by Eva for me and BMs.  Not sure about guys yet, maybe Men's Wearhouse...3)Invitation sites - I haven't ordered yet, but have looked on exclusivelywedddings.com or theamericanwedding.com
    4)Photographers/videographers - miapaigephotography.com for photo/captureitall.com for video
    5)Photobooth and smoke machine rentals - not using, but looked into a few.  Littlebluephotobooth.com was reasonably priced.
    6)Wedding planners  - not using one, but our venue has a day-off coordinator
    adding:Makeup  - Danielle Santagata 
    dsantagata1923@yahoo.com

    Music - Marty Q (band and/or DJ) martyq.com

    Good luck!!

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  • megbrooks2011megbrooks2011 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    1)Florists - My cousin did my flowers.
    2)Bridal/Groom wear shops - Priscilla of Boston - Boston (wedding gown), Bella Bridesmaid in Boston (BM Dresses, LulaKate), JT Ghamo (men's tuxes)
    3)Invitation sites - Envelopments is the brand of pocket fold we order and my cousin and I designed them and she put them together.
    4)Photographers/videographers - Photographer - Studio 1923 and Videographer - Michael & Tricia Films
    5)Photobooth and smoke machine rentals - N/A

    6)Wedding planners - N/A

  • edited December 2011
    Hi and good luck! My vendors may be more or less helpful depending on your location, but we had some amazing ones!

    1)Florists: Mystic Florist. They were amazing, the flowers were more gorgeous than I could have imagined
    2)Bridal/Groom wear shops: Got my dress in NYC (at a little place called Lovely Bridal), and men used Mens Wearhouse which was fine (esp since H got a free suit out of it!)
    3)Invitation sites: We did save the dates and invites from Wedding Paper Divas.  I liked their designs and quality better than VistaPrint, and thought they came out great.
    4)Photographers/videographers: I can't say enough good things about Carrie Roseman, our photographer (http://carrieroseman.com/). She is truly amazing!
    5)Photobooth and smoke machine rentals: Didn't use
    6)Wedding planners: Didn't use, but would have been nice!

    Happy planning!
    imageimage
  • jacki8788jacki8788 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    1)Florists Azalea Floral Design--Christine does beautiful work and was willing to do what she could to work with our budget.

    2)Bridal/Groom wear shops I've heard good things about Michele Bridal, Mariella's, Stylish Impressions, Melissa Ashley (RI), The White Dress by the Shore--I still need to go dress shopping though :)

    3)Invitation sites I'm designing my own, but www.theamericanwedding.com sent me a catalog recently. Also I've heard good things about www.cardandpockets.com

    4)Photographers/videographers Tim Brown from TAB Photographic! We just did our e-pics and will see them in the next week or so. He's really talented and creative, a really cool guy and was willing to work w/ our budget. Definitely check him out! www.tabphotographic.com

    5)Photobooth and smoke machine rentals N/A

    6)Wedding planners N/A

    DJ, if you still need one: DJ Melee! www.musicbymelee.com

    Good luck!! :)
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