Calling Saraann

Re: Calling Saraann

• saraann62 member

  

  August 2010 edited December 2011

  Okay, Here goes what I know about the questions you asked.  I do not know anything about the food at the winery that they have for weddings.  All of the weddings that I have attended there have had outside caterers, but I don't think that you can do that anymore. Last time I attended a wedding at the Carrollton the food was not great, but it was okay and I am not sure what their food options are. I would use either if these places since you want to be formal.  Out reception is in Dedham and we are using Lidderdale Country Store as catering. What kinds of food are you thinking for your European Feast and I could tell you if I have ever had any of that.
  Here is a list of the other things that you were wondering about. 
  1. Florist- Hy-Vee Floral (712-792-6673), Bernie's Designs Florist (712-792-0098), Flower Garden and Wedding Connection (712-792-2600), Ann's Flowers and gifts (712-792-3636)
  2. Wedding Coordinator- There is one at the Flower Garden (712-792-2600) and there is one that I see advertised in paper she is from Aududon,Iowa and I have not heard anything about her.  I will try to find her number and let you know.
  
  I have to get back to work.  I will finish the rest later.  Any questions you have please ask.  I can look up any phone numbers or anything that you need.

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• saraann62 member

  

  August 2010 edited December 2011

  Okay, I am back.
  3. Here is a limo service that I found. It is called Lake City Limousine and the limos hold 14-22 people. (712-464-8074 or 712-830-0313) (www.dougstire.com- it may give you some info on their limo service).  I also found another one. It is called Impression Limousine (877-534-4883)  Many people in Carroll also use Windstar bus lines for their transportation (1-888-494-6378).
  4. As far as a nondenominatioal minister, I am not sure what you are looking for.  I have a friend who performs many weddings every year and I think that you can search her online.  Her name in Amy Campbell  and she lives in Carroll.  If you want more info on her just let me know.
  5. I believe that Kasperbauer Cleaners rents linens, but many of the places that you rent around Carroll for a reception already has linens that you can rent from them.
  6. DJ's that I could find-Jim Hirschberg's Sound Company (800-538-2950), BAM DJ (712-652-3987), Moblie Authority (712-658-2650), The Music Box (712-683-5879), Party Time DJ(712-669-3588), and Time of Your Life DJ (712-673-6644).  We are having a band so I don't really have any one DJ that I like more than the other.  I have heard a couple of them before but nothing good or bad stands out.
  
  Good luck and I hope this helps.  Don't hesitate to let me know if you need me to find you anything.  If you are seriously thinking of having your wedding/reception in Carroll I would call and book the place you want since you already know your wedding date.  Places do fill up fast around here since there are not a lot of options for having wedding receptions.

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• hsbstone

  

  September 2010 edited December 2011

  Saraann you are an angel!!! Thanks a lot for such helpful information!!! FI's family sent me some names, but they haven't be able to talk about their services as much as someone that is planning a wedding like you.
  I already sent an email to Santa Maria Winery and I am waiting for their reply.The menu offered in the bistro is not what I wanted.
  
  About the food:
  I want something else like filet mignon with bernaise sauce, escargot de bourgogne, duck with orange sauce, chicken paillard, steak au poivre are some of the entrees that I was thinking about. I also want a plated dinner, mini desserts station with Port wine and liqueur, and instead a cocktail hour, I'd rather have an after party  pasta buffet or tapas station.
  
  About the events:
  I will probably use the Corrolton Inn for the farwell brunch because is the only place that I know for brunch there, but I need also a suggestion where to hold the rehearsal/welcome party for about 12-15 people. If you know about other place for brunch, please let me know.
  
  Guests:
  Because my wedding won't have  too many people - just 50 guests - I will be able to do something else more refined without losing an arm and a leg, and that's the reason that I thought about an European feast. I am also looking for lighting and fire works and I just found ice sculptures services in the internet.
  
  About the minister:
  I am Evangelical and FI is Catholic, so we are looking for a non denominational minister but she/he must be a Christian one because we want to have God's blessing in our special day. Do you think your friend can fit this description?
  
  About your wedding:
  So, where will you be getting married and holding your reception? My mother in law suggested Arcadia in Dedham, but I could not figure it out if it's a too big space for 50 people. What do you think?
  What florist/flowers are you using?
  Because I have some Italian, French and Brazilian favorite songs and I am not sure if the band would know them, I thought about a DJ. Most of the bands anywhere don't know a lot of other countries not so famous songs... : ( 
  Do you have a wedding web site?
  I just started working on mine now.
  And, do you have a photograph to suggest me? I saw some in the internet and they are mostly from Des Moines area...could not find any from Carroll.
  
  Saraann, thanks a lot for your help. It's so nice having someone local that's nice enough to help me with suggestions and information!!! I will pray for everything run smoothly and great at your wedding!!!
  If you need anything else that I could help with it, please let me know. It will be pleasure to be able to return such courtesy!!!
  Blessings,
  
  Helena

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• saraann62 member

  

  September 2010 edited December 2011

  Food:
  I would call the Winery or the Carrollton and tell them exactly what you want.  Most of the time they try to work with you the best they can and they can tell you what they can and can't do.  These places are usually pretty flexible when it comes to something like that.
  Events:
  The Carrollton for brunch would be a good idea.  I will think a bit and see if I can come up with anything else.  The Carrollton would also be good place for a welcome/rehearsal dinner.  I will also think on this!
  Minister:
  I will check with her this weekend and get mor info from her on what kind of ceremonies she performs or if she has any other suggestions.
  
  About me:
  We are getting married at Holy Spirit Catholic Church and our wedding recption is at the Dedham American Legion Hall in Dedham, Iowa.  This place would be way to big for 50 ppl and it would feel odd.  The other venues can be made smaller for smaller weddings and would feel much more intimate.  I am not sure what florist I am using.  I am meeting a lady in October who lives in a small town outside of Carroll and she does flowers/decor for fun and does actually own a floral shop.
  I do not have a weding website yet and I have been meaning to work on that.  Let you me know once you get yours done, I would like to see it and I will let you now when I camplete mine.  Hopefully I will get mine done soon since the busy summer will be over.  I am getting a very cheap photographer who is just starting out.  There are some good photographers in Carroll, but I know of a couple good ones from the DesMoines area also.  Just depends on how much you want to spend.  If you search photographers from Des Moines on this website you will see a list and check out some of them.  SOme of my friends have used some of them.  I also have seen a lot of pictures from Nicole Thomas photography and they were good.
   Please let me know if you ever need me to check anything out.  I am out and about all the time and we eat at the Winery often so if you ever need pictures taken or anything let me know.  I also found the phone number of a Personal Bridal Assistant (712-563-2917) and the websire is www.BridalBlissbyJen.vpweb.com.
  
  Have fun and I hope you figure some things out!
  
  Sara

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• hsbstone

  

  September 2010 edited December 2011

  Hello Sara!!!
  
  Today, the event manager from the winery called me back and sent me their special events menu. Even though there is not any of the dishes I wanted, they offered a great selection for a good price.
  I will be calling them tomorrow to talk about the possibility of having some of my dish choices and also about the bar package and until the end of the week I will be probably closing the deal with them.
  Fi's family is very excited because we will be getting married in Carroll and not in DC or Mexico like we thought in the beginning.
  
  I am refining my search as well for florist, photographer, bakery, DJ, decor and transportation. Hopefully I will have them all lined up and under contract by the end of this month or earlier in October. I want to pay everything in advance because we want to go honeymooning in South America or Europe, so it will be sort of expensive and we better have a specific savings for it!!!
  Did you chose where are you going for the honeymoon?
  
  And what a coincidence...Holy Spirit is the church that FI's family attend and I had been there last year in July when his nephew got married; their reception was at the Country Cub, and my MIL lives one street down from the church!!! Talk about a small world!!!.
  
  I am using wedding wire to build our wedding web site, but most of the girls here use weebly. I tried but I thought it was a little tricky for me and demanding better knowledge than I have (or patient)!!!
  
  I am actually having fun with all this planning and I am sure I will miss this when it's all done. How about you?
  
  Again, thanks a lot for the help and attention and take care!!!
  
  Helena

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• saraann62 member

  

  September 2010 edited December 2011

  Okay so I talked to my friend who is an Ordained Minister.  I told her the situation and she sounds like something you would like.  She usually marries couples of different religions or they live out of town.  She writes a ceremony and then sends it to you to make sure it is what you want.  Her name is Amanda Campbell and her number is 712-830-4890.  I hope planning is going great!
  
  Sara

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• hsbstone

  

  September 2010 edited December 2011

  Sara, on Sep 04, I was stroked by a tragedy- my middle son was murdered in Brazil during an assault. I came down here with my fiancée, but I am so shocked and in a excruciating pain, and I have no time to mourning  him yet because there are so many things to do here. My plans are on hold because I am not in a conditions to plan anything. Please, pray for me. Blessings.

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• saraann62 member

  

  September 2010 edited December 2011

  I am deeply sorry for your loss.  That is a horrible tragedy!  I am praying for you and thinking ouf you.  May you find peace in your mourning.  Let me know when you are ready to plan again and if you need any help.

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