Our wedding day was perfect in every sense of the word. It was
amazing to see a year's worth of work come together. I was very happy
with all of our vendors who each pulled their weight and did a great
job. I was asked for a few recommendations by friends so I'm just
copying an email I sent out to them – it's long sorry!
I didn't list any prices here but feel free to ask or pm me. I
will also be selling ALOT after Thanksgiving when we get back to
Cleveland and I can take pictures.
Day of Coordinator: Angela Wish - http://aweddingwish.wordpress.com/contact/
Hands
down the best money we spent. Angela was the glue that made our
entire day perfect. If there were any problems I don't know because
she took care of everything. We met twice before our wedding day.
Once to get to know each other and the other to review timelines, list
of “to dos” etc. She arrived at the ceremony location and hour
and half prior to start time basically running the story. Afterwards
she set up the entire reception (minus tables and linens) exactly as
I described. I immediately started crying when I saw it all come
together. She stayed through most of our evening and made sure gifts
and last minute tips were handed out. I truly owe the success of the
day to her!
Photography: Alena
Cherepanova - http://www.alevtinaphoto.com/
Alena
and her husband are awesome. I loved her work and our engagement
pictures were beautiful. We did a full day package and I was so
thankful to have her from getting ready to party time. Her husband
captured my groom, his family and groomsmen the morning of and I
can't wait to see those pictures. She put up with a lot from our rowdy wedding party and was such a good sport. While I can't wait to
see the pictures I have no worries about how they will be – she is
just that good.
Reception
Venue: The
Columbia Ballroom
-
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Columbia-Ballroom/108594352503313?filter=1
Contact Heidi -
goodman1234 @ windstream. net
This was the one and only reception
venue we saw. After attending many weddings over the years in the
northeast Ohio area we looked for something out of the box. We booked
without tasting the food and knowing this was the first year running
things by themselves I was mildly worried. Every fear was put to
rest. They are family owned and operated which I loved. Heidi is
easiest to contact via email and always answered my questions. We did
a group tasting shortly after booking and were thrilled with the
selections. We picked our linens which they provided as part of the
cost. They were very accommodating of the extras I brought in (kettle
corn, caramel apple bar, hot cider). We dropped everything off Friday
morning, coordinator set everything up Saturday afternoon and we
picked everything up including our gifts Sunday morning.
We have heard nothing but extremely positive review from our guests. Everyone loved the food, atmosphere
and feeling of this place. It was the perfect setting for a fall
night. The white lights and lanterns give quite a magical feeling.
All of the food including a soup and salad bar and late night pizza
were delicious. They were very efficient and every one was through
the buffet line quickly. They are simply a steal for what you
get. I know prices have changed slightly since we booked but not by
much.
Florist: Roses
for Weddings | Ety
Brainard – http://www.rosesforweddings.com/
Quite
simply Ety saved the day. After firing our previous florist 3.5 weeks
before the wedding I was stressed out. After seeing multiple recommendations for her I called her up at 6:00pm and by 10:00pm I had
a signed contract and lots of pictures of our centerpieces and
bouquets. What I wanted was very simply and straightforward and Ety
provided it all. We lost our previous deposit and still saved TONS of
money. Me and the bridesmaids all had calla lily only bouquets they
were simply gorgeous. She should really be your first and only call
to a florist. I'm still angry we wasted our time previously speaking
of...
Our
previous florist was Theresa – Petals of Love. I fired her 3.5
weeks out so really that is all I need to say right?
DJ: American
Bride DJs | Darryl
- http://www.americanbridedjs.com/
I had only 2 requirements for a dj 1)
not cheesy 2) keep people dancing. Darryl did exactly that. After
attending a bridal show I was so turned off by the cheesy dance
routines and gimmicks. Darryl was straight forward and easy to work
with. We planned everything using his online system and had one
meeting 2 weeks before to go over the schedule. He followed it
closely along with our playlist. Small snafu when he skipped the best
man's speech but recovered quickly. We took out a lot of the
traditional stuff and he never questioned our decisions. We used a
coupon and got an extra 6th hour free.
Limo: Northern
Lights Limo -
http://www.northernlightslimo.com/
We booked a party bus and our parents
got a limo for themselves. Both drivers were awesome, on time and
professional. Price was right and they didn't charge us for the
reception period, only the hour to come back and pick us and the
wedding party up at the end of the night (Loved that!). Easy to
contact via email or text which I also really liked. I sent a
schedule and addresses a week before and they followed it to a tee.
Beauty Team (Hair & Makeup): Fringe & Foundation Studio -
http://www.fandfstudio.com/
I wanted a team to come to the hotel
for myself and bridesmaids. I looked around for awhile to find
someone who could do both before finding them. I went to the studio
in Westlake for my trial but they came onsite the day of. They
arrived on time and ready to work on 9 women. Everyone looked
gorgeous and held up all day. We had alot of different hair styles
and makeup looks and they did it all perfectly.
Hotel: Hampton
Inn Middleburg Hts -
http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/ohio/hampton-inn-and-suites-cleveland-airport-middleburg-heights-CLEMHHX/accommodations/rooms.html
Contract
for room block was easy to set up but I had a difficult time getting
accurate responses when I checked bookings. Numbers always seemed to
change of they flat out didn't know. However the rooms and staff made
up for that the weekend of. We had a suite that was huge for getting
ready and breakfast. Our guests said the continental breakfast was
outstanding and regular rooms great for the price.
Bakery (Cake & Cupcakes): Fragapane's Bakery -
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fragapane-Bakery/527385123954856?rf=119484038062460
Fragapane's is a staple for our
families so we only went to them. We did a cupcake bar with 7 flavors
and small 8 inch cake for us to cut. Tasting was free and huge
portions (basically sent home with full size cupcakes for each of
us!). They delivered everything to the venue with no problems. I
think I heard the most about the cupcakes – everyone has raved
about them endlessly especially the kids.
Rehearsal Dinner: Moosehead Hoof & Ladder - http://www.mooseheadrestaurant.com/hoof-and-ladder-olmsted-falls/
This is a favorite restaurant of ours so we booked it immediately. They have a great menu and private "overflow" room. Great party packet that contains everything you need to book. Super easy to work with. Food was outstanding - we did a bar food buffet.
Alterations: Julianne's Bridal -
http://www.juliannebridal.com/
She handled my dress along with my
sisters and moms. Had 1 fitting and was perfect to pick up the next
appointment. She hemmed, bustled and took in my dress. The bustle was
complicated to create and never broke which friends had warned me
happens sometimes. She works out of her house by appointment only.
Tuxes: American Commordore -
http://www.actux.com/
They were OK. Frat brother is the
manager of the Solon store so we really didn't look around. My
grandfather's tux was sent to another store and since he was coming
in from out of town I was angry. We ended up getting it for half off.
I heard from my matron of honor that they were kinda rough with the
ring bearer during his refitting. We got one of those deals where the
groom's tux was free. They all looked handsome and the colors were
nice. I did not know the cost before hand or else I probably would
have suggested that they all just buy a nice suit instead.
Videographer: http://www.workshedweddings.com/
Last
minute addition after deciding I wanted a copy of the ceremony. Price
was beyond good for just that so we booked was quick and easy. I had
no contact with them the day of and haven't seen footage yet to say
more.
Church: St.
Adalbert's in Berea. We've been parishioners for years so a no brainier. We love Father Barry. I'm not sure if they take non – parishioners or not but it's a beautiful church with lot's of seating.
Extras:
Stationary
- Vanessa Ottenbreit
http://www.vohandmade.com/ I worked with her for over 6 months
creating our invitation suite, programs, signs escort cards basically
everything paper item of our wedding. We communicated nearly daily
via email and I designed our entire wedding around her vintage book
theme http://www.vohandmade.com/book.html
Kettle corn -
http://jjkettlecorn.com/ So delicious and fresh!
Bridesmaids dresses -
http://www.victoriasbridalcouture.com/ Found the dress at Catan's for way
more and searched online afterwards. This is a brick and mortar store
(my sister went and tried it on there). They have online only prices
that saved so much for my girls.
Pictures from venue - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.722077774488298.1073741851.108594352503313&type=3