Misc....all the odds and ends of wedding vendors
Chair Rental: The Elegant Touch We rented chiavari chairs from them and it was a pretty simple transaction. Every month I got an invoice and when we changed the number of chair rentals, I got an updated invoice. She showed up on time to set up the chairs and they looked lovely. (Jenny.esq)
VALLEY POPCORN -A+
We had a popcorn bar at the wedding and it was a huge hit! No one had seen it before and everyone loved it! Carol at Valley Popcorn was amazing! One of my favorite parts of the wedding! (ottecl)
Arthur Murray Dance Studio: C
My fiance and I wanted to do something more than the high-school sway during our first dance, but we didn't have particularly high expectations. We also didn't have much time (<2 months) to become less awkward on the dance floor, so our instructor focused on teaching us a few simple variations of a style similar to foxtrot. She was engaging at the beginning but seemed not to recognize when and how we really needed help to improve. We actually ended up with a different, younger instructor at our 3rd and final private lesson who brought us up to speed and did a lot to get us more ready for the big day.
Overall, I'm not sure that the regular pricing for lessons is a great deal. Private lessons helped us the most, while group lessons didn't really teach much detail (which is the point but is also not as interesting). We didn't attend any of the parties they host. If we hadn't gotten the lesson package as a gift (Groupon), I don't think I would have gone to this studio, and I doubt I'll go back. I've since gotten recommendations from friends about smaller studios in our area (South-central Wisconsin) that are a better value. (mdlorenz)
Officiant
My Best Ceremony, Lake Geneva, WI: C
Well, what to say about this. This is a group of 3 ministers that make custom ceremonies for couples, regardless of religious beliefs. The initial minister that we met with (who we really liked) was not the one that was ultimately assigned to us. The one who was assigned to us was definitely a horse of a different color. Our initial meeting with him went fine. He did tell us that he takes his job very seriously and would run the rehearsal for us, and emphasized he wanted no one showing up drunk at the rehearsal, or he wouldn't marry us. We thought that sounded strange, but then he told us stories of large wedding parties at the rehearsals just wasted and out of control. We told him he had nothing to worry about with our group, and he didn't. However, he ran the rehearsal like a military boot camp. He was also quite condescending. My matron of honor, who was pregnant, got a chair to sit down on while we rehearsed, and he told her she couldn't sit down. He was extremely long winded as well, which wouldn't be so bad if he didn't have those other issues. I will say that he listed to what we wanted for our ceremony though, and the readings and passages and vows and things all came out in the style that we wanted it to. But he really rubbed us the wrong way, and I don't think I would ever recommend him as a minister to someone looking for an officiant. Additionally, my husband and I both thought we may have smelled alcohol on him during the rehearsal and the ceremony. I'm hesitant to say that, because I don't want to make an unsubstantiated claim and ruin someone's reputation. We could both very well be wrong. So, please take that part of my review with a grain of salt. The inital minister we met with was great though, so it probably largely depends on the minister who performs your ceremony. (gadragonetti)
Judge Faye Flancher - Racine Co. Judge (A)
We were supposed to have Judge Barry as our officiant and Judge Flancher stepped up for us after his untimely death not long before the wedding. She was easy to speak to on the phone and we hammered out the ceremony details through email. She let us add in whatever readings we wanted. (cc7003)
Baraboo Tent and Awning= A
They called to tell us about the delay in arriving due to weather but had our tent set up and functioning in 2 hours. They were helpful and professional. (samanthajeremy)
Center pieces: Heavenly Creations
We rented our center pieces and those glow balloons over the dance floor. Lisa was really easy to work with and replied to emails right away. Most of the candles stayed lit all night and it was cheaper for me to rent than to buy all those things and then have to sell them! (navybride11)
AA to Z Event Essentials, Madison=B
We were less than thrilled when they showed up 2 hours late, and left without setting up like we planned on and paid for. They apologized after a phone call but all our rentals were in great shape, and made our tent setting look just like I imagined it would. (samanthajermey)
Rentals: Karl's Event Services (Milwaukee, WI) - A+
When you look at their website, it does not look very "wedding-like", but they were so helpful in absolutely everything. We rented silver overlays, silver chavari chairs, silver napkins, and glass chargers w/ silver beads from them. They even did a table mock-up for us. They were so good about following up with us and helping us make decisions with what we wanted. During our mock-up appointment they used some beautiful hammered silverware to complete the look that we fell in love with, but it seemed a little excessive to spend money on renting different flatware so we passed on it. Well anyways, about a month before the wedding, the girl at Karl's calls my mom to say that the cushion style of the new chavari chairs they got was slightly different than what we saw. My mom was like "ok cool, I'm sure the cushion looks fine." Well a few days later, the girl calls back again to tell my mom that they decided that they hated how the new cushion looked so they were going back to the original cushion style and for the added "stress" she caused my mom, they were going to give us the hammered flatware for free since no one was renting it on that day. It looked beyond beautiful, and they did not need to do that at all. There was no stress on our part about the cushion lol. They are just that good at customer service! (eshaufle)
General Rental in Racine (A)
Delivery of chairs was done when we needed them and picked up when scheduled as well. THis is the first time I've rented anything so I dont' know if all places do it like this, but they set up a delivery 'time frame' so that made planning the morning a little difficult. And pickup had to be scheduled by a certain time otherwise the price went up significantly. If we could have afforded a wedding planner this would have been one area that would have helped with so I didnt' have to worry about the coordination of all this. (cc7003)
Photobooth: Mugshotz Oak Creek WI (A+)
I LOVED Mugshotz!!! They were the cheapest photobooth deal I could find with all the bells and whistles that we wanted (guestbook, props, rights to photos) and the owner, Don, was the nicest person! I booked at a bridal show after I could check out the equipment and after that all communication was by email until the week before the wedding when he called to finalize details. I love vendors that respond to email so that was great for me. You can customize everything and he helped us get our photostrips all set up by emailing proofs to us. The photobooth was a HUGE hit. Our guests loved it and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the guest book. And better yet, by Tuesday after the wedding we already had our DVD's with the photos and a slideshow of the photos to share with our guests. I could not have been happier with Mugshotz! I'm trying to find a reason to get a photobooth again for an event. :) (cc7003)
Photo Booth - Captured Memories: A+
They were fantastic! We got hooked up with them through a friend but even so - they were always helpful - the booth and props turned out wonderful - prices were more than reasonable - and everyone LOVED it! The book they gave us at the end is HILARIOUS and definately a great keepsake! Check them out! :
www.capturedmemoriesbooth.com (bonniejwilliams123)
A Case of Fun PhotoBooth (A+) Anthony (one of the owners) answered my price inquiry very quickly and was very helpful and responsive with all the questions that I had. I was happy to see him at my venue at the promised time. Everything was set up and ready to go way before it needed to be. I had my ceremony inside the same room as I had my reception, and everything worked out perfect. Anthony was happy to oblige me as to where I wanted the photobooth set up. Holly was very nice as well.
The package included an album of all the photos that were taken for the night, as well as a DVD Slideshow and a CD copy of all the photos taken. My guests absolutely loved the photobooth. Especially the kids (6 year old's- to-teenagers.) (KatoNorway)
Honeymoon: Crown Paradise Club Cancun, Mexico: A
We booked our honeymoon through the website Bookit.com and are glad we did. We did it when they were having a deal on all-inclusives which is what we wanted. We looked at all kinds of all inclusives in that area but fell in love with this one. We booked a honeymoon suite for 6 days and 5 nights. The room was amazing! We were on the end of one of the buildings (there are two buildings) and had a HUGE balcony. When you walk into the room, you actually walk into the living room which has a door to go to one part of the balcony. You than go through another door to get to the bedroom which was huge. There is also a hot tub on the balcony which overlooks the ocean. We loved our room so much that we didn't want to leave it. When the resort says all-inclusive, they really mean it. We have heard from people who have gone to them and ended up with bills they didn't know about. People have had to pay for items they used out of their fridge in their room or when they want to go to certain restaurants on the resort. Our resort was not like that. There were 7 different restaurants that were all included in your price. There are 5 of them that require reservations to eat at and have a dress code but they were easy to get into. We went to three of them and loved them all. They have a wide variety of food too besides Mexican. They have french, italian, seafood, steakhouse, oriental, etc. There is also a buffet that has a wide variety of foods that is open all the time.The place was always clean and well taken care of. We have said that we would definitely go back there again. (hinkelcl28)
Linens - Small Details; Muskego, WI The hall provided white tablecloths and napkins, but I really wanted something that went more with our black and white theme, with the touches of dark red. I found Donna at a bridal show, and she was the only linen person I found with the perfect dark red color that wasn't purple-ish. She also rented us black tablecloths, and deep red napkins that matched the chair covers. She got everything set up perfectly, and it really looked fantastic. (SwwetCharade)
Picture This! Photobooths (Milwaukee, WI) - A+
The photobooth was a lot of fun! People had a great time with all of the props and then decorating their own page for the guestbook we got. I was surprised by all of the supplies they brought for our guests to decorate their own page...tons of stickers, papers, scissors...everything. It was quite the display!! It was one of our favorite things to look at the next day. They even put the whole book together for us. It was perfect. (eshaufle)
VALLEY POPCORN -A+
We had a popcorn bar at the wedding and it was a huge hit! No one had seen it before and everyone loved it! Carol at Valley Popcorn was amazing! One of my favorite parts of the wedding! (ottecl)
Arthur Murray Dance Studio: C
My fiance and I wanted to do something more than the high-school sway during our first dance, but we didn't have particularly high expectations. We also didn't have much time (<2 months) to become less awkward on the dance floor, so our instructor focused on teaching us a few simple variations of a style similar to foxtrot. She was engaging at the beginning but seemed not to recognize when and how we really needed help to improve. We actually ended up with a different, younger instructor at our 3rd and final private lesson who brought us up to speed and did a lot to get us more ready for the big day.
Overall, I'm not sure that the regular pricing for lessons is a great deal. Private lessons helped us the most, while group lessons didn't really teach much detail (which is the point but is also not as interesting). We didn't attend any of the parties they host. If we hadn't gotten the lesson package as a gift (Groupon), I don't think I would have gone to this studio, and I doubt I'll go back. I've since gotten recommendations from friends about smaller studios in our area (South-central Wisconsin) that are a better value. (mdlorenz)
Officiant
My Best Ceremony, Lake Geneva, WI: C
Well, what to say about this. This is a group of 3 ministers that make custom ceremonies for couples, regardless of religious beliefs. The initial minister that we met with (who we really liked) was not the one that was ultimately assigned to us. The one who was assigned to us was definitely a horse of a different color. Our initial meeting with him went fine. He did tell us that he takes his job very seriously and would run the rehearsal for us, and emphasized he wanted no one showing up drunk at the rehearsal, or he wouldn't marry us. We thought that sounded strange, but then he told us stories of large wedding parties at the rehearsals just wasted and out of control. We told him he had nothing to worry about with our group, and he didn't. However, he ran the rehearsal like a military boot camp. He was also quite condescending. My matron of honor, who was pregnant, got a chair to sit down on while we rehearsed, and he told her she couldn't sit down. He was extremely long winded as well, which wouldn't be so bad if he didn't have those other issues. I will say that he listed to what we wanted for our ceremony though, and the readings and passages and vows and things all came out in the style that we wanted it to. But he really rubbed us the wrong way, and I don't think I would ever recommend him as a minister to someone looking for an officiant. Additionally, my husband and I both thought we may have smelled alcohol on him during the rehearsal and the ceremony. I'm hesitant to say that, because I don't want to make an unsubstantiated claim and ruin someone's reputation. We could both very well be wrong. So, please take that part of my review with a grain of salt. The inital minister we met with was great though, so it probably largely depends on the minister who performs your ceremony. (gadragonetti)
Judge Faye Flancher - Racine Co. Judge (A)
We were supposed to have Judge Barry as our officiant and Judge Flancher stepped up for us after his untimely death not long before the wedding. She was easy to speak to on the phone and we hammered out the ceremony details through email. She let us add in whatever readings we wanted. (cc7003)
Baraboo Tent and Awning= A
They called to tell us about the delay in arriving due to weather but had our tent set up and functioning in 2 hours. They were helpful and professional. (samanthajeremy)
Center pieces: Heavenly Creations
We rented our center pieces and those glow balloons over the dance floor. Lisa was really easy to work with and replied to emails right away. Most of the candles stayed lit all night and it was cheaper for me to rent than to buy all those things and then have to sell them! (navybride11)
AA to Z Event Essentials, Madison=B
We were less than thrilled when they showed up 2 hours late, and left without setting up like we planned on and paid for. They apologized after a phone call but all our rentals were in great shape, and made our tent setting look just like I imagined it would. (samanthajermey)
Rentals: Karl's Event Services (Milwaukee, WI) - A+
When you look at their website, it does not look very "wedding-like", but they were so helpful in absolutely everything. We rented silver overlays, silver chavari chairs, silver napkins, and glass chargers w/ silver beads from them. They even did a table mock-up for us. They were so good about following up with us and helping us make decisions with what we wanted. During our mock-up appointment they used some beautiful hammered silverware to complete the look that we fell in love with, but it seemed a little excessive to spend money on renting different flatware so we passed on it. Well anyways, about a month before the wedding, the girl at Karl's calls my mom to say that the cushion style of the new chavari chairs they got was slightly different than what we saw. My mom was like "ok cool, I'm sure the cushion looks fine." Well a few days later, the girl calls back again to tell my mom that they decided that they hated how the new cushion looked so they were going back to the original cushion style and for the added "stress" she caused my mom, they were going to give us the hammered flatware for free since no one was renting it on that day. It looked beyond beautiful, and they did not need to do that at all. There was no stress on our part about the cushion lol. They are just that good at customer service! (eshaufle)
General Rental in Racine (A)
Delivery of chairs was done when we needed them and picked up when scheduled as well. THis is the first time I've rented anything so I dont' know if all places do it like this, but they set up a delivery 'time frame' so that made planning the morning a little difficult. And pickup had to be scheduled by a certain time otherwise the price went up significantly. If we could have afforded a wedding planner this would have been one area that would have helped with so I didnt' have to worry about the coordination of all this. (cc7003)
Photobooth: Mugshotz Oak Creek WI (A+)
I LOVED Mugshotz!!! They were the cheapest photobooth deal I could find with all the bells and whistles that we wanted (guestbook, props, rights to photos) and the owner, Don, was the nicest person! I booked at a bridal show after I could check out the equipment and after that all communication was by email until the week before the wedding when he called to finalize details. I love vendors that respond to email so that was great for me. You can customize everything and he helped us get our photostrips all set up by emailing proofs to us. The photobooth was a HUGE hit. Our guests loved it and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the guest book. And better yet, by Tuesday after the wedding we already had our DVD's with the photos and a slideshow of the photos to share with our guests. I could not have been happier with Mugshotz! I'm trying to find a reason to get a photobooth again for an event. :) (cc7003)
Photo Booth - Captured Memories: A+
They were fantastic! We got hooked up with them through a friend but even so - they were always helpful - the booth and props turned out wonderful - prices were more than reasonable - and everyone LOVED it! The book they gave us at the end is HILARIOUS and definately a great keepsake! Check them out! :
www.capturedmemoriesbooth.com (bonniejwilliams123)
A Case of Fun PhotoBooth (A+) Anthony (one of the owners) answered my price inquiry very quickly and was very helpful and responsive with all the questions that I had. I was happy to see him at my venue at the promised time. Everything was set up and ready to go way before it needed to be. I had my ceremony inside the same room as I had my reception, and everything worked out perfect. Anthony was happy to oblige me as to where I wanted the photobooth set up. Holly was very nice as well.
The package included an album of all the photos that were taken for the night, as well as a DVD Slideshow and a CD copy of all the photos taken. My guests absolutely loved the photobooth. Especially the kids (6 year old's- to-teenagers.) (KatoNorway)
Honeymoon: Crown Paradise Club Cancun, Mexico: A
We booked our honeymoon through the website Bookit.com and are glad we did. We did it when they were having a deal on all-inclusives which is what we wanted. We looked at all kinds of all inclusives in that area but fell in love with this one. We booked a honeymoon suite for 6 days and 5 nights. The room was amazing! We were on the end of one of the buildings (there are two buildings) and had a HUGE balcony. When you walk into the room, you actually walk into the living room which has a door to go to one part of the balcony. You than go through another door to get to the bedroom which was huge. There is also a hot tub on the balcony which overlooks the ocean. We loved our room so much that we didn't want to leave it. When the resort says all-inclusive, they really mean it. We have heard from people who have gone to them and ended up with bills they didn't know about. People have had to pay for items they used out of their fridge in their room or when they want to go to certain restaurants on the resort. Our resort was not like that. There were 7 different restaurants that were all included in your price. There are 5 of them that require reservations to eat at and have a dress code but they were easy to get into. We went to three of them and loved them all. They have a wide variety of food too besides Mexican. They have french, italian, seafood, steakhouse, oriental, etc. There is also a buffet that has a wide variety of foods that is open all the time.The place was always clean and well taken care of. We have said that we would definitely go back there again. (hinkelcl28)
Linens - Small Details; Muskego, WI The hall provided white tablecloths and napkins, but I really wanted something that went more with our black and white theme, with the touches of dark red. I found Donna at a bridal show, and she was the only linen person I found with the perfect dark red color that wasn't purple-ish. She also rented us black tablecloths, and deep red napkins that matched the chair covers. She got everything set up perfectly, and it really looked fantastic. (SwwetCharade)
Picture This! Photobooths (Milwaukee, WI) - A+
The photobooth was a lot of fun! People had a great time with all of the props and then decorating their own page for the guestbook we got. I was surprised by all of the supplies they brought for our guests to decorate their own page...tons of stickers, papers, scissors...everything. It was quite the display!! It was one of our favorite things to look at the next day. They even put the whole book together for us. It was perfect. (eshaufle)