Our vendor booking is coming along pretty steady now, not too many have been booked but the most important ones have...however I will continue to update them as I go along. I also find it really helpful when others put prices in their vendor reviews. I obviously cannot post every fee, but I will pay it forward as much as I can.
River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Ceremony Venue
The people here are so kind and generous. I cannot wait to work with them more. It is a gorgeous place at a very attractive price. They allow renters of all faiths and you can bring in your own officiant. We even got our rehearsal slot and bridal dressing area for free!
Rental fee: $590 (3 hour rental)
Glen Echo Park, Reception Venue
Emily is great! She is definitely a sweetheart and knows her stuff. It took about 2 months to get our contract from them...however, there really was no rush given that our wedding (at the time) was 18 months away. However, when you are an anxious bride it feels like forever. Love this place, love her personality and I am looking forward to working with her.
Rental fee: $1700-$3000 (Saturday rental range)
Matters of Taste , Caterer
When we met with Christina it was a wrap. Although she is bit animated, we felt that she really had our best interest in mind, which was to keep the cost down. We met with another caterer, gave her our budget and she had the nerve to send us a proposal almost $3000 more than what we told her. Christina, on the other hand, spent our entire meeting telling us ways we can stay within our budget. That is what I am talking about! Although there are a few negative things about MOT on the web, I am confident that everything will work out perfectly.
Prices vary...
James Walker Photography, Wedding Day Photographer
We knew that we wanted a photographer that would be able to capture the "action" of the day, so that meant more of a photojournalist rather than a normal wedding photographer. James was professional and courteous, and he also has a great portfolio and an attractive price. We settled on him quite quickly.
Fee: $2000 (see site for details)
Kate Headley, Engagement Photos
We have been so lucky to have booked our engagement photos. We are taking them on 4.4.09 at the tidal basin during the cherry blossom festival.
Fee: $500
Score: A+
Although we had to contend with the Cherry Blossom crowds and unfavorably windy weather, our pictures turned out fantastic! I would have loved to have her as our wedding photog, but she is a little out of our budget and we also love James. Below is my favorite shot of the day. Enjoy!
The Dickens,Wedding Band
The reason why sooo many things have changed. I was set to go with a R&B band for the wedding, however Kevin convinced me that we should look for a band that is more versatile. After several hours of consideration and a few days looking at each and every website there is for booking bands...we stumbled across this jewel out of North Carolina. This band was the best band by far and we are stoked to have hired them for our wedding!
Fee: Too Damn Much!
Atelier Floral Design, Florist
Rachel and Jennifer were so upbeat and genuinely nice when we met with them, we did not want to meet with any other florists (and esp. after we got their estimate). Their website says it all. They really want to make your day special while keeping it affordable. They also are really taking my vision to heart.
Fee: check out the website...as mentioned, it says it all
Artistic Cake Creations, Cake
Fee: $350 (to feed 200 people INCLUDING delivery from West Virginia...you cannot beat that!)
Bridal Salon Reviews
Hitched, Georgetown, DC
My experience at Hitched was limited. I felt that it could have gone better if the sales consultant had asked me about my budget. I fell for a dress that was well above what I wanted to spend. I actually felt that they were trying to hide the price of the dress...it was a bit weird. Other than that, they are really nice there and have a great selection.
Priscilla of Boston, Tysons Corner, VA
I wasn't actually planning on buying a dress there, which made the visit more fun because they knew that also going into the meeting. I went there to get my bridesmaid dress for my friend's wedding and decided I would try on gowns since I was there. The sales consultant was great...she did not pressure me, she did not try to push me to buy, she did exactly what I asked her to do and she was nice on top of that. I did end up finding a dress that I love at that visit, but it was too much money (again) so the search continued.
The Designer Loft, New York, NY
I was pleasantly surprised with this place. The prices were VERY reasonable and they carried very exclusive designers that I had no idea that I could afford. I loved loved loved Allison who was my sales consultant. If I had found a dress that I felt was perfect, I definitely would have purchased it. They were really up front about the prices and just seemed really laid back in general...Definitely recommend!
The Bridal Garden, New York, NY
I do not recommend this place if you are larger than a size 10 in street clothes. Their selection of larger sized dresses is very limited. It is a consignment/sample salon and is VERY small. It is worth a trip definitely if you know you can fit sample sizes.
Klienfeld's, New York, NY
I recommend going just to see the salon...but make sure if you actually want to buy a dress and you do not have a ridiculous budget that you get the right sales consultant because the consultant can make or break your appointment there. My consultant rushed me, she pressured me, she did not respect my privacy, she did not listen to me at all...all in all, the dress that I loved was a little outside of my budget, but if I liked my consultant, I would have felt better about going over it...in this case, I did not feel like she deserved the commission. Everyone else was very nice and approachable.
Ann's Boutique, Burke VA
I almost bought my dress here. It is a small boutique in a strip mall, but it has a great selection and the service is excellent. I fell in love with an Alvina Valente dress here that was very reasonably priced...but after I saw the Pronovias gown, I could not turn back. The owner was willing to let me continue shopping for the day and if I wanted the gown there, still give me the discount for the trunk show and pay over the phone (I live 45 min. from this shop). Highly Reccomend!
Jingles, Richmond VA
This was a great shop...my sales consultant was a bit too enthusiastic for my taste. She loved every dress I tried on and some of them looked terrible on me. The selection was kind of small. They are nice and my cousin works there, so definitely check it out if you are in Richmond.
Bella Rosa, Richmond VA
This is the salon where I found my dress! I had heard some negative commentary online about the shop, but I like to make my own opinions and I am glad that I decided to go despite the bad news. My consultant was Cathy and she was great! My appointment was at 4pm, the shop closed at 5pm and she had no problem with the fact that we did not leave until well after 6pm! She was completely accommodating and understanding at my entire lack of respect for their time and the fact that I wanted to try on EVERY gown in the place. They have a great selection! The styles, prices and designers vary enough so that there is something there for every kind of bride. This place was so fantastic, I actually found a perfect flower girl dress for only $25! I am glad I decided to head home to find my dress; it was definitely worth the trip!
