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KatyWI

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Hey fellow Madisonite! So I was wondering where your best friend got married downtown, and whether you/she liked it. I was also wondering if you have been to any other downtown weddings that you liked, and also which photographer your friend used, and whether everyone was happy with him/her?

I''m trying to nail down some personal recommendations on my favorite locations and people, and any info you''ve got would be a great help!

Thanks
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Let's see. She got married at the Capitol in the assembly chambers which I wouldn't really recommend...it was a bit weird to be honest, but she was set on it. Now if you could get married in the middle area there, that would be gorgeous...

Her reception was at the Brink Lounge. Again, wouldn't be my choice as she had to shuttle everyone back and forth between rooms the whole night, but she really liked it. I did like that it had a lounge space in addition to a place for tables, etc., but it was a PAIN to try and get everyone back and forth, so you need to plan that out better if you want people to watch things like cake cutting, first dance, etc.

Places I've been to events at that I really liked: Botanical Gardens, Gates of Heaven (really small though and just for the ceremony, but GORGEOUS), the art museum/fresco (but pricey), and Monona Terrace. There is also a parks department location out past the new South Towne Walmart...I can't remember what it's called, but it's a plainish building in the middle of a field and is very reasonably priced and quite nice. There are also two barn locations right outside of town somewhere that didn't work for my friend's date but are gorgeous too. Can't remember what they are called off the top of my head...

She used Bunky's for the catering and Theresa is AMAZING. Love that woman. She did so much work for my friend and the food was all really good too. She also did all the table set up prior to the reception and got the linens, etc.

My favorite cake places are hands down Carl's Cakes (cottage grove rd) and Craig's Cakes (verona). I wouldn't bother going to tastings at a lot of the other places, they just didn't compare IMO...and Carl's and Craig's both are very competitive with pricing IMO.

She used Creative Look Imagery for her photography and personally I don't care for their pictures at all because they are very posed and that isn't what *I* like. But they are high quality and the husband and wife team were very nice and professional. They are great at capturing the bridesmaids hiking their skirts, all jumping into the air, portrait type pictures but really aren't very good at candids. So it depends on what you want there...

For dresses I bought mine at Vera's and was VERY pleased with the service. They were really great even when a few mistakes happened...and my dress was already a rush to boot, so that was quite smooth.

My friend bought hers at David's Bridal, so you know how that goes...she had her alterations done at Bridals by Joyce and she did a GREAT job and was super reasonably priced...so I wouldn't hesitate to take business there again. She's a bit on the gruff side, but she does very nice work. I have also had great experiences with Monetti Tailoring near Hilldale, but they are quite a bit more pricey than Joyce.
 
Ahh, too bad, none of that really lines up with my plans! I want to get married on the Monona Terrace rooftop for the ceremony, but since the Grand Terrace is not available and I hear the food isn''t great, I don''t want to have a reception there.

I''m dead set on the Orpheum for the reception, which has the ambience I''m looking for so I don''t have to spend much on flowers and decorations, but it''s pricier than the other places I''m looking at. Although I''ve worked part-time in restaurants for a long time, and the smartest people I know say the food is better there than anywhere else.

I''m not thrilled with the Brink as a location, but I should have 100 or less people so it''s okay if it''s a little cramped. I just don''t love it for many reasons. Caterers make me nervous, but hearing your awesome recommendation of Bunky''s, I''m a little less nervous if I have to go that route, so thank you!!!

And Craig''s and Carl''s are on the top of my list to try, so it''s also good to know I should skip everyone else and save the time.

Thanks too for your remarks on the photogs... I definitely want a more photojournalistic photog, so I can cross them off the list. I''m really in love with Michael Krakora, but I don''t know if I''ll be able to put a deposit down before someone else does for that weekend... he''s available for my date, but he only does one wedding a weekend and someone is interested in the 6th!

And I''ve been thinking about going to Vera''s, but I''m going dress shopping with my mom, MOH and a bridemaid in NYC on Dec. 27th, so I''ll wait to see if I find anything then before I keep looking. Good to know they''re nice to work with, and I will definitely need someone for alterations and Joyce sounds great.

Thank you so so so much for your quick and thorough response!
 
Date: 12/9/2008 5:30:38 PM
Author: KatyWI
Ahh, too bad, none of that really lines up with my plans! I want to get married on the Monona Terrace rooftop for the ceremony, but since the Grand Terrace is not available and I hear the food isn't great, I don't want to have a reception there.


I'm dead set on the Orpheum for the reception, which has the ambience I'm looking for so I don't have to spend much on flowers and decorations, but it's pricier than the other places I'm looking at. Although I've worked part-time in restaurants for a long time, and the smartest people I know say the food is better there than anywhere else.


I'm not thrilled with the Brink as a location, but I should have 100 or less people so it's okay if it's a little cramped. I just don't love it for many reasons. Caterers make me nervous, but hearing your awesome recommendation of Bunky's, I'm a little less nervous if I have to go that route, so thank you!!!


And Craig's and Carl's are on the top of my list to try, so it's also good to know I should skip everyone else and save the time.


Thanks too for your remarks on the photogs... I definitely want a more photojournalistic photog, so I can cross them off the list. I'm really in love with Michael Krakora, but I don't know if I'll be able to put a deposit down before someone else does for that weekend... he's available for my date, but he only does one wedding a weekend and someone is interested in the 6th!


And I've been thinking about going to Vera's, but I'm going dress shopping with my mom, MOH and a bridemaid in NYC on Dec. 27th, so I'll wait to see if I find anything then before I keep looking. Good to know they're nice to work with, and I will definitely need someone for alterations and Joyce sounds great.


Thank you so so so much for your quick and thorough response!

Ohhh I totally forgot the Orpheum! My advisor got married there and it was gorgeous and worked out really well for them! Great choice.

You might want to consider Gates of Heaven for your ceremony. It's owned by the city now and it's just beautiful. I think it can hold 120 people.
 
Haha! Totally fantastic to hear!! Thanks!
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