Recently Engaged and need some Wedding Help

Thanks for all the feedback on here.

I am already starting to use the advice some of you have mentioned. The wedding is about us and trying not to please anyone else.

Anyone have good experiences with any of the caters in the area? This seems to be the only thing that I am unsure about.

If you need any help with invitations, please give us a call. We can set up an appointment to help you with all of your needs.

No Regrets Stationery & Gift Boutique
800 Pier Park Drive, Suite 110
Panama City Beach, Florida 32413
850-233-6131
ask for Shelia

or
No Regrets Stationery & Gift Boutique
318 Harrison Avenue
Panama City, Florida 32401
850-747-0227
ask for Barbara

Thanks for all the feedback on here.

I am already starting to use the advice some of you have mentioned. The wedding is about us and trying not to please anyone else.

Anyone have good experiences with any of the caters in the area? This seems to be the only thing that I am unsure about.

Thanksgiving weekend we were eating at the bar at Borago, and I was telling Murph that I was taking a break from cooking. The couple next to us recommended Townsend's catering. They said they never cook at Thanksgiving and Christmas any more because Townsend's food is great, and it would cost them almost as much to buy the groceries as Townsend's charges, not to mention the prep time.

Any locals know about Townsend's? I can't vouch for it personally.

But now she is talking Atlanta. We're paying. That should carry some weight, right? .

I, too, am from "South of the ATL" and opted to have my wedding in Atlanta. The problem was hotels. And the fact some of our guest were coming from Spain. I would have loved to introduce them all to my cute little town of Griffin. But, I just couldn't imagine them having to stay in a Best Western.

Townsend catering

I have done events with Townsend. Everything looked good and the guests seemed to enjoy the food. Since I was working, I can't say how I liked the eats personally! Criollas' is well thought of also.

Pleasing yourself really is key - today at lunch a friend said "this is where we were when you told me it was okay to get the bridesmaids' dresses I wanted." (She was going to be nice and go with her sister's choice even though she didn't really like it and didn't think it would photograph well.)

It seemed so minor to me at the time, but it wasn't until Mama Scooterbug and I repeatedly told her that it was HER wedding and to get what SHE really wanted (not her sister) that she felt she could say no. And she is not a timid person - she used to make me get up early on Saturday mornings in college and run 5k races w/ her.

If you need any help with invitations, please give us a call. We can set up an appointment to help you with all of your needs.

No Regrets Stationery & Gift Boutique
800 Pier Park Drive, Suite 110
Panama City Beach, Florida 32413
850-233-6131
ask for Shelia

or
No Regrets Stationery & Gift Boutique
318 Harrison Avenue
Panama City, Florida 32401
850-747-0227
ask for Barbara

I ordered invites from No Regrets for my mom's 70th birthday party- they were beautiful, reasonably priced, and best of all- the process was easy! No Regrets is wonderful!

I, too, am from "South of the ATL" and opted to have my wedding in Atlanta. The problem was hotels. And the fact some of our guest were coming from Spain. I would have loved to introduce them all to my cute little town of Griffin. But, I just couldn't imagine them having to stay in a Best Western.

I hear ya. Thankfully, between there being a nice bed-and-breakfast here, plus some friends putting our guests up, I think we'll be okay. Atlanta would cost a lot more money for venues and catering unless we used Doc Chey's, their favorite restaurant.

I have done events with Townsend. Everything looked good and the guests seemed to enjoy the food. Since I was working, I can't say how I liked the eats personally! Criollas' is well thought of also.

Thanks for the info.

Hey, tchuck, scooterbug was talking about "doing what you want." A couple here just loves a local hot dog joint (it's been in Southern Living) that features boiled hot dogs, bag chips, and Coke. The families could have afforded virtually whatever the couple wanted, but the couple chose to have their rehearsal dinner there. What a hoot!

One way to address the wedding/reception locale struggle is to have a party/reception in addition to the wedding reception. It allows you to cull the actual wedding reception's guest list because you can invite business associates, coworkers, neighbors etc. to those parties and keep the wedding to just the good friends/relatives of the bride/groom.

When my parents got married (they were from different states, met in college, and then lived in another state) they had a reception/party in Dad's hometown, Mom's hometown, and the wedding in their new hometown.

As far as doing what you want, one friend decided her wedding was actually going to have good food and a tasty dessert. Not only was it the only wedding I have gone to where the food was all good, they served the best tiramisu ever (and to back up their claim I have personally tested over 150 recipes on 2 continents) instead of an overpriced and blah wedding cake.

I used a great planner for my wedding. Christina at Fete events. She was amazing and made the day perfect!

The catering arm of Stinky's (Blue Mountain Beach Catering?) is absolutely wonderful. They did the food for the Rep's Dirty Santa Ball and I couldn't stop eating. Best cheese grits eva!

i had a customer in the store today working on a wedding expo for February. I'll get the info and post or have her post the details.

Thanksgiving weekend we were eating at the bar at Borago, and I was telling Murph that I was taking a break from cooking. The couple next to us recommended Townsend's catering. They said they never cook at Thanksgiving and Christmas any more because Townsend's food is great, and it would cost them almost as much to buy the groceries as Townsend's charges, not to mention the prep time.

Any locals know about Townsend's? I can't vouch for it personally.

I have had Townsend Catering MANY times and HIGHLY recommend them. They supplied some of the food for a party I had last year as well. Over the holidays was at a party that they catered & as usual it was wonderful!

They also have connections with wedding planners - It's a Shore Thing being one of them. (May be It's a Sure thing - not positive which one...).

Photographer

Hello. I see that you are getting married and need a photographer. My husband is an excellent photographer and I am sure he will work with your budget. He grew up in the area as well so he would know the perfect spots for you to take pics. Feel free to call him at 850-699-3887. His name is Marcus. Good luck!

Hi tchuck. I work in this area--my company does bridal hair and makeup, and I wanted you to know that you can't go wrong with Townsend Catering. I've tasted their food at about 10 weddings, including my own. They will take care of tents, rain reservations for tents, chairs, linens--you name it, Donna and Sherri do it. Also, someone mentioned It's a Shore Thing. Another outstanding vendor in our area. Don't underestimate your need for a planner. I did, until the *day* before my wedding, and when I saw the relief on my mother's face when I told her Jennifer and Cheryl were coming...I guess I didn't realize how much I had put on her plate. You'll definately be happy. All you have to do is communicate what your vision is, and that you'd like to make choices that are "aware" of the cost, then your vendors will know where to steer you. And sometimes, there are aspects about your wedding that matter more than others, and that's an area where you can save.

If you want some other quality recommendations...my website, www.twofishesartistry.com, has a My Favorites Tab. I have worked with all of those vendors, and I would recommend them to my best friend. (That's my criteria for listing them! No paid advertising.)

Best wishes to you!!

Oh PS...If you aren't taking a Honeymoon right after the wedding, think about a mid-week (Thursday-Friday) wedding as an excuse for your guests to take a long weekend at the beach with you! I found that the time I spent visiting with different friends over the course of the weekend was the best QT ever!