*Mandy*'s reviews

Austin and his wife are extremely kind, funny and great to be around. However, we used Austin for two engagement sessions and we were a little underwhelmed. He did take a lot of photos during both sessions, but quantity doesn't always equal quality. We did get a few photos out of the sessions, but we could tell that there were some lack of editing and post-production skills when we received our final product.

I don't want to discourage people from using his services, because for the price, it's wonderful for any bride on a strict budget. The review below for manologirl sounds true to the Austin we worked with, however, I did help her with editing her final photos, as they were extremely overexposed and required further enhancement.

Austin is extremely professional and courteous and I think he's a pleasure to work with. I hope that his skills will improve over time. :)

We ordered everything through Costco.com. Costco did an amazing job on our bridal party arrangements and centerpieces. They arrived right on time and were beautifully packaged and cared for. Everything was arranged so wonderfully and with perfect little touches. We had so much to work with! The price was perfect and we received a lot of compliments on how they all looked.

Candi is such a joy to work with. She's extremely talented in all things veils and has become a bit of an institution with the OC brides here at The Knot. She's extremely prompt with her emails/phone calls and is such a riot! She's really candid and funny and loves what she does. To insure quality at a good price, Candi cuts out the middle man and doesn't invest in flashy websites and the like. She makes gorgeous veils at a fraction of the cost.

I was so pleased with the veil she made for me, that I can't believe it only cost under $35! Thank you for thinking for the thrifty, yet fashionable bride, Candi!

Luckily, we received word that the guys tuxes were ready four days before the wedding. Good thing, because all the rumors I heard about alternations being needed a mere 1-2 days before the wedding were true. They were only minor, hemming of a cuff or fixing the length of an arm; and it only effected one or two of the tuxes. But overall, they were sharp and the colors were really nice. Nothing too glowing about them, they did what they were expected to do and offered a great deal with the buy 4, get the grooms tux free special.

We visited the store at the Laguna Hills Mall. Zales had an amazing sale going on at the time we were shopping for a wedding ring. The ring selection was a lot better and they had some beautiful deigns. We ended up spotting a gorgeous, clearance ring at 80% off the regular price. Score! The ring was a 1.50 ctw with the "Past, Present, Future" engraving inside the band. I love it and so glad that we didn't have to cough up a huge chunk of change for it. We also used their online store to order DH's band. Great prices and an even greater selection.

I had some back and forth time with my contacts with Ari at Persiano's, but honestly, it's all because he's getting so popular and busy! He was still really great at answering the phone, my questions and emails. He provides great products that look fresh and new and unbelievable prices! I had a lot of faith and trust with him from the beginning, and I guess that trust helped him before I even used him!

He received a lot of referrals from here and I assume other places where I mentioned him and because of that, he was just so accommodating the day of the wedding. He and his staff arrived on time and were very courteous. He called me just to let me know that he was at the reception location and that out of his generosity, would set up the chairs/table linens at no additional charge (we also rented additional wine goblets). Perfect! He's a really sweet guy and his products looked amazing. Everything was exactly as it was described and his touches really help set off the event.

Thanks for all your help, Ari!

Phyllis is a Godsend! I found her services while perusing the WeddingBee Classifieds. She was just starting to build her portfolio, and wanted to extend an offer to some brides (free of charge) the ability to design stationary needs for weddings. Hooray!

She is incredibly talented (as you can see), willing to do anything and really incorporated the look and feel we were going for. She's so sweet and patient and answers emails with great proofs that exceeded our expectations.

She printed everything at no additional charge for this special request and we got to meet her in person since she relocated to San Diego! Everything was boxed up and beautifully assembled. Her designs and attention to detail are what will make all the finishing touches all that more special. I highly recommend you check her out -- so click on her link! Thanks, Phyllis!

Don't let this guy's website fool you. He is NOT the #1 DJ or whatever in the OC. He's only done TWO weddings since May 2008, and I was the second one! :( He failed to tell us this before hand, and the guy is only 17 or 18 years old. He seemed okay for the most part originally, but things slowly went downhill a week or two before the wedding, and we were left without much choice. This is bad on our part, but we had hoped he could at least DJ and play music.

I'll have to have my husband write a more detailed review about this DJ, but what an awful experience. DO NOT use this man's services. We received complaints all night, not to mention he cut off our first dance in the middle of the song, demanded we hire an assistant for him (which we declined, and he ended up doing anyway on his dime) who ended up only bringing him food all night and he didn't use hardly any of the added features we paid for.

I actually used their sister store in Tustin, CA. They have another location in Mission Viejo, as well.

Growers Direct did a great job at supplying beautiful bulk flowers for us. They were prompt and courteous. They even called a few days before to insure that everything was ordered correctly and made suggestions for some changes I wanted. Very professional and an amazing product. They're roses were so lovely and the Bells of Ireland were so fresh! Everything smelled wonderful in our house and looked so great on our cake, too! Their prices can't be beat and they were local! Just down the street from our house. Everything arrived on time and right to our door.

Well, what can't I say about Mardy? Other than she's wonderful!

She's just incredibly hard working and detailed oriented. She made sure that everything went off without a hitch for our big day. We had the threat of rain for our reception, and Mardy handled everything with grace.

She arrived in professional attire, clipboard in hand and ready to work. She did all she could and more. Helped make centerpieces at our house a day before the wedding, picked up our cake and brought it to our reception venue on time. She worked splendidly with all the vendors and received praise from all of those that I spoke with. She made sure that all that we wanted to achieve was executed and met with our specifications.

She's wonderful! I'm so glad we chose to go with hiring her, I just don't think we would have found anyone else to really pull it all off!

Thanks, Mardy!