Salina was AMAZING! Her prices were EXTREMELY affordable and I didn't feel rushed. She said she would do multiple styles until we find the one that is perfect for me but I have to tell you the first and only one she did was great! When returning home I got "wowed" from my girlfriends and during a family photo shoot that I had scheduled that day the photographer asked who did my hair and took her info as well as two of my sisters. My family and my fiancé' loved it and it just all around made ME feel beautiful but with a hint of sexiness which is totally me.

On the wedding day everyone raved about how great my hair looked. She did all four of my BM's, both our mothers and one step mom and she even took the time to do my FG's. <One not that I think is important is that one of my FG's, age 6, was going through chemo at the time and her hair was very hard to work with as if you pull it too much it will fall out. She made this little girl look so audacious. Her smile lit up because she thought she looked just like a fairy-princess. She had my FG's hair up and curled and came back that night, at midnight, to ensure that everything was removed correctly and with ease so that her hair would not fall out! She lost little to no hair and the experience for her and us was amazing all because one woman took the time to really care about what she does.

SALINA IS HIGHLY RECOMENEDED!!!

AMAZING! My wedding was in December so we got the benefit of all our guests enjoying the Festival of Lights. It was super breathtaking. People are still e-mailing us about how beautiful it was to this day! If you are one for architecture, great restaurants, Christmas, little antique shops, horse and carriage rides, etc..then the Mission Inn is for you!

I worked with Hazel and Patricia alongside my own wedding coordinator to ensure that my day was all about my wedding. We got a lot of discounts because again, we had our wedding on a Thursday during the offseason; however, book in advance because this is really the only location in Riverside worth having company holiday parties at etc..We saved tons and even received a free 60 minute massage the morning after. I loved it. I have never been so pampered. Also our honeymoon suite was something to die for. The Alhambra suite is high recommended.

Another positive note, your photographer will die with all the great pictures that can be taken here. Both of our photographers saw this place and were there bright and early, around 11am and dint leave until quite late! We even did our engagement shoot here and than man (Robin Fadtke of www.zoartphoto.com) simply didn’t want to leave. LOL

Our ceremony was in the St. Francis of Assisi which is just pure heaven. Our guests were in ahhh.... The entire wall comes off when the bride enters the room with her father at her side. You don’t need any decorations with the exception of candlelight which is provided for you.

Our reception was in the Music Room with the tavern attached and it couldn’t have been more perfect for us. We only had 80 guests or so and this room has a minimum of 120 (I think) so make sure whoever tours you, shows you all the rooms. They try and show you rooms that your party will fit in without taking up the bigger rooms for some reason but I wasn’t about that. I wanted to see them all. To get a bigger room, you do have to meet a food minimum, for example, the cheapest meal X the room minimum = what your food minimum would be, but trust me you can easily do this! We wanted room to move and thank our guests and not have to squish my dress to get by. You know these types!. Haha
We also wanted tons of dance space so they accommodated us by making our dance floor bigger. The staff really went out of their way.

This is the one vendor that I was so sure about just by seeing it the year before all decked out in their Festival of Lights. It was simply perfect!!!


HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMEND!

Like most, we had Eric. We booked him with very short notice because we had Thursday, off season wedding. I highly reccomend going this route. You save tons and get your choice of the best vendors at a bit of a discounted rate.

Eric was awesome! He was so easy to work with, patient etc, etc, etc. The day of he had everyone on the dance floor and because our string quartet was late and wanted to stay their full time, Eric totally accomodated his time and stayed late as well. He was with us til midnight and was amazing the whole night. Even with family and friends coming up making requests.

GREAT, GREAT, GREAT!!! Highly reccomend him!

Yet another make-up artist that I had a trial with. One that did both hair and make-up which is exactly what I was looking for.

Natalie was warm and welcoming and had such a presence about her that you just "click" instantly! She listened to everything I wanted, examined all my pictures and gave me very constructive feedback on why this would or wouldn’t look good on me but she didn’t stop there. Natalie would go as far as to showing, because I need visuals like most brides, and I would end up agreeing 100% with her. You really learn to trust her eye. She has the ability to look at a brides face and know what hair and make-up will “work” for you whilst incorporating what you want to make you feel sexy and beautiful!  My make-up was phenomenal. I mean really flawless, right down to the faux lashes which I loved.

When I came back from this trial my then fiancé’s mouth was literally on the floor and we ended up hitting the town that night only to be approached by strangers telling me how beautiful I was. Don’t you just love when that happens?! Haha

I would highly recommend Natalie!

I was one of those brides who had to test multiple people/make-up artists for my bridal make-up. I loved Michelle. She listended to me and was able to share my vision, not just envision how she thought I should look good, so I felt very natural and beautiful. The only reason I opted not to go with her at the time is simply because I thought it would be more beneficial for me and my girls to have someone who did both make-up and hair.

***** I would highly reccomend her!

I have not met him personally but I did purchase his gown at Mon-Ami. Mon-Ami I do NOT recommend but my gown "I DO"!

I had Mahatab do the alterations on it and everyone just oohh'ed and ahhh'ed over this exquisite gown. He really has an eye for detail when it comes to the feminine form. I wish I would have been able to meet him personally as I am sure it would have been simply enchanting. I really look forward to seeing his future creations!

I really can't say anything but EXCEPTIONAL! I loved Mahtab. So much so that I brought my BM's all the way up from San Diego and one in from Phoenix, AZ just to be fitted by her perfectly. Her prices are super-savy and her work is meticulous!

Mahtab also did my FG sashes with the excess cutting from the BM's gowns so they turned out perfectly.
She is always ready, super-sweet, and gives it to you straight on what will look best on you. She ended up placing straps on my gown which I loved.

I do highly recommend that you ensure your dress is a bit higher than what is recommended as mine was right at the ground but I found myself tripping on it and having to hold it up down the aisle and hold my bouquet because the tulle under that is fluffed, flatens out as you walk around. Just food for though.

I was quite disappointed with Mon-Ami as they are pretty high pressure since the girls work on commission. They also charge you fees here and there even after purchasing a high-end gown. Also, once your gown is purchased, kiss any type of customer service GOOD-BYE!

I arrived 15 mins prior to my appointment time, only to end up waiting for 30mins. I ended up with a very nice, but odd girl, helping me as I pulled most of my dresses myself during the long wait time. I didn’t really have a budget in mind since I was simply browsing and the day before was at David’s Bridal and I thought the quality of their products were extremely poor.

I honestly think that they stage the other ladies working to ooohh and ahh over you as you try on more and more expensive dresses which made me laugh. They do get the shoes, tiaras and jewelry out and of course the veils to try and give you a completed look and they do have you walk down their faux aisle.

In any event, I ended up purchasing an Edgardo Bonilla gown for $5K that was amazingly beautiful. The trial size was a size “6” that fit perfectly but was a bit low in the bust area so they insisted that I order a “10” even after paying an additional fee to just have the bust area raised. Relying on their expertise, I did as they suggested only finding that they really like to gouge you on things like this called “specialty hems” so that when the gown comes in its supposed to be perfect for you but in fact doesn’t. My gown was HUGE! The alterations lady that you have to try your dress on with in order to pick it up couldn’t believe it. I ultimately used Mahtab who worked my alterations beautifully at half the price of what Mon-Ami quoted me! I was quite disappointed being that my dress was quite expensive to begin with and I expect full service in a high-end shop like this. There should be one price for the gown and alterations period.

**Also, one thing that Mon-Ami might think about is after a bride to be purchases her gown, give her a swatch of the fabric chosen as well as a full length picture of the gown. This will help you as you choose BM gowns, Tux’s etc…When I asked for something like this, they looked at me like I was crazy.

Based on all of this, I would NOT recommend this shop to friends or family. I actually ended up grabbing my BM’s dresses from a great place in San Diego called Bridal Veil (619-295-1588). Not only did they have a HUG selection of bridal gowns but their prices were insanely low which I will tell you that I attempted to go back to Mon-Ami to cancel my order and to do so they charge you a huge fee. LOL

Ladies, just do your checking. Quite honestly you will know the gown that is for you when you see it and even if it’s over prices, you really don’t care. Some brides like this shop, I myself, wasn’t impressed but all in all I did LOVE my gown!

I, my fiancé (now husband), our daughter and our best man all took dance lessons with Sara and we had a blast every single time. We loved her so much that we actually signed up for another 3 sessions per couple and they were gracious enough to extend the special price that we had originally signed up with. My husband and I literally searched all over for a great dance studio and teacher and even drove over an hour into San Diego but NOBODY compared to the level of service, fun and attention to detail you get with Sara and Joe. They even take pictures to show you how you need to correct yourself which is very helpful. They teach you little things like pausing to ensure your photographer captures the moment etc...

I cannot say enough great things about Orange County Wedding Dance and please don’t be fooled by imposters who have a similar name. Do you homework ladies and gents. You will “click” with who is right for you and I highly recommend Orange County Wedding Dance.

Thank you Sara & Joe of Orange County Wedding Dance

……a side. We thought the overview of the grand entrance was a VERY big deal in that it helped us with placement of which way we should be facing so that our guests and videographer can see us; BUT, the big bonus was that we were able to tell our photographers ahead of time, where they will more than likely be able to get the best shots and which way we will be facing for our dip and other moves that we wanted captured. Also, I suggest that if you are going to take lessons, be serious about them and practice. The dance is what you two make of it after receiving some great instruction! 

OMG! We just got our mini-videos back from Isabel (uncut per our request) from our December 13th, 2007 wedding and I can't believe how amazing everything looks. Isabel has a great eye for detail and in fact got some great still shots of things that even our photographer didn't think of getting at such elegant angles. She captured all the "special" moments and I have to tell you, I barely noticed her at the wedding other than having guests ask me who she was due to her politeness and professionalism. LOL.

Everything goes so fast that day. You miss a lot but thankfully you find someone as great as Isabel who catches it all on video.

THANK YOU ISABEL!