This first half of my review is based on customer service in the planning stages, as i have not yet had my reception (3 more months! yay!)

Natalia is an absolute dream to work with - fast, responsive, accurate, and always has a smile on her face when talking to you!

Since i am planning from 300 miles away, I had not had a chance to visit, but based on the reviews, my MIL's recommendation and other ladies here on PW, i just went for it and booked, seeing as we are on a short time frame than most, with only 3 months left to go.

Needless to say, Natalia has been a God-send! I know i will not have to worry about food and bev or customer service come the day of our event!

i first contacted alicia in 2007 when we were planning on our 2008 wedding.

she was lightning quick with response time and was very helpful with giving me her honest reviews of venues we were considering.

when we had to cancel our 2008 wedding due to layoffs, she was very understanding and did not charge a "change date fee" at all.

alicia has extensive experience, not only with weddings, but large scale corporate events as well.

i'm forever grateful to alicia for "holding my hand" throughout my planning - she is my advisor, my confidante and at times, even my therapist!

We stayed at the Westin for the last half of our wedding week and hotel staff did not disappoint!

As usual, the food and drinks are overpriced - $7 for a diet pepsi - but what hotel isnt overpriced when it comes to the lobby restaurant and room service?

Staff is very helpful and very nice

Self parking is $14 per night / Valet is $20

Great location right off the 405 and shopping across the street

We would definitely stay here again!

We stayed at the Fairmont leading up to our surprise wedding and the staff and service at the Fairmont was exceptional!

the valet guys are super speedy with bringing the car around and the food is better than most hotel faire

the beds are very comfy and the pool and courtyard areas are well kept and delightful

Would def stay here again!

natalia natalia natalia!!

what can i say about her that kristeen hasnt already?

natalia did my makeup for our surprise ceremony last week and i was blown away by her efficiency, her artistry and ability to transform me - all without doing a trial run!

i sent her a pic of what i was looking for (i call it "nighttime natural") and based on that pic - she nailed it! i found it amazing that she was able to do it in less than an hour - and again - without a trial run prior to...

the product she used on me stayed on all night - even with me crying like a baby during my vows ;-)

if you are in LA/OC area - give natalia a call!!

Rhonda served as our awesome officiant for our surprise ceremony.

She was highly experienced, efficient, timely, compassionate, and most of all - so so so happy and passionate about marrying couples.

Rhonda was very open to us adding our fave works of literature and blending those excerpts with her ceremony language

I found Rhonda literally 4 days before our surprise nuptials - and we clicked instantly! Rhonda and her husband Ed have been performing ceremonies for years and are the most affordable in SoCal! Give them a call for rates =)

I highly reco Rhonda and Ed - they were heartfelt and sincere, yet focused at the task at hand

Rhonda even called us the day after to check in with us!

I'd hire Rhonda again in a heartbeat =)

Rafi and Ahni were great to work with!

no pressure and very reliable and super patient!

do not shop at the jewelers at the mall or dare i say - the "other" famous stores - stop in and ask Ahni or Rafi for help - they are honest and trustworthy.

we bought socks with baseball team logos from football fanatics as part of our groomsmen gifts

was not disappointed

prices were pretty fair and estimated shipping time was accurate

would buy from ff again

we bought adidas duffel bags as part of our groomsmen gifts

highly reco buying from ebags

prices were awesome and shipping was right on

would buy from ebags.com again

i just rec'd my mantilla from candi and all i can say is WOW!

candi is very easy to work with - i dont live in SoCal and it was still very easy to communicate what i was looking for

candi gave me options for tulle and lace and out of her options, i chose illusion and alencon lace - i couldnt have chosen a more beautiful combo!

thanks to candi - i will be wearing a fantastic veil, hand stitched quality for a fraction of what the bridal salons are charging!

do not buy your veil from anyone else!