I was really not thrilled with my trip to Bridal Elegance. It wasn't that I didn't find the perfect dress (I shopped a lot, so I could say that about several places!) but just had a very bad shopping experience. I showed up for an appt on time, but the staff was too busy to help, I had to wait a good 1/2 hour. The staff then asked what my budget was in a rude way, suggesting that my set budget was more that I could afford. I didn't get upset at that either, although my friends thought it was offensive.

I tried on several dresses and for each I heard the sales lady's complete opinions on what she liked, what I was going to like, etc. before I ever tried them on! At some point, after hearing everything I was going to like and dislike about a dress before I had even touched it, I turned and said to her, "Well why bother trying it on if you've already ruled it out?"

Anyways... It could be that this lady just rubbed me the wrong way on the wrong day... however I think she crossed so many "lines" that I really just wouldn't recommend shopping here.

Prices are pretty good if you can find something you like. PV bridal does let you take pictures of the dresses, which is another plus. They seem to have lots and lots of stock dresses though (kinda crowded) and you are somewhat left to the mercy of the young girls who work here. The salesgirl I worked with didn't seem overly enthousiastic or helpful and after trying on ~4 dresses just seemed to give up and say they didn't have what I was looking for. So I went somewhere else. A good friend did find "the dress" here though, a Waters and Waters that was perfect on her.

The Chateau facility was just redone in the past couple years and is actually really nice. The main room has great natural light, fireplaces that anchor the ends of the room, and views of the golf green and peek view of Lake Tahoe. The outdoor deck is great and we had an awesome cocktail hour there. I think the flow of the event was perfect from the ceremony on the lawn, to the cocktail hour, to the reception. My only complaint is that they are extremely restrictive in where you can take photos after the ceremony. I really think they need to readdress this policy!

The Chateau has a tasting event put on every spring for all of their wedding couples (and those yet to book). The food at the tasting wasn't exceptional, but the food that was served at the wedding was fantastic. They did a great job.

The Chateau staff was very nice and very capable, just hard to get a hold of! They are a bit overworked in the summer months. Everything came together in the end, but it was a little frustrating trying to get a call back or response at times.

All in all, our the setting and the service for our wedding worked out amazing. I would definitely recommend the Chateau.

Great prices, quality, and service.

I have to admit that I didn't have super high hopes when I placed my order for a large box of glass votives and candles. This is an internet retailer that I had never heard of. But... I was more than pleasantly surprised, both with the quality, and the speed that my order was handled. The order was filled that night (I got an email), shipped and delivered within 3 days... and this was standard delivery.

I love this book. When I got engaged several people gave me wedding planning books... but this one really is great, especially if you are in need of inspiration for a wedding design. She goes though several "common" venue types, hotel, loft, beach, restaraunt, etc., and walks through wedding design considerations for each. Great, fresh, ideas that are very realistic... she says you don't have to spend a fortune to make great design choices and spend your $$ in the most effective ways. Great ideas for DIY too...

I was a guest at a wedding at The Los Angeles River Center and Gardens a few weeks ago. This really is a beautiful location and is something of a rare oasis in LA.

The reception area, which is a large courtyard with an incredible fountain, has great old-hollywood / spanish villa atmosphere. My only caution... is that the ceremony area, which is outside the courtyard (but with a wall to the exterior) was fairly noisy with traffic during the ceremony! Something to think about. It could have just been the time of day though? (5:30 on a Friday?)

I have gone to the paper source in Beverly Hills for my invites and all my paper needs. This place is heaven for a DIY girl!

PS makes it really easy for you to customize your own design and also to print on your own. They've got custom letterpress that you can order, but don't push it at all. Lots of great ideas, offers classes, lots of DIY step-by-step guides, etc. Staff was friendly... Oh, and you can purchase materials in lots of 10, 25, 50, so if you are having a smaller wedding, like me, it is great... you don't have to over-order by the 100 and waste!

Belle Bridal was great. Great selection from modern pieces to the more traditional in a range of prices. Full service salon. Great changing rooms and private space doesn't make it feel crowded, even on a busy Saturday. Knowledgeable sales staff was professional, not pushy, good listeners, able to help determine best fit for the body. Most of all, they were able to read a bride's reaction to help narrow down all their great choices!

My dress came it just when they predicted and they were very accommodating with appointments for fittings and trying it on. I worked with Rosa throughout the entire process and she was knowledgable, patient, and just made sure everything was perfect.

Belle Bridal also did a fantastic job with the alterations. Didn't encourage alterations I didn't need. Redid the bustle for me without charge (our first try was a sigle tier french, but they reworked it into a two tier after I wasn't 100% satisfied).