I haven't taken the time lately to blog about the best wedding and event vendors in the Reno-Tahoe area and beyond- my fellow Victorian House members! I am extremely lucky to be doing something I love and to be surrounded by like-minded, amazing professionals who strive to be the best they can be at their various professions. The meetings, get-togethers and shared wedding experiences really make me feel close to these folks, and I don't exaggerate when I refer to everyone as the Victorian House family.
The concept of the Victorian House was put together by Evan Zinser of Zinser Photography, Zinser Photobooth and Reno Boudoir Photography. As well as being the visionary of TVH, he is also an amazing photographer who strives to make every client a client for life. His work and personal ethics are exemplary and whether he is shooting your wedding or providing the latest in Photobooths for your function, customer service is always his number one concern. He and his staff can also make your future husband's dream come true with Reno Boudoir Photography. What an amazing wedding or anniversary gift a tasteful portrait or photobook would be. Something that will catch your beauty in this moment in time and remind him of your wedding forever.
The Victorian House is supposed to be a gathering of the best vendors in their specific field, one-stop shopping, if you will, designed to take the stress out of event planning, and Cassie and Pattye can make it even easier on the frazzled bride and groom with Take the Cake Events. They go above and beyond and can plan the whole event or just show up the day of and lend a huge helping hand. I love their enthusiasm and organization, and you will too. Save yourself headaches and hours of frustration and get in touch with them- the earlier in the process the better. They are such a pleasure to work with!
Jessica of the Stylish Scribe is the person to talk to if you envision something more than ho-hum, everyday invitations, save-the-dates, menus and programs. The Stylish Scribe has truly innovative ideas for anything paper, yet her prices are similar to the boring invites you can get anywhere. Why not put some of your personality into the invitations or table cards and whatever else you need? Opening one of Jessica's invitations sets the tone for the entire celebration- your guests will know right off the bat that this will not be an ordinary wedding. Instead it will be an event that is special from the Save-the-Dates all the way through the big day, unlike anything else they have attended. What a way to start off your dream day! Check out the Stylish Scribe online and start your dream today!
David and his team at I Do Massage give brides-to-be and everyone else amazing massages at really reasonable rates. Their room in the VH is an island of tranquility and they will even come to you on your wedding day. What a great gift to give to your bridal party or to yourself to relax before the big day! They also take regular appointments and I can say they are very proficient at what they do. My wife, for example, has had back problems for the past few years and she tends to take the stress off her back and put it on her shoulders, neck and elsewhere. I Do Massage relieves that stress and she feels better for days afterwards. Highly recommended!
The Grove at Southcreek is an amazing venue, but most people are unaware that their fantastic food can come to your event, even if you aren't at The Grove. Their catering service is top-notch. Shaka and his staff prepare everything from BBQ to haute cuisine and everything is delicious. Even simple items like steamed or grilled vegetables are amazingly delicious! Let their Event Manager Samantha help you design a menu that will have your guests going back for seconds and thirds!
I have deejayed close to 650 weddings now, and one characteristic that I always find disappointing is that while most cakes look spectacular, the vast majority do not taste as good as they look. They run the gamut from almost inedible sheetcake with tasteless frosting to cakes that are good but still lack that certain wow factor. Well look no further! It is possible to have a cake that looks amazing and that tastes even better than you thought possible in a wedding cake. Let Leigh Anne & Tesla at Tiers of Joy Wedding & Celebration Cakes blow you away with their made-from-scratch flavors that will have your guests coming back for seconds. Every flavor is outstanding but my two personal favorites are Champagne and Chocolate-Peanut Butter. Why get a cake if it's not amazing both inside and out? Tiers of Joy will make sure it is both.
Reno Tux Shop is your source for contemporary tuxes for all of your bridal party at prices that can't be beat. Tesla & Joshua will make all of your groomsmen appointments quick and easy, and when you combine meetings with other professionals in the house, you save all kinds of time. Why go to a tux shop across town, then visit a bakery miles away, and then meet your DJ at a third location when you can do all of that and more in one simple visit? With the highest quality tuxedos, a huge selection, low prices with deals on multiple tuxes, and above-and-beyond service why go anywhere else?
Pastor Kristopher Dahir at I Thee Wed can customize your ceremony for your tastes and beliefs and make it a ceremony that everyone will remember for years to come. What I like about Pastor Kris is his ability to make everyone feel at ease during his ceremony. He truly cares about the couple and even offers marital counseling before the big day to help make their upcoming matrimony one that they'll be celebrating decades from now. He doesn't just say some words on a page- he believes in the sanctity of marriage and in the bond that they are making together. Even mishaps are handled by him with ease and care. One wedding I witnessed, a bridesmaid locked her knees and tumbled during the vows. Kris, without being flustered at all, went to her aid, told everyone what was happening and that it was something happens often, and joked with and soothed the bridesmaid (and the bride & groom) until everyone was able to continue. He flawlessly led everyone right back into the ceremony and people didn't talk about the mishap afterwards but about how beautiful the ceremony was. That's the kind of officiant Pastor Kris is and will be for your big moment.
Cathy from Alie's Flowers & Gifts is a talented florist and one of our core team-members at the VH. Unlike many wedding florists who work out of their homes, she has a successful shop in Carson City which is open year-round and serves both Carson City and Reno. Why is this important? Because many "professional florists" don't have things like insurance, business licenses, and even a knowledge of current flower costs and availabilities like a true storefront florist will have. I have done many weddings where the flowers were not what were ordered, envisioned, or just plain awful. Sometimes they don't show up at all! When you have no reputation of excellence like Alie's Flowers, you can promise the world and deliver what you'd like. Cathy knows which flowers she can get, what they will cost and will give you a fair price because she deals with these issues every day. Many florists will drive to Sacramento the day before your wedding, hoping the wholesaler has the flowers they have promised you. Don't risk your day on a picture in someone's book when you have the stellar reputation and expertise of a full-time florist who will make your floral dreams a reality. Alie's Flowers- great service, fair prices, and no worries!
Michael & Sons Fine Jewelry and Native American Art is a Northern Nevada institution and the latest member of the Victorian House. Their expertise with engagement and wedding bands is only exceeded by their exemplary customer service and love for what they do. Whatever your need, they can help. They can even help you realize your dream ring with custom design so that your ring is as unique as you are.
Craig & Vickie Musni at Ever After Creations Video are awesome videographers, super parents, and above all, great people. They feel like family after you meet them and that is the way they conduct themselves at the weddings and events they capture. People open up to them and they record not just the typical shots but the entire vibe and feeling of your event. Their production values are top-rate and they can even do a quick edit where you and your guests are watching the getting ready and ceremony footage at the reception! That is really special, as most companies take weeks just to deliver rough edits. Unlike some other companies, EAC Video has vast experience with weddings and other events whereas others might be able to count their clients on one hand. Don't be a learning experience for your videographer; instead be another amazing wedding shot by the best, to play over and over to relive your day. Contact Craig and Vickie for a package that fits your needs and prepare to be wowed!
Carolyn at All About Honeymoons is a travel guru specializing in getting the best honeymoon for your style and budget. Being a honeymoon specialist allows her to get you packages normally unavailable, even online. Whether it is a cruise, all-inclusive resort, or even a house overlooking the beach in Nicaragua, she can tailor your trip to your likes and needs. And as a travel agent she receives her compensation from the airlines, cruise lines and hotels, leaving you with no expenses for the incredible amount of time she takes making sure you get the perfect honeymoon at the best price. Recently I became a client. For our 25th anniversary, Carolyn planned an amazing European vacation that we still are glowing from. Her advice and ideas helped make a trip become a trip of a lifetime. Why trust your honeymoon to some fuzzy pics on the internet? All About Honeymoons will take care of you and your spouse and make it a trip to remember forever.
Cleaning is a service that most people overlook when planning their wedding. If you get married at a unique venue, sometimes the end of the night comes and you & your relatives are stuck cleaning off tables, putting up chairs, and gathering all the accouterments that must be packaged up and returned to vendors. Things like tablecloths, silverware, plates and vases, just to name a few. Then the floor has to be spotless and maybe the kitchen and bathrooms too. Do you really want your bridesmaids and parents cleaning toilets and emptying trash cans? Kathleen and her crew at Just In Time Cleaning can come in at the end of your reception and take care of all this and more for less than you'd expect, and less than a deposit. You and yours can go on to an after-party or just relax after an amazing day. I worked with Just In Time at an outdoor wedding, and they went above and beyond, setting up decorations prior to the reception, helping the caterer, and even gathering all the gifts to bring to the bride & groom's parents home the following morning. And they do home and commercial cleaning too. You can't go wrong with Just In Time Cleaning!
I don't often recommend other DJ companies. I set my standards very high, and to tell you the truth, the majority of deejays out there are either wannabe radio jocks with egos as big as their hair, untrained newbies who bought the equipment but don't have a clue how to run a wedding, and finally the wedding crashers who have decided to settle down with some equipment and hit on guests professionally. These are the deejays that give our business a black eye, but believe it or not, there are deejays out there who are consummate professionals who will keep your reception flowing and the dance floor busy all night. Larry Williams from Reno Tahoe DJ Company is one of these. He is first and foremost all about customer service- he has even written a book about it that you can get on Amazon.com. He believes is extensively training his other deejays so you won't have a rookie presiding over your day. Finally, he has a "Love Story" presentation that he does that is unique and that many rave about. To sum up: he is a professional in a sea of part-timers and that is why you should give him a call or send him an email. When I am booked, Reno-Tahoe DJ Company who I refer people to, and I don't put my reputation on the line lightly.
Finally, if you want a band at your reception or simply a musician or two to play you down the aisle, consider Nichole at Bon Fete Live Music. Nichole has artists and bands to fill any need for any aspect of your day, and she goes above and beyond in order to pair you with the right musicians. As a DJ, I don't see many bands, but I work with quite a few harpists and guitarists and Bon Fete can give you a wide variety to choose from. Choose Bon Fete for all your live musical needs!
Come by the Victorian House at 216 Stewart Street in downtown Reno and meet some or all of our family of professionals. We'd love to be a part of your celebration!
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