a few good folks

Since we have been shooting weddings in New Mexico we have had the chance to work with a number of vendors from around the state. I felt like leaving their names and links so that people can see who feel are good folks and we enjoy working with.
I hope i can leave a complete list of people but you know how that goes. I will probably miss a few and offend someone. If I do just call me and cuss me out in private!! If you have worked with these vendors and wish to leave comments on your experience with them please do so!! DON'T be mean. If you have a negative comment leave it so that others may get different views. If you are going to be mean, save it! Here we go:
Venues: We have worked with many venues and they all have pros and cons. If you have questions about a specific venue. Drop me a line and I can let you know what I feel about them specifically.

Florists: We have had great experiences with Mille Fleur, Geri has done a few of our recent weddings and has done a phenomenal job. Very innovative and can do nearly anything. Something Special with flowers is also great. Christine, though we have not worked with her recently, she has always done a great job. We had her do the flowers for Desiree's sisters wedding. We have also had a great experience with Ivey @ sunshine flowers.

Wedding planners: We have worked with a number of planners and there are many in the NM area. We have been especially impressed with Bentley @ Savoir Faire events. We have only worked a few weddings together but she has done amazing. Everything was exactly as needed. Regardless of the stress level she has a positive level attitude and takes care of everything.
Recently we had the opportunity to work with Karen at Celebrations. She also did a great job and was the epitome of professionalism. Though this particular wedding did have a few bumps along the way, Karen handled them well without the couple or the parents having any idea. And the multiple changes in planning leading up to the event were well handled. There are a few more wedding planners in the area that we have worked with and if you are leaning toward one, we can let you know what our experiences have been.

DJs: Our favorite dj now lives in Denver so he doesn't work the NM market much anymore. But another that we have worked with and been fairly impressed with is Lighthouse entertainment. We like the minimalistic approach that some DJs take. I don't care much for seeing a big sign or flashy lights advertising their business. That would be like be wearing a big sign on my shirt advertising who I am. If you are good enough, people will ask for your info. they don't need a twirly light shining it in everyones eyes. Speakers a mixer, laptop, mikes, non tacky lighting. that makes a good DJ in my book. When you go to interview a DJ find out how big the setup is. As with the planners, if you want info on a specific DJ just call us.

Officiants: This is a tricky one. We have only had a negative experience with one person performing services. She actually hung out after waiting for her tip. And she actually asked for her tip. Regardless of how good or bad the ceremony was, I only remember that about her and for that single reason would never recommend her. You really have to interview each of the potential officiants to see if your personalities and approach to the wedding match up. They can either make a great ceremony or an average ceremony, and we have seen a lot of both. Find someone who is not boring. Though the ceremony is normally pretty short. You want someone who will make it memorable for both you and your guests.

Caterers: Though there are many great restaurants who cater, most people still hire companies who only do event catering. Of these companies we recommend Blue Plate and Albuquerque catering. They have both done great. We have also been treated well by both. Often the other vendors are ignored or neglected by the wait staff. Blue plate has always been very attentive. If you are considering a buffet, try looking into having a restaurant that you like cater your event. You know the food and it'll save a bit.

Cakes: I had a very bad experience with the cake that Desiree and I had when we were married. It was completely wrong and after 10 years it still bugs me. We have also had a number of weddings with falling cakes. Anyway, there are many bakeries in town who will do wedding cakes. In ABQ, we have never seen a cake from Karyn that we didn't love. She can do almost anything with cake and they are very tasty. In Santa Fe Maggie's does an amazing job. She is also able to translate your vision for a cake into about anything. Both do a great job customizing something just for your wedding. A newer bakery in town is Just a Bite. They are great people, though we have yet to work with them, as I said they are great people and will probably do a great job for your wedding. Finally if you want to step away from the traditional cake and do something a little different, cup cakes are really becoming popular for weddings. Cake Fetish does a crazy job with cup cakes. If I can sneak away with a couple of their cupcakes after a wedding I am very content. I'll take it home pour a glass of milk and download the images from the wedding. (I should really go on a diet!!)

Live Music: I have two groups I recommend. They are both great and completely different from the other. The first is Los Primos they are a group of younger guys doing traditional Spanish music. and a few Beatles tracks mixed out old Mexico style. The second is crazy. The name is vanilla pop. And if you want to pimp out the wedding lounge style. look them up they are really um, well, you need to see 'em.

Photographers: I recommend Jones After that its a real crap shoot... not really, there are some great folks in the area who do a great job. Be very careful though and interview each one. Don't just sign a contract because you are given a good deal. of all the fields who cater to weddings photography is changing the most. There are so many that come and go and so many friends and uncles with camera that you need to be careful. Find someone who has work that you love and interview with them to make sure your personalities match up. If your photographer doesn't know you or understand you, the images will reflect that. There is a difference in having someone "take pictures" at your wedding and having someone there to capture the essence of that day for you.
After the food is gone, cake enjoyed, flowers wilted, officiant forgotten, and decorations tossed, you are left with three things, the dress (boxed in the attic) the vows (kept 50% of the time) and then the photographs. You can spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a big blowout wedding, and then trust the memories of that wedding to a photographer making $20.00 an hour. (CRAZY) Make an investment into the legacy of your family. Find someone who will not only give you a beautiful way to remember your wedding, but also provide you with a real experience. I could go on.....

Anyway Please leave you comments on these vendors or suggest any others that I may have missed.
thanks!!