Shorewood Hills, WI, USA < change city >
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Cakes (23)
DJs (23)
Bands (19)
Florists (18)
Wedding Day Beauty (17)
Caterers (16)
Limos (15)
Officiants (8)
Wedding Fashion (8)
Coordinators (6)
Ceremony Musicians (6)
Jewelry (5)
Honeymoon (5)
Videographers (5)
Invitations (4)
Ceremony Sites (157)
Reception Sites (115)
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DAVID AND LAUREN'S WEDDING
June, 2009 in Madison"Simply a wonderful day. The bride was breathtakingly beautiful and everyone was having a great time. That being said, it's just a day - It goes by really fast and the best times are truly yet to come. Don't get caught up in the details because in the end they whiz by. We tried to make it our day (the guys wore suits, not tuxes; we had cookies, not cake; ect, ect...), which added to the fun of the day. Enjoy yourselves, but remember...just a day in your hopefully long life together - Look forward to years to come, they are 100% more fun than wedding planning! Haha..."
Ceremony: Blackhawk Church
Reception: Nakoma Golf Club
Vendors
- DJ: Juke Box Bandstand
- Limo Company: Churchill Limousine
- Jeweler: Goodman's Jewelers
Venues
- Ceremony: Blackhawk Church
- Attraction: Canada
- Reception: Nakoma Golf Club
- Attraction: Farmer's Market
- Hotel: Candlewood Suites
- Attraction: Hilldale Mall
- Hotel: Clarion Suites Central
- Attraction: Popes Gresham Lodge
- Hotel: DoubleTree Hotel
- Attraction: Revolution Cycles
- Hotel: Holiday Inn Expres
- Attraction: Rutabaga Paddle Sport Shop
- Hotel: Quality Inn and Suites
- Attraction: The Town of Burke
- Hotel: Sheraton Hotel
- Attraction: The University of Wisconsin Union
- Hotel: The Madison Concourse
- Attraction: UW Hospital ER
- Restaurant: Lanes Bakery
- Attraction: Waisman Early Childhood Program
- Restaurant: Mickie's Dairy Bar
- Attraction: West Towne Mall
- Restaurant: The Great Dane
DJ:
Juke Box Bandstand
137 E Wilson St.Madison, WI, United States
"Everyone from start to finish were really great to work with. They let us pick our songs and matched a DJ to fit our needs. Price is comparable to most."
Jeweler:
Goodman's Jewelers
220 State St # 5Madison, WI, United States
608-257-3644
"We had an incredible experience with Goodman's, talk about a good old fashion jeweler. The owner, John, is always around and often is one of the many smiling faces who greets you at the door. He and his staff are very knowledgeable when it comes to jewelery and never once did they try to out-do my budget, which was established from the get-go. I wanted a very specific sized diamond, which was just a fun little way to help remind us where we had come from and make it a bit more special. After looking at a couple diamonds which didn't make my heart pound the woman I worked with from start to finish (March to April of the following year - God bless her soul!), Carol Ann, suggested we ask John if he would be able to pick a diamond out on his upcoming trip to South Africa. Without questioning it for a second John was happy to oblige and sat down with me to take down the specific specs I wanted in an engagement diamond as well as the diamonds I wanted for the wedding band. The diamonds he brought back (for no extra cost) were absolutely breathtaking! What made it all the more special is the pride he took in picking out the diamonds and the excitement he and the others at Goodman's shared in experience. In fact, my mother who had been looking for a new diamond for literally five years came up to Goodman's and found an incredible diamond and had a ring custom made within months. Five years of multiple trips (from central Illinois) to St. Louis, Chicago and every larger city an hour from our town, all of which she did in a few months at Goodman's. Which leads me to the next part of the story, the actual ring! They patiently helped me (not an artist at the least) create and design a custom engagement ring and wedding band. Did I mention I'm incredibly indecisive, not an artist and that they were so patient with me? Lauren's ring turned out perfect! The experience was everything I hoped it would be. There is a reason the store has survived on State Street for over 75 years. A rating of 5/5 doesn't do the experience I had justice, they deserve a 10!"
Limo Company:
Churchill Limousine
"It was 85 degrees on our wedding day and the air conditioning went out on the party bus, which I understand happens. The owner, Ken, was super apologetic and I believe honestly would have had another bus for us if he had one available, however, all his buses were out. Okay, no biggy. Then there was a our driver. Our driver started out out by being five minutes late - Not a big deal, but then he later denied it - Big deal, don't lie to me or your boss. Then he got lost every-single-place-we-went. E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E. folks. He had a GPS, our itinerary which included addresses and two hours from the time he dropped the gals off the at the church to the time we headed off to the Arboretum for pictures (with hot air blowing on us). My father-in-law ripped him a new on and so you think he would have gotten his act together and got his directions down. After the ceremony me, my wife and our maid of honor asked, "Do you need directions to the Arboretum?" "No, no, no...I've got it." Guess who was giving him directions about five minutes later when we missed our turn? This guy. We are a nurse and a teacher who decided to splurge on getting a bus so our wedding party could all have a little special time together and not have to worry about who was driving who's car and how to get to the reception - It was and has been a disaster. It would have been better to take a Madison Metro bus. So then there was the phone call I made to the owner while on our honeymoon. He hung up on me. I called him back when we got back and he hung up on me again when he thought I was a telemarketer. When we finally were able to talk like grown-ups he informed me that the driver said, "I gave them an extra hour." We were late getting to the church, pictures and the reception, so why we wanted another hour on a bus without air conditioning, I'm not sure. Needless to say it's a big bunch of "he said, he said" with the owner in the middle and us out over $1,000 we could have used on new windows or a hundred other things. Case in point: It was the worst part of our day and the thorn in my hind end since the wedding day. They said they are willing to refund one hour only if they find the driver is lying, which requires us to drive over to Milwaukee, play more he said-he said and cross our fingers. I called him when I could spare four hours to drive to and from Milwaukee and have it out with these jokers and guess who couldn't be found? The driver. Haha, how ironic! I contacted the Better Business Bureau of Milwaukee, me and the owner went back and forth without any progress and they left it "Unresolved." I was asking for a one hour refund (approximately $250) for a totally ruined experience, he said he could give me a gift certificate...like a nurse and a teacher are going to be getting a limo again - Especially with them! So I'm out to make sure they loose 100% more than $250. Tell your friends Churchill Limo is a joke. I'm not saying the air/heat will go out or that the driver will be late or get lost, but what I am saying is that if something does go wrong they will NOT stand by their product or service. I would have given them a 0/5 stars but it wasn't an option."
Ceremony:
Blackhawk Church
9620 Brader WayVerona, WI 53593
"We were very happy with our ceremony, however, you will learn in the mandatory marriage info meeting that, "Blackhawk Church does not do weddings, we do marriages." We found such an idea to be awesome, it takes the focus off "the big day" and places the focus instead on your marriage (God willing, the rest of the 50+ years you are going to be together). As regular attendees of the church will be matched with a marriage mentor couple and meet with them 6-8 times and discuss a verity of topics, learning from the experience of your couple, another wonderful idea we found."
Reception:
Nakoma Golf Club
4145 Country Club RdMadison, WI 53711
"I went to go check out the facility after my wife and mother-in-law had raved about the place and was greeted by some guy in a PGA sweater vest (in the summer, mind you), blatantly looked up and down, then asked, "Are you members?" On the account my then fiance had such a wonderful experience and seem very excited about the place, I refrained from taking this guy by the PGA golf sweater and telling him there's a real world beyond paying for your friends. Needless to say, I never saw that guy again and we had a night and day different experience from that day forward. The staff were terrific and wonderful to work with. The venue is nice, but not over the top, though can only hold up to 220 guests comfortably. As for the food - Outstanding. We love food and wanted it to a big part of the day. We were able to do a lovely tasting with our parents and came out with, as one of our guests in the food business said, "The best wedding meal I've ever had!" Nakoma worked out perfect for our needs. Now, if I see Mr. PGA sweater vest again he's going to get a piece of my non-member mind."
Hotel:
Candlewood Suites
5421 Caddis BendMadison, WI 53711
"I don't think anyone actually stayed here."
Hotel:
Clarion Suites Central
2110 Rimrock RdMadison, WI 53713
"Wonderful! Our families have stayed here numerous times and have always been satisfied with their stay. Very large, beautiful rooms, great breakfast, and perfect location."
Hotel:
Holiday Inn Expres
722 John Nolen DrMadison, WI 53713
"Nice and close to downtown and the beltline."
Hotel:
Quality Inn and Suites
2969 Cahill MainMadison, WI 53711
"Nice, just kind of far from the main hub of Madison."
Hotel:
The Madison Concourse
1 W Dayton StMadison, WI 53703
"Uncle Bill says, "It's the only place I stay when I come to Madison." If UB says so, it's the law. Great place if you're wanting a fun downtown Madison experience."
Restaurant:
Lanes Bakery
448 S Park StMadison, WI 53715
"Oh my gosh. For one of the best pastries you will ever place in your mouth head to Lanes Bakery and get the cherry, apple, or cheese Kringle. Basically the biggest, gooiest danish you'll ever eat. Bring insulin, you'll need it...and coffee, theirs tastes like green beans..."
Restaurant:
Mickie's Dairy Bar
1511 Monroe StMadison, WI 53711
"Do you want to eat one meal for the entire weekend? Go to Mickies Dairy Bar. Outstanding old fashion dairy bar which specializes in HUGE breakfasts. Go with an omelet, yanks (potatoes) and a milk shake (it makes no sense, but it will when you are done). If you're feeling really daring get the house special "The Scrambler", ie, potatoes, eggs, bacon or sausage, and cheese piled all together - Topped with none other: Gravy. If you eat the entire scrambler the Bride and Groom will pay for your meal and you're open heart surgery."
Restaurant:
The Great Dane
2980 Cahill MainMadison, WI 53711
"A wonderful Madison original - A great place to have lunch, dinner (not Saturday night…you’ve got plans), and/or Sunday brunch. Save room for dessert, there is a Cold Stone Creamery located directly below the back side of the restaurant."
Attraction:
Farmer's Market
100 State StMadison, WI 53703
"Simply a must. Rain or shine make your way out to "America's Top Farmer's Market." Lauren and Dave's favorite route: Start at the end of State Street with a cup of coffee from a street vendor of your choice and let it rip! Be sure to get cheese curds, a pastry of your choice, a big juicy apple and warm spicy cheese bread at the vendor right as you've about made your way back to State Street. As for our favorite musicians....The two guys playing folk music on the steel guitar and a washboard (they as provide instruments for kids) and our all-time favorite - The big sweaty bearded man singing, "This Little Light of Mine" or other favorite hymns. After tipping him be prepared for a huge, sweaty, full of love hug. His joy and heart for the Lord touch us every time we see him. Our eating advice: Eat as you go...enjoy packing yourself with coffee, pastries, fresh apples, kettle corn, cheese curds and warm spicy cheese bread. We promise it will all taste good together, but feel free to join all the rest of us as we sprawl out on the lawn of the capital; it's just what you have to do sometimes to make it through the experience. http://www.eatingwell.com/eat_drink/fresh_inseason/farmers_market_dane.html"
Attraction:
Hilldale Mall
702 N Midvale BlvdMadison, WI 53705
"Whether you forgot undies or want to catch a movie, the Hilldale Mall has it all! Great restaurants (we suggest The Great Dane or Hong Kong Wok), grocery store, North Face, and Macy's, just to name a few. Robert Redford even digs Hilldale - Check out his theater "Sundance 608 Cinemas", they are always playing the latest and greatest...and have really good popcorn and comfy seats. If you're in the neighborhood swing down the road and check out our pad. If you TP, egg or soap us you will pay dearly."
Attraction:
Popes Gresham Lodge
4042 Popes RdWI 54568
"Where David, his dad, uncle Barry and cousin Chris go to fish (then throw every thing back), go out to eat fish (again, that they didn't catch) and drink tons of coffee. David wouldn't say their trips are exactly "roughing it," but sleeping with your adult cousin on a hide-a-bed with a not-so-strategically-placed-bar of the bed frame in your upper back all night long as your 25-year-old cousin is creeping ever-so-closer to you because the mattress dips inward, isn't exactly like staying at the Holiday Inn Express."
Attraction:
Revolution Cycles
2330 Atwood AveMadison, WI 53704
"Simply the best bike shop ever. Dave consistently has thoughts of quitting his job every time he goes inside."
Attraction:
Rutabaga Paddle Sport Shop
220 W BroadwayMadison, WI 53716
"Looking to get on the lake and paddle around? Rutabaga is the place. Rent kayaks or canoes for 4-8hrs and enjoy the lakes of Madison from the view of a kayak!"
Attraction:
The University of Wisconsin Union
800 Langdon StMadison, WI 53706
"Ahhhh...that's all we can say. Get ready to kick back, enjoy a burger, a beverage of your choice and enjoy summer with the rest of Madison. The University of Wisconsin Union is a long standing tradition like non-other. Overlooking Lake Mendota, the Union will help you will forget all your worries as you catch some good tunes and a picture perfect sunset. Located in the heart of UW Madison's campus, the Union is a great place to park and walk around UW's beautiful campus. Remember your sweatshirt if you go in the evening, it's Wisconsin and will likely snow."
Attraction:
UW Hospital ER
Highland AveMadison, WI
"Hopefully if you stop by it's only for a visit, though Dave's found UW ER is nice place to spend most any night. If you find yourself hankering for some pain meds request the Dilaudid, it's the house special!"
Attraction:
Waisman Early Childhood Program
1500 Highland AveMadison, WI 53705
"See where Ms. Lauren brings home the bacon: The school of hard knocks. Please don't eat the glue."
Attraction:
West Towne Mall
66 W Towne MallMadison, WI 53719
"Forget something or just need to shop around? The West Towne is right on the way to and from the church! Barnes and Nobel, REI and Kohls all are just off the west side of the mall."
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