I actually let Matt pick our photographer, because I was absolutely overwhelmed with the plethora photographers in our area. When Matt finally showed me John's webpage, I really thought that he was at least $1,000 out of budget. We ended up about little out of our budget, but I think John is completely worth it. We met with him at he and his wife's home. They work as a team (John is primary, his wife Margie is secondary). I love his photo-journalist style and can't wait for our actual wedding photos. The only downside, if this was an important factor, is that he only allows a list of 10 "must-take" photos. We don't have a list, at all, so this was fine with us.

I had contacted multiple caterers and Amici's did a few things that separated themselves from the rest.
1) They worked with me through email, which is my preferred method of wedding communication.
2) Matt and his mother are vegetarians and they had no problem switching out plated dinners for them, while we still have a normal buffet.
3) They have private tastings for up to four people.
4) I gave them a budget and they built us a menu that fit exactly the amount (actually a little under!).

Big plus - the food is awesome, seriously. Beautiful presentation, wonderful tasting, truly wonderful. Sylvia has been helping us through this entire process and I couldn't ask for a better event coordinator.

Victorian Gardens was the only venue we looked out. It is a small, private location. The price was right, we can bring in our liquor and caterer, and it is beautiful and natural looking. We have worked only with Cissy, who is the owner and operator. She is also a lawyer and officiates the weddings, if need be. We will be using her as our officiant.