DJ Karl's Wedding Vendor Reviews
Here is my list of vendors that I have worked with on other weddings, I have met around Tulsa, and many I know personally. I hope this list helps you find the services you need for your wedding. If you are a wedding vendor who would like me to add a link to your site or information, please introduce yourself. I would love to meet you!
BACHLORETTE PARTIES
Carol Rae Tanton
Executive Director
(918) 521-9359 - Cell
(800) 749-1219 - Office
Website is too sexy for me to publish! Call Carol for her site.
BARTENDING - Tulsa
I highly recommend a licensed bartender if you are having a wedding at a private residence.
BlueLabel Bartending
Mike Mitchell
http://www.bluelabelbartending.com
Serves any type of venue including private residences, he is licensed and bonded for many venues around town, and he is a great guy.
CAKES - Tulsa
Ludger's - (Scott Sherrill, Owner/Executive Chef): Mainly famous for their cakes, Ludger's just made their dining room available for rent this year. Its been repainted/redecorated. The catering and cakes are great. I'd highly recommend this venue if you are having a smaller wedding (around 50 guests). Its small, but nicer cosmetically speaking, unlike some of the other smaller venues around Tulsa such as an Elk's Lodge (nothing against Elk's, its just that Elk's are more functional than pretty). Scott is a very personable guy. The last time I dj-ed their the bride told me numerous times that the staff their was very flexible and easy to get along with unlike many other wedding venues around Tulsa. Ludger's is a rare gem in the wedding industry. http://www.ludgers.com
http://patticakesbakery.biz (Mannford, OK) (918) 865-7013, Wedding Cakes
http://www.wandascakegallery.com/ (on Cherry Street now). This should be the correct website. Taste great. Very professional and look expensive--that's the best way I can describe them.
CATERING - Dallas/Fort Worth Area
Fast Freddie's BBQ
Fred Johnson
http://www.Fastfreddiesbbq.com
(214) 738-7007
Weddings, corporate events, etc. Nice guy, haven't tasted the bbq before, but very personable, professional guy. Reasonable prices. I hope to work with him on a wedding soon.
CATERING - Oklahoma City
Abbey Rd Catering
Kris Abbey
405-360-1058
CATERING - Tulsa
Catering Kitchen, LLC
Aila Heiskanen Wimpy
(918) 230-0775
http://www.CateringKitchenTulsa.com
Chastain's Casual Cafe & Catering
Laurie Joslin
122 North Main
Sand Springs, OK 74063
918-241-5855
CHILD CARE - Tulsa
Kid's at Play
Jacob Odom
http://www.kidsatplaytulsa.com
Wedding childcare: what a great idea! We went to the same church growing up in Tulsa.
Dance Floors
DJ's - Bar Mitzvah
Steven (Jewish name is Koack) Stafford
(918) 406-2824
The only guy I refer for this!
DJ's - International - Persian
DJ Sultan: International DJ/Producer/Live Music. If you are looking for a DJ who specializes in Persian or International music, you have found your man. Extremely talented individual. I found this guy while helping Empire Lighting at the Mayo Hotel, downtown Tulsa. He is from Dallas, but he DJ's all over the U.S. because he is one of the few people who knows how to DJ for Persian weddings. http://www.myspace.com/DJSultanPMI "Any City in the World, Any music of the World." (630) 248-4247
FLOWERS - Tulsa
Ladybug's Flowers & Gifts
Sheryl Campuzano
918-836-ROSE (7673)
800-835-4196
6606 E Admiral Pl
Tulsa, OK 74114
http://www.ladybugtulsa.com
Sue's Westside Flower Garden
Sue Prater
(918) 446-0020, after hours 640-0777
6161 S 33rd W Ave
Tulsa, OK 74132
http://www.tulsawestsideflorist.com
Visions
Cindy Quaternik
918-282-7233
Weddings Events, & Floral Design
http://www.eventdesignbyvisions.com
MAKE-UP
Ashlee Bivins
918-619-2384
http://www.wix.com/makeupartist1/ashlee
Make-up artist specializing in weddings/bridal/photo shoots/special events
OFFICIANTS
Rev. George Poil, Wedding Officiant http://www.TulsaMarriageVows.com 4661 S 88th E Ave, Tulsa, OK 74145, (918) 794-2528 (Chapel); (918) 497-8213 (cell) very professional. I believe he told me he does around 170+ weddings per year. I've never had problems with any minister doing his job well at a wedding, but if you don't have a minister you know that you want to officiate your wedding, this guy is a great choice.
Pastor Greg Reither - Pastor Greg Riether Has years of experience and is currently preaching at
Healing Grace Church in Tulsa OK. His fees run $250 for weddings, Check
out the church's website at; http://healinggraceministries.net/ here you
will find more informaton on him and the church he's at.
PHOTOGRAPHY - Dallas/Fort Worth Area
Duran Photography
Mike Duran - Corinth, TX
http://www.duranphotography.com
940-497-4449
PHOTOGRAPHY - Oklahoma City
Carl Zoch Photography
http://www.carlzoch.com
OKC & also serves Tulsa. The coolest photographer I've ever met. Super flexible, relaxed, easy going. His photography is ultra-professional. Check out his site.
Shirley Kay Photography
http://www.shirleykayphotography.com
918-688-0569
PHOTOGRAPHY - Tulsa
Andrea Murphy Photography
http://amurphyphoto.com/
918-488-6180
Artworks Tulsa Photography
http://www.artworkstulsaphotography.com
918-794-5278
B Sharp Photography
Brad Sharp
http://www.B-SharpPhotography.com
Expressions Photography
Rod Mayes
http://www.epoftulsa.com
918-261-9090
Foster Cryer Photography
http://fostercryer.com
(918) 504-0771
Heavenly Touch Photography by Mitzi
http://www.heavenlytouchbymitzi.com
(918) 682-0995
Jerad Humphrey
Photographer and Graphic Designer
(918) 770-6061
Nicole Abel
Abel Photography
918-978-8264
Photography by Mike
918-951-4829
Russel's Photography
http://www.phlash-photos.com
(918) 481-5683
My commentary: "Bridezillas have met their match."
PLANNERS & COORDINATORS - Dallas/Fort Worth
Christi Tuck
(817) 308-4814
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
She handles everything else for a wedding that I don't do.
PLANNERS & COORDINATORS - Oklahoma City
Glass Slipper Occasions
Custom Wedding Design & Coordination
(405) 514-9819
http://www.thedarkelegance.com Jill Brese is not necessarily a wedding planner or coordinator, but she specializes in helping brides & grooms find the quality services they need at the best prices possible. I thought this category would be the most appropriate category to place her in. The wedding industry, unfortunately, is full of individuals and companies who over-promise, under-deliver, and routinely gouge customers for second-class products and services. Navigating through this industry can be quite treacherous. Check out her website, and tell her that I sent you.
PLANNERS & COORDINATORS - Tulsa
Excellent and Elegant Events, LLC.
Michelle Conrad
918-706-5219
http://www.excellentandelegantevents.com
Meryl R. Crimmins
Special Event Planning & Management
(918) 794-7419
Erica Weddings
918-906-5658
http://www.erica-weddings.com/
UPLIGHTING
Empire Lighting
Zach Downing
http://www.empirelightingdesign.com
Easily the premier event lighting specialist in Tulsa. From quaint events to large corporate events, he can handle it all.
VALET SERVICE - Tulsa, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Pensacola (FL)
Exquisite Valet - Contact/Owner: Joel Reyes. More than a limo service. We both used to DJ at DJ Connection many years ago. He is supercool, and he has a supercool collection of antique cars to give you that unique, customized, classy style.
http://www.exquisite-valet.com
VENUES - Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City Farmer's Market
Heather Chaufty
http://www.okcfarmersmarket.com
Newly rennovated. Ultra-high capacity.
VENUES - Tulsa
Camp Loughridge
http://www.camploughridge.org
I have received quite a bit of negative feedback from other Dj's about this venue. I personally DJ-ed a wedding there in October 2011. I didn't have any problems, but the venue is pretty uptight about getting out of there on time, and this where I can see many DJ's around town have problems here. I try to adapt my setup to the situation, so I just try to bring a basic setup -- no extravagant lighting or extra subwoofers, etc. In this particular wedding it worked because there was no alcohol, which kept the night and the dancing short. I just keep it basic so that I can tear everything down in less than an hour. For me, I just have a much different business philosophy from not only the venues, but the DJ's as well. I don't sell stuff unless I know I can do it right and it will work. The brides that have called me who are booking this venue have crowds of well over 200, if not 300 people. I just don't understand how a venue--- or a DJ, would sell a 3-hour package to a client that is planning on having 250 people at their wedding. There just simply isn't enough time to comfortably go through dinner, formalities, and dancing within 3 hours, or even 4 hours. Its just irresponsible to grotesquely undersell to a client. I understand that people, whether they are DJ's or venues are "trying to run a business and make a living", however my philosophy is that if you can't sell the appropriate service or product to your customer, you need to get out of the business you are in and get into a business you can. As for the DJ's, my philosophy is that if you don't like the venues you are playing at, don't book weddings there, or charge enough money, maybe $5000, so you can hire a 2 dozen man crew with trucks to tear down all your stuff and get it out in 1 hour. The wedding business is a very time sensitive business. Anticipation is everything.
Crowne Plaza Hotel, DT Tulsa
http://www.cptulsahotel.com
Dresser Mansion
Charlie
http://www.dressermansion.com
Cool guy, most beautiful venue in town.
Hampton Inn Sand Springs/Tulsa
Jerrid Cook
Sales Manager
(918) 245-8500
7852 West Parkway Boulevard
Tulsa, OK 74127
Ludger's
Scott Sherrill - Owner/Executive Chef
http://www.ludgers.com
Mainly famous for their cakes, Ludger's just made their dining room available for rent recently. Its been repainted/redecorated. The catering and cakes are great. I'd highly recommend this venue if you are having a smaller wedding (around 50 guests). Its small, but nicer cosmetically speaking, unlike some of the other smaller venues around Tulsa such as an Elk's Lodge (nothing against Elk's, its just that Elk's are more functional than pretty). Scott is a very personable guy. The last time I dj-ed their the bride told me numerous times that the staff their was very flexible and easy to get along with unlike many other wedding venues around Tulsa. Ludger's is a rare gem in the wedding industry.
Mayo Hotel
http://www.themayohotel.com/
Easily the most elegant venue in Tulsa. Recent $50m+ renovation. It really does look as good in real life as it does in the pictures. You should contact them for pricing, but from what I've heard, their prices for a wedding are somewhere around the cost of a brand new full-size car and beyond. Simultaneously, if a client called me and told me they were getting married here, I would quote them a price well into the 4-figures. Why? Security. Bums and transients hang out around the hotel, especially when I am loading in or loading out. I personally know of 3 different instances when DJ's were robbed while DJ-ing at this venue. Every time I've DJ-ed here, one of these bums follows me into the building in an attempt to "help me" (translation: hit me up for $20). Personally, I don't care if a particular venue is stock full of millionaires, if I'm not safe, I'm not interested. If the management/owners/investors can spend well into the 8 figures to renovate this place, why can't they hire security to keep the bums off the front door step? What's the problem?
Renaissance Hotel
http://www.renaissancetulsa.com
If you are looking for a larger venue (200 guests or more), but you can't afford the Mayo, the Renaissance may be your place. Ask them to turn up the air conditioning
Rogers State University
http://www.rsu.edu/student-center/facilities.asp
I've dj-ed here numerous times. Very classy. If you are wanting a more traditional, elegant look at a better price, this may be your choice. The staff seems to be flexible, and if there is anything I need, someone there will manage to get back to me and take care of my concerns. Despite that this particular venue is part of a large organization, it has an unusual personal feel, which may be due to the culture of this fast-growing small town.
The Silo
http://www.thesilotulsa.com/
Nice place in West Tulsa. I was impressed with how well-manicured the landscaping and fountains were. Made a fantastic location for having an outdoor ceremony & indoor reception. Tim & Rachel were very friendly and helpful to work with. I would definitely refer this venue.
Stokely Event Center
Sam Stokely
http://www.stokelyeventcenter.com/
Supernice! Bought me lunch before the wedding!
Will Rogers Downs
http://www.cherokeestarrewards.com/casinos/willrogersdowns/Pages/default.aspx
Exciting venue, great food, IMPECCABLE, FRIENDLY SERVICE, everything that you would expect from Oklahoma's high-end casinos.
Will Rogers Museum
http://www.willrogers.com/
Very pretty. Has a rare, higher view of the northeastern Oklahoma area. The grounds are very classy. If you are doing your ceremony or reception in the Claremore area, I highly recommend.
VIDEOGRAPHY - OKC/TULSA
Alumni Productions
(405) 701-5960
(888) 790-5593