Hello everyone! I will be getting married in the Palestine area in Spring '08 and need some help. Since I am not from that area (my fiance is), I would love any suggestions on florists, caterers, bakeries, photographers, etc. Thanks!!!

You can probably find all of those in Palestine but you will find more quantity and probably better quality in Tyler, ~45 minutes away.

In Tyler, Randy Philips is a great photographer, I assume he does weddings.

Flowers By Ela is a good florist, don't know if they do weddings.

Tyler will be your best bet.

For cakes, try the Village Bakery

Used the following from Tyler for wedding:
Randy Philips - photography
Pam Patterson - cakes (Lindale)
Raymond w/ Jerry's Flowers - did a great job

Janie's Cakes - didn't use, but does good work

catering - depends on what type of food you want

Thanks! I figured I might have to go to Tyler, but was hoping for something in Palestine so that I could avoid any travel fees.

As for food, it kinda depends on the price. Something simple though, like either sandwiches or barbeque. The few places I've looked into, the barbeque meal isn't that much more than sandwiches and fruits, so it seems worth it to do a meal instead of finger foods.

Good catered barbecue: SHEPS BBQ 1013 E Palestine Ave 903-729-4206

Good catered sandwiches: Subs and Dogs 407 W. Palestine Ave 903-729-5356

Thanks everyone! I will look into those places. If yall come up with anything else, let me know!

Check out an Aggie photographer at www.pineacrephoto.com.

PhotoAg'70
www.pineacrephoto.com
I started with nothing. I still have most of it.

Why any guy would throw his life away be getting married is beyond me.

Ag 07, I agree with you being from the class of '61, but if I were class of '08, I would strongly disagree with you.

Are yall being sarcastic and just picking on me, or are you serious?

you can never go wrong with Eilenburger's, however I don't think their as good as they used to be. also Joung's does a lot of wedding cakes in Palestine. but like every one else said I would use someone in Tyler

I just got married in May in Marshall. I live in the DFW area and had to plan long distance also. I picked up a local magazine, The Wedded Bliss. They have a website also... www.theweddedbliss.com
It was a great place to start.

For my wedding I used and recommend...

Cowboy Carriage Company www.cowboycarriage.com, They are in Winona, but came to Marshall.

Evergreen Strings www.marshalltx.us/evergreenstrings
They will go all over East Texas.

In the past I have used Cherry Laurel out of Athens for catering. www.thecherrylaurel.com Their food and cakes were great several years ago.

My brother used Donna Cummings out of Jacksonsville. She did a great job with his pics. www.donnacummings.com

One of my friends used Photography by Don and Judy out of Longview, www.photosbydonandjudy.com. She was very pleased with them.

Both were busy the weekend I got married.

Hope this helps......

Thanks! That wedding bliss website was especially helpful!

We have worked with The Cherry Laurel many times in the Palestine, Athens, Cedar Creek Lake area and we concur that their catering and cakes are first rate. However, they no longer maintain their website. You can get their phone number and email address by clicking on the "Links" button of our website.

PhotoAg'70
www.pineacrephoto.com

Village Bakery > Cherry Laurel

I had cakes from both this weekend.

We had a private tasting at Village this weekend and it was easily the best cake I've ever had. You can get a cake there for $3.50-$6.50/serving.

isn't that kinda expensive? Other places i've seen are only like $3 a serving. or are they just that much better?

$3.50 is actually on the low side compared to stuff here in Dallas. I believe the Cherry Laurel was more than that.

Their cakes are just that good.

emily08, I hope you are happy and have a long and happy life.

Thanks Zorro!