My April 3, 2004 Wedding UPDATED WITH PICS on 5/4

Let me start by saying that the day was amazing....felt like it lasted forever and I felt like a princess floating on a cloud all day long.......

Watermill (the hall) 10
The staff there was so nice and friendly and helpful. The food was AMAZING. I think the Bridal Attendant Justine is some sort of a magician, becuase she was everywhere we were and everytime we needed anything, she was there for us - what a sweet sweet girl she is. And my brothers loved her because she was always ready with drinks for them .
And even though it was gray and cloudy outside, you never knew because they keep the windows covered, so it was nice to not have to be reminded of the nasty weather all day long.Very pleased with this choice.

Code Bleu (the band) 10+
My god these people are amazing. We gave them a song that we wanted to be our first dance a week before the wedding that they had never heard before. Not only did they search everywhere to find it, but they learned it and played it PERFECTLY!!!! It was 'I'll Back You UP' by Dave Matthews Band and it sounded like DMB was in the room with us. We got compliments all night long about them - everyone raved about them. I was so impressed with their performance. They even played 'Hey Ya' by Outkast, and people were telling me that they kept forgetting there was a band and not a DJ because they sounded so much like all of the original artists.
And, they are such genuinely nice people, so they're great to work with.
Definitely give them a look if you havent' already found your band......

Bridal Couture of Manhasset (My Gown and BM's gowns) 10
I was worried after I purchased my gown here because I heard so many horrow stories about the place. But thankfully, I had no problems with them at all! My gown was beautiful and the alterations were perfect. The bridesmaids gowns were beautiful as well.

Jack and Rose (the florist) 10
Jack's flowers were, as promised, beautiful! My bouquet was AMAZING looking - I couldn't stop looking at it all night long - I loved it!!!
The centerpieces were very simple, but very pretty as well. And, of course, everything was on time and waiting for us at the Watermill when we got there, along with a dozen roses from Jack in the Bridal Suite.
He was great to work with all along, and I'm very happy we went with him.

Jacqueline Nicole (makeup) 10
What an amazing artist she is! She did me, my mother and three of my bridesmaids....and even thoughwe had to start at 5:30 am...she was all done by 9:30 as promised and we all looked gorgeous! I got compliments all night long on my makeup! Everyone kept telling me I looked like a porcelain doll. One of my neighbors 'Every bride should look as beautiful as you do today', when she saw me. Several of my friends aer getting married as well and were asking all about her! She's the best!!

Jennifer from Fairytale (the hair) 10
Not only did my hair stay up ALL day long, but it contiunued to look exactly the same from the moment it was finished at 8:30 am until I took it out at 11:00pm!! It was great!!!!!!
I wish I could have her around all of the time to do my hair!
I recieved so many compliments on it as well!
And she did my bridesmaids, and gave them exactly what they asked for on the spot! Such a great artist as well!
Even thought she's a bit difficult to get in touch with.......SOOOOOO worth it.

More to come....including.....
OK, I had some days of rest, let me try to finish this off now.....
Courtyard Marriot (the hotel) 10++
i stayed there on Friday night before the wedding with my bridal party and when we showed up there was a small problem with the room. We went down to the front desk and asked for the room to be switched....not only were they sweet and understanding, but they upgraded us to a bigger room for that night at no extra cost and gave me a new room for the wedding night. They moved all of my luggage from the first room to the new one on saturday for me. They were friendly and wonderful!!!
My parents also reserved a room for after the wedding since it ended at 5:30 and they were so accomodating and helpful the entire time. If you are getting married in the area - i completely recommend them!!! They were perfect!

M & V Limos (the getaway car) 5
The good: they got us from the Watermill to the hotel after the wedding
The bad: Not thrilled with them as a vendor. FM me if you want details.

Reverend Callahan (the officiant) 10
He was so sweet and although we only met with him twice before the wedding, he acted and sounded as if he'd known us for years. The ceremony was perfect....we got so many compliments on it. It was short, sweet and exactly what we were hoping for. He's such a nice man and really takes the time to get to know you!

Lee Meltzer (the photographer) 10
He's not a typical wedding photographer, which is why we chose him. he's actually a photojournalist who is the father of one of my former students. We haven't gotten the proofs back yet, but he was a lot of fun to work with that day. I hate posing for pictures and he worked with that very well. i gave him a list of pictures that I wanted taken and he worked his butt off getting them all done. I can't wait to see the proofs because I'm sure they will be gorgeous!!!

Artisan (the videographer) 9
The only complaint I would have is that I knew they were there and I was hoping magically, they would be able to disappear and still get a great video of the wedding. But the gentleman who shot the video was very nice and the only reason I knew he was there was because of the light on the camera. i'm sure there's not much he can do about that though. They also gave us an additional camera for the ceremony at no additional cost, which I really appreciated. I'm excited to actually see the day again on video!

My sister (the Maid of honor) 1,000,000
If anyone ever needs a maid of honor - she was amazing. She kept everyone in order, she was there when I needed her, doing anything I needed, sometimes even before I knew I needed it! I love my sister dearly and cannot even say how amazing she was for me during the whole wedding planning process. I only wish everyone could have a sister as wonderful as she is!

Tommybride (my husband) PERFECT SCORE!!!!
I am so thrilled to have found him (well, he found me actually) and to be lucky enough to have married him. He was amazing during the whole planning process, lending his ideas, getting things done, going to every appointment with me and offering his opinions. Planning was truly an equal partnership for us.
And, now, ladies, get ready to be jealous....here's my favorite story.
The night before the wedding, I was staying at the hotel with the bridal party. He asked me to call him to let him know when I got there and asked for the room num,ber, so i knew he was up to something.... Well, he sent his brother over to the hotel that night with a vase filled with a dozen multi-colored roses (which he used to buy for me all the time when we started dating), including the red-tipped yellow rose that made up my bouquet, and a gorgeous diamond heart ring for me to wear on our wedding day. It was the sweetest thing. One of my bridesmaids remarked that it was 'just like A Wedding Story'.

Well, that's the review of the wedding. If I can think of anything else I'll add it. And I'll add pictures as soon as i cn find some time to get them on the computer!
Thanks again to everyone!!!!

Re: My April 3, 2004 Wedding

Glad u had a wonderful time. Cant wait for pics.

Re: My April 3, 2004 Wedding

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: My April 3, 2004 Wedding

congrats on your wonderful day. Can't wait to see your pics!!

Re: My April 3, 2004 Wedding

Lori I cant wait to raed more of your review
Congrats Lori & Tommy

Re: My April 3, 2004 Wedding

Congrats!!

Re: My April 3, 2004 Wedding

Congrats to you and your new hubby Mrs Tommybride!

Re: My April 3, 2004 Wedding

Congratulations

Re: My April 3, 2004 Wedding

Congrats!! I can't wait to hear more and to see pics

Re: My April 3, 2004 Wedding

Congratulations! Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!

Re: My April 3, 2004 Wedding

Congratulations. Can't wait to see the pictures

Re: My April 3, 2004 Wedding

Congrats!!!!

Re: My April 3, 2004 Wedding

Congratulations!

Re: My April 3, 2004 Wedding

Thanks for the detailed review so far! Congrats!

We look forward to seeing some pictures!

Re: My April 3, 2004 Wedding

Congratulations!!!!!! I'm so happy you had such a perfect day.

Re: My April 3, 2004 Wedding

Congratulations!

Re: My April 3, 2004 Wedding

Congrats!!! Can't wait to hear about the Courtyard Mariott because we are staying there as well!

Re: My April 3, 2004 Wedding

congrats!! i wanna hear more...

Re: My April 3, 2004 Wedding

Congratulations!

Re: My April 3, 2004 Wedding

Sounds like you had a wonderful day - congratulations! Can't wait to see the pics...