| Posted By |
Message |
| Pages: [1] 2 |
NatalieS
Board Fanatic
Member since 1/03 334 total posts
Wedding Date:
5/15/2004 12:00 AM
Wed. Location:
Watermill
|
May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!! (PROOFS ADDED)
I'm so excited that it’s finally my turn to lay out all the good and bad. But first and foremost, a big thanks to all the girls that provided support and opinions throughout my planning stages. It truly made my wedding a wonderful SUCCESS. I would not have changed a thing!!
Florist: Jack and Rose
Flowers were gorgeous!!!! Centerpiece in one word "wow" I gave Jack a difficult task in matching roses to two contrastingly different bridesmaid dresses (bright pink and periwinkle blue) He came up with a color combination of cream and peach roses which fit the dresses to a T!! The flowers arrived on time and FRESH!!!! I highly recommend it if you are a bride who is willing to give over creative control. Jack knows what he's doing but I'm the anal type and wanted to have some control which made things a little bit harder but once I gave him full reign, he was able to give me what I wanted.
Limo: Royalty Limos
Great service. Limo driver helped photographers set up certain shots with the limo. Helped carry things to the limo and assisted as much as possible. No matter which company you go with, definitely provide directions to where you are going. It will ensure you get there on time and not lost. I did this and it worked out great.
Photographer and Videographer: Duval
Excellent!! My guest thought I paid a million dollars for them. They took soo many pictures and never counted how much they were taking. At leastI dont think so. Edward and Joel for my lead photographers and Glenn was our videographer. Edward was great with attention to detail!! He made all the men in the pictures straighten their ties, remove bulky items from pockets, and adjust their jacket for cleaner look. He even made the women take off their pocket books so the pic would not look awkward. Proofs are on their way to my house. *Look for an update on this*
DJ Kirby and MC Frank:
The only sore point in all my planning. If you gals read my other post, I was soo close to firing them a month before my wedding b/c they sprung on me the fact that they did not have insurance for the watermill. I went bridzilla as you can imagine and they got the insurance but then did not fax it to watermill so that was a headache to get them to finally fax it. But what they lacked for in business demeanor more than made up for it at the wedding. They were the best turn around vendor I had. They kept my guest on their feet the whole night and I don’t think anyone did not at least get on the floor once. They wedding was fast pace and the MC made sure to get everyone involved!!! LOTS of fun and big kudos to them despite the shaky beginning.
Hair and Make-up Artist: Timmy
Timmy has been my family’s hair dresser for as long as I can remember. He was their for my hair at my sweet-sixteen, high school graduation, prom, college graduation, and among other social events in my life. My hair and make up was as perfect as always and I never even went in for a trial. I had no idea what everything would look like until the day of my wedding. He picked my hair style and did my makeup. Loved it!!!
Watermill Caterers: What can I say that wasen’t said before. Their reputation precedes themselves. 5 star service as expected. Sean was our maitre’d, Jenny bridal assistant and
Amy (I think) head of the wait staff. Sean made sure that the photographers and mc/dj were all where they were suppose to be and helped usher people in and out of rooms. Unbelieveable service!!!! Not a snag in the whole experience. The weather was perfect for an outside cocktail hour followed by a reception inside the Vanderbilt room. I did not have to worry about a thing. Sean honestly covered all the bases. He got the champagne flukes for the photographer when pictures needed to taken with it. He got the toss bouquet from I don’t even know who had it!! He help set up the bridemaids and groomsment for bouguet and garter tosses and assisted the Mc in countless activities throughout my party. UNBELIEVEABLE SERVICE!!! DID I mention the food was to die for as told to me by my guests? We of course only had a bite or two. Attention to detail was flawless. And if you are anal as I am you will love the service!!!
Temple designer and Caterer:
This review would not be complete without mentioning the great job they did with transforming a stark looking temple into an elegant hall. I have not seen my temple look as great as it did for any other wedding there. I am so fortunate that they put such hard work into it. Thanks mom for overseeing this difficult task. Sorry ladies, the temple designer are strictly for the temple and are on a pro bono basis only. Lucky us.
Wedding Dresses: Thai Traditional Dress-- (Unibride, Thailand) White Wedding dress-- (Modern Bride, Thailand) These are one of a kind custom made dresses that will shortly be for sale (my little plug) Pics to follow soon, inquire within if interested.
BM and GM:
Groomsmen tux was from Afterhour. This was also a down point. Messed up 2 of the 4 tuxes ordered. Had to pick up one in NY before the wedding and the other groomsmen waited around in maryland (where we were originally suppose to pick it up). I went crazy on them since they guaranteed it would all be done by friday morning and my groomsmen needed to be in their tuxes by 7 am the next morning. They guaranteed but I didnt trust them b/c I had gone in the week before to make sure something like this wouldnt happen and it still happened. I had a s**t fit but everything worked out by thursday evening. Phew. Luckily I scheduled to pick up the tux 2 days early which gave me an extra day for such a mishap. Needless to say, I was still super stresssed since I double checked but did not triple check. Bridesmaid wore a thai traditional dress for the cermony and davids bridal dress (off clearance rack for 50bucks each). It cost the girls under 150 each for the dress and an outside alteration seamstress. Definitely use the asian hook-up for the chinese seamstress in chinatown. My bm got her dress altered for 50-60 bucks and this meant major reconstruction of the whole dress. for example taking a dress from a size 6 down to a size 0. The dress looked awesome!!!
Favors: Soap carved flowers (Thailand)
Hotel for out of town guests: Marriott Islandia
Great service. Guest were fully happy!!! They don’t have in-room refrigeraters but if you ask them, they will store your bouquet in the kitchen fridge with a message in the computer where to locate it the next day. I was not the only bride to do this. You can also have them store your cake too if you don’t have someone take it home that day.
Care packages: Courtesy of my bridesmade GG – Fruit baskets. Great Job girl.
Weather: Rain was forcasted but it was a beautiful 82 degrees I believe . Not a black cloud in the sky. We were most fortunate!!!
Hawaii Honeymoon:
Four nights on the big island split between two coasts. We stayed at the Four Season with an ocean front room (differing from ocean view room) for 2 nights in Haulalai on the Kona Coast. If you can afford it, a must do for a longer stay. Impeccable service. IMPECCABLE!!!! Our room even had a door from our shower that led to an OUTSIDE enclosed eucalyptus garden with a shower if we preferred to shower outside. NO JOKE!! We could only afford 2 nights for the rate they were charging us!! We then drove to Volcano national park and stayed at a bed and breakfast to make up for the cost of the four seasons. If you plan to stay in the area definitely consider Hale Ohia Cottages. www.haleohia.com and shell out a little more for their Cottage 44. It is the best cottage of all theirs to offer. Private cozy cottage for 2. I believe it was 150/night which is a steal considering most hotel rates. Definitely worth it They provide small breakfast like papaya and bread but if you’ve been there before, that is pretty good considering what is in the area which is not much. You can also pick up a few extra goodies at the local grocery stores. If you are an outdoor type person, definitely do the drive around volcano national park, hike the 2 miles across the Ikuliea (sp?) crater and the hike to see the lava ( about a 1.5 mile hike). Go at dusk. The lava looks amazing right after sunset and don’t forget your flashlights. Before leaving the big island we got down and dirty and went out on an atv adventure to the green sand beach. Great trip!! The big island is full of fun activities but you have to be very outdoorsy. No real beaches or tropical scenery outside the hotels. Go to maui for that.
The Last 6 days we spent in Maui. 3 nights on the west coast near Lahaina town. We stayed at the Sheraton. Loved it. Got it on priceline for 140 per night which was a steal!!! Go to www.biddingfortravel.com for tips on how to beat priceline and get the hotel you want. Sheraton is a starwood resort and we got upgraded to a partial ocean view room. We did the Sunrise on Mt Haleakala followed by the bike down. Lots of fun but not good for the fear of heights people. You actually complete 38 miles to the end. Its downhill all the way with no biking. I recommend Mountain Riders. They seemed very professional and Knowledgable. Snorkeling off black rock is an attraction too, and its right behind the Sheraton. Don’t make the mistake I did and not get a life preserver especially the weak swimmers like myself. Almost did not make it back to shore b/c I got motion sick and got stuck out there in 20 ft deep water. Not good. Old Lahaina Luau was great. I would recommend this one!! The last 3 nights we spent at the Grand Wailea which came highly recommended from a lot of people. It was very nice with a great activity pool full of slides and a water elevator (sounds weird but cool). However it was very secluded. South maui had lots of secluded hotels if you are looking for rest but we preferred the busier bussling Lahaina town in west maui. I actually thought the garden view rooms were over priced at a whopping 350 per night and if you weren’t going to treat yourself to the spa, I would opt for another hotel. They have a world class spa which is pretty pricey but seems worth it. We however did not take advantage of this which probably made our stay not as worth it. Staying at this caliber of a hotel I think we needed to shell out a little more dough as in the four seasons to get a more fulfilling experience. I found its not worth it to stay at a pricey hotel if you cant afford to pay top dollar. You lose out on the experience. We actually thought the experience at Sheraton was better. Go figure. Definitely be prepared to eat the food is GREAT. TIP: definitely make sure a breakfast is included in your package or pay the extra 10-15 bucks additional for an included breakfast package. You end up saving in the long run and you get an all you can eat breakfast buffet and it is gooooooood. You end up paying 30-50 dollars for the breakfast buffet if its not included in your stay. Make sure to do this for all the hotels you stay at. We did. It’s a little harder if you go through priceline.
That’s it for now. I will be more than happy to help with any Hawaii honeymooners with questions. Get the “Maui Revealed” books or any of the revealed books. Its great!!!! That’s what we used as reference and made for an awesome time in Paradise!!! Use your sunscreen around the clock. The sun is very unforgiving. 15 degrees or so below the equator !!
Here is the links to my official website with our WEDDING PROOFS:
http://nat_jim_wedding.home.comcast.net/
Image Attachment(s):
Message edited 6/17/2004 9:52:16 AM.
|
Posted 5/29/04 9:55 PM 
|
| |
|
dm24angel
Take a full moon and add Wine!
Member since 2/04 8534 total posts
Wedding Date:
3/11/2005 5:00 PM
Wed. Location:
Water Mill
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!!
Sounds perfect! Thanks for the review...Im always looking for Watermill reviews....havent heard a bad one yet! Enjoy being a newlywed!
Message edited 5/29/2004 10:30:19 PM.
|
|
Posted 5/29/04 10:30 PM
|
| |
|
palebride
Intercourse knows no season...
Member since 6/03 12375 total posts
Wedding Date:
4/3/2004 12:00 PM
Wed. Location:
Watermill
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!!
COngratulations!!
I have to agree with you about the Watermill and Jack and Rose....Perfect!!
|
|
Posted 5/29/04 11:34 PM
|
| |
|
OSCARtheGROOM
Kings of estrogen free posse!
Member since 3/04 3191 total posts
Wedding Date:
7/10/2005 3:00 PM
Wed. Location:
Villa Lombardi's
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!!
I'm glad your wedding went perfectly. I'm glad to hear how beautifully your flowers came out. Jack truly is amazing and does incredible work! I can't wait to see pics of your flowers and to see how ours come out on our wedding day!!!
|
|
Posted 5/30/04 8:54 AM
|
| |
|
nov2004bride
I am two!!!!!!
Member since 8/03 4659 total posts
Wedding Date:
11/5/2004 3:00 PM
Wed. Location:
Flowerfield
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!!
congratualtions on a wonderful day!! can't wait to see pics
|
|
Posted 5/30/04 9:54 AM
|
| |
|
NatalieS
Board Fanatic
Member since 1/03 334 total posts
Wedding Date:
5/15/2004 12:00 AM
Wed. Location:
Watermill
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!!
More pics:
Image Attachment(s):
Message edited 5/30/2004 6:29:38 PM.
|
|
Posted 5/30/04 6:28 PM
|
| |
|
NatalieS
Board Fanatic
Member since 1/03 334 total posts
Wedding Date:
5/15/2004 12:00 AM
Wed. Location:
Watermill
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!!
Our Honeymoon on Big Island
Image Attachment(s):
Message edited 5/30/2004 7:02:45 PM.
|
|
Posted 5/30/04 6:41 PM
|
| |
|
NatalieS
Board Fanatic
Member since 1/03 334 total posts
Wedding Date:
5/15/2004 12:00 AM
Wed. Location:
Watermill
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!!
Lava was definitely hot. Bottom two were once the road leading up to the volcano but last year and eruption sent lava spilling down on to current roadways which prompted the ranger station to move their post back another mile. Notice the speed limit sign still stands despite the lava engulfed around it.
Image Attachment(s):
Message edited 5/30/2004 7:05:35 PM.
|
|
Posted 5/30/04 7:03 PM
|
| |
|
NatalieS
Board Fanatic
Member since 1/03 334 total posts
Wedding Date:
5/15/2004 12:00 AM
Wed. Location:
Watermill
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!!
Honeymoon -- Maui
Image Attachment(s):
|
|
Posted 5/30/04 7:11 PM
|
| |
|
NatalieS
Board Fanatic
Member since 1/03 334 total posts
Wedding Date:
5/15/2004 12:00 AM
Wed. Location:
Watermill
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!!
Image Attachment(s):
|
|
Posted 5/30/04 7:12 PM
|
| |
|
palebride
Intercourse knows no season...
Member since 6/03 12375 total posts
Wedding Date:
4/3/2004 12:00 PM
Wed. Location:
Watermill
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!! (PICS ADDED)
great pictures....this one is particularly amazing!!!!
Image Attachment(s):
|
|
Posted 5/30/04 8:15 PM
|
| |
|
bogiedmb41
"I'm Addicted"
Member since 12/03 1205 total posts
Wedding Date:
3/26/2005 6:30 PM
Wed. Location:
Giorgio's
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!! (PICS ADDED)
your dresses were beautiful. your honeymoon pictures are amazing!!! congrats!!!
|
|
Posted 5/31/04 2:14 AM
|
| |
|
jayidee
Board Enthusiast
Member since 11/03 205 total posts
Wedding Date:
7/18/2004 11:00 AM
Wed. Location:
Crest Hollow CC
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!! (PICS ADDED)
Your wedding pictures are beautiful. It looks like you had a great time in Hawaii.
I can't wait to go!
Congratulations.
|
|
Posted 5/31/04 8:17 PM
|
| |
|
belle31125
I'm MARRIED!!
Member since 9/03 1347 total posts
Wedding Date:
7/22/2005 3:30 PM
Wed. Location:
Jericho Terrace
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!! (PICS ADDED)
What great pics!
|
|
Posted 5/31/04 9:28 PM
|
| |
|
Maribelle7777
It's A Sickness!
Member since 5/03 5699 total posts
Wedding Date:
4/30/2004 12:00 AM
Wed. Location:
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!! (PICS ADDED)
Congratulations!
Your dress is georgeous!
And we loved Lahaina too! We stayed at the Hyatt but snorkeled at Black Rock. Awesome pic of the diver (your DH?) diving off of it.
|
|
Posted 5/31/04 11:02 PM
|
| |
|
jessnyc711
"I'm Addicted"
Member since 10/03 1264 total posts
Wedding Date:
8/29/2004 11:30 AM
Wed. Location:
North Ritz Club
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!! (PICS ADDED)
Wow, those are some great pictures!!
|
|
Posted 5/31/04 11:19 PM
|
| |
|
Jackiwedd
Board Fanatic
Member since 11/03 628 total posts
Wedding Date:
8/27/2004 5:00 PM
Wed. Location:
Westbury Manor
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!! (PICS ADDED)
Those pictures are beautiful, absolutely beautiful!! I am so happy for the two of you. Congrats to the new Mr. and Mrs.!!!
|
|
Posted 6/1/04 9:04 AM
|
| |
|
Niecey
Time for a change...
Member since 6/01 5966 total posts
Wedding Date:
10/26/2002 12:00 AM
Wed. Location:
North Ritz Club
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!! (PICS ADDED)
Congrats on your wonderful wedding day!!!!!!!!! Your pictures look wonderful. The Hawaii pictures are so incredible!
|
|
Posted 6/1/04 9:13 AM
|
| |
|
bellepoque
Very happy!
Member since 8/03 1287 total posts
Wedding Date:
8/7/2004 7:00 PM
Wed. Location:
Vanderbilt Mansion, Oakdale
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!! (PICS ADDED)
congratulations! you look beautiful!
|
|
Posted 6/1/04 3:36 PM
|
| |
|
NatalieS
Board Fanatic
Member since 1/03 334 total posts
Wedding Date:
5/15/2004 12:00 AM
Wed. Location:
Watermill
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!! (PICS ADDED)
Thank you for all the congrats and well wishes. I extend to all the bride-to-be any opinion and advice I can offer during the most inportant time in your planning process. I could not have done it without the girls on this board and I'd like to return this in kind.
|
|
Posted 6/1/04 10:27 PM
|
| |
|
dukies1
Board Enthusiast
Member since 6/04 161 total posts
Wedding Date:
6/25/2005 12:00 AM
Wed. Location:
Watermill
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!! (PICS ADDED)
I loved your pocs! they are great and you guys looked amazing! I also am getting married at the watermill, thank oyu for setting my mind at ease! 
|
|
Posted 6/13/04 4:41 PM
|
| |
|
Janine24
We could not ask for more...
Member since 7/03 3945 total posts
Wedding Date:
11/7/2004 3:00 PM
Wed. Location:
Swan Club...WOW!!!
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!! (PICS ADDED)
  congrats...
beautiful pics...
|
|
Posted 6/14/04 6:30 PM
|
| |
|
nov04LIbride
Asshatery: Nature or nurture?
Member since 3/04 8138 total posts
Wedding Date:
11/6/2004 11:00 AM
Wed. Location:
Hard-boiled eggs also have hearts of gold.
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!! (PICS ADDED)
beautiful pics! the honeymoon ones are amazing!!!!!! congrats!
|
|
Posted 6/15/04 4:30 PM
|
| |
|
jayidee
Board Enthusiast
Member since 11/03 205 total posts
Wedding Date:
7/18/2004 11:00 AM
Wed. Location:
Crest Hollow CC
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!! (PROOFS ADDED)
Congratulations. It looks like you guys had so much fun.
|
|
Posted 6/17/04 9:39 PM
|
| |
|
juju
Texan At Heart <3
Member since 4/03 2393 total posts
Wedding Date:
2/6/2004 6:45 PM
Wed. Location:
Fox Hollow
|
Re: May 15, 2004 Thai Buddhist Wedding and Watermill Reception and Hawaii Honeymoon REVIEW!!! (PROOFS ADDED)
Congrats!! YOur pictures were amazing! I loved both dresses in your ceremony! You were a beautiful bride! Your hawaii picts were amazing too. It brought back memories! MY DH and I have to consider the cottage next time around!
Message edited 6/18/2004 4:08:37 PM.
|
|
Posted 6/18/04 4:00 PM
|
| |
|
| Pages: [1] 2 |
