NOW WITH PICS - My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

Hello all! I'm back from the honeymoon. The wedding was wonderful, amazing, and went by very fast! The weather was perfect for our outdoor ceremony. And the honeymoon was awesome. Here is my review of all our vendors, etc. If you want more information, feel free to FM me!

Ceremony/Reception - Chateau Briand - A+
The CB was so very good to us. Throughout the planning process, they granted our every request and accommodated everything we wanted. The food was unbelievable. The DaVinci room (and outdoor garden) was gorgeous. The staff was super attentive. The Viennese tables were overwhelming. The Krispy Kremes, bagels, and coffee on the way out was so unique. People have been calling my parents nonstop to rave about the wedding, saying they have never been to anything like it in their lives. We don't have a single complaint.

Flowers - Flowers by Brian - A+
Brian is amazing. We were so annoying with what we wanted and he did everything we wanted, going above and beyond. Even his staff was so awesome. The white roses in the centerpieces didn't brown at all throughout the night, and he put tuling (sp?) and lights on the reception room which made a BIG hit. He decorated the ceremony gazebo with tons of flowers too. (We had another florist do the bouquets b/c it's a family friend so I can't comment on those). I love him!

Tuxedos - After Hours - F
I can't even get into it. I mean, tuxedos are supposed to be the EASIEST part and they were one of the most difficult. First they sold us suits instead of tuxedos. Then we were able to change it, but when they came in, many were the wrong sizes and the groomsmen had to go back the morning of the wedding. The store (Huntington) is run by teenagers. And even though they had THIRTEEN weddings our weekend, they only had TWO people working the entire weekend so each groomsman had to wait an hour to get his tux and try it on. Horrible.

BM Dresses - Bridal Couture of Manhasset - C-
The only reason I gave them such a high rating was because at the end of the day, everyone had a dress to wear. But there were a lot of tears along the way. I know that many stores always order the wrong size, but usually it's BIGGER so they can alter it. Well, they measured everyone and for some reason, everyone's dress was way too small. Not much you can do about that! They were Vera Wang dresses so I thought they must run 4 sizes too small, but many people who have Vera Wang told me that wasn't the case. Anyway, my girls were very unhappy. And the management wouldn't even return our calls about it.

Gown - Eve of Milady - Bridal Reflections - B+
I'll start by saying that I LOVED my gown. We went to BR despite all the negative reviews b/c we wanted to go somewhere that sold EOM, had been in business awhile, and was close enough to get to fittings. The staff was snotty sometimes, yes. And they were supposed to order the dress already hemmed to my height due to all the beading on it. The dress didn't come in that way though so they had to redo it. Anyway, the seamstress (Lee) did an amazing job. And at the end of the day, BR was able to get me my dress, and alter it, within 4 months. Can't complain.

Photography - Proline Studios - A-
We went with the CB house photographer because we wanted someone familiar with the venue and when we met Mike, we liked him a lot. Our photographers were Mitch for formals, and George for photojournalism. Mitch was very competent and to his credit, tried to get all the pictures we wanted, but our personalities just didn't mesh and I felt like he was being a little annoying. I'll report back when I get my proofs. George was the nicest, friendliest guy, I liked him a lot.

Videography - Proline - A
We haven't seen the video yet but we liked Mario a lot, mostly because he wasn't in our face bothering us all night - we barely saw him, but knew he was getting all the moments on video.

Ceremony Music - Sterling Music - A+
We had a harpist and a flutist and it was beautiful. Just what we wanted. They were easy to work with, showed up on time. No complaints.

Band/DJ - Steven Scott - Jump Street - C+
I am most disappointed with this vendor because I was sure it would be our best vendor. During the planning, they were very easy to work with, accommodating, responsive, etc. And we know they have a great reputation. They gave us a cd, let us watch a video, etc. But the problem was that we gave them specific lists of songs TO play and NOT to play, and they didn't follow it. In fact, they played some songs TWICE, some not a ALL, and some that we requested not to play. Plus, they rushed the best man speech before everyone was quiet so we didn't even hear it. They rushed some other things too and didn't even give me a change to give my thank you speech, which I asked to do. And one of the singers was NOT good, and one we had heard previously was not there. Plus, they mispronounced everybody's name after promising they wouldn't. Overall, everyone danced all night and had a great time regardless so maybe it was just me because I was paying special attention.

to be continued...

Message edited 6/21/2004 10:12:32 PM.

Re: My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

Part 2 - continued...

Officiant - Father Robert Schumann - A+ -
A former Catholic Priest, he's now a married Catholic Priest in a special type of church that allows him to perform at outdoor ceremonies. He did a great job and it all sounded exactly the same as if it were in a church.

Makeup - Michelle Cook - A+
She was reccommended by a family friend and did my makeup and my sisters and it came out awesome. I don't wear makeup usually so she made me look natural but with enough to enhance me enough for pictures.

Hair - Vincent Bruce Salon - A+
I drove them crazy adding/removing/ changing appointments and going back for 2 hair trials. But they did me and 4 of my BM hair and everyone looked fabulous and the hair stayed still all night long.

Honeymoon - Aruba - A+
I am so sad to be home. The weather is just so amazing, it never rains, and there is always a cool breeze. There's so many restaurants to choose from. The ocean is so warm and clear. It wasn't very crowded and there were no kids and we just relaxed for a week and enjoyed every second.

Honeymoon - Radisson - A
It's a beautiful resort, the service was great, no complaints. The only things was that the bathrooms in the room didn't have doors (they had a folding screen) which was a bit strange. We chose the Radisson over the Hyatt because we wanted a balcony that we could sit out on - and we got one, no problem. The Hyatt doesn't have any balconies BUT we did go there for drinks and dinner and the grounds there may be a little bit nicer. Also, we weresn't able to find the hot tubs at the Radisson although they supposedly had them.


Did I forget any vendors? Let me know if I did.

I promise to post a pic AS SOON AS I SEE ONE. I haven't seen a single picture and I'm dying (nobody emailed me any digital pics yet)! I can't believe it's all over!!!

Re: My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

OK, I forot Limos and miscellaneous other items -

Limos - Alexis - A+
They were on time, let us do a pick and drop off (no 3 hour minimum) b/c all we needed was from the house to the CB. They also gave us a car to the airport the next morning. Very reasonably priced too.

Hotel - Holiday Inn Westbury - A+
We didn't go glam b/c we were only going to be there a few hours. When we got there at 2am, they upgraded us to a suite at no charge. Nice!

Invitations/Programs - A+ - My mom ordered them from a lady that has books out of her house - I don't even have a contact name or a brand, sorry!

Ugh. That's a long review, thanks for sticking with it!

Re: My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

It sounds like you had a wonderful wedding and honeymoon!
I can't wait to see the pictures.
So how does it feel to be a Wife?

Re: My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

CONGRATS AGAIN...SOunds like everything turned out great in the end!
I am nervous about Tuxs now! I was going to go to After Hours in the SMithhaven Mall...maybe not

Re: My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

I'm still getting used to being called Mrs. X, and I can't stop looking at my new ring! But other than that not much has changed since we lived together beforehand. Except that we seem to be even more happy and in love and can't stop talking about our future house and kids!

Re: My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

Congrats to you. I'm glad everything went well....wow 2 am what time did your reception end?

Re: My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

Oct2004Bride - After Hours - Just say no.
It's not just the Huntington store. I haven't heard anything about Smithtown but there was a guy (groomsman, not groom) in there the Friday afternoon before the Saturday MORNING wedding, and he had ordered his tux in Boston and they said they sent it to Huntington. It never showed up and nobody claimed to know anything about it. This poor guy wasn't going to have his tux until 1pm the next day (maybe - and hope it fit!). The kids running the store don't know diddly about tuxedos and don't care, management is poor, they are understaffed, etc. - it's a chain store mentality. There are so many other tuxedo places on LI and you have so much time so look around!

Re: My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

Our reception was 7 - 12 but guests refused to leave the room until almost 1am! Then we had to collect our stuff from the bridal room, etc.

Re: My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

Congrats!!! I'm glad your day went perfect!!!

Re: My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

Congrats

Re: My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

Congrats! Glad things went well!

We were at the Aruba Radisson the same time as you - i agree it's a wonderful place.
We actually managed to find the hot tubs - behind the Curacao tower - if were weren't staying there we probably wouldn't have stumbled upon them either!

At least you know for next time - if you go back! We sure plan to!

Re: My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

congrats...

Re: My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

It sounds like a wonderful day!!!!! Congrats!!!!

Re: My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

It sounds like you had an amazing day!! And as a future Chateau Bride, I'm so happy to hear all of the good things!! I cant wait to see your pics!!

Re: My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

Sounds like you had a wonderful wedding and honeymoon. Congratulations!

Re: My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

Great review! Congrats on your wonderful wedding and HM.

Re: My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

Congrats! Glad you had a great time! Can't wait to see pics. We are so excited to get married at CB!!

Re: My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

Congratulations on your great day!

Re: My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

Sounds like a wonderful day! I'm glad we were not the only ones who couldn't find the hot tubs!

Re: NOW WITH PICKS - My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

here are just a few that I got

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Re: NOW WITH PICS - My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

and three more...

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Message edited 6/21/2004 10:11:38 PM.

Re: NOW WITH PICS - My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

You look beautiful!! Congrats Your hair looks gorgeous

Re: NOW WITH PICS - My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

Everything looks beautiful!!! Congrats!!

Re: NOW WITH PICS - My 6/12/04 Chateau Briand Wedding and Aruba Honeymoon Review!

Congrats! So what happend witht he Bridesmaid's dresses? They just wore them tight? They look good in the pictures.