My 8/29/04 wedding review

LIW for today only: F because I had to type this twice

What can I say! Everything was perfect. We got so many compliments on everything. We had friends and family from all over the world fly in to be with us. DH has a friend from childhood who he hadn't seen in 10 years, who is now wheelchair bound. He came in from Vancouver with his family to be at our wedding. DH's family flew in from Israel. I had a very busy weekend and got a little tired during my wedding, which was perfect. I felt everyone minute of it. It went by slow and I got to enjoy it so much!! It was just so special: Here is my review in order of the day.

Invitations and overall party planning: Shelly Silver: A++++: 516-298-5137-Shelly has been a friend of the family for years. She is the caterer at HERJC. We planned on making our own invitations, but Shelly gave us such a good deal! She also helped us all along and was so helpful. This wedding would not have been what it was without all her help!

Hair: Kim and J. and Company: A 516-569-8777: Kim is truly an artist. At my trial she played with my hair and we tried all these different things, until we found one we liked. On the day of my wedding, I was surprisingly calm and she was definitely calming. I definitely recommend her!

Make Up: Sue Kaplan of Paula's Face in Cedarhurst: A: 516-374-5199: She was amazing. She did my mom, sister and me! My DH and I were nervous. After someone else shalacked makeup me for my sister's wedding, we were nervous. Sue made my makeup look so natural but you could see it. DH even commented on how great my make up was. Sue was also so calming. At one point my 3 SIL and MIL came into my bridal suite and it was getting hectic, but Sue kept me calm. She did an amazing job.

Dress: Blanchees Boutique/ Watters Dress: A: 516-599-5067: As some of you know I had some doubts about my dress. It was very simple and small. But when I put it on with my makeup and hair, I knew it was exactly what I wanted! I looked like I had always dreamed I would. I was so happy. Blanche did a great job with alterations. The dress came in so fast. The BM dresses also came in on schedule and looked gorgeous. Blanche talked me out of getting another dress for my BM (T length) and I am glad she did. This dress was perfect!

Twelfth Night Photography A++++++++++++++: Dominic, if I wasn't married I would be coming after you! He was amazing from the beginning. When I met with him he was so calm. I loved his albums because they didn't all have the same pictures in them. His vision was unique and tailored to each bride. Then when we were deciding which package to go with, he encouraged us to get the cheaper package- and his packages are SO REASONABLE!!!! When we had our engagement photos, DH was not looking forward to it, but Dominic made it fun. We usually hate ourselves in pictures but these came out so nice it was hard to pick out the best one.

On the day of- he beat me to the temple. I hired a 2nd photographer for 2 hours (who stayed longer), who was also great. On the day of, they were calming and funny. We took pictures outside (which I didn't think I would) and made sure my dress did not get dirty. I saw some of the pictures from his digital camera and my SIL's taking pictures behind him, and they came out amazing! I can't wait to see them.

Oceanside Jewish Center/ President Caterers: A++: I got so many compliments on everything from the food, the place, the Viennese table- everything. They had so many nice touches. They told me to bring in family photos which was very nice. At the end of the wedding the gave all the women bouquet of flowers from the CP. They had these gorgeous stained glass windows that we took some pictures in front of and came out very nice (at least the few I saw from the digital camera). And the cantor- was amazing! He was so jovial and sang with such enthusiasm that at one point during the ceremony, everyone joined in and sang to DH and me! It was so special! The only issue was entirely my fault- I forgot to send the final seating chart. But they dealt with my mistake and everyone was settled and had a place to sit! There were a few glitches that were my fault and they totally took care of them!

Jack and Rose: A: I was a little nervous about them from some of the reviews of this board. Also, when I went for my design session I learned of some fees I wasn't expecting. Also, when I went to see my sample centerpiece, there was no place for me to sit so I stood for an hour and hurt my back. The flowers were made an hour before and were not fully bloomed yet, so I was a little worried. There was also another misunderstanding.

But on the day of, my flowers were AMAZING! I couldn't believe how big (and heavy) my bouquet was. Much bigger than I was expecting. They were perfect. ALl the bouquets were amazing. He added some extra touches (rose petals, cake flowers) which were so nice!! And the centerpieces- AMAZING!! I originally wanted calla lilies but roses were cheaper so since we had a small flower budget we went with red roses (my BM wore red). It was gorgeous. The perfect dramatic look I wanted. I was so impressed and got so many compliments.

Also girls, i want you to know- Shelly Silver, a friend fo the family who is a caterer and party planner came wiht me to my design session- she told me that what I was getting was worth double to triple of what I paid.

Overall, I was very happy with the flowers!

Rabbi Stanley Platek of Hewlett East Rockaway Jewish Center: A: The rabbi came in exactly on time. Not a moment sooner and not a moment later. The rabbi has known me my whole life. He married my parents, named me and my sister, bat mitavad us, married my sister. He was also friends with my dad who passed away. He was wonderful. He said such nice and personal things. It was very special.

Video: Bob Peck: Bob came up from Phili to do my wedding. My BIL is from Phili and Bob Peck did his and his brother's bar mitvad and my sister's wedding. He has this unique style of interviewing people (he gathers some background information before hand). The caterer even commented to me about him. I can't wait to see the video!

DJ: Joey from Scott Evan's Music: A: He was great! People were dancing the whole time. Everyone loved the music! I was very happy. I think they brought an extra person that I wasn't expecting! He played the middle eastern music I provided him with and it was so much fun!

PrincessBrides Tiaras on Ebay: A I bought my tiara from PrincessBrides. It was perfect! Just what I wanted. It was so sparkly! And it was $40 as opposed to $140!

Ketubah: J. Levine and Company: A. Great selection. Good prices. The salesman was not pushy and encouraged us to take the cheaper ketubah. We got the ketubah very fast.

M. Kirsch: Jewlery: He did a great job and is throwing in the engraving as a gift. His work is fantastic and his prices are great. 212 431- 8822.

Arthur Murray in Manhattan: Our teacher Jillian was amazing. DH actually had fun! We got so many compliments on our dancing, that all the engaged couples are signing up!

Mother Nature: Everything was amazing. We took outdoor pictures which I wasn't expecting. It was warm, but my hair stayed up so it was all good!

ETA: Can't wait for my honeymoon on Friday! I will post pics when I get them!

Re: My 8/29/04 wedding review

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

Re: My 8/29/04 wedding review

congratulations!!!
glad everything went so well!!
can't wait for pictures!!!

Re: My 8/29/04 wedding review

Congratulations!! It sounds perfect... Have a blast on the honeymoon, I can't wait to see 12th night pics!!

Re: My 8/29/04 wedding review

Congrats Shelly!

It sounds like your wedding day was just perfect in every regard ... and that you truly enjoyed every minute of it

I cannot wait to see pics!!!

Good Luck and Happiness always!!

Re: My 8/29/04 wedding review

Congratulations! Sounds like a fantastic day. Can't wait to see your pictures and have a wonderful time on your honeymoon.

Re: My 8/29/04 wedding review

Mazel Tov Shelly! I'm so glad everything went so well! I met with Shirley Silver when I looked at HERJC for my wedding - she's so sweet! I'm so glad the DJ from Scott Evans was good, since Scott himself did my wedding, my sister's wedding and my bat mitzvah, and I love hearing good things about his company.

I was surpised that you were able to use a non-house florist at OJC. How did you manage that?

Re: My 8/29/04 wedding review

Congratulations!! I'm glad your day went without a hitch.

Re: My 8/29/04 wedding review

Congrats...when you get back I would love to see you 12th Night pics. I think I might use them

Re: My 8/29/04 wedding review

Congrats!!! Can't wait to see some pics!!!

Re: My 8/29/04 wedding review

CONGRATULATIONS - great review - so glad you didn't give up and re-wrote it all again - definitely a helpful review! Can't wait to see pics!!!

Re: My 8/29/04 wedding review

Congratulations!!! Sounds like an amazing day. Thanks for the reviews!!

Re: My 8/29/04 wedding review

Congrats!!! I'm looking forward to pics.

Re: My 8/29/04 wedding review

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Re: My 8/29/04 wedding review

Congratulations!

Re: My 8/29/04 wedding review

Congrats and Mazel Tov! LOts of happiness to you and your hubby! Can't wait to see some pics.

Re: My 8/29/04 wedding review

congrats...

Re: My 8/29/04 wedding review

Congratulations!!!! I'm glad you had a wonderful day!

Re: My 8/29/04 wedding review

Congratulations!!!