Our 8/8/04 Thatched Cottage Wedding...I need to add some pics!

Okay, I have been putting this off for so long, partially because I had this feeling it would take me hours and i didn't have the motivation to do it and also because we don't have any pictures scanned except for those people emailed. so here goes...

Dress: Dorothy Walsh in Northport A
Well, I did the whole dress shopping thing and went all over, to Macy's, looked at expensive dresses and decided to take a look at the Jessica McClintock dresses in Roosevelt Field...more affordable and had a lot of nice styles. I knew I wanted strapless and no train and nothing too elaborate but still nice. at first i wanted ivory but then i realized that white was beautiful. but what solidified everything was trying on the veil. it made the dress. so i took fmil and fsil, took fh (just to see what made his jaw drop and what didn't). Then I wanted to show my mom but she lives in Montauk. so i needed to show her some dresses in a more convenient location and therefore, i chose dorothy walsh. it is sort of old lady-ish, but she carries wedding dresses and specifically mcclintock dresses. after showing them a simple, strapless white dress, we all decided that i should purchase it there. the owner was great, the dress was less then $300 (and beautiful). AND, it took 3 weeks to get in rather than 8 months. I took it to a seamstress named evelyn in dix hills and she wound up making the shawl that came with the dress into a mantilla-ish veil. then i sewed some swarovski crystals in the veil. well, i loved my dress. i felt so beautiful and happy in it and i am so happy that it didn't cost me an arm and a leg. so, that was the dress. as for my shoes, well, my mil found them at tj maxx!!! $20!!! totally on a whim. but perfect and after searching, they were just what i had wanted. they were open toed heels with a strap from chinese laundry. comfy and pretty.

So the day before the wedding, I went and got my nails done at a little place called Blueberry on 110 in Melville. nothing too fancy, just a french manicure and pedicure. won't and can't complain. nails are nails and they looked nice.

Photographer: Fredericks Studios A
My husband used to work for Fred and when we decided to do this wedding and do it right, he said that he wanted to use Fred. I trust him, he went to school for photography, so i said sure. we met with Fred who was totally nice and discussed our package. We saw his books and since we had already booked the Thatched Cottage, we knew he was one of the house photographers there and honestly, we are soooo happy. The proofs are awesome!!! Holy crap, they came out amazing. most are in color, some b/w, some sepia toned. since he shoots digital, he retook right away ones that had blinkers or what nots. he was on time, and along with his gear, he brought his beautiful and incredibly sincere assistant, Asia. She was so helpful and the two of them just put us at ease. I wish we had pics scanned in, but the scanner is at the apartment and I am not. but i have to say, and i'm picky and anal...they are awesome. genuine smiles, funny candid moments, a happy bunch!!! we just got back our thank you notes today and i am psyched to start writing them. i stole an idea from the thread, pics you want to recreate...i have the link saved somewhere. it is the picture of the couple holding up the signs that say thank you. well, he took one of those shots and transferred it to an almost water color shot on cardstock. they look so cool! anyway, loved fred, loooove our pics and well worth the money. i knew from the beginning, pictures, food and music were the three areas i didn't want to go low budge on and i am so glad we didn't.

Video: Premiere Video (John Weppler) Have not seen it yet but we saw my dad's and stepmom's. it was a gift from them to get this since we were going to cut this out. well, after seeing theirs, holy cow, you have no idea how grateful we were to get this. so while i haven't seen any footage, i have a lot of confidence that it will be outstanding.

Flowers: Burtons A
I have to say that in the end, centerpieces really don't matter! i never even saw them. i heard people loved them and thought they were beautiful, but i have no idea what they looked like. Anyway, i spent months tearing out pictures of what i liked and of course all the flowers i loved were out of season. of course. but burtons was great because they worked with that and found flowers that were similar so i could have the bouquets and centerpieces i wanted. burtons was basically the first florist i went to. i heard about them from a family friend and from LIW. Carole was so easy to deal with. She took me in without an appointment, stayed within my budget, knew right away what I was looking for, was accomidating. I had my boo-k and a tosser, 4 girls and jr. bm boo-k, flower girl basket and petals, tossing petals (small box had plenty of flower for 80 rose cones, plus leftover petals!!!) usher bouts, 2 grooms bouts (in case his got crushed), father/stepfather/grandfather bouts, mom/step/gramma bouts, and 12 centerpieces and flowers for the cake. All beautiful, like hydranea, spray roses, lilac, etc...for an awesome price. i wanted flowers but i am one of those people who didn't see the reality of spending a gazillion dollars on something that dies the next day. well, they didn't die the next day and i would totally recommend Burtons. i even had to make a change the day before and they did it!!!

Limo-well, his name was Bob and he's from Huntington and he was awesome. My mom took care of this since I only wanted a cadillac to take me and my mom to the hall. it was a beautiful car, clean, he was nice, on time, a great driver and offered me water and a power bar. I have his name at home, though.

Vanderbilt Museum- we went here for pictures. Wow...wow! the place is beautiful, which i knew from living near it and seeing it before, but when when it is your weddind day, it is even more amazing! it costs over $200 to take pics there and i think that money is gone if it rains, but fortunately, it didn't rain and these pics came out fantastic!!! the view of the harbor...with the blue blue sky and blue blue water and white sail boats...wow. now hear is that bad part. the guard there was an a$$...he made one of my bm walk down the cobblestone driveway in heels! it was like he wanted to piss someone off. i didn't hear about any of this until after, which is good, but he said to the driver of my husbands car 'looks like we are gonna have a problem.' huh??? whatever was up his bum, we still had a great time taking pictures here and if you are in the area and need a place to do it, do it!!! we also loved bayard cutting arboretum, but it was too far south for that day. anyway, A

Officiants: Reverend Enid Kessler and Rabbi Stuart Paris A+++++++++++++++
wow! what an awesome couple! it was very serendipitous how we came to them. dh is jewish, but not practicing. i'm catholic but not practicing. rather we are both spiritual in beliefs. so we looked through the knot magazine for interfaith couple and found this one couple. they were booked but gave us the number of their friends. we called them and decided to meet with them, but before, mil remembered that 7 months prior, she toor out an article in newsday about an interfaith couple and i kept it and it was them! anyway, they were so helpful, so on top of things, so resourceful. they reminded us constantly that this was our day and to take it all in. we met with them a couple of times, discussed readings, did runthroughs, tweaked things over the phone and just designed a ceremony that would be beautiful, unique and ours. and it was. before the ceremony, we gathered in a room with our parents and witnesses to do a ketubah ceremony and sign the marriage license. we were all crying. the ceremony was amazing! it just meant so much to us and our families were touched. both of our heritages were incorportated and i have to say they were awesome. they were the kind of people who we felt and feel that we will keep in touch with for years to come. they married us and they seemed so happy to do so.

Hair: Nicole D'angelo A+++ Loved her! omg, she did an amazing job at the trial, she talked with me, pulled out pictures, listened to me, got a feel as to what i wanted and created a beautiful hairdo that everyone complimented. she arrived bright and early at 5:45 and even put up with a grouchy bm who got her period that day and was in a pissiest mood but loved her hair! good woman!

Makeup: me and a bm. we used bare escentuals and clinique and the only thing i had to touch up was my lips! i did trials and always felt that bm and me could do better. we both love makeup and playing with it and so we decided to take a crack at it. i did my foundation with clinique perfectly real then powdered with bare escentuals. we used b/e blush and glimmers on my eyes. we used clinique waterproof mascara. for lips, we used clinique lipliner is violet and a nice pink color for my lips. my makeup lasted through a beautiful august sunny day!

DJ: Spinaroundsound A+ i loved tom! he was the first dj we went to. we called him b/c his ad in the knot got us. 2page spread discussing how music tastes are varied and if you didn't want cheese, to call. well, it was more tasteful than that, but when we met with him, we thought he knew his music. we are huge music people. our tastes are eclectic and varied. we love dave matthews, eric clapton, wyclef, ella fitzgerald, louis armstrong, hawaiian music, bob marly, classical, whatever, we know it. we gave him the list of songs to play for first dances and all, then our must play songs, then a suggested list and a do not play list. he stuck by that! he knew what i'd like and what i'd hate. he played almost all the songs we gave him! people were dancing the whole time and for a day wedding, that is big. he was the mc and rio was the dj. not obtrusive, not annoying, just played great fantastic music and people commented that they loved every song. one song that seemed out of place was the electric slide and i originally said no to it and he wasn't going to play it, but we decided to say yes to it and it still had people dancing. anyway, i danced the whole time and had so much fun! at one point, and i was so embarassed but people laughed, he played you're the one that i want from grease. well, i expected everyone to sing and dance. so i started singing and dancing to it and everyone gathered around and laughed and clapped at me basically singing to my husband. so funny and the pics of my faces are hysterical! as favors, we made cds. 19 awesome songs! people are asking us for more copies, that they won't part with their copy, people are copying it for their friends...went over really well! we put a lot of time and thought into every song and it shows. this cd is our soundtrack to our life. i love it! some of the songs on the cd were played. anyway, here are some of the songs that we wanted him to play. people said that the wedding was more like a party and that made me so happy. music is essential and good music can make all the difference!!!
L-O-V-E-by Nat king cole
The very thought of you
Dedicated to the one I love-the shirelles
All I want is you-U2
Crazy Love-van Morrison
Come away with me-norah jones
King of love/by your side-sade
Everlasting love-natalie cole
Is this love-bob Marley
Dream a little dream of me
That’s amore-dean martin
Moondance-van Morrison
Crazy little thing called love-queen
Melt with you-modern English
Jump jive wail
One love-bob Marley
Shake your groove thing
Tainted love-soft cell
Crazy in love-beyonce
Crash-dmb
Going to the chapel
Do you love me-dirty dancing
The way you look tonight
Got to give it up-marvin gaye
Wicked game-chris isaak
Somewhere beyond the sea-bobby darin
September-EWF
You’re the one that I want-grease
Ray of light-madonna
Lion sleeps tonight
I want you to want me-cheap trick or save ferris
Starry eyed surprise-paul oakenfield
Step in the name of love-r. Kelly
Now that I’m with you- Jessica simpson
Let’s get crazy-prince

Kool and the gang
50’s
60’s
70’s

Love Divine by Seal
Strokin-by Clarence Carter
Dancin in the moonlight-Van Moorison
Love Shack-B-52’s
Harry Belafonte-Jump in the line
Get an Ugly Girl to marry you
The Way you look tonight

Last but not least...The Thatched Cottage A+ wow! i am so happy we chose it. we had looked only at a couple of other places before visitng last minute on a saturday in january. we met in centerport and it seemed appropriate that we marry there. i'm from northport, he's from huntington, and so it was close for our families. it is on the water (we loooove water) and yet if it rained, they had a contingency plan. we saw it in january and could only imagine how it looked full of flowers and blooming! ducks were quacking, swans swam by...awesome weeping willow trees, a gazebo. romantic yet fun. the food was delicious at the tasting and i heard it was fantastic that day...didn't eat too much. had about three bites of my salad, one ravioli, didnt' taste the cake...oh well. the staff was so easy to work with, they were accomidating and supportive and told us exactly what we needed and didn't need, etc. and we stayed within a budget. i loved it mostly because one wall is all windows. i didn't feel claustrophobic or stuck. the bridal suite is upstairs so i could see our guests arriving, but not be seen. all in all, i can't say enough how fantastic the place is. it looks simple on the outside, but inside, it is all we wanted. we were told that our wedding was elegant but unpretentious. that is a compliment.

All in all, the best day. a good time was had by all. people laughed, cried, smiled, talked, danced and loved one another. our families were happy, we were delerious. we had the best weather and all we did was smile!!! it didn't matter that we didn't name our tables or that the centerpieces were off a degree...all that mattered was that the people we loved and cared about were with us and had a great time. who could ask for more??? i wish i could tell you more, but it has been an hour and a half already and i am afraid i would bore you, if i haven't already. i could talk about our invitations (i made them!), our rings, a ton of stuff. Aruba was fantastic!! they hyatt was awesome!! and with the hurricane, i can tell you that we are so happy to have went there. i will do an aruba review, too. anyway, i love my life, i love my husband...thank you to all of you at LIW...you all kicked me in the butt to get inspired and motivated, you gave me ideas, solutions, advice...all in all, i'm glad we did it. eloping sounded like a mighty fine idea at some points, but in the end, we had the time of our lives and i am so excited to start this new journey. for you new brides...remember, it isn't about necklines or various hues...it is about love. put your heart into your marriage and give it without hesitance to this fantastic person you are marrying. have fun planning and it will show that day and in the days to come! much luck to you all.

Re: Our 8/8/04 Thatched Cottage Wedding...I need to add some pics!

Congratulations on a beautiful day!

Re: Our 8/8/04 Thatched Cottage Wedding...I need to add some pics!

Congrats!!!!
Can't wait for some pics!!!!!

Re: Our 8/8/04 Thatched Cottage Wedding...I need to add some pics!

Great review, thank you so much. I can't wait to get married there next year. Again thanks, your review was very helpful and very true. Good advice. Good luck!!

Re: Our 8/8/04 Thatched Cottage Wedding...I need to add some pics!

I can't wait to see pics! I love bare essentuals- I use it every day!!!

Re: Our 8/8/04 Thatched Cottage Wedding...I need to add some pics!

Great review!! FH is from Northport too, and we are getting married at TC.

You looked beautiful and it sounds like you had a great day!! I'm so glad to hear everything went well - you sound like you have a terrific attitude about life in general!!

Congrats!!

Re: Our 8/8/04 Thatched Cottage Wedding...I need to add some pics!

I can vouch for cocoa - we all had a great time...the flowers were amazing...everything was perfect!

Now it's my turn - see you there cocoa!!

Re: Our 8/8/04 Thatched Cottage Wedding...I need to add some pics!

Hooray Cocoa Congrats on your wedding and marriage!!!!

So glad that another of my fellow TC brides had a wonderful day! It was really nice to be able to 'plan 'together' and share some FMs here and there as our mutual days grew closer ..

Thanks so much for sharing your review. It was a GREAT review and worth the wait... your personality shines through.. you seem so warm, down to earth, and funny at the same time. I am truly happy that your day was so beautiful

From the pictures I have seen of you, you looked SO beautiful !! And I cannot wait to see MORE... so please share if/when you can!

Again - congrats and best wishes for a wonderful life with your DH

Re: Our 8/8/04 Thatched Cottage Wedding...I need to add some pics!

Congrats on a wonderful day!

Re: Our 8/8/04 Thatched Cottage Wedding...I need to add some pics!

YAY!!!

I'm next i think!!!

AKKK!!!



So glad yours went so well...I loved your pics on BHB!

Re: Our 8/8/04 Thatched Cottage Wedding...I need to add some pics!

Hooray and congratulations!

Re: Our 8/8/04 Thatched Cottage Wedding...I need to add some pics!

Congratulations